Historical Background
The movement to form Small Christian Communities is
a worldwide phenomenon. In many countries small communities
have been initiated for some of the following reasons:
a shortage of priests, a desire for communal liturgy,
a desire for co-operation and fellowship, a desire for
reinterpreting the gospel in an existing situation,
a desire to come together around a common issue.
In Mumbai, the reason for the thrust towards SCCs seems
to be the "city culture"- which promotes individualism,
impersonal relationships, superficial religious practice
and unconcern for others.
|
 |
|
Small
Christian Communities. |
|
Jesus came to establish community, for it is in and
through community that we can experience God's love
for each of us in a powerful way. However in reality,
the number of parishioners in the average Mumbai parish
is so large that there is little semblance of this community
aspect. Small Christian Communities are the answer to
this problem. It is reversion to the pattern of the
early Church of the first three centuries. The number
of persons congregated was small enough to enable them
to recognize, love and care for one another. Such a
sense of belonging, a sense of community is only possible
in small groups. It is impossible at today's parish
level, with several hundreds congregating at any given
Mass, and where parishioners often number in thousands.
It is clear therefore that the parish of tomorrow
will have to be a restructured one - a communion of
small communities.
Small Christian Communities at St. Peter's Parish
In 1984 one SCC was formed in St. Peter's parish. Gradually
through the motivation and guidance of Bishop Bosco
and the team, our parish was divided into Small Christian
Communities. Appointment of Sr.Treasa Pinto f.c as the
SCC Coordinator of the parish in 1987, helped to organize
and plan the programmes for the SCCs of the Parish.
We have 14 SCCs in the Parish. Each Community varies
in size. The Animators meet monthly to plan activities
for the communities.
Coordinator: Sr. Silvy F.C.
Priest-in-Charge: Fr. Gerard Rodricks,
S.J.
PLANS FOR THE YEAR 2006
1. Creation of Cluster communities in order to fecilitate
building of communities.
2. New members to the team of animators to add newness
and creativity.
3. Organize periodical training sessions for the coordinators
and animators.
We have a dream- dream for our communities-that
our communities may be leaven in the larger community
to establish harmony, justice, peace and love.
|
TOP