Lack of young Catholics

[TimothyH]

All through the Bible, God calls those people to their true vocation who are faithful to their station in life, those who are faithfully attending to the jobs and tasks which God has given them.

In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he arrives here.” Jesse had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth with beautiful eyes, and good looking. The LORD said: There—anoint him, for this is the one! Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. (1 Samuel 16:10-13)

Jesse’s seven sons are anxiously awaiting thier possible anointing. They enter the tent hoping that it will be them, actively seeking the position. David however, is not seeking anything. He is not looking to be anything more than he is. David is outside tending sheep, faithfully taking care of the responsiblities God has given him through his earthly father Jesse - and that is when he is chosen. Moses too, faithfully tending sheep in the valley when God calls him at the sight of the burning bush. Jesus as well, faithful and obedient to his mother until she, perfectly conformed to God’s will, calls Jesus to start his public ministry at the wedding in Cana.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. (Matthew 25:21)

The moral sense of these scriptures is pretty clear to me, or at least to me in my own personal life. Peter and Andrew are casting nets into the sea, working hard as fishermen when Jesus calls them (cf Matthew 4:18). James and John were mending their nets (cf Mark 1:19). I think it is when we are faithful to small matters like our families and jobs and home chores, that is when God calls us to greater things - to things like the priesthood, marriage, and heroic friendships.

I wish I could be more faithful in small matters.

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

I was in grade school towards the end of the era where religious education focused more on social justice and change than Catholic basics, now the schools teach a hybrid of both, because of this my generation was poorly formed in the faith and customs, basic knowledge of the Bible, and all around education in why Catholics do what we do. It is this lack of understanding of the faith that drew people of my generation in one of two directions:

One: We were seduced by protestant denominations because we were unable to defend Tradition when confronted with basic protestant bible verses such as; Matt 23:9, Mark 7:8, Matt 6:7, 1 Tim 2:5, and the like.

Two: We educated ourselves in Catholic doctrine through resources available to us because of a longing for understanding of why Catholics do things that to an outsider may seem a bit strange. This individual education drew us toward a more traditional understanding of the faith and a longing for all of the graces that God has relieved to us.

Teaching about social justice is integral to the Catholic faith. Our faith has always, from the time Jesus gave the sermon on the mount - taught that the least of society deserve our care and compassion because in them is Christ.

The anti-reformation Church has focused on dogma and doctrine, beliefs and fighting heresies for 480 years. One can put down Protestant doctrines all they want, but the fact is that here in the deep south, when there is a flood or a disaster, tractor trailers full of relief supplies line up at the protestant Churches, not the Catholic Churches. The more I learn about dogmas and doctrines of our Church and what Christ actualy taught, the more open I am to things that many belittle as socially liberal

There is nothing at all more tradtional than feeding the poor and caring for those who can’t care for themselves.

-Tim

 

[wondrousgnat]

I was single until I was 61. Single Catholics in my age range were very few in the parishes I belonged to. On a couple of ocasions I attended some single Catholic retreats which turned out to be recruitung events for priesthood and religious life,

I had spent some time as a Protestant and a number of those churches had vibrant single groups. They had large numbers of Catholics who soon became exCatholics showing that the recruiting was very successful. Now why a single guy who had hopes of getting married would join a church with few singles and disapproves of divorcees remarrying is something I cannot explain.

 

[brian24]

I definitely see this where I am from. I was raised in a Catholic elementary school. About 5 years after I left, the school closed. And many of my friends, who also grew up at the school, are believers that science disproves God. I try to explain to them that not even 4 months ago I felt the exact same way. It’s hard for them to believe, understandably. At the mass I normally go to, 10:30 on sundays, there are usually only about 10 or so people my age there. It can be saddening, especially when searching for a nice Catholic girl to settle down with, but I have a feeling there will be a spiritual revival in the next 30 years.

 

[opus101]

I was single until I was 61. Single Catholics in my age range were very few in the parishes I belonged to. On a couple of ocasions I attended some single Catholic retreats which turned out to be recruitung events for priesthood and religious life,

I had spent some time as a Protestant and a number of those churches had vibrant single groups. They had large numbers of Catholics who soon became exCatholics showing that the recruiting was very successful. Now why a single guy who had hopes of getting married would join a church with few singles and disapproves of divorcees remarrying is something I cannot explain.

I can really relate to what these young singles are talking about, as I once was in their shoes… as far as being a “young” single. Almost 30 years later , I’m still single. I’ve looked into religious life, but it was discerned that it wasn’t for me. I’ve had several relationships that broke up because I believe in chastity before marriage, and my boyfriends did not (and these were “Catholic” guys!) .

It’s a very hard road to travel. There should be more activities for singles in the Church -not just for “Young” singles, and not just quasi “match-making” services. We need to learn how to live out this bona fide vocation and not feel like black sheep. If someone finds a spouse, good for them. If not, then at least we have the support of other singles.

When I was the age of the OP, I would never have guessed that I would be close to the half-century mark and still single. It’s a very difficult thing, especially when most activities are directed toward married couples, engaged couples, families and young singles.

 

[Joe_5859]

When I was the age of the OP, I would never have guessed that I would be close to the half-century mark and still single. It’s a very difficult thing, especially when most activities are directed toward married couples, engaged couples, families and young singles.

It is something that needs to be addressed for certain. With the decrease in vocations, decrease in giving, and increase in maintenance costs, unfortunately, activities most often get directed towards the largest groups.

 

[wondrousgnat]

I once kept a mental scorecard of activities in my former parish. Activities designed for special groups (seniors, children, fathers and daughters, etc.), I did not count those aimed for the entire parish (like a summerfest). After I hit 77 I quit counting. There werenone for single Catholics. My current parish does not have anything listed in the church bulletin.

I am a convert and I felt that any denomination that does not oppose abortion is not a bible believing denomination (although my former pastor was prolife). That is one of the biggest, though not only, reason I became Catholic.

 

[E_7]

here in PR it’s scary.

You go to Mass and like 90% of people attending are over 50.
Children, teenagers, and young adults, sum them all and u got ur 10%.

It’s is very scary to think that young people these days are separating and being consumed by society, music and mundane stuff.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

here in PR it’s scary.

You go to Mass and like 90% of people attending are over 50.
Children, teenagers, and young adults, sum them all and u got ur 10%.

Sounds about right. This summer I went to a special Mass offered by the Bishop. The bishop and I were the youngest people there…and the bishop is 49ish I think.

I once kept a mental scorecard of activities in my former parish. Activities designed for special groups (seniors, children, fathers and daughters, etc.), I did not count those aimed for the entire parish (like a summerfest). After I hit 77 I quit counting. There werenone for single Catholics. My current parish does not have anything listed in the church bulletin.

Whatever happened to good old fashion parish bingo?? Lemme guess, the government now requires churches to have a liquor and gaming licence because they serve alcohol there and gamble.

Teaching about social justice is integral to the Catholic faith. Our faith has always, from the time Jesus gave the sermon on the mount - taught that the least of society deserve our care and compassion because in them is Christ.
…]

There is nothing at all more tradtional than feeding the poor and caring for those who can’t care for themselves.

FWIW: “Social Justice” (I wish they’d quit calling it that) is nothing new. It’s called the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy!

Try going to where there are men of the calibre you like.

If all you do is work, lunch, commute, eat, sleep, work, lunch, commute, it doesn’t leave much opportunity to fnd a man.

See, that would require me to go to the LDS Meetinghouses and whatnot. Seriously, it seems like the only real men left around here and the ones I’m attracted to are Mormons. Seriously. Guys have become so effeminate that I can’t stand talking to them for 10 minutes, let alone contemplate spending the rest of my life with them. I blame the feminists.

 

[mathematoons]

See, that would require me to go to the LDS Meetinghouses and whatnot. Seriously, it seems like the only real men left around here and the ones I’m attracted to are Mormons. Seriously. Guys have become so effeminate that I can’t stand talking to them for 10 minutes, let alone contemplate spending the rest of my life with them. I blame the feminists.

This is why I’m so big on evangelizing. It is next to impossible for us to find devout Catholics our age to marry (not that this is the only reason I don’t feel called to marriage), and it’s hard to raise children Catholic if you’re in a mixed marriage… but adult converts will actually stick with the faith. Why raise Catholic kids who might fall away when you can bring in outsiders who will be forever grateful?

 

[archangel04]

Sounds about right. This summer I went to a special Mass offered by the Bishop. The bishop and I were the youngest people there…and the bishop is 49ish I think.

Whatever happened to good old fashion parish bingo?? Lemme guess, the government now requires churches to have a liquor and gaming licence because they serve alcohol there and gamble.

FWIW: **“Social Justice” (I wish they’d quit calling it that) is nothing new. It’s called the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy!
**

See, that would require me to go to the LDS Meetinghouses and whatnot. Seriously, it seems like the only real men left around here and the ones I’m attracted to are Mormons. Seriously. Guys have become so effeminate that I can’t stand talking to them for 10 minutes, let alone contemplate spending the rest of my life with them. I blame the feminists.

Agreed! My professor who happens to be a Jesuit priest, of all things , told me I should write when ever I get opportunities about how “social justice” has been distorted in order to fit agendas. I am not a good writer lol, but I did come up with a title “The injustice of Social Justice”

See you are being attracted to Mormons, while I am attracted to devout Muslim ladies. I’ve met some students who are Muslim and are very devout, very smart, and very pretty! Seriously, women who need to show off their bods in order to cover their low self-esteem is not what guys look for in a woman to bring home to mom

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

This is why I’m so big on evangelizing. It is next to impossible for us to find devout Catholics our age to marry (not that this is the only reason I don’t feel called to marriage), and it’s hard to raise children Catholic if you’re in a mixed marriage… but adult converts will actually stick with the faith. Why raise Catholic kids who might fall away when you can bring in outsiders who will be forever grateful?

Mormons and Catholics don’t mix.

You go evangelize a Mormon man and get back to me on how that goes. You do realize that the men my age have all returned from their mission, and are well convinced of their whacked out theology being the religion, right? When they go away to missionary school, they are thoroughly trained in how to be manipulating. They’re the ones who invented “flirt to convert.” And then there’s their family to deal with.

There are some relationships you just know won’t work from the beginning and you should just not bother with. Mormons are one of them.

 

[OxygenMan]

I converted to Catholicism when I was 16, and I am 21 now. I too have noticed a big lack of people around my age at mass. Then again, I live in a pretty small town that is mostly Protestant, so maybe that is just the reason.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I live in a military town with many young airmen and soldiers, with families and without, and so there is no shortage of the flow of them at mass.

 

[mathematoons]

Mormons and Catholics don’t mix.

You go evangelize a Mormon man and get back to me on how that goes. You do realize that the men my age have all returned from their mission, and are well convinced of their whacked out theology being the religion, right? When they go away to missionary school, they are thoroughly trained in how to be manipulating. They’re the ones who invented “flirt to convert.” And then there’s their family to deal with.

There are some relationships you just know won’t work from the beginning and you should just not bother with. Mormons are one of them.

I don’t try to evangelize to Mormons or conservative Protestants (however, I will debate with them if they start something). I go for people whose religions support the culture of death–liberal Protestants, New Agers, atheists, people who believe in God but claim to have no ideas about Him, etc.

One of them, after an examination of conscience, thanked me for saving him from Hell. For me, that’s a better thing than raising a Catholic child who will most likely be seduced by the world and fall away from the faith.

When things are so bad that we can’t even find devout Catholics to marry, I think that’s a sign that God wants us to evangelize to lost adults rather than raise Catholic children.

 

[3Sanctus]

All through the Bible, God calls those people to their true vocation who are faithful to their station in life, those who are faithfully attending to the jobs and tasks which God has given them.

In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he arrives here.” Jesse had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth with beautiful eyes, and good looking. The LORD said: There—anoint him, for this is the one! Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. (1 Samuel 16:10-13)

Jesse’s seven sons are anxiously awaiting thier possible anointing. They enter the tent hoping that it will be them, actively seeking the position. David however, is not seeking anything. He is not looking to be anything more than he is. David is outside tending sheep, faithfully taking care of the responsiblities God has given him through his earthly father Jesse - and that is when he is chosen. Moses too, faithfully tending sheep in the valley when God calls him at the sight of the burning bush. Jesus as well, faithful and obedient to his mother until she, perfectly conformed to God’s will, calls Jesus to start his public ministry at the wedding in Cana.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. (Matthew 25:21)

The moral sense of these scriptures is pretty clear to me, or at least to me in my own personal life. Peter and Andrew are casting nets into the sea, working hard as fishermen when Jesus calls them (cf Matthew 4:18). James and John were mending their nets (cf Mark 1:19). I think it is when we are faithful to small matters like our families and jobs and home chores, that is when God calls us to greater things - to things like the priesthood, marriage, and heroic friendships.

I wish I could be more faithful in small matters.

-Tim-

Wow - thank you Tim! I suppose this was just what I needed to hear considering where I am in life.

It can be so easy to despair when everyone around you is marrying, going to seminary, etc. Thank you dearly for this reminder, which really hit me in the heart, that He’s got it under control - as if I could ever hope to have it under control on my best days!

God bless you!

 

[3Sanctus]

Seriously, women who need to show off their bods in order to cover their low self-esteem is not what guys look for in a woman to bring home to mom

Amen, brother!

As a single Catholic convert who is a man, I can say it’s tough to find a lady who is worth marrying (and obviously I’m not going to date someone I wouldn’t marry). Women who provide occasions of sin abound…ladies I can imagine holding my newborn child - well, they don’t abound.

It’s tough for both genders now - and this situation (on top of all the rest of the mess in the Catholic world today) really makes me feel like God may will that the Church become a true remnant. Sometimes it’s hard to know my role - hence my very positive response to Tim’s post.

 

[paul11b]

I am 26 and I actually do notice a lot of people my age at Church. I think that most people our age want a true orthodox Catholic faith and not a watered down version of it. Find a good Catholic church with a holy priest (if they celebrate the traditional Latin Mass that is a good sign). Many Catholics our age are saying they want the faith of their grandparents not the faith of their parents.

 

[3Sanctus]

I am 26 and I actually do notice a lot of people my age at Church. I think that most people our age want a true orthodox Catholic faith and not a watered down version of it. Find a good Catholic church with a holy priest (if they celebrate the traditional Latin Mass that is a good sign). Many Catholics our age are saying they want the faith of their grandparents not the faith of their parents.

Well said, Paul! This is the biggest problem, the nonsense-talkers have chased away anyone actually interested in the Church. As a convert, this really saddens me. I worked through becoming Catholic and putting up with my family thinking I’m wacko for doing so, but these cradle Catholics haven’t even been given the chance to see what is so great about the Church.

 

[paul11b]

Well said, Paul! This is the biggest problem, the nonsense-talkers have chased away anyone actually interested in the Church. As a convert, this really saddens me. I worked through becoming Catholic and putting up with my family thinking I’m wacko for doing so, but these cradle Catholics haven’t even been given the chance to see what is so great about the Church.

I completely agree, I am a cradle Catholic but many cradle Catholics are the worst ones. The converts actually have to fall in love with the faith and learn all about it, but the cradle Catholics are just born into it and, luckily the Holy Spirit does work on some of us and bring us the realize the special and great gift that we were born with.