Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”  John 1:38-39

Every morning on my way to work, I look forward to my drive through the lovely town of historic Cranbury.

Especially now, with Christmas lights and decorations adding warmth to an already charming community, I find myself wistful for Christmases past, at home in Albany, N.Y., with my parents.

It seemed life was slower then, and a white Christmas was almost always guaranteed.

Among my memories is a quaint wooden church with a cupola bell tower, tucked between neat suburban homes, but more reminiscent of a one room school house on the prairie than a contemporary house of worship. 

Decorated for the holy season of Christmas, there was always fresh garland around the large, wooden front doors, and single candles in every window. But what always caught my eye, throughout the year, was a small hand-painted sign gracing the lawn, inviting parishioners and passersby inside.

“Beloved of God, Welcome!”

In my many walks and drives past that building,  I imagined the role that little homespun church must play in bringing and being God’s Kingdom to its “family,” and how well they had made their mission known in that simple wooden sign.

 My years working for the Church have often found me considering the dynamic of church community and the significant impact it has on the lives of its members.  What is “church” for the faithful who look for Christ on earth?

Phrases such as “Family of God,” “community of believers” and “Body of Christ” imply an entity comprised of people intimately bound together by a life rooted in the love of Christ. Ideally such a place would offer spiritual nourishment, emotional support and a special kind of love born of the Spirit where people would experience what it means to be beloved.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the role of the parish as “the place where all the faithful can be gathered together for the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist.”  Truly, the Mass and reception of holy Communion is the treasured encounter with Christ for Catholics. Still, there are other treasures to be found within the womb of a parish community.

 The Catechism also acknowledges that the parish “practices the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love.” It is this aspect that makes the love of Christ visible to the community. 

While Jesus continually challenged his disciples to follow him without compromising the truth, no matter the cost, he did so with an invitation to love and be loved. He expected obedience, but offered forgiveness. He desired conversion, but offered mercy.

For many, the parish is an extension of our family. It is a place that invites us in, with all our shortcomings, and loves us—as Jesus, the Good Shepherd, loves us. The faithful need to experience the love of God in the sacredness of the sacraments and in the ordinary holiness of daily life, as well.

Shepherding parishes enable their people to make this connection.

A parish that extends itself in service to the community, that provides a variety of ministries for its people to undertake, a parish that offers love and compassion and forgiveness, in addition to catechesis and the sacraments, is a parish living out the call of Christ to “feed my flock.” These shepherding parishes have the ability to evangelize the lost in their “family” and the broader community, as well.

But first they have to put out the sign: “Beloved of God, Welcome!”

Mary Morrell serves as managing editor of The Monitor.