Effecting Community/what Is It?

[BarbTherese]

I am on retreat and off the computer from 22July Feast Mary Magdalene to 22nd August and the Feast of The Queenship of Mary.  During that period, the computer will largely be off.

 

In the search for reading material for the retreat period, I was looking for something on community from a Catholic perspective.  Community is an important word for me and besides my family and my parish, I belong to a few communities out in the general community.  I haven't had much luck at all searching on Google.  I have read the Vatican document "Fraternal Life in Community" http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife/documents/rc_con_ccscrlife_doc_02021994_fraternal-life-in-community_en.html but it is written with religious in mind as, it seems to me, most good spiritual type texts are - they are written for religious and by religious most often. There are some excellent points, dynamics, that can be applied to community in general in the previously mentioned document ex the Vatican.

 

I am in the laity and will remain in the laity.

 

If anyone does have a link or perhaps a book on community per se from a Catholic perspective, it would be much appreciated.

 

My questions is: What do you consider important points in forming community and with a Catholic spiritual dimension, while the community or group to which one belongs or in whom one serves may not be Catholic per se.  This can be very important if we are to take The Gospel outside of a parochial dimension and attitude as we are called to do by our call and vocation to the lay state of life.

 

Community is a word that as Catholic we often use - but what are those dynamics that form an actual community and for most of us if not all who are in the laity especially, we are going to move out from the immediate into the general community and into various groups or communities -  and we would be called by our vocation and call as laity to these communities and as disciples of The Gospel, since we are called to same at all times and in all situations and circumstances.

 

Where there are two or more a community in potential (in the Catholic spiritual potential) is formed.

 

Community must be important for us.  We see Jesus gather apostles and disciples around Him.  When He sends them out on mission, He sends them in two's.  The Blessed Trinity is a community; hence in Grace we are continually in community.  Today as never before perhaps, communities or groups are being formed everywhere.  At the Consecration in The Mass, "disciple" features in the words of consecration.

"For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, "Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me"

 

 

Nowadays, and a great blessing and gift that can of course be abused, we are forming communities on the internet, such as Phatmass here.

 

I can think of a few points in forming community:

 

• Common bond (something which binds members together and this might be quite unique for the Catholic disciple)
• Mutual respect and esteem (self explanatory I think)
• Common goal (also self explanatory - and again possibly unique for the Catholic disciple)
• Difficult members (how to get along with those who might be difficult to get along with and with a Catholic and spiritual dimension)
• To serve rather than to seek some sort of self investment/status etc. (although this needs to be applied with common sense since sometimes one may need to do so and be called to do so)
• No rule can be an end in itself.  Rules exist in the main to point to, or preserve, facilitate movement towards, a higher objective or goal.

 

Can you think of any others?

 

Since I am on retreat in two days, I will return to this thread after 22nd August.  If, indeed, it does not die a natural death long before that.  I'll see what is in the unfolding in this thread after the retreat, if any.

 

 

[Catherine Therese]

It is interesting that you raise this question. 

 

When I left my former religious community, we had just been studying Fraternal Life in Community as a novice class. As my novice mistress was taking me to the airport I can remember telling her that I saw a great many principles in the Fraternal Life in Community document that could be extrapolated and applied to lay life, particularly to the family home (and I can definitely see your point regarding online communities such as this one!) I told her that it was my intention to write some form of research document or journal article doing just that. She seemed to agree that there was worth in pursuing that. I never actually got around to doing it... but perhaps I should?

 

I'm sorry that I can't think of any documents off the top of my head to refer you to - but I'm going to give a great deal of thought to the questions you asked. Perhaps if I ever get around to writing this journal article, you'd like to collaborate with me? 

 

Getting it out to the theology/philosophy/ethics research community in journal article format would be a precursor to creating a space for publishing a book on the matter. Might be an excuse for an IRL meeting. I've never been to S.A. but I'd love to see the City of Churches... and perhaps do a little wine tasting in the Barossa Valley to help the research along ;)

Edited July 20, 2014 by Catherine Therese

[TheresaThoma]

A book that we use quite frequently where I work/live at is "Community and Growth" by Jean Vanier. He is the founder of the L'Arche communities. I have only read excepts but those excepts have been wonderful.

[BarbTherese]

It is interesting that you raise this question. 

 

When I left my former religious community, we had just been studying Fraternal Life in Community as a novice class. As my novice mistress was taking me to the airport I can remember telling her that I saw a great many principles in the Fraternal Life in Community document that could be extrapolated and applied to lay life, particularly to the family home (and I can definitely see your point regarding online communities such as this one!) I told her that it was my intention to write some form of research document or journal article doing just that. She seemed to agree that there was worth in pursuing that. I never actually got around to doing it... but perhaps I should?

 

I'm sorry that I can't think of any documents off the top of my head to refer you to - but I'm going to give a great deal of thought to the questions you asked. Perhaps if I ever get around to writing this journal article, you'd like to collaborate with me? 

 

Getting it out to the theology/philosophy/ethics research community in journal article format would be a precursor to creating a space for publishing a book on the matter. Might be an excuse for an IRL meeting. I've never been to S.A. but I'd love to see the City of Churches... and perhaps do a little wine tasting in the Barossa Valley to help the research along ;)

 

 Please do write a book on the subject ......I think you should!....... I will be your first customer!    Me, collaborate, so you like headaches do you? :)

 

I absolutely love Adelaide, but then I am prejudiced.  Oh gosh, besides our title as City of Churches, we do have a very dark side..........sadly.  Although in the main, Adelaide compared to most other capital cities in Australia, is a slow type of town but with heaps of venues to recommend us.  Ahhh wine tasting in the Barossa, there is a real treat!

 

Let me know if you are ever certain about travelling to Adelaide.
 

[BarbTherese]

A book that we use quite frequently where I work/live at is "Community and Growth" by Jean Vanier. He is the founder of the L'Arche communities. I have only read excepts but those excepts have been wonderful.

 

Sounds good, thank you!  Found it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Community-Growth-Jean-Vanier/dp/0809131358
 

[maximillion]

Meaningful ritual in common - for us this is usually prayer/Mass, but ritual things can also include habits and practices, like all stopping for coffee or all going to one coffee shop together. It can also include things like agreeing to do secret Santa, or not.......

 

These 'organic' rituals that tend to grow up in groups can be wonderful jumping off points for us to introduce something that has deeper meaning. Secret Santa is an example. ALL communities have rituals ( informal often, more formal occasionally) It can be fascinating to figure out what they are and plan on introducing new ones - those with deeper and spiritual significance.

 

Lots of the books on groups and groupwork have relevance for community building too.

 

Christian focus - but not Catholic:

Building Community, Christian, Caring, Vital. Loughlan Sofield

 

NOT with a spiritual dimension but useful:

Building Effective Communities by Dr Susan Cain

 

Bion's work on groups, of course......(Psychological aspects)

 

[BarbTherese]

Thank you and for the reading recommendations.

 

Good point raised and I also think that informal socialising like a cuppa after Mass etc., social events in the parish and in those communities to which we may belong in the general community are all important aspects of community.  It is often through informal socialising that we really get to know each other just as ordinary people and what is taking place in people's lives.  This can forge close bonds between individuals of real friendship.

 

What I personally am looking for is those aspects of community that have a sound basis in Catholic spirituality and socialising informally can be important because we really get to know each other.  I know that in my previous parish, I got to know well some who were really struggling in their lives for one reason or another and this gradually became support type relationships of friendship at difficult times.  Not only difficult times, but at times of Joy and celebration too.  First we get to know each other as people and very often at some point this develops into real friendship.  Friendship I think is an important aspect of community since Jesus does seeks our friendship.  The whole of scripture Old and New is the story of God seeking our friendship and revealing Himself as our Friend.

 

Hence I think socialising should go on a list for aspects of community.  The ideal or objective, goal being friendship.

 

I think too that friendship should also be on the list as an aspect of community and as reflecting an important aspect of our ideal relationship with God.  Three comedies on TV that I really enjoy are "Big Bang Theory", "Seinfeld" and "Becker".  They all illustrate how real friends can disagree and argue and yet remain friends.  I think that they can inform at times about this important aspect of being friends ('fighting fair' :) ).......if one pics up the dynamics involved, not all but some anyway.

 

______________

What is Secret Santa?......

 

[BarbTherese]

Maximillion - this jumped out at me in your little list:

 

Christian focus - but not Catholic:

Building Community, Christian, Caring, Vital. Loughlan Sofield

 

It is available on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Building-Community-Christian-Caring-Vital/dp/087793648X

.........and I liked this review: "Insights from psychology, group theory, and theology are knit together to create a primer for Christian communities. Especially helpful are insights into conflict, forgiveness, decision-making, intimacy, and confrontation."

 

It may not be Catholic, but then The Holy Spirit is not selective at times and often has much to say through the most unexpected people, it seems to me.

 

I scrolled down a little further on Amazon before posting and read this:

More About the Author

Biography

Our books are based on our experience of working in almost three hundred dioceses on six continent. We have offered workshops, courses and facilitation for laity, clergy and laity. Two of our books, Collaboration: Uniting Our Gifts in Ministry, and Building Community: Christian, Caring, Vital, have been winners of the Catholic Press Association awards in the categories of Professional Books and Pastoral Ministry. I have been the recipient of a number of awards, including, the Lumen Gentium award conferred by the Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development on an individual "who has implemented the direction and goals of the Second Vatican Council in an extraordinary manner" and the National Association of Lay Ministry's Gaudium et Spes award presented to one who has given "evidence to the vision of Church articulated in the documents of the Second Vatican Council and who in a special way has advocated and fostered the enhanced role of laity."

 

I like the above!

 

Edited July 20, 2014 by BarbaraTherese

[maximillion]

I didn't know that when I recommended, but that's great.......the Spirit inspires!

 

 

Edit to add......I thought it was a very good book!

Edited July 20, 2014 by maximillion

[PhuturePriest]

I originally thought this said "Effing Community". Just a fan fact I thought I'd throw in.

Edited July 20, 2014 by FuturePriest387

[Catherine Therese]

Worth considering for their themes of living together well (although addressed more at a world community level, rather than micro-communities) are the social encyclicals.
Pope John XXIII's Pacem in Terris is a good cud on which to chew, with its discussion of rights and duties, and its principles can certainly be applied to smaller communities also. 

[brandelynmarie]

Secret Santa is when a group of people all write their names on slips of paper & place them in a hat or a basket. :) Then each person in turn draws a name out of it & must buy a gift or do acts of charity for them during the Advent season. No one is supposed to know til the end who has their name. Usually there is a limit to how much money is spent as well. It's quite fun!

[Catherine Therese]

Secret Santa is when a group of people all write their names on slips of paper & place them in a hat or a basket. :) Then each person in turn draws a name out of it & must buy a gift or do acts of charity for them during the Advent season. No one is supposed to know til the end who has their name. Usually there is a limit to how much money is spent as well. It's quite fun!

 

BT - in many places in Australia its referred to as Kris Kringle, but its basically the same idea. 

In the community to which I used to belong, they had something called "Advent Angel" which was a rough equivalent :) gifts were handmade. 

[maximillion]

I like Advent Angel much better than Secret Santa!

 

 

Now see - there is one way we can change something and give it a spiritual focus, a completely secular practice turned into a spiritual one!

[BarbTherese]

I didn't know that when I recommended, but that's great.......the Spirit inspires!

 

 

Edit to add......I thought it was a very good book!

 

I would like to get the book for my retreat (22nd July - 22nd August).  I picked out a few on Amazon that came to around $31 but was amazed when delivery cost was more than the cost of the books.  I will have to shop around and see if the books can be purchased, or obtained, through local suppliers here.