Speaking from overseas, the first impression that comes into my mind is that this is a global issue. Basically it has to do with catechetical and pastoral gaps related to the families.
By the way Patrick, I have a blog here in Brazil, not a big deal, just to share my experience as a catechist. I would like to know if you would allow me to translate and repost your text in my own blog, with the due credits, of course. Here the link:
It is never a good thing when someone leaves the Church. That being said, I think it is the case that many of these kids are put thru the process to check off a box for Nonna, or a similar force of Catholicism as family heirloom rather than a living faith. I think the Church needs to be a bit more interrogative of parents. There is a sense where the hands-off approach has rather simply empowered many families to proudly proclaim their Catholic identity while only sparingly attending mass and loudly and publicly rejecting her teachings in various important spheres of life. Of course a kid raised in such a household isnt going to stick around if the idea is “you're Catholic but not in that weird way where it actually matters honey”.
You are so correct, however, parish leadership is the problem, because they need to be willing to listen with an open heart, be willing to freely give over the reins with trust, and to not judge based on their own past experiences, but trust that the Holy Spirit has taken residence within them and is actively guiding these new Catholic adults to serve God’s Church in a new and better way.
To what degree do you think catechesis of actual doctrine and how to live a daily moral, devout, religious, catholic life is being taught? To what degree do you think if it were emphasized more would it change things like this?
Form a children’s’ choir. Rehearse before or after Confirmation classes. Teach them how to sing the responses at Mass. Choir also sings one or two items for the bishop on Confirmation day. Then see if choristers want to rehearse regularly and sing together on a Sunday roster.
Form a teenage parish cricket team. Find a Saturday competition. They play on Saturdays and worship together on Sundays.
I'll have to adjust this plan for americans. Pickleball maybe?
Speaking from overseas, the first impression that comes into my mind is that this is a global issue. Basically it has to do with catechetical and pastoral gaps related to the families.
By the way Patrick, I have a blog here in Brazil, not a big deal, just to share my experience as a catechist. I would like to know if you would allow me to translate and repost your text in my own blog, with the due credits, of course. Here the link:
https://antigoministerio.wixsite.com/my-site-1
It is never a good thing when someone leaves the Church. That being said, I think it is the case that many of these kids are put thru the process to check off a box for Nonna, or a similar force of Catholicism as family heirloom rather than a living faith. I think the Church needs to be a bit more interrogative of parents. There is a sense where the hands-off approach has rather simply empowered many families to proudly proclaim their Catholic identity while only sparingly attending mass and loudly and publicly rejecting her teachings in various important spheres of life. Of course a kid raised in such a household isnt going to stick around if the idea is “you're Catholic but not in that weird way where it actually matters honey”.
Patrick, thank you for sharing this.
You are so correct, however, parish leadership is the problem, because they need to be willing to listen with an open heart, be willing to freely give over the reins with trust, and to not judge based on their own past experiences, but trust that the Holy Spirit has taken residence within them and is actively guiding these new Catholic adults to serve God’s Church in a new and better way.
To what degree do you think catechesis of actual doctrine and how to live a daily moral, devout, religious, catholic life is being taught? To what degree do you think if it were emphasized more would it change things like this?
Form a children’s’ choir. Rehearse before or after Confirmation classes. Teach them how to sing the responses at Mass. Choir also sings one or two items for the bishop on Confirmation day. Then see if choristers want to rehearse regularly and sing together on a Sunday roster.