Responses from Participants, Chapter 1, part 1

Responses from the symposium participants
(Chapter 1, part 1):

What impact does your parish have on the lives of parishioners?

The parish nurtures the faith of parishioners in terms of education and formation, worship, and prophetic challenge to live the Gospel message. We encourage them to support each other in finding God in their own struggles and busyness of family life as they are challenged with issues of justice and social responsibility.

The parish is where people serve one another and bear the afflictions of one another. It is where one rediscovers the art of learning—adult literacy programs, basic ministry training, scripture groups, Christian formation, youth ministry. It is where one rediscovers God in the lives and prayers of the marginalized: drug users, prostitutes, gang members, the hungry and homeless, the sick, and the abused. Finally, our parish community is a people gathered to bring about change.

The parish gives people a sense of belonging and participation. It draws the parishioners into learning more about their faith. It provides the education of the children, both religious education and academic education. It provides alternatives to gang activities. It gives them more awareness of their identity of life. It provides a forum for service to others. It helps them take ownership of their parish.

The parish nourishes the faith of the parishioners in Christ Jesus. It has an extensive role in the formation of the faith—from the Catholic school program to the religious education program that together educate about 1400 students a year.

Depending upon the degree of involvement of the parishioner, it is the religious center for all family members as well as the community and social center for extending relationships. For many, apart from work and the immediate family, it is the center of their lives. For those who are less involved, it is a center for immediate social service as well as a place of celebration for important events. These events bring in other family members and friends in time of crises, loss, and tragedy.

The parish is the center of the community's life. In a small community, people look to the church for social as well as spiritual support.

The parish is home to many recent immigrants who feel disconnected from their family and culture. In the parish they can speak their language and be understood. They can meet new friends who graciously welcome them to the neighborhood and assist them through the difficult process of adjustment to a new culture. More importantly, the parishioners celebrate their unique faith expression in a multicultural ambiance that respects and nurtures the Hispanic, Asian, African-American, and Anglo cultures.

For many people the parish is the only visible link to God that they have in a very secular society. The parish offers people a place to come where they are unconditionally accepted.

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