Why Do Fewer Catholics Attend Mass?

[ByzCathCantor]

Not only did I read through the flow chart, I printed it for further study and sharing.

Likewise, I did as well.

 

[coachdennis]

One of the things that really saddens me is the gleeful, almost proud announcements of “my parish has X Masses every Sunday!” Just how is a parish supposed to be a spiritual home when it’s run like a multi-shift factory?

I wonder where that model even came from? Must be from the reduced tithing and clerical vocations compared to other branches of Christianity.

How nice it would be is a great deal more and smaller Catholic parishes were sustainable…

You put something out there for people to read and ask comments for and it seems that every time someone responds you discount their responses. You asked a question and people are responding based on the information you gave them and their own personal experiences on their faith journey.

It’s coming across that is not good enough for you. How exactly do you WANT people to respond?

 

[Exorcist]

You put something out there for people to read and ask comments for and it seems that every time someone responds you discount their responses. You asked a question and people are responding based on the information you gave them and their own personal experiences on their faith journey.

It’s coming across that is not good enough for you. How exactly do you WANT people to respond?

As I said, I bet less than 1/3 have even read the chart. Catholics just seem to want to get their opinions out there.

It would have been nice if they would have critiqued the chart and gave (name removed by moderator)uts for changes, additions or deletions. One thing I am very certain of is that it’s a complex, multi-faceted problem.

 

[Cat]

I am starting a new type of Catholic. Its called a “hard core” Catholic. We start the Catechism in 1st grade, teach our children the Bible and to respect and enjoy other sects of the Catholic faith. We love our mass. We love our priest. Our School is ran by the Franciscans. I Love them. The children do the living rosary everyday, Mass twice a week, have a Catechism Bowl. Thats how you keep kids Catholic. Immerse them. Make religion 1st. Let them marinate in the Faith when they are little so they are prepared to be in the secular world. We need to stop crippling our children by telling them to be tolerant of non- tolerate people. We need to love and respect each other but NOT bow down to their secular ways or to their false Gods. We can make a difference. I can with my babies. Being a Catholic is wonderful and you can make learning the faith fun. Jesus said at the end of times his church would not be the biggest but it would not get swallowed up by the devil.

I don’t want to take the thread OT, but I want to point out, with great gentleness, that many many parents, Catholic and Protestant, raise their children well and do everything right to train them up in their faith, only to see their children utterly reject their faith when they grow up.

So very sad, but it happens all the time. There are no guarantees in parenting.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I don’t want to take the thread OT, but I want to point out, with great gentleness, that many many parents, Catholic and Protestant, raise their children well and do everything right to train them up in their faith, only to see their children utterly reject their faith when they grow up.

I don’t think that is an off-track remark at all. There are many things that impact the manner in which children embrace faith, not just parenting. They must be nurtured in many ways in order for faith to take root. Remember, it is a spiritual experience, thus a very personal one. That said, all of the adult influences matter - parent, priest, catechists, friends and neighbors. My parents and grandparents were very faithful and observant, yet it was my godfather and parish priest who were primary role models for me.

 

[Cat]

I might also ask, “Why do so few people get involved in the sport of figure skating?”

Why do we do anything? Why are my husband and I so very involved in the sport of figure skating, while others don’t even know we have ice rinks in the city?

It has nothing to do with the quality or lack of quality of any given activity. Mass is good. Figure skating is good.

We do things because we have a need, and that activity meets the need.

We do some things out of a need to survive: work, eat, sleep, doctor appointment, etc.

We do some things because we feel that it gives us pleasure and fulfils us: family time, volunteer projects, social activities, various clubs, sports, arts, classes, etc…

Many many people see no reason whatsoever to attend Mass (or any kind of church activities) because they don’t see it as a survival tool, and they don’t see that it benefits them or their family in any way. They don’t have the NEED to attend Mass. Therefore, they don’t attend.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that people are not aware of their “need” to attend Mass. Many people in the U.S. have suppressed much of their spirituality, or have diverted it to vague New Age philosophies and practices. We are a people of reason and science, and most of us, although we love watching a good ghost movie, do not believe in any world other than the corporal world that we can perceive with our animal senses.

Do YOU do things that don’t meet any of your needs? Of course you don’t.

Even if you DO decide to come to a figure skating competition to see my husband or my daughters skate, you do so because you sense a need to spend some time with me and enjoy watching and learning about the sport that I am always talking about or writing about! (Maybe you’ve read my skating novels and you have a need to experience the stories for yourself, in real life!)

So IMO, what the Catholic Church needs to do is show people that they do have a need to attend Mass and receive Jesus Christ.

And IMO, the BEST way that the Catholic Church can do that is through the “evangelization” by individual Catholics that Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging.

We need to “brighten the corner where we are” and evangelize constantly to all that we come into contact with. As we do this, people will begin to sense the need that they have to meet Jesus and receive Him.

As for various changes to the Mass–IMO, this really doesn’t matter. If someone perceives that the Mass will meet a need, they will come regardless of the music, preaching, social and service opportunities, architecture, etc. Like I said, it’s not about the “quality” of the activity, it’s about the activity itself and whether or not it meets a need.

It’s not about the “externals” of the Mass. The Mass is the Mass, regardless of whether the music, preaching, etc. is fantastic or mediocre. People come to Mass because the MASS meets a need, not because they want to hear good music and riveting preaching. (If that’s why they’re coming to Mass, eventually they’ll stop coming because there is always a better show elsewhere.)

OTOH, I think that every parish should strive to present the very best that they are capable of presenting–the best music that they have, the best homilies that a priest can preach, the best social and service opportunities that they can manage, the best decor that they can do, etc. This is just common hospitality–we want to greet our guests with the best we have.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Your comments are welcomed.

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/SanLewy/WHY.jpg

“There are many things that impact the manner in which children embrace faith, not just parenting.”

No question about it. I think the OP and from what I read ignores this to a very large degree. The 60’s-70’s were an explosion of social transistion, in particular the USA.

I did read the entire chart and I suggest that there in nothing new on the list which we didn’t know for a very long time. What it doesn’t factor in is the last decade. In particular since the death of JP-II till now so there’s no graph. These trends also run in favor of Christs Church’s, as its mentioned in other areas, such as Africa on this thread.

When we look at America as the USA then we have also take into consideration its history with the Catholic Church also in history. And remember the USA is a baby in time. The Catholic Church here in America didn’t start out as a gleaming success due to the reformation. This mode of thinking in learned behavior still exists. Just as some who live in the South don’t consider the North the USA:shrug: The Church is speaking now on its needs and mankinds needs very clearly in the USA.

Today we look at another situation. For here we meet at the Crossroads once again with the moral issues of a US President. Who disagrees with many points of the Catholic Church.

The Church has a decrease in population when mankind in his social/political wisdom decides to choose when life becomes relevant. In other words which evils today shall we call excusable? The CC doesn’t have a list for that they have a Confessional and the Lords Body and Blood for forgiveness.

 

[Cat]

I think that another reason why people don’t come to Mass is that they’re too busy, much busier than they were back in the 1950s and earlier.

First, there’s work. Back then, not many people worked on Sunday morning. Police and firefighters, doctors and nurses–and that’s about it. Restaurants weren’t open on Sunday, and neither were most stores or businesses. And when I grew up, the farm work stopped on Sundays, other than the necessary chores of caring for the stock and milking. (Sundays were our “visiting” day, when we drove around and paid short visits to all of our elderly relatives–I really miss this custom!)

But nowadays, many of us work on Saturdays and Sundays, including many women. And when one family member works, it is often difficult for the rest of the family to get organized enough to make it to church.

Yes, most of us have some time during the Sat/Sun when we could go to Mass. But so many people come home from work exhausted and end up crashing instead of going to church

Besides work, there is the plethora of activities that keep us all running running running on an endless treadmill. One of those activities is running on a treadmill, literally! We are all trying desperately to get in shape or stay in shape, and many of us have jobs that are sedentary, so we have to work out in addition to just working. That takes time, precious time. And then we have to come home and cook a “nutritious” meal, or go out for one…time.

And then there are all the sports and arts and other recreational pursuits. Many of us begin these activities in the name of “family time.” But before we know it, one or more of these activities holds our family captive, taking all our time and money. Of course we love these activities or we wouldn’t keep doing them. But we discover that we can’t do everything, so we often end up giving up…church.

It doesn’t help that because of work, many of our recreational activities happen on the weekend. Most of the figure skating competitions happen on weekends, although there is always a way to go to Mass (most skating competitions end on Saturday evening, except for the really big National competitions). So families could still go, but it means another “thing” to add to the “To Do” list, and often, exhausted families balk, and they decide to just stay at the hotel and relax by the pool.

We’re too busy.

 

[Julia_Mae]

This looks like a list made by a bunch of entitled Boomers infected by modern liberalism who are upset that the Church is actually, you know, a church, and not a touchy-feely seminar where they can feel self-actualized, or some such nonsense.

And yet, you have not a shred of data to support such an idea. I’ll tell you what this “Boomer” knows: you can find any kind of Catholic Parish you want if you live in an urban area: Totally Trad, Mid-Road, or Liberal Lad. There’s no THE Church anymore, not in America.

 

[Julia_Mae]

As I said, I bet less than 1/3 have even read the chart. Catholics just seem to want to get their opinions out there.

I’m sorry, isn’t that what the chart is? Your opinion, which you wanted to get out here?

It would have been nice if they would have critiqued the chart and gave (name removed by moderator)uts for changes, additions or deletions. One thing I am very certain of is that it’s a complex, multi-faceted problem.

But the thread is doing just that. It’s your chart. Now that you have other opinions, you’ll see where there is variance from your hypotheses and can make the appropriate changes.

 

[Pug]

As I said, I bet less than 1/3 have even read the chart. Catholics just seem to want to get their opinions out there.

It would have been nice if they would have critiqued the chart and gave (name removed by moderator)uts for changes, additions or deletions. One thing I am very certain of is that it’s a complex, multi-faceted problem.

I note you have repeated your remark about 1/3? Perhaps what you really want is to directly ask us ask us, “Did you read the chart?”

Yes, I read each box on the chart and tried to see how each arrow pointed in order to understand the things you listed.

Then, after reading your chart, I commented as per your request by adding something that I didn’t think was on your chart. Cat has also chimed in with remarks similar to my own (in her post about skating). Your chart has a different focus than Cat’s and my remarks. However, your chart does include the box about laity having more leisure activities and also a box about insufficient catechesis (which affects people’s understanding of that the Church meets their fundamental needs). But I assume you are aware of what boxes you have on your chart.

I do think that perhaps for some people, I think less some rather than more some, when they walk into a reverent mass of a particular sort, they suddenly realize that they had a need all along, and here is an answer to the need, so in that sense your chart has my comment about people and needs. But your focus is different from how I view the problem. I tend to look at the problem through the eyes of ex-Catholics below 60 years of age, and also random people who are not really into any Christian group. These folks that I interact with might be influenced by things like there not being enough priests for there to be easy access to sacraments, and you have fewer priests listed on your chart, or perhaps influenced by the perception of corruption in the Church, which you also have on your chart in the form of the abuse scandal.

 

[Cat]

I note you have repeated your remark about 1/3? Perhaps what you really want is to directly ask us ask us, “Did you read the chart?”

Yes, I read each box on the chart and tried to see how each arrow pointed in order to understand the things you listed.

Then, after reading your chart, I commented as per your request by adding something that I didn’t think was on your chart. Cat has also chimed in with remarks similar to my own (in her post about skating). Your chart has a different focus than Cat’s and my remarks. However, your chart does include the box about laity having more leisure activities and also a box about insufficient catechesis (which affects people’s understanding of that the Church meets their fundamental needs). But I assume you are aware of what boxes you have on your chart.

I do think that perhaps for some people, I think less some rather than more some, when they walk into a reverent mass of a particular sort, they suddenly realize that they had a need all along, and here is an answer to the need, so in that sense your chart has my comment about people and needs. But your focus is different from how I view the problem. I tend to look at the problem through the eyes of ex-Catholics below 60 years of age, and also random people who are not really into any Christian group. These folks that I interact with might be influenced by things like there not being enough priests for there to be easy access to sacraments, and you have fewer priests listed on your chart, or perhaps influenced by the perception of corruption in the Church, which you also have on your chart in the form of the abuse scandal.

I think the chart is a fairly good and complete summary of the reasons why fewer Catholics attend Masses (in the U.S., anyway). More importantly, what the chart attempts to do is demonstrate that there isn’t just “one” reason why Masses are less-attended in the U.S. This is a complex problem with many different angles.

Some Catholics want to blame the decreasing Mass attendance on a simple cause and effect; e.g., “we don’t use Latin anymore.” (I’ve seen that over and over again on CAF.)

Or “the way women dress these days”." (I’ve seen that too, many times, on CAF over the years, and many times, involving the custom of headcovering.)

Or “the use of Protestant music in the Mass.” (I’ve seen that so many times of CAF.)

I’m sure that there really are people who actually stopped attending Mass because of these issues, but surely, surely, common sense should tell us that no one who truly knows Him will give up Jesus Christ for the sake of a languge, a veil, or a song!

The decreasing Mass attendance, and also the corresponding decrease in attendance at many Protestant churches, is happening for many complex reasons, and there is no simple one-size-fits-all answer. The chart is a good attempt to graphically display this.

 

[Stylites]

If people placed as much effort and energy in reforming their own spiritual life as they do in reforming the Church and the society and the world, imagine how much better the Church and the society and the world would actually be.

 

[Stylites]

There have always been “C and E Catholics” even when the priests said Mass with their backs to people.

Your little blocks have left out those who leave because of their smugness and self-righteousness, or who shop Churches like Protestants do, or who are unduly influenced by heretical, schismatic and sedevacantist websites, or who end up declaring themselves Pope.

 

[Stylites]

One of the big reasons that Church attendance has dropped is that American business has relinquished their moral responsibility to the community to foster family life and civic and moral values. Another big reason is that the middle class baby boomers had adopted the aristocratic morals of the popular culture.

 

[ProVobis]

Why do fewer Catholics attend Mass today has been a source of discussion at my parish of late. Obviously there is a great deal of disagreement. Two things that are clear to me is that there are many reasons and there are compounding reasons.

Here is my feeble attempt to think this through. What critical elements did I miss? One that I know is missing is that with fewer people attending Mass, both the Church and the all the faithful of the Church are deprived of the fruits of much prayer. I just wasn’t sure how to work that in.

Your comments are welcomed.

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/SanLewy/WHY.jpg

From your flowchart,

“Many who still attend Mass will be the final generation of Catholics in their families.”

Regardless of what caused the decline, this isn’t very encouraging going forward.

 

[Pug]

I think the chart is a fairly good and complete summary of the reasons why fewer Catholics attend Masses (in the U.S., anyway). More importantly, what the chart attempts to do is demonstrate that there isn’t just “one” reason why Masses are less-attended in the U.S. This is a complex problem with many different angles.

I agree that the chart is a good way to graphically show the complexity of the problem and that many factors are involved and interrelated.

 

[peace2u2]

Church attendance for all denominations began to fall off in the '60s with the counter-culture phenomenon. The new Evangelical churches started, business like a cross between Amway and a tent revival and used TV to great advantage in gathering large flocks into huge churches for large profits.

This is not a “Catholic” issue; it is a cultural issue.

Yes, I agree with your post. Church attendance is definately down in our Protestant brothers and sisters Churches not just at the Catholic Church. A few of my neighbors who are Protestant don’t go to church because sunday is the day they sleep in because they work m-f and sat get up early to run errands and do chores. Some don’t go because their children are grown and feel they don’t need to. Sounds like a lot of reasons Catholics give too.

Oh and some say the church is not a building. Whatever that means. If someone knows what that is suppose to mean, please let me know, because the last time I looked, which was around 10 am this morning, there were still many these buildings that call themselves “Church” still standing and I was in one of them.

 

[JillianRose]

I don’t want to take the thread OT, but I want to point out, with great gentleness, that many many parents, Catholic and Protestant, raise their children well and do everything right to train them up in their faith, only to see their children utterly reject their faith when they grow up.

So very sad, but it happens all the time. There are no guarantees in parenting.

I never said it doesn’t happen. I will have to do my part. Every time I talk about shepherding my children with the seed of Christ I get this.

I need to put a disclosure on the bottom of my statement. Just because parents do have this happen, All the time, does not release you from your Catholic Duties as a parent. It is your responsibility to plant the seed. In my opinion you should invest in your child’s heart. You do the best you can do. If they don’t embrace the faith or turn away from it, its not your fault. You can’t rely on other people to do what you as a parent should be doing. God Bless those who do undertake that role. Its hard to do.

I will do my Christian duty as a parent. The reason? Because I will have to answer to God if I don’t. Like I said, if a child does not embrace the faith, at least you did your part. I am sure I will be in purgatory long enough. Why add to the list of reasons why?

 

[Stylites]

You could also add a small box saying: “Decline of Pharisaical Formalism (an emphasis on the ritual and observance of religion, rather than its meaning)” and reference today’s Gospel reading.