Originally published in the GIA Quarterly, Volume 34, Issue 4
Finding Home in Belonging
LAST YEAR, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL VIVEK Murthy warned us that an epidemic of loneliness afflicts at least half of all Americans. Our parishioners are not immune to this. Many of them, perhaps most of them, have felt alone at some point.
This issue of GIA Quarterly explores the powerful role that a sense of belonging plays in helping people feel truly at home— whether in their faith, their community, or their own identity. Our rituals, traditions, and the feeling of being part of something greater than ourselves anchor us in a community and stave off isolation.
In “The Small Inner-City Parish Choir” (page 12), Carl DeSanti shares insights from nearly a decade as music director at a Chicago parish. His choir spans nine decades in age, with members singing together for over 40 years. DeSanti’s approach allows parishioners with limited musical abilities to find belonging through participation. He arranges singers to hear parts correctly and uses an electronic sound system to enhance their voices, creating an environment where choir members can shine. His message: adaptability and patience are vital for fostering a sense of purpose and community.
Also, be sure to read Amy Ekeh’s “A Cross in Every Crèche.” She reflects on the complexity of the Christmas story, where darkness and joy intertwine. She writes that as biblical people, “We want the real [story]. Because the biblical story is glorious and bursting with life—but it is also gritty (literally), dangerous, and risky” (page 28). The biblical narrative reminds us that even the God-child and his mother are not exempt from human suffering.
The journey of the magi exemplifies this complexity, sparking both elation at finding the Christ child and danger in drawing despotic Herod’s attention. Ekeh writes, “Nothing is ever simple. . . . Sometimes we wander; sometimes we worship; sometimes we bear gifts; sometimes we bring pain” (page 29). This multifaceted portrayal allows the Christmas story to resonate deeply with our own experiences of life’s challenges and joys.
In “Going Home,” Diana Macalintal recounts finding a home at St. Columba, a Black Catholic Church in Oakland, California. She describes how Black Catholic spirituality fosters transformative encounters with Christ, emphasizing that being “Black Catholic” is “an orientation of faith and life” fostering radical authenticity in worship. This spiritual rootedness shapes liturgies that are “transcendent, real, joyful, and credible. In every word spoken, proclaimed, preached, and sung, every gesture made by priest and people, faith is tangible” (page 9–10).
Macalintal discusses Fr. Clarence Rivers’s principles for liturgy, balancing performative excellence with spontaneous moments that empowers the full, active participation of the entire assembly.
She acknowledges the paradox that while those of us who are not Black can immerse ourselves in Black spirituality, we can never fully share the intrinsic Black experience. Nevertheless, Macalintal expresses gratitude for receiving the enduring legacy of Black Catholic joy, hope, and faith as a profound gift.
Across these articles, the common thread is that finding a place to truly belong—whether in a musical ensemble, a scriptural narrative, or a vibrant faith community—meets a core human need for identity, purpose, and connection. Each author’s story reveals that this sense of belonging isn’t contingent on perfection but often emerges from navigating life’s complexities and difficulties together.
When we feel embraced and valued for who we authentically are, when we are given opportunities to meaningfully participate and contribute, we are more able to experience the transcendent within the immanent. Home is ultimately where we find our belonging—and where we are compelled to offer the same gift of belonging and transformation to others. As liturgical ministers and leaders, our goal is to always foster places of radical inclusion, vulnerability, and welcome.
NICK WAGNER, editor of the GIA Quarterly, is a writer and editor in San José, California. He is also the cofounder of TeamInitiation.com. Send comments to Nick at [email protected].
