When I lived in community I did what I was supposed to do, had my day job or ministry or classes, and participated in meals, prayer, meetings, chores, etc. To me community was vowed men living together, sharing resources and responsibilities, and being Marianist. It was counter cultural and an example of Christian living found in Acts 2:42-47. I lived it but I didn't get it. I was going through the motions. I wasn't sure what I had in common with the other men other than a desire to be Marianist and live a communal life. There was a disconnect between the lifestyle and the witness. It was appealing to me from the outside. But once inside I forgot about what was so appealing. I wanted what was right for me and for where I thought God was calling me. I thought being in community was a way of working to build the church but I took for granted the idea that being in community was a way of being church.
Parishes want to be appealing but many are shrinking and others are trying to prevent themselves from shrinking. I've been involved in two parishes that invested time and money in strategic plans on how to be better parishes. Things that naturally rise to the surface in a parish are to have better music at Mass, to keep pumping money into the school because the kids are the future (even if the majority aren't Catholic), to find ways to engage the youth (mostly already lost), to be more welcoming, and the latest, to help families to be domestic church. Parishes try to "Renew" themselves or form small communities for scripted discussions or bible studies. Fundamentally, I think energies are misdirected when they aren't about building community or giving witness to the larger community.
From people I know who have left the church, the reasons are resounding. Church is not relevant to them. The readings and homilies don't speak to them. The rituals are empty and meaningless. They don't belong. The Church doesn't practice what it preaches. The Church is out of sync with the signs of the times.
My MLC is a multi-generational community. Within the last couple of years one of the children referred to the community as church. It was a nice sentiment and we were all warmly astounded by the observation. The thought, however, hasn't left me. We come together for prayer, fellowship, meals, formation, and mutual support. We've discussed a shared vision/mission. We are more than a parish bible study or small faith community. And our community is growing.
And so I've been reflecting on why my community is so appealing. These are some of the things I like; perhaps they resonate with you. We're small enough that we know each other and genuinely care about each other. We have similar values but are also willing to challenge and be challenged. We pray well together. We play well together. We are diverse. All are welcome. We are equals and everyone participates in one way or another. We learn from one another. Our conversations, formation, and prayer are theme based or relevant to what's going on in the world or in the community. We try to be outwardly focused but we recognize that in the absence of communal ministerial experiences, we each embody "mission" and we support one another's individual endeavors. Our time together is nourishing and supportive of our daily living. Most importantly, we are there because we want to be, not because we have to be.
At a recent gathering, new community members said they knew others who also wanted to join. What a blessing! The thought could be scary but to me it was exciting. In the last 18 months, five people have joined. When we are all present, our house gatherings are bursting at the seams. To me it is recognition that we are doing something right. People recognize it, and want to be part of it. That's how church should be. And that's how church should grow. I'd like to think Fr. Chaminade would be proud!
I wish the same for your community. And if you're feeling isolated, remember there are over 100 MLC's in the United States with over 1400 members. Whether you are looking for a movement, a family, a church, a community, you are one with us, even across the miles!
To me, community is the means and the end as church, but its mission is also never-ending. Let us pray for our communities, for the growth and creation of new communities, and for religious vocations of men and women who are called to live as brothers and sisters in community.
Peace,
Matt Dunn
Editor