Did you Like "Community"?  
See also Bill's piece entitled "The Wall" below!!!

"Community"
Contributed by Mr. Bill Philips
March, 2010

When you talk of community, most of us think of our town, say Cockeysville, or Texas. But I’d suggest that there are many communities we belong to in life when community means a group of people.

We each have a family community. We come from somewhere. Most of us have, or had, a job community that was in some cases formed over a long period of time. For many of us, a job meant moving and forming new communities in different locales from time to time.

When you think about it, we belong to many communities at only one time in our lives.  As we age and gain wisdom we tend to spiritualize our relationships and communities. We often hear of “The Church” as community.  Each of us forms a unit in the universal church.

My most important community at this time of my life is my wife. We have been blessed with moving toward God closer and closer as time has passed. We read different books and pray different ways, but the spirit continues to grow within us nonetheless. We have each had medical issues lately that have given us the opportunity to help each other through pain and rehabilitation, when at the same time, helping us to practice patience and understanding of each other’s needs.

Another important community for me is the 7 AM daily Mass at St. Joe’s. There are so many “regulars” who attend that I have come to know and love. I like to sit in the back of Church, arriving around 6:30.  I tell people it’s easier to judge others when you sit in the back (Only kidding!)  I love to quietly greet each person by their first name as they come into Mass. Over time, if I see someone unknown to me, I ask them their first name, and their spouse’s first name. I pray for each of these people as I see them come into Mass.

I’ve gone to other Masses at St. Joe’s and other churches, and have enjoyed the varying liturgies, but the 7 AM daily Mass is still my favorite community.

I would like to share other ideas that I have formed over time, that have helped me to become what I think of as God’s people.  I pray daily, and I keep a list of my favorite prayers.  I want to lead others to the Love of God, to share what has helped me, over time, to find Grace in my own life.  Prayer is our spiritual food—food that has nourished me, and my family, throughout our lives.

I encourage you to pray daily, and to meditate on what your communities are to you. You’ll be surprised how many you have, what joy and gratitude you will have towards the people who are these communities, and how they fit into God’s will for your life.

FEATURED PROFILE

"Meet the Nasuta's"
By Mrs. Deanna Yost December, 2009

     JoAnne and Tony have been in the parish for 31 years; more than some of the newer families but not nearly as long as others. They have a full history with the parish which in many ways is typical of a number of our families. They came to St. Joseph’s in 1978 in order to provide their children with a parochial school education. They have three children, Karen, Tony and Suzanne, all of whom attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s school and then went on to Catholic High schools and college. Suzanne and her family now live in the area and are also parishioners of St. Joseph’s.
     Her two children Mason and Riley are in St. Joseph’s 2nd grade and kindergarten.
JoAnne and Tony both grew up in Baltimore and attended catholic parochial schools in their respective parishes, Ss. Philip and James and St. Andrew’s. JoAnne taught in several Baltimore area parochial schools. She is of Irish and Bohemian ancestry and Tony’s parents were both Polish. While growing up, both of their families’ lives revolved around their parish. JoAnne’s mother volunteered in the school and church and her father provided transportation for the school nuns.

     The fondest memory for JoAnne while growing up was “being able to walk everywhere, playground, girl scouts, and church”. For Tony, it was “Christmas, all five of us children got gifts. It was a happy time”. JoAnne and Tony met at a dance. He was reluctant to go but was encouraged (by friends who even provided a tie to wear) to come along. They continued to date until Tony was mid-way through the Engineering program at Johns Hopkins University when they then became engaged.

     JoAnne and Tony are both interested in parish volunteer work. They serve together on the Good Samaritan committee; the Adopt-A-Family for Christmas Project; and host a Why Catholic group in their Mays Chapel home. JoAnne also serves at My Sister’s Place and is presently in the Women’s Bible Study group. Tony has over the years served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and Parish Council member. He is presently participating in the Catholic Scripture Study program. Their combined interests outside the parish are making wine at a local Vineyard; traveling and grandchildren. JoAnne enjoys getting together with long-time friends, shopping, attending Curves and playing Sudoku. Tony enjoys fly fishing, the study of literature and writing poetry. He also still does part-time teaching of subjects in the Engineering field and holds a number of Engineering Patents.

     St. Joseph’s has been, and continues to be, for this couple a very fulfilling experience both spiritually and socially. They both agree “that it has given us a variety of opportunities to worship, learn and serve” for which they are very thankful.