People in the Neighborhood

Years ago I wrote an editorial about Cheers and my local Catholic parish (it never was published- too long).  If you "pony on up to the bar at Cheers (a fictitious show but a real bar in Boston) everyone "knows your name" because it is in the script.
  I "pony on up to the table" at my local parish.  Sometimes that means I am in line during communion with my hands out just like everyone else waiting to be fed with the Eucharist (after I have sat and been fed by Scripture).  Or sometimes, I am really at a bar or restaurant with my friends from my local Catholic parish, St. Joseph's Church.  If you attend Mass on a regular basis, and get involved, it becomes like Cheers..where everyone knows your name.  The names are not scripted but are affirmed in Scripture and in the people calling your name.
The Catholic Church (people) are often accused of being very pedestrian..giving half- hearted acknowledgement to each other on Sunday mornings or on "high holy" days such as Christmas, Palm Sunday Ash Wednesday or  Easter.
But that has never been my experience in my parishes..first as a child at St. Stan's and St. Mary's in Plainfield, NJ, Our Lady of Good Counsel in OC  (God bless Mrs. Bergin) and especially at St. Joseph Church in S.P.( since 1985).
Several years ago I was asked to invite people to participate in our parish RENEW program which ran for three years.  I spoke at every Mass one weekend.  It was the most relaxing day because I spent most of it in the church.  The invitation was for small group discussions where eventually everyone got to know each other's names.  Then I led the "Disciple is Called to Life in the Community" as part of a RENEW retreat.  I know I shed some tears as I spoke that day (as did others who spoke before me and after me).  The following is part of the presentation- it is shortened.  The words are from suggested topics, Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

"We have come to a retreat today for a period of contemplation, but when you leave here it is hoped that you will go forward with a renewed commitment to our community of life.  Following a Christian life in the community means setting an example.  I know I learned from my parents but the example of Jesus Christ is truly the one to which we strive.
To accept the call to discipleship means to become involved in the formation of community because "community" is a core value in all of Scripture...community is an important value in the Gospels.....We see that community is important not only to church but to every aspect of our lives.  In church we gather in our faith and life in Christ.  We want to share and deepen our life and faith individually and collectively.  We want to help others in living their faith more deeply  because in doing so we come to understand how our own life and faith are strengthened in the process.....
We use our gifts to build community.  The Catholic Church is a diverse group..but as St. Paul said, diversity is different then chaos....We can not keep our gifts to ourselves.  We must use them for the common good.  Some people do not use their gifts because they do not believe they have any.  To be faithful means to discover ones gifts...
St. Paul told the Corinthians in one letter (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7; 12-13)
"There are different gifts but the same Spirit.  There are different ministries but the same Lord.  There are different works, but the same God who accomplishes them in everyone.".....
Because the early Christian community remained faithful to the teachings, communal life, breaking of the break and prayer, there was a great deal of spiritual energy.  Many of the miracles and signs worked through the apostles have made lasting impressions.
This same kind of energy can be present in our own communities if we remain faithful also.  Community takes  love, commitment, skill, sacrifice and the power of God's Holy Spirit.  It is our contribution and commitment to the process that makes it become a reality.  As members of Christ's body, we will be given power to take care of and sustain community.  When we go out and build community, we are living God's Word,  We are setting a visible example of what we proclaim during our worship.."We are One Bread, One Body."


Marian R. Carlino (circa late 1995)

Breaking bread and sharing wine at the Table of the Lord...impels us out to the bars and the restaurants (community)!!!

Everyone may not know your name, but they do get to recognize your face....and then can say, "I recognize you. What is your name? Please join us in coffee and cake..or in prayer..or in a visit to a friends..or to help at the food pantry...or take someone to the doctors...or fix a window..or just sit and talk where someone will listen.

Love,

Marian