Lack of young Catholics

[danizaga]

Regardless of how you feel, you still have to go to Mass on Sunday. Doing the rest is pretty pointless, especially going to Confession if you’re not willing to amend your life. It’s a mortal sin to not go to Mass on Sundays.

There’s plenty of single people (much much muuuuch older than me) who go to Mass alone. It’s one of those things you have to put yourself aside and just do. Have you thought about joining non-singles groups? You never know. Someone might be able to hook you up with their son/daughter, who might know people as well.

I find the people my age at my parish aren’t really like me either. On the traditional side, the girls my age are all into kids and looking after people’s kids and playing with them (no thank-you), and would scorn in horror if I told them I work with criminals charged with horrendous crimes. Traditionally, women aren’t supposed to do that. (Even many of the older men and women don’t approve. Whatever .).

On the non-traditional side, they’re all into doing “peaceful protest” type activities for pro-life (something I can’t have any part in due to a) the police here have the discretion of a toddler, so b) I run the high risk of police involvement on the criminal level that would put my much-needed security clearance at risk, even if I “just got a warning” it still shows up in my security clearance) and saving the environment. YAWN

I spend my day doing my own corporal and spiritual works of mercy (or as they call it “social justice” ). Don’t church people do normal social things like go bowling?

haha, i can totally relate to you minus the whole working with criminals. but i’m trying to be a sheriff deputy but still in the application process. i doesn’t seem like church people do anything normal they all try to out tebow tebow. who i could care less about!! what about love for philip rivers!! he’s catholic and a practicing one at that.

 

[jesusmylover]

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?

Hey Mathematoons,

I understand your preoccupation about the lack of young people at church.

But don’t worry, when we enter first in a church it’s our impression. For sure today you see at mass most children with parents, teenagers, old people, but not young. Why? Just because more and more they have another occupations.

But you still have many young people, who don’t go necessary at Mass, but who need Jesus in their life, they are hungering for religious and do not dare to approach the Church for fear of judgment of their living environment.

When you pray, you have to pray for all people who don’t know Christ, for those who know him but who don’t practise, for those who are afraid… And Christ will makes the rest in their life.

I’m happy about your question : If so, what do you do about it?

I just be myself, and by my life at work, with my friends who mostly are not practicing christian, i’am an example. Everytime they are surprised by my attitude in the society to poverty, social problem… And i have many friends who decided to follow me at church because they have seen that today it’s still possible to see another young people who believe in God and who practise their religion.

At work for example, many colleagues like to ask me many questions about religion, the Holy Church, they ask me advise about their children, catechism… You can see by my experience that the lack of young people at church or mass is a reality and you have to pray a lot for that, and leave God make the rest, and be an example in all what you do : at work, in your relationships, in your family, in the metro, in all your life etc.

I have many king of friends, all ages. I don’t choose them, i think it’s God who puts them in my way.

Several month ago i was responsible of one catholic association of young catholic professionals and it was a way for me to touch many people and help them in their christian life. I also give catechism at church for First Communion and Confirmation.

I’m 28 years today, but i’m engaged at church since i am 10 years old. So i saw all changes in the church : desertification of the church by young people. Because i Trust Strongly in Jesus, i’m sure that the situation will change but in the life of each other.

When i tell you to just be an example in all your life for everybody; it’s not a joke. Because by that way of life, i can tell you that i met a young girl who was 26 years, who never received baptism. I just talked with her and invited her to come to the mass with me and in my group. I prayed for her in the same time. Christ changed her life, she got Baptism, and First Communion. I prepared her for Confirmation, and recommended her to find a spiritual Director. 2 Months ago, she announced me that she will enter in a feminine order next september to become Sister.

I have another friends who got married last august at Church… I can give you many examples like that.

You can see how Christ can change life of people. As i told you before, many people need God in their life, and they just need to meet in their way christians like You.

Sorry for my poor english.