Poor catechesis leads to Hispanic women choosing islam

[santaro75]

Did anyone else catch the NPR radio broadcast highlighting hispanic women that convert to islam? I think most of them were Catholic but felt that they weren’t getting fed spiritually in the church. They commented that they did not know what was going on in mass or what the point of all of it is.

I do think it is sad that they don’t enjoy the riches of the mass. BUT being a cradle Catholic myself, I admit that i did not know the significance of the mass for most of my life. The church as a whole does a pretty poor job of catechesis.

What are the causes and some possible solutions to the problem of lack of good catechesis?

 

[Scottgun]

What are the causes and some possible solutions to the problem of lack of good catechesis?

The first and best teachers of the faith, parents, do not live their faith or impart it to their children as the promised when they baptised the children.

Solution: Catechize and convert parents by any means necessary.

 

[Saint_Michael]

I do think it is sad that they don’t enjoy the riches of the mass. BUT being a cradle Catholic myself, I admit that i did not know the significance of the mass for most of my life. The church as a whole does a pretty poor job of catechesis.

Everyone blames the Church, but I think it’s the parents job to teach their children in these areas. The Church can only do so much, and you can’t teach someone something if they don’t really care to learn it.

Islam attracts a lot of people because of its simplicity in worship and it’s logically sound. There’s no Trinity to overcome, there’s no God sending His son dying on a cross etc… No matter how hard some people try, they can’t get their arms around that and end up leaving the Church.

 

[santaro75]

The first and best teachers of the faith, parents, do not live their faith or impart it to their children as the promised when they baptised the children.

Solution: Catechize and convert parents by any means necessary.

the fact that parents don’t feel compelled to catechize in love is a testament that there is something wrong with the teaching strategy of christ’s church

 

[Scottgun]

the fact that parents don’t feel compelled to catechize in love is a testament that there is something wrong with the teaching strategy of christ’s church

I agree. Does the Church even have a teaching strategy for parents?

 

[puzzleannie]

poor catechesis? how can you know the quality of catechesis available to these people in their own parishes? having lived and served in over 12 parishes in several dioceses around the country, including those that serve a large Hispanic population, I can say I have never been in a parish that did not offer good catechesis on the Mass and other essential topics. However, in every parish I have worked or lived in, only a minority of the adults, families, children availed themselves of those opportunities. Willful ignorance and failure to seek out Christian education and formation for oneself and one’s children is a sin.

 

[puzzleannie]

I agree. Does the Church even have a teaching strategy for parents?

yes, but it doesn’t work if the parents don’t show up. we also have a strategy for catechesis of children, but that also will not benefit those who do not participate, which is the majority unfortunately.

 

[Alberich]

poor catechesis? how can you know the quality of catechesis available to these people in their own parishes? having lived and served in over 12 parishes in several dioceses around the country, including those that serve a large Hispanic population, I can say I have never been in a parish that did not offer good catechesis on the Mass and other essential topics. However, in every parish I have worked or lived in, only a minority of the adults, families, children availed themselves of those opportunities. Willful ignorance and failure to seek out Christian education and formation for oneself and one’s children is a sin.

I can’t speak to the parishes you have been associated with, although I can speak to mine. Of all the parishes I have belonged to, I can recall only one parish publicizing their adult catechesis classes. Now, I grant you that Catholics should be more active and seek always to increase their faith and knowledge about the faith, but it can be hard to do if they don’t know where to look for the resources. A small box, one inch by one inch under the local funeral home advertisement in the church flyer is *not *the best place to let people know!

Pax vobiscum,
Alberich

 

[happygal]

Huh converting from Christianity to Islam, my goodness…hm seem like it is so common for American to convert to Islam, but is very rare case in my place that any Christian will convert even if we do marry a Muslim. My frez’s older brother married a Muslim without converting his Christianity faith to Islam, my cousin a non christian married a Muslim as well, also did not convert…Phew since everyone of us were brought up mixing around with them as frez so we share common understanding about out believes, so more acceptance and unity in the population…

 

[puzzleannie]

I can’t speak to the parishes you have been associated with, although I can speak to mine. Of all the parishes I have belonged to, I can recall only one parish publicizing their adult catechesis classes. Pax vobiscum,
Alberich

when I say “you” I don’t necessarily mean this poster, I mean in general, in all that time did you ever inquire about adult ed, scripture study, prayer groups etc. in your parish, neighboring parishes, dioceses. did you not once visit the diocesan website or call the office of catechesis asking why there were not more opportunities. You mean in all those years you never saw the announcement of a class, parish mission, retreat, speaker, bible study or anything else at your parish or a nearby parish? I find it hard to believe. People who earnestly go looking seldom fail to find. People who aren’t actively looking might well overlook notices that do appear.

 

[santaro75]

poor catechesis? how can you know the quality of catechesis available to these people in their own parishes? having lived and served in over 12 parishes in several dioceses around the country, including those that serve a large Hispanic population, I can say I have never been in a parish that did not offer good catechesis on the Mass and other essential topics. However, in every parish I have worked or lived in, only a minority of the adults, families, children availed themselves of those opportunities. Willful ignorance and failure to seek out Christian education and formation for oneself and one’s children is a sin.

I too have been to over twelve parishes around the country ( i move alot due to my job) and yet to see a really good catechesis program. it is there but you have to work to find it.

 

[santaro75]

when I say “you” I don’t necessarily mean this poster, I mean in general, in all that time did you ever inquire about adult ed, scripture study, prayer groups etc. in your parish, neighboring parishes, dioceses. did you not once visit the diocesan website or call the office of catechesis asking why there were not more opportunities. You mean in all those years you never saw the announcement of a class, parish mission, retreat, speaker, bible study or anything else at your parish or a nearby parish? I find it hard to believe. People who earnestly go looking seldom fail to find. People who aren’t actively looking might well overlook notices that do appear.

I have inquired and been to many adult bible studies and other programs. they are pretty poorly done. I think due to lack of funding and interest by the church. Now here in charleston WV there are basically no programs.

 

[santaro75]

yes, but it doesn’t work if the parents don’t show up. we also have a strategy for catechesis of children, but that also will not benefit those who do not participate, which is the majority unfortunately.

I think a really simple way is to make all catechesis classes the hour before MASS. then it is one stop shopping. in fact have it all going on. confessions, Catehesis, Mass, fellowship. the church should be a very busy place on sunday.

 

[cestusdei]

I did offer adult catechesis. We did it at various times, but the best seemed to be in during Lent. Otherwise it was just a small group. Catholics tend to think that religious ed is finished when CCD is over. That is a habit of mind that needs breaking.

 

[puzzleannie]

I think a really simple way is to make all catechesis classes the hour before MASS. then it is one stop shopping. in fact have it all going on. confessions, Catehesis, Mass, fellowship. the church should be a very busy place on sunday.

have tried Sunday, weekdays, week nights, weekends, any possible time slot, advertising on bulletin, announcements, mail, phone, newspaper, webstite and personal phone calls, still get poor turnouts. Adult Catholics, in my experience, do not attend quality adult ed/bible study etc. because if they did they would have no excuse to abandon Church teaching and properly form their consciences. This way they can blame it on those of us responsible for “catechesis” instead of taking responsibility for their own continuing faith formation.

Any adult Catholic who is serious about growing in the faith has a wealth of resources through books and on the web, not to mention Catholic colleges, religious orders, retreat centers and the like active in all parts of this country. you are on line for this forum, why aren’t you on line for faith formation? qwicherbichen

 

[santaro75]

have tried Sunday, weekdays, week nights, weekends, any possible time slot, advertising on bulletin, announcements, mail, phone, newspaper, webstite and personal phone calls, still get poor turnouts. Adult Catholics, in my experience, do not attend quality adult ed/bible study etc. because if they did they would have no excuse to abandon Church teaching and properly form their consciences. This way they can blame it on those of us responsible for “catechesis” instead of taking responsibility for their own continuing faith formation.

Any adult Catholic who is serious about growing in the faith has a wealth of resources through books and on the web, not to mention Catholic colleges, religious orders, retreat centers and the like active in all parts of this country. you are on line for this forum, why aren’t you on line for faith formation? qwicherbichen

trust me, i have learned more about my catholic faith online in the past three years than i did the previous 18 years going to church and ccd (i left the church for ten years after confirmation)

Community is important tho. I think that the extra curricular classes are not pushed by the priests. the value isn’t really seen in it so people don’t go. If priests sold it during mass or after, not just announced, but sold it, i bet more would go.???/

 

[Califman831]

I agree, the church and its parishes should make use of the available technology such as youtube. If they would break down the sections of the mass and elaborate on the meanings, it would help a lot in its understanding. This medium has the added benefit of being re playable at the user’s discretion.

 

[kage_ar]

I have inquired and been to many adult bible studies and other programs. they are pretty poorly done. I think due to lack of funding and interest by the church. Now here in charleston WV there are basically no programs.

Here is a link to the your Diocesian web site with the calendar of events:

64.181.124.70/scripts/publish/webevent.pl?cmd=opencal&cal=cal3

I picked a Parish off the Diocese web site and looked at their bulletin Page 1 - the have Adult Faith Formation

Sunday at 10:15 AM (three different classes! Parenting Teens, Breaking Open the Word and a Morality class. WOW)

Bible Study on Wed at 9:30 and Thursday at 9:30

Looks like they have a Lenten Bible study as well, and an instute that has several classes.

You might take a look -

www3.catholicweb.com/bulletins/56286/Jan-27-2008.pdf

If I could find this in 5 minutes online, I’d imagine you could find a whole bunch more!

 

[FLCathMom]

Since the title of the thread addresses the issue of Hispanic women, maybe the reason many women are unable to get catechesis is the lack of child care? I know it is an issue for me. I think the Church should make more of an effort to make women feel welcome to bring their children with them.

 

[HollyDolly]

Well I don’t know how true this all is,but alot of parishes don’t advertise things.They may have things in the parish bulletin,but rarely elsewhere.
They need to put ads in the local newspapers and maybe the local diocese could even advertise on tv adult catechical and bible study classes.I work two jobs so can’t really go, but would like to some time in the future.

But for those who can go,this would be a way to get the message out there.Also,I think if the parish priests talked to people before mass or mentioned it after mass and as someone said,really sold it,more people might be signing up.
And yes,there needs to be a way for mothers with children,especially small ones to attend.Have a day care for the little ones and they could make things for mom,like pictures or whatever and read bible stories written for children to them.