WNYC File - Brother Robert L. Moriarty. S. M., addresses those attending parish study at Christ the King Seminary where he spoke on the theme “Small Christians Communities: A Vision for the Parish of the 21st Century.” 

Small Christian communities typically consist of eight to 12 adults who meet regularly in people’s homes, often studying and reflecting on the Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday Mass. They are not to be confused with small parishes, nor are they prayer groups, Bible study, support or service groups.

What people find through the small Christian communities is a chance to slow down, to notice their life, to connect with others and ask how God might be present in their life.

“We often arrive at Sunday Eucharist busy, distracted and restless,” Brother Robert Moriarty, SM, told Fall Study Day attendees at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora on Nov. 3. As a result, he continued, at the end of the Gospel, we have no idea what was proclaimed. Small Christian communities can help change that.

The director of the Pastoral Department of Small Christian Communities for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Brother Robert said these communities are taking hold in Africa, Latin America, Europe and around the world. “(They) are rooted in parish for the sake of building the Church. All over the globe it is a major feature of grass roots development.” Here in the United States, there are more than 50,000 small Christian communities.

It is important for pastoral ministers to bring people together. 

“Community doesn’t just happen,” Brother Robert said. 

Over time, rooted in the experience of our God as community, ordinary people in small Christian communities help each other make connections between life and faith.

We encourage the establishment of small Christian communities in our parishes. They can enrich our faith, our parishes and our entire Church.

SHARE TOOLS:

OTHER STORIES:

Bishop Kmiec: We pray for a future of justice and peace

Life Issues Forum: Hollywood discovers abortion's aftermath