Strengthening the Foundations of Small Christian Communities (SCC) in the Archdiocese of Calcutta (Part 1)

 

The formation and operations of Small Christian Communities (SCC in the Archdiocese of Calcutta slatted way back in 1989 by Sybil and Dominic J. Azavedo in Christ the King Parish Park Circus Kolkata. Now in more recent times, a concentrated and intensive drive for 'Awareness. Formation and Training of Small Christian Communities SCC) in all parishes of the Archdiocese of Calcutta' was carried out from April 2018 onwards by holding animation programs in the Parishes to make our people aware about the extremely important role of new evangelisation and social union that the SCC is expected to play in the modern amid, The efforts towards revitalisation of SCC bore good fruit at the time of the SCC National Hindi Convention on the theme of 'Prophetic Role of SCC' hosted by the Calcutta Archdiocese from 25th to 27th October 2019. 

This Convention was attended by 2950 delegates from 51 Dioceses of the country. The participants were lodged as guests in the homes of our parishioners at various places while some were hosted in our institutions too. The Annual Archdiocese Priests' Conference was held from 27th to 29th January 2020. It was facilitated by Bishop Ignatius Mascaranliss. Chairperson of the National SCC Commission (CBI New Delhi The growth of SCC was the main theme of the meeting where 85 priests deliberated on the concerns related to the effective spread of SCC, As a result of these efforts. in the past two years. many SCC units fainted in Parishes and some old ones were revised. It needs to be understood that the SCC units have a unique positioning by being rooted in and operating from the level of the family the domestic church)  families of believers who are living among non-Christian communities in the areas of the Archdiocese Coupled with this physical positioning its mission is based on the four operational principles or characteristics which make SCC well suited and situated for working towards Communion of Communities. The four principles are : (1 members of SCC Units are families living in a particular neighbourhood who meet in their houses giving them a sense of mutual belonging through continuous fellowship: (2) the central activity of Gospel Sharing helps them to live their life and build relationships based on the Word of God (3)SCC is firmly grounded to work as an extension of the universal church: (4) they minister to and care for each other by providing social services to all those around who are in need. In short we form- One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church. However. some major findings and learning that saw emerged as challenges, they are: - The church in modern times is challenged with peoples' focus on an overly secular life style at the cost of faith and belief which in turn is adversely affecting social values and ethics. Many SCC members (especially women and mothers) are concerned as other members of the family are 'too busy' to participate and be a part of SCC units. Lay leadership in a genuine 'servant leadership' form is not growing due to a combination of over clericalism and because few lay leaden are coming forward to take up responsibilities. 

Finally, there are very few trained animators who are reacting out to the Catholic population of over 1.5 lath in the 65 parishes and Mission Stations of the Archdiocese spread over a vast 30.000 square kilometres area in 10 districts of West Bengal.