I was hyped. I was finally going to give my first public talk since COVID. Twenty-four hours before the event, I handed in my outline to the young adult minister for review. I was serving on the young adult leadership team at a Catholic retreat center, and it was my turn to give the talk. I had spent hours preparing my presentation on “identity.”
“Sorry, Joe,” she said. “We need to postpone your t...
By analyzing the patterns of exclusion and inclusion within Catholic communities, this essay sheds light on the need for more intentional efforts to create lasting communities that go beyond mere physical presence or superficial sameness. The author's personal journey serves as a critique of the Church's promise of community without providing it in an intentional, long-lasting way, and challenges readers to reach out to those on the margins and beckon them into genuine community.