Webster defines a "community" as a group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, or neighborhood), or a group of people who have the same interests, religion, race, etc. While that may give us a basic understanding of what a community might be, there is so much more to it. It is more than just a group. Questions arise. Like what gives a community life? What is the "how" of a community, what gives it vitality, what helps it thrive?

St. Benedict, father of monasticism and the Christian community it represents, looked for guidance on how a community could establish due order, foster an understanding of the relational nature of human beings, and support and strengthen the individual's effort and spiritual growth. All of this was for the fulfillment of our human vocation - to become more divine, more like God, to grow in taking on the divine nature of our heavenly Father.

St. Mary Magdalene is both a people of faith and a people in a place. The energies and devotion I see as I get to know the parish are a wonder! So much is happening, it is hard to keep track of all of your efforts! Your faith is clearly expressed in how you go about being a community. As we work together to further strengthen our common calling to be Christ's Church in this place, It is my hope that all that effort will bring strength to your faith and witness to this place.

For we are also a people in a place...16808 Holmes Road. This address places us in not one community, even of our mail is delivered as part of Belton. It places us in the midst of countless people who surround us, to whom our witness will bring a hope and a strength that only God can give. Our calling is to bring that witness to the communities around us - Belton, Raymore, Loch Lloyd, Grandview, Leawood, Martin City, Peculiar, and beyond to the people in your everyday world. Our work is taking part in the life of this community of communities, offering a place, a sanctuary, sharing their burdens, helping carry the loads, teaching, encouraging, imparting, and celebrating. In other words, our collective job is to bring the grace and gifts of God and His love to their lives and their common life.

We are a small community of faith. But our community does not exist for us alone. It exists for the community surrounds us! That is where Christ encourages us to look, beyond the walls of the temple, to the people with whom we share this holy land. In that we can fulfill our destiny as children of God.

On May 22, we will recognize our high school and college graduates.   To help us celebrate, Children's Ministry will host an ice cream sundae bar for coffee hour.  

Please provide the names of graduates to Denise Koch, at 913.568.9383 or Groupsale@sbcglobal.net 

Starting in the fall St. Mary Magdalene will be sponsoring an outreach program for young adults who are away from home attending college. We are looking for about 8 families.  Each family would sponsor one college student.  

The sponsoring families would be expected to provide and mail one care package a month and another during finals.  The Diocese will track finals week for each school we have registered.   The care packages do not have to be expensive; small gift cards or snacks from the dollar store work well.  

Please contact Denise Koch, groupsale@sbcglobal.net, if you can sponsor a college student and provide this important connection to our young adults.  If you are a college student living away from home or the parent of one, please provide Denise Koch with their student mailing address so that they can be included in this outreach. We want them to know they have the support of both their family and their church family.