The Christian Community at The Shrine of St. Joseph

The Christian Community
[ An Intentional Eucharistic Community ]
at
The Shrine of St. Joseph

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About The Christian Community

Description
The Christian Community is an "intentional" Catholic community, which means that people come here because they choose to do so, rather than just because they live nearby or because they fall within a geographically defined boundary. We are a lay-run community, with members assuming responsibility for our own governance. This means that our members share in carrying out the many different activities that define us and give our time together form and meaning. Whether it's the planning of our Sunday worship service, the managing of our finances, or the implementing of our social action agenda, we each try to do our part. We feel that working together on any of these ministries allows us to put into action our Christian faith. It also gives us the opportunity to form the bonds with each other that make our Community a place where genuine caring and concern between members flourishes.

Our activities are coordinated by a leadership team of seven: Father Peter and six community members selected annually by the various ministries active in Community. The Community Leadership Team (CLT) is responsible for calling and presiding at periodic Community meetings, which are the forum for Community decision making. CLT members follow through on decisions, and in general work to ensure the smooth running of Community projects. All adult and youth members of the Community are eligible to serve as CLT members.

Mission Statement
The Christian Community is a spiritual grounding place where experiencing and celebrating the mysteries of living and dying build and challenge our Catholic faith. Believing in the uniqueness of the individual, the Community is a people whose freedom flows from a sense of family and belonging, and whose relationships foster deeper spirituality. Community members seek God by discovering the Christ within and in others -- through liturgy, sacramental life, education, hospitality, and mutual support. Modeled on John XXIII's spirit of inquiry and acceptance, the Community is both challenging to itself as well as tolerant of change, failure, and ambiguity.

The Community offers an alternative to the geographically boundered parish. It is circular rather than vertical in structure, encouraging dialogue and listening, and shared responsibility, as well as support of individually initiated ministries. We encourage people to contribute their time and talent, giving of themselves in whatever way they can. Reaching out beyond serving its own needs, the Community tries to balance the personal and social gospel messages.

History
The Christian Community began life on Thanksgiving eve in the year 1970, as a group of ten families gathered for liturgy in the Shrine chapel with Fr. Peter.

We hope to expand this account with more detail soon, as interested Community members collect and consolidate a historical narrative based upon the recollections of our most long-standing members.

Location
The Christian Community resides at the Shrine of St. Joseph, 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, New Jersey 07980. The Christian Community enjoys a very close and mutually beneficial relationship with the Shrine of St. Joseph.

Worship Times
Labor Day thru Memorial Day - 10:00am ET each Sunday in the auditorium (located below and to the rear of the Shrine chapel).

Summer (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) - 9:30am ET each Sunday in the Shrine chapel.

Community Symbols
The Christian Community has several symbols which serve as reminders of our history and our togetherness as a community of faith. Click here to learn more about them.

Becoming A Member
The Christian Community at the Shrine of St. Joseph welcomes those who wish to join with us. We ask those who are considering membership to read and reflect on our Mission Statement. It is our hope that through Christ's love in us, we -- the Christian Community -- can give each other a sense of belonging and acceptance. We also hope that the same love Christ has given us will enable each of us to see the needs of our Christian Community and bring to it our talents and resources. Membership in the Christian Community reflects its unique character. People choose to be members, are free to be members, and are welcomed as members, with individuals themselves determining their own membership in the group.

Thus, membership in the Christian Community results from a self-discernment process in which one reflects on the character and mission of the Christian Community which gives rise to various implications, including:

Worshipping together, since participation in liturgy is at the heart of the Community's shared vision.
Being open to others and building relationships with them, revealing who I am and learning about them with an attitude of mutual respect - thus allowing our faith journey to be a communal one.
Accepting responsibility for the Community, having a sense of stewardship, and recognizing that "what happens" is the result of individual member decision, action and participation, and that the involvement of as many as possible is what enables the Community to function.
Supporting in word and action the educational aims of the Community - to nurture children's faith lives and to provide opportunities for adult intellectual and spiritual growth.
Involving myself in the direction setting of the Community, so that it continues to be vital and alive, and true to its foundation as an intentional community -- defining and serving its own needs.
Making financial contributions to the support of the Community.
Supporting the charitable and social justice efforts of the Community, moving words to action through hands-on involvement.

These implications represent the needs of the Community as a whole. "Does membership necessitate my commitment to all the areas identified above?" That is a question that each member alone must answer. Through this would be ideal and reap the fullest benefit for the individual and the Community, this is not always possible for everyone at all times. Some may not have the gifts, interest or energy to participate fully, while others may be at a life stage where it is not feasible. But whatever the level of involvement, accepting the overall philosophy of the Community - as stated in the mission statement - is important to one's feeling a part of it.

Ultimately, the questions to reflect upon in considering membership status are:

"Is the Community my 'spiritual grounding place' where the communal journey occurs?"
"Is the Community stronger because of my involvement?"
"Does the Community serve others because of me?"

If you are interested in becoming a member, or have further questions, please contact a member of our Welcoming Ministry: Arlene Lowe or Paula Jones via email at membership@ChristianCommunityNJ.org, or leave a message at 908-647-1715, and you will be contacted by our Welcoming Ministry.

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