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Anchor Concept: Community (PDF File)

COMMUNITY

A community is any association of people who come together with a common interest, vision or purpose. Community arises from the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is a communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The notion of community is therefore central to Christian life. Christians find their unity in the Father's gift of the Holy Spirit through their baptismal relationship to the crucified and risen Jesus. The Christian community is therefore ecclesial (of the Church). Our communion and community will be fully realized only in the fullness of God's Reign. Eucharist gives us a foretaste of this great communion, nurturing us with the Body of Christ to become the Body of Christ. The Christian community is where the Holy Spirit teaches us to grow in love for one another and to welcome persons who seek a living experience of Christ's love. Community is thus a place where a common vision is celebrated and nurtured for the good of its members and the outside world. In the words of the late Archbishop Oscar Romero: "A community is a group of men and women who [have] found the truth in Christ and in His gospel and...join together to follow it more strongly. In the group, each one finds that the brother or sister is a source of strength and that in moments of weakness they help one another, [so that] by loving one another and believing, they give light and example."

Related Concepts:

COMMON GOOD
CHURCH
COMMUNION
INTERDEPENDENCE
SOLIDARITY
LOVE
PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR
ASSOCIATION
COMMUNICATION
CULTURE / SOCIETY
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
EQUITY
WORK
SERVICE
TRINITY
Corresponding Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations:
CGE1d Develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good
CGE1h Respects the faith traditions, world religions and the life-journeys of all people of good will;
CGE2d Writes and speaks fluently one or both of Canada's official languages
CGE3b Creates, adapts, evaluates new ideas in light of the common good
CGE3f Examines, evaluates and applies knowledge of interdependent systems (physical, political, ethical, socio-economic and ecological) for the development of a just and compassionate society
CGE5a Works effectively as an interdependent team member
CGE5c Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society
CGE5d Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common good
CGE5e Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others
CGE5f Exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals
CGE7e Witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society
CGE7f Respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world's peoples and cultures
CGE7g Respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today's contemporary society
CGE7h Exercises the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship
CGE7j Contributes to the common good