Why Are you still a Catholic?

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This was a statement made by a very learned and respected priest in our metroplex:

For every newly baptized Catholic there are nine people leaving the Church.

I do see many more older parishioners at mass (45-ish and older), in general, and in relation to other age groups there are many more Hispanic families with young children than other ethnicities (we are probably a parish that is 40% Hispanic). We are a church in an area with homes inhabited by fewer older people than younger. We serve fairly affluent people all the way to Sectiom 8 housing.

I have not stated this previously but I did not attend church for about 15 years (although I still considered myself Catholic and remained prayerful).

Any thoughts on why people are leaving the Church?

Why I stopped attending church, in retrospect:
  1. I allowed “life” to take priority over attending church (kids’ activities, chores, sleep…that’s embarrassing). Bottom line, we allowed too many earthly demands, time limitations, wants, etc. come before attending mass.
  2. We live in a large metroplex…churches lack a sense of community. There are 5 or more weekend masses (that are not packed but the parish tries to meet as many needs as possible). When we attended smaller parishes in the Northern US we knew everyone and everyone knew us…we were a church family. Nothing really “tied” me to our church here in Texas. It seemed more of an obligation of attendance vs. a true want (time has definitely changed that perspective).
  3. I felt mass was too traditional (yet I now find great comfort and peace in our traditions) and, other than the readings, gospel, and homily it seemed stagnant (I feel exactly the opposite now). My children received the sacraments but they didn’t feel a lust for Church (I take the blame for that).
I have moved past and repented my decision but I also feel the loss of not living the life I should have lived through the Church). We live in a high-Baptist and non-denominational churches area that preach what I refer to as “an easier route to Heaven”. Maybe that’s the draw?

Any thoughts? The Baptist and non-denominational churches seem to be doing well.
 
In short: because a lot of times, non-Catholics living is so empty and focuses too much on worldly gains. And a lot of folks including Catholics) who reject Catholicism to varying degrees just don’t seem happy or fulfilled.
 
I think some people leave because being Catholic in a predominantly non Catholic area or culture sometimes feels like it doesn’t make sense.

The traditions, calendar, etc make sense, and feel fulfilling when there is family and community around participating in the same things, but if that falls away I think a lot of people find themselves thinking “Why am I doing this? What does any of this mean? Does this even make sense?”

Lack of a peer group that understands and takes part. It can feel lonely and out of context.

You mentions ethnic groups. I see that where I live as well. The parish and faith are part of the family and culture. It helps people keep it all together. When groups of immigrants or refugees come to a new country, they gather in their faith communities and from there build larger community, offer support etc.

But for others THAT is exactly what is on it’s way out. Often other family members have quite practicing the faith, or a move has caused a person to lose contact with friends and family in the Church, rather than it making them feel more a part of something it leads them to feel more alienated.
 
I’m still a Catholic because the truth is still the truth. Also, seems all the alternatives are so miserable that I couldn’t bear to live a life like that.
 
laircy said:
I’m still a Catholic because the truth is still the truth. Also, seems all the alternatives are so miserable that I couldn’t bear to live a life like that.
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i agree; i could never be anything else

my question is: WHY ARE YOU NOT A CATHOLIC?

sorry for the caps
 
That is a good question. I credit my deacon and my priest, who I know take their calling seriously.

Why did I leave the Catholic church to begin with? I didn’t. My parents did. Why? I will give you the year, 1969. I tried to go back in the late 70’s. I did not understand the changes. No one there responded to my calls or inquiries so I wandered away.

My whole extended family left the church because of what happened in the 60’s. I am the family ‘nerd’ who pined for what I remembered the church was. I don’t think what I remembered ever existed. Sometimes people here tell me my memories were correct. I no longer think so. I think God gave me those memories to keep me close. Keep me searching. I never found it. Oh, I am Catholic in good standing again, because of God and my priest, but the church is not what I remember. Its okay, I cling to God, He hasn’t changed.
 
Honestly, because I couldn’t think of being anything else. I love Jesus and I love His Church.
 
Where else would I go Lord? :shrug:You alone have the words of life.
 
This is why I’m a Catholic:

Jesus = Son of God
Jesus= Truth
Jesus= Eucharist
No other religion has Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. he promised he would ALWAYS be with us and we can receive him daily in Holy Communion at mass and see him in the blessed sacrament. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GIFT!!!

We also have the celestial court that includes Mary The Queen, the saints and the angels. To Whom else shall we go??? not even worth searching…👍

People are leaving because they don’t know about the Real Presence and are not catechized 😦
 
Mostly only because the Church says I am. She teaches OCAC and there doesn’t seem a way to truly get around that. People leave the practice of the faith for as many reasons as there are people leaving the faith. These reasons include but are not limited to teachings they come to no longer believe in if they ever truly did in the first place. But basically you could probably say all of the reasons come together under one umbrella. They lose faith in Catholic teaching authority. And without such a faith, you can’t be a faithful Catholic.
 
I am Catholic because of the Eucharist, Mary, tradition, and because I know the teachings are truth. I struggle with attending Mass because I find it difficult to associate with the parishioners and the parish staff. I get tired of the gossip and the favoritism so I understand why so many abandon the Church. It’s a shame when I can trust my pagan neighbor with my kids but not the people that run our mom group. The two times my kids stayed with either of the ladies horrible things happened (domestic violence–ending in the arrest of one lady for trying to run her husband over in front of my kids and her kids after she had already pushed him from a moving vehicle, and the other lady was arrested on drug charges while my kids were at her house). They are both still in charge of the mom group and also involved in the youth group and Sunday school. The parish staff and priest all know the histories. Apparently my kids have not been the only children to have been witnesses to similar things, but whenever anyone complains it is called gossip and we are chastised. I now drive an extra 45 mins to a different county to attend church. I love the Catholic faith but have not had much luck in friendships with fellow Catholics. I completely get it why so many leave. People grow tired of hypocrisy. And they grow tired of pastors and staff playing favorites
 
Cath4life said:
This is why I’m a Catholic:

Jesus = Son of God
Jesus= Truth
Jesus= Eucharist
No other religion has Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. he promised he would ALWAYS be with us and we can receive him daily in Holy Communion at mass and see him in the blessed sacrament. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GIFT!!!

We also have the celestial court that includes Mary The Queen, the saints and the angels. To Whom else shall we go??? not even worth searching…👍

People are leaving because they don’t know about the Real Presence and are not catechized 😦
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I know not being properly catechized is a prominent go to reason the faithful on CAF like to give. But it runs much deeper than that. I actually think they know what the Church teaches about the RP and learned that from being properly catechized. If they ever went to Mass at all and received, they heard “The Body of Christ” every time. So for those who leave solely due to that reason, they simply no longer believe what they were catechized in.
 
As a convert, I waited so long and worked hard to become Catholic. My soul is finally at peace. There’s no way I’m leaving that feeling, or my love for the Holy Trinity. No way.
 
Convert1 said:
As a convert, I waited so long and worked hard to become Catholic. My soul is finally at peace. There’s no way I’m leaving that feeling, or my love for the Holy Trinity. No way.
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I do think for converts it is different than it can be for some cradle Catholics because converts are making their own choice to become Catholic and go thru the RCIA process. I am so glad your soul has found peace in the CC. May God continue to bless you on your spiritual journey.
 
Interesting article, thanks.

I tell people online if they don’t go to Church they can’t receive communion but for Protestants I see that is a big-----so what? The Eucharist should keep people in the Church if nothing else. Who cares what kind of people are in the pew next to you, don’t focus on them just on God.

I have been to some Protestant services since some relatives are not Catholic and their services are not focused on God, it seems to me. Lots of singing and preaching but communion is like an after thought, some don’t even have communion.
 
oneofmany said:
Interesting article, thanks.

I tell people online if they don’t go to Church they can’t receive communion but for Protestants I see that is a big-----so what? The Eucharist should keep people in the Church if nothing else. Who cares what kind of people are in the pew next to you, don’t focus on them just on God.

I have been to some Protestant services since some relatives are not Catholic and their services are not focused on God, it seems to me. Lots of singing and preaching but communion is like an after thought, some don’t even have communion.
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I care. And I focus on God wherever I am, especially in my deep solitude up here on the mountain.
 
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