K
kenl314
Guest
It was just three years ago when I concluded the RCIA program for adult initiation and confirmation within the Catholic Church. Prior to that I was baptized as an infant, but never brought up truly in the Faith and in the Church teachings. This fact gives me a bit of a unique perspective, as I look at numerous “cradle Catholics” in my area and in my sphere of influence, and I can see that many of them have taken their Faith (and the Church) for granted, and have ceased all spiritual growth at the age of sixteen or so. That is the perspective from where I write the following personal story and appeal of greater parish involvement.
Quite simply, the Catholic Church needs more help. Surely it needs more monetary assistance in many cases, but it also needs more help with time commitments from the members of the laity. I realize I’m not the first or last to say that, and usually that appeal falls on deaf ears. But I would plead with you to hear my story, and to search within your own soul for the answers.
I was living what many would call a “good life” not too long ago. Married to a beautiful and wonderful woman, with two near-perfect young children, Kaleigh and Shane. Had the nice house with the picket fence, and we weren’t too concerned with how the grocery bill would be paid next week. I did consider myself fairly religious and attended Mass regularly, as well as doing a bit of volunteer work for my local parish. Though I took things for granted sometimes, all in all- everything was “good”.
Then, on January 11th, I kissed “Goodbye” to my daughter and son for the last time- unknowingly to me at that moment. They were going to a sleep-over, and my wife and I were looking forward to a rare weekend without the children; a rare “married couples” weekend. That evening around 8pm was the last time we would see our beautiful children alive.
Later that evening Kaleigh and Shane would be killed on the highway. From that initial phone call, to the hospital that night, to this very moment as I write, our lives have changed dramatically- and forever. But this article is not about death and misery, it is about hope and what has become the main focus of my life- and how that hope helps me live through everyday in the face of unthinkable and painful tragedy.
You and I have a “calling”, and it is not very different from that of a Bishop or Priest. We are all part of the Great Commission that Jesus established with his disciples nearly 2,000 years ago. That mandate has not changed in 2,000 years, and today, in 2008, we in the Church are still His disciples. But I don’t see many whom I would call “disciples” of Christ, and I struggle with that mandate myself.
The best way for the average Catholic out there to strengthen the Church and to live as a true disciple is within his/her local Parish community. As I’ve been paying attention to the needs of my local Parish over the past few years, I see many issues that all Dioceses are facing across the country:
FINANCIAL STRUGGLES- (I say all of the following while admitting that I have also fallen short of what the Lord and the Bible have taught us.) All Christians (and never forget that we Catholics are Christians- first and foremost) are required, per the Old Testament books, to give 10% of their earnings to the Church’s works. The New Testament does not specifically promote a number or percentage, although it clearly states to make giving to the Lord’s work a very real priority. Often times we Catholics see a grandiose Muslim mosque, Methodist church, or a Mormon temple being erected and we wonder how they can afford to do that. My theory, and one that I’ve seen firsthand, is that the majority of Catholics do NOT give even 2% or 3% to their local parish, let alone what God has set forth. There are two ways that we can easily show how important someone or something is in our lives. One is -what or who are we financially supporting? We must realize that the glorious local and international missions of the Church cannot be realized if we do not, as a whole, increase our regular offerings.
LOGISTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SHORTFALLS- By this title I mean all of the programs, including child and adult education, that the Parish is involved with. It’s very clear that 20% of the parish community is doing 80% of all the volunteer work that must be done to keep these wonderful programs afloat. This is a major problem, and I can assure you that if you’ve never asked your Pastor “What can I do to help”, he will rattle off five tasks or committees in less than 20 seconds! There is always much to be done. What specifically are you doing to help in the missions/ in God’s plan?
DON’T BE A “CINO” (Catholic In Name Only)- I’ve met and known many, many Catholics who know nothing of their Faith other than a few rituals and Creeds that they memorized back in middle school. They were confirmed at sixteen or seventeen years old, and then their nurturing of the Faith within them stopped. This is truly a waste and a shame. One will never find comfort in the knowledge of the Sacred Scripture and the Church Teachings if it is acceptable to stop your spiritual life as a teenager. That won’t help you later in adult life as you meet the certain difficulties and questions that will confront you. Be proud of your Faith, and you will learn quickly that the more you read and pray, the more you will want to know about the Gospel and all of the Church’s Teachings.
In conclusion, are you living a life that is helping others and the goals of the Church, or are you “just living”? I attest that we are more than merely dust and clay, and we should do more than “just live”. The Lord created all of us in His image, and we were created, amongst other reasons, to glorify Him. Please look at your spiritual walk, and ask yourself if you are allowing yourself to be used as He wishes.
Quite simply, the Catholic Church needs more help. Surely it needs more monetary assistance in many cases, but it also needs more help with time commitments from the members of the laity. I realize I’m not the first or last to say that, and usually that appeal falls on deaf ears. But I would plead with you to hear my story, and to search within your own soul for the answers.
I was living what many would call a “good life” not too long ago. Married to a beautiful and wonderful woman, with two near-perfect young children, Kaleigh and Shane. Had the nice house with the picket fence, and we weren’t too concerned with how the grocery bill would be paid next week. I did consider myself fairly religious and attended Mass regularly, as well as doing a bit of volunteer work for my local parish. Though I took things for granted sometimes, all in all- everything was “good”.
Then, on January 11th, I kissed “Goodbye” to my daughter and son for the last time- unknowingly to me at that moment. They were going to a sleep-over, and my wife and I were looking forward to a rare weekend without the children; a rare “married couples” weekend. That evening around 8pm was the last time we would see our beautiful children alive.
Later that evening Kaleigh and Shane would be killed on the highway. From that initial phone call, to the hospital that night, to this very moment as I write, our lives have changed dramatically- and forever. But this article is not about death and misery, it is about hope and what has become the main focus of my life- and how that hope helps me live through everyday in the face of unthinkable and painful tragedy.
You and I have a “calling”, and it is not very different from that of a Bishop or Priest. We are all part of the Great Commission that Jesus established with his disciples nearly 2,000 years ago. That mandate has not changed in 2,000 years, and today, in 2008, we in the Church are still His disciples. But I don’t see many whom I would call “disciples” of Christ, and I struggle with that mandate myself.
The best way for the average Catholic out there to strengthen the Church and to live as a true disciple is within his/her local Parish community. As I’ve been paying attention to the needs of my local Parish over the past few years, I see many issues that all Dioceses are facing across the country:
FINANCIAL STRUGGLES- (I say all of the following while admitting that I have also fallen short of what the Lord and the Bible have taught us.) All Christians (and never forget that we Catholics are Christians- first and foremost) are required, per the Old Testament books, to give 10% of their earnings to the Church’s works. The New Testament does not specifically promote a number or percentage, although it clearly states to make giving to the Lord’s work a very real priority. Often times we Catholics see a grandiose Muslim mosque, Methodist church, or a Mormon temple being erected and we wonder how they can afford to do that. My theory, and one that I’ve seen firsthand, is that the majority of Catholics do NOT give even 2% or 3% to their local parish, let alone what God has set forth. There are two ways that we can easily show how important someone or something is in our lives. One is -what or who are we financially supporting? We must realize that the glorious local and international missions of the Church cannot be realized if we do not, as a whole, increase our regular offerings.
LOGISTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SHORTFALLS- By this title I mean all of the programs, including child and adult education, that the Parish is involved with. It’s very clear that 20% of the parish community is doing 80% of all the volunteer work that must be done to keep these wonderful programs afloat. This is a major problem, and I can assure you that if you’ve never asked your Pastor “What can I do to help”, he will rattle off five tasks or committees in less than 20 seconds! There is always much to be done. What specifically are you doing to help in the missions/ in God’s plan?
DON’T BE A “CINO” (Catholic In Name Only)- I’ve met and known many, many Catholics who know nothing of their Faith other than a few rituals and Creeds that they memorized back in middle school. They were confirmed at sixteen or seventeen years old, and then their nurturing of the Faith within them stopped. This is truly a waste and a shame. One will never find comfort in the knowledge of the Sacred Scripture and the Church Teachings if it is acceptable to stop your spiritual life as a teenager. That won’t help you later in adult life as you meet the certain difficulties and questions that will confront you. Be proud of your Faith, and you will learn quickly that the more you read and pray, the more you will want to know about the Gospel and all of the Church’s Teachings.
In conclusion, are you living a life that is helping others and the goals of the Church, or are you “just living”? I attest that we are more than merely dust and clay, and we should do more than “just live”. The Lord created all of us in His image, and we were created, amongst other reasons, to glorify Him. Please look at your spiritual walk, and ask yourself if you are allowing yourself to be used as He wishes.