Here is my POV to your question as one of those 'clueless catholics".
It is due to lack of proper education. Lack of welcome. Lack of understanding. It depends on the individuals willingness to not only listen but hear. It’s self-centeredness for some. Sometimes it’s due to the community, or lack of community. I’ve been to many places where I was not welcome to be there, so I kept looking. I was the outsider. My questions were answered condescendingly, impatiently. I have experienced it on message boards as well. Yes, perhaps I should know the answer, but I don’t. When you get into a parish where you aren’t comfortable, you don’t grow, you aren’t likely to stay either, or if you do, you do the minimum required and don’t really grow.
Maybe this will help you understand where I have come from.
I grew up in a Catholic community. Strongly Catholic. However that was my grandma’s generation. When I went to Mass, 9 times out of of 10 it was with my Grandma, not my parents. The only times I went with my mom after I was about 9, was Christmas and Easter. I went to a Catholic school, and the instruction there was minimal. Sure, we knew some of the prayers, but we weren’t an overly faith-filled school, although the Jr/Sr high was literally accrose the street from the parish, we went 2x a year. It was the only Catholic school, very small town. My parents to this day, as far as I know are non-practicing. My mom,I think is feeling the call now that I’ve gone back, but she hasn’t asked anything at this point, so i don’t push. I speak of our experiences here, and at their parish when I go.
Therefore, due to my education, or lack there, I was non-practicing for many many years, which I regret the lost time immensely. I felt a call back for a long time, but at that point, I realized I’d lived a life so filled with regrets, mistakes, my lack of knowledge kept me from coming back. I didn’t think I could go back, that I ever could reconcile myself with the church. That kept me away even longer. Probably an extra 16 years.
I look at the current education in our Catholic schools, and unless you have a teacher who is very comfortable with their faith and willing to go beyond and above what the provincial curricula states, the kids aren’t being educated. If you are one of those faith filled teachers, the kids dislike you, the parents challenge you. The parents also lack the fundamentals to teach at home, despite the Church considering the parents the primary educators, you can’t teach what you don’t know.
I am pretty much clueless compared to so many here, and at the parish but I am willing to seek answers. I’m efficient at research. But quite shy to ask questions, I’ve been shot down SO many times. I can honestly say, if I hadn’t been corresponding with Fr. Barron, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I emailed him one morning, desperately seeking answers, but really not sure where to turn. He answered me the same day, much to my surprise. He answered many scary questions for me, he was so kind and warm, that with his gentle, yet enthusiastic, encouragement, I made an appointment at the local parish. I am so thankful to him, without his reply that day, I’d still be on the edge of a precipice of depression, trying to do it all myself. I am thankfully part of a very loving, non-judgmental and welcoming parish. It is due to the clergy and the congregants that I am there every single Sunday(except when I’m out of town, and then I am at another parish). I am being taught at each Mass I attend, I get to as many daily masses as I can accommodate with our family schedule. My family has been welcomed. They are open to my questions when i feel brave enough to ask. No one gets frustrated with me, or makes me feel clueless, or that I should already know this. I have been treated kindly, respectfully and encouragingly. This is likely why they are a congregation of 5000. It is really something else, when you are leaving, Fr looks at you and his eyes light up moves forward to greet you, calls you by name to say hello, asks how you are doing. You feel wanted there. How they remember me, i have NO idea, I am one of 5000 and a wallflower. But I know that it’s where i am supposed to be.
Fr. Michael gave a homily earlier this year. There is a change needed. How we evangelize needs to change, to fit society. It’s not about changing it’s teachings, doctrines or rites, but how we teach. He felt we need to evangelize about beauty. The beauty of the faith, the church, God, Jesus, Mary and it’s people. Teach about all the “Yeses” given by the Catholic church, don’t focus on the No. People get hung up on the “no” There are so many beautiful YES things about the Catholic Faith, but people simply don’t know about. There is no beauty to be seen if you are made to feel unwanted made to feel ignorant, treated with disdain or condescendingly ,. He said it’s the beauty of love. Love your neighbor, love your enemy, love yourself and love God. The first time i walked into the parish for Mass, I was greeted by 3 people. In opening prayers, all visiting parishioners were welcomed, if you were close enough to the front, Fr. Jim introduced himself to you personally. After mass, he encourages everyone to introduce themselves to some one they haven’t met before. This is more than just a Mass, it’s community, it’s family, and it’s the Body of Christ . This is the way to evangelize, by being the people of the Church, not self-righteous, judgmental, show that it’s beautiful home to be and a wonderful people to be part of. I have to say I agree with Fr. Michael. If you can get them in the door with a gentleness of spirit, the rest should follow.
The parish needs to initiate programs for the newly returned. For those new in their faith, those actually venturing to move forward and grow in their faith. It’s intimidating to look at what some of the programs are, or walk in on an advanced program beyond your comprehension at the place you are in your faith formation because you had no idea it was. If there is a new program in the bulletin to sign up for, encourage a full description, or refer to the parish website for more information. If there isn’t enough interest in the parish, share information on where to go to learn more. We have online classes through a local college available.
Many assume what you learn in school or CCD is the end of your learning. You have barely scratched the surface at that point, and that needs to be known, that you have only begun your journey. For some it’s obvious, but others aren’t just that curious, or intuitive.
I know, I’m new here, so take it for what it is. But this has been my personal experience.
