Yet people claim all these other reasons are the core reasons why people leave the Church. I haven’t met one Catholic that left because of some of the reasons I see in these forums but have many ex-Catholic friends who complain about the Church being out-of-touch with their real life and only concerned about a few issues. That’s real. A lot of this oh people are leaving over “confusion”, I haven’t seen evidence of.
Yes, this!
Are you aware that the Catholic Church is the worlds largest non-governmental charitable organization? That charity extends from urban areas to rural areas, in just about any country, in any disaster or famine. The Church is enormously attuned to the needs of the impoverished.
Nothing you are saying negates my points. I let people know constantly what the Church does charitably. People are shocked it is the largest NGO. I am proud of that. I know what the Church does globally and the amazing work my parish does. Note I referenced a growing contingent of a certain attitude that has a laser focus on said issues while ignoring others, some of the same things lamented by people in the article. Maybe you don’t see it amongst those you encounter, but they do. Also, I volunteer with Catholic Charities, so yes I do know what they do.
Ideally, we should attend daily Mass. But practically, it’s not always going to happen.VanitasVanitatum:
Yes, this!
At my daughter’s college (a Catholic college), there was a Mass on Sunday night at 10:00 p.m. It was one of the best -attended Masses on Sunday!
The reason it was well-attended is that many college students were able to attend it–it was convenient.
If they went home for the weekend, they were generally back on campus by 10:00 p.m. And if they didn’t go home for the weekend, they could party on Saturday night, sleep in on Sunday morning–and still attend that late-night Sunday Mass!
And a lot of the public attended this Mass, too–it was do-able for them.
My daughter used to enjoy singing in the choir at that Mass–yes, they had a choir! So it wasn’t just one of those “half-hour Masses” with no music.
I think it makes sense to survey the membership of a parish (easy enough to do in this day of email), and try to figure out times that more people could attend obligation Masses. To me, this shows a caring attitude towards people, not a kow-towing to “lazy” people.
As for weekday Masses–these are not required, and it concerns me that on this thread, they are being spoken of as though everyone should try to make it to daily Masses. When I am off work, I often attend a daily Mass (they’re very short–only about 30 minutes). But unfortunately, my day off is also the time when I book doctor/dentist appts, try to get big cleaning jobs done, plan menus and cook–in other words, I’m not just sitting around watching TV. And even if I were just sitting around watching TV–again, these Masses are not an obligation and no one should be judged for not attending.
On the subject of daily Mass, it was called to my attention just this week that EWTN has its daily Mass online. That might interest someone who would like to attend daily Mass but can’t be there when it’s offered.
What you are observing is a narrative. Narratives have narrators. That narrative is really distorted because those narrating it have an agenda. There are fringe groups of Catholics on all ends of the spectrum.goout:
Nothing you are saying negates my points. I let people know constantly what the Church does charitably. People are shocked it is the largest NGO. I am proud of that. I know what the Church does globally and the amazing work my parish does. Note I referenced a growing contingent of a certain attitude that has a laser focus on said issues while ignoring others, some of the same things lamented by people in the article. Maybe you don’t see it amongst those you encounter, but they do. Also, I volunteer with Catholic Charities, so yes I do know what they do.
Here in formerly-dynamic New England, I think that it’s the reverse problem: many parishes have become too small - especially the many remaining legacy former “ethnic parishes” established at the height of immigration. Many of those have been closed, but many remain - I know of two close to me who each number fewer than 200 families, seniors primarily. Such parishes lack the “critical mass” to mount programs, provide ministry outreach, have minuscule religious ed programs for a handful of children, and are often staffed by senior priests as the last step before their retirement. The faithful parishioners hang on as best they can for Mass and the sacraments, but 6 days a week, nothing is going on.
Are the older folks getting together socially during the week? For coffee or tea? For McDonald’s (at least before COVID)? For a meal and perhaps a card game or a shopping trip (again, before COVID)?
You don’t need a car? We have had a number of homes, and none of them were within several miles of a supermarket. Or pharmacies or other necessities. (Our first apt. was near things, but we were in a semi-slum and your took your life in your hands to go out.) You need a car, unless you lock yourself away in “assisted living” accommodations.
Bus routes. I think it’s awful that people have to take a bus to do grocery shopping, but I have friends that do it all the time, and they think nothing of it. For those with low incomes, the bus passes are free.
. . . if there are bus routes where you live.Shasta-Rose:
Bus routes. I think it’s awful that people have to take a bus to do grocery shopping, but I have friends that do it all the time, and they think nothing of it. For those with low incomes, the bus passes are free.