Lack of young Catholics

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Jessup said:
I’ve noticed a few comments including my own in regards to different ministries that are centered towards young adults. But I can’t comprehend why there isn’t parishes in the diocese that are dedicated strictly for ministry of young adults. Much like the LDS wards that are for young adults; or have a mass once a week where the other young Catholics in the community are called to celebrate. I have a hard time feeling that I really need to be in church when I feel like I’m more at a retirement community meeting, then doing a holy day of obligation. With out this support system and fellowship; the dedication to the faith is weak. This is something that the LDS understand. How can something from God not be organized?
Why is there 100 different societies and ministries that know one has ever heard of in each diocese that doesn’t communicate with one another. The problem isn’t just in North America, I’ve joined Catholic social sites and have talked to people in different countries online such as Peru, and India to name just two; who have said they live with the same frustrations.
All the more reason why I have a hard time believing anything the church tells me.
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In theory it sounds good, but given the liturgical free-for-all Masses, what we have for young adults are those lame and banal “Life Teen Masses”, which quite frankly, leave something to be desired. I’d rather remain single for the rest of my life than give up the EF High Mass I attend every Sunday for something so banal.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
In theory it sounds good, but given the liturgical free-for-all Masses, what we have for young adults are those lame and banal “Life Teen Masses”, which quite frankly, leave something to be desired. I’d rather remain single for the rest of my life than give up the EF High Mass I attend every Sunday for something so banal.
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Deo Gratias on that one Deo Gratias 42! 👍
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
In theory it sounds good, but given the liturgical free-for-all Masses, what we have for young adults are those lame and banal “Life Teen Masses”, which quite frankly, leave something to be desired. I’d rather remain single for the rest of my life than give up the EF High Mass I attend every Sunday for something so banal.
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I don’t know what you are referring to, unless you mean the worship with contemporary songs? what is a Life Teen Mass? and what is a EF high mass? help me out here LOL
 
I also had the same experiences. There don’t seem to be many young adults going to the parishes around here. Fortunately, a young woman from my diocese started a Catholic young adult group on meetup.com. We have about 125 members now and we get together for many different spiritual and social events. For anyone else who has trouble meeting Catholic young adults, you may think of starting a group on the meetup.com website. I have made a lot of friends through it.
 
mathematoons said:
In every parish where I have ever attended Mass, there are childen and teenagers, and then there are the parents of these, and then there’s the over-50 crowd. However, I’m 28, and I never meet anyone near my age. Does anyone else in my age range experience this? If so, what do you do about it? Do you try to make friends with people of different ages or religions? Or do you forget about social circles altogether?
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Hi - I am 28 and being baptized into the Church this year. So you’re not alone. A friend of mine, same age, is being baptized along with me and he has is working on his master’s in theology.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
Then there’s the people whining about the corrected translation being too haughty for younger Catholics and it will drive them from the pews. :rolleyes: All I see is them being driven to the pews of the EF Mass.
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Maybe that’s the whole idea behind retranslations. 🙂 When they ask why and if they never heard the word “Latin” before, they certainly hear it now.
 
I’m 34 and I do see some other people my age or younger; the typical trend though is attending church up through high school - then disappearing during college with folks coming back after they have had children and want their children to be in church or have some sort of spiritual upbringing. Needless to say, such a situation isn’t ideal. It’s also a cross-denominational issue.

The new translation as ‘haughty’? (Long story, but after attending a mass with the new translation - it being my first since the change - no problem at all. People only let it become an issue if they want to make it one)
 
Tridentinum said:
Hi Skeptic,

This is what amazed me about the traditional movement. People have the perception that it’s just a group of elderly Catholics who refuse to accept change, but in reality the majority are young people! They have been starved of their Catholic identity, and found it in the traditional movement. It sure as anything lifts your spirits.
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There is a book out there that talks about younger people being more orthodox than their parents - deals with the religions of Christianity, Judeaism, and Islam. It has also been my experience, talking to my Lutheran friend my age that those of us Post-Baby Boomer / 1960s era tend to be more conservative and WELCOME a return to tradition. We are sick and tired of namby-pamby watered down feel-good theology. We want the Truth, we want it Complete, and we want it with Confidence.
 
From a discussion with people in my RCIA group, many younger people prefer the traditional latin mass since it’s more traditional and “mystical” than the current mass.
 
blanc10 said:
From a discussion with people in my RCIA group, many younger people prefer the traditional latin mass since it’s more traditional and “mystical” than the current mass.
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ABSOLUTELY. There is very little that drives me bonkers more than the whole “spirit of Vatican II” mess:whacky: (note, I did not say Vatican II itself). Clown masses:nope:, dancing and rock music:rolleyes: (I play in an unblack metal band, so I am no “fuddy duddy” with loud music or modern music, I just don’t want to hear that at Mass. The music should be sacred.), nuns without habits:confused:, Hans Kung’s entire library of writings:ehh:, no more communion rails:(, eviscerated insides of Churches:(, New Age infiltrations:hypno:…the list is long. I can’t stand it.
That said, this new translation is much better. I do believe that my generation and others will be the ones to bring back the beauty and tradition in the Church.
 
theidler said:
ABSOLUTELY. There is very little that drives me bonkers more than the whole “spirit of Vatican II” mess:whacky: (note, I did not say Vatican II itself). Clown masses:nope:, dancing and rock music:rolleyes: (I play in an unblack metal band, so I am no “fuddy duddy” with loud music or modern music, I just don’t want to hear that at Mass. The music should be sacred.), nuns without habits:confused:, Hans Kung’s entire library of writings:ehh:, no more communion rails:(, eviscerated insides of Churches:(, New Age infiltrations:hypno:…the list is long. I can’t stand it.
That said, this new translation is much better. I do believe that my generation and others will be the ones to bring back the beauty and tradition in the Church.
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Add “Wizard of Oz” masses. I had the misfortune of walking into one of those. I walked out of there after 20 minutes or so. I regret not screaming out “Liturgical Abuse” in front of everyone, but that was a long time ago and I did not know any better.
 
jasonjessica09 said:
Add “Wizard of Oz” masses. I had the misfortune of walking into one of those. I walked out of there after 20 minutes or so. I regret not screaming out “Liturgical Abuse” in front of everyone, but that was a long time ago and I did not know any better.
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I have this sudden mental image of you screaming: UNCLEAN UNCLEAN! before rushing out… hee…
 
MusicforMovies said:
There is a book out there that talks about younger people being more orthodox than their parents - deals with the religions of Christianity, Judeaism, and Islam. It has also been my experience, talking to my Lutheran friend my age that those of us Post-Baby Boomer / 1960s era tend to be more conservative and WELCOME a return to tradition. We are sick and tired of namby-pamby watered down feel-good theology. We want the Truth, we want it Complete, and we want it with Confidence.
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Man, you can get banned from this site for statements like that…
 
MusicforMovies said:
There is a book out there that talks about younger people being more orthodox than their parents - deals with the religions of Christianity, Judeaism, and Islam. It has also been my experience, talking to my Lutheran friend my age that those of us Post-Baby Boomer / 1960s era tend to be more conservative and WELCOME a return to tradition. We are sick and tired of namby-pamby watered down feel-good theology. We want the Truth, we want it Complete, and we want it with Confidence.
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Quote, just because it’s truth
jasonjessica09 said:
Add “Wizard of Oz” masses. I had the misfortune of walking into one of those. I walked out of there after 20 minutes or so. I regret not screaming out “Liturgical Abuse” in front of everyone, but that was a long time ago and I did not know any better.
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‘Wizard of Oz’ Mass, do I really want to ask?
 
I am in my 30’s but look younger than than my actual age. I am also a single, well educated and employed woman. I also returned to practicing my faith after falling away for a short time. I have found solace going to OF Masses that are done more reverently (which are become more & more) and also going to the EF Mass when I am able to travel to those as my diocese does not offer them yet.

It seems like for those who are past 35 but not yet in our 50/60’s/beyond are a forgotten group for many parishes. Many activities/groups seem to be geared for kids, teens, college kids, 18- early 30’s/college students/recent grads, and senior citizens. If I could have a consistent work schedule and stuff, I would not mind going to a group (or even asking to start one) geared for people in my age range doing things like going to Mass, Bible Study, Adoration, etc together as a group with fellowship of some kind after the religious activity.
 
Some years back I kept a count of parish activities in my parish aimed at certain segments (I did not count those aimed for the entire churc.) There were youth groups, father-daughter activities, seniors, etc. I stopped counting at 78 without ever seeing anything in our parish or deanery aimed at young singles. ( I was a young single once.) The Protestant churches had them and we were invited.
 
I don’t think Jesus’s main intention was to invent the rock concert.
 
OK, we’ve established that some have my problem, some have the opposite problem, and some have neither.

However, I live in the Sodom and Gomorrah of America. Nearly everyone I meet who shows any evidence of a love for God (such as a sincere desire to keep the commandments) is either a hardcore Protestant or is over 60. Neither are interested in me. I have met a few others like myself, but they are very rare. I can’t afford to move just yet. Any advice?
 
Jessup said:
I don’t think Jesus’s main intention was to invent the rock concert.
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If I wanted to go to a rock concert, a church is the last place for it. I do not mind guitars and other instruments used at Mass from time to time, but we do not need a full orchestra either nor a rock concert vibe.
 
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