Why young Catholics are leaving the Church

[Cristiano]

But see, that involves Mass…

I know and that is why I brought it up. That was one of the few examples that I can think of that mix what you say with social justice ministry. I was just trying to say that when these scenarios are possible I agree with your take.

…For example, say that a group decides they’re going to start volunteering at a soup kitchen. They could handle that one of two ways. In one way they go to the soup kitchen, volunteer, then leave. They go again and again over several weeks. That’s great, but it’s missing something.

The second way: They show up at the soup kitchen. Before going in they pray as a group for the people they’re serving and for one another. They go and serve food. Once a month they attend Mass together.

In the second scenario the spiritual aspects don’t take up very much time, but they’re a huge component, IMO. Atheists could just as happily join in the first group, but the second helps re-focus their purpose on God.

I understand what you are saying but then we can have the problem of converting “rice” Christians. I think that it is going to be counterproductive. There is a big difference between making something available and forcing something upon people, and often the only difference is in the timing.

 

[Cristiano]

Hate to follow myself, but let me add this.

Grandparents can also have a role. The men in my extended family all go to Mass. But sometimes I take the kids myself, just to show them an old man can be devoted to the Mass as well. I started the practice of taking the girls to the “Blessed Mother’s side” to light vigil lights (blue) and kneel together to say a prayer for their intentions, then taking the boys to “Christ’s side” to light vigil lights (red) to do the same. Now, they do it without being directed.

The boys don’t hate the girls or the girls hate the boys, but I think both like having their own “roles” that are peculiar to them; even such a small thing as the above.

I think that what you are saying is essential. I see quite a few grandfathers that try to be role model for the grandchildren when the fathers themselves prefer to stay home and watch the game on television.

We do not have relatives living close by, but it is essential for my son to have breakfast after Mass at the parish hall where the Knights of Columbus cook and then spend time with the young ones (e.g. chatting or playing dominoes). After that, he is really ready for the Catechism classes.

 

[Mimi]

Perhaps I can add my voice in this conversation?

As far as I know, I am the only “young Catholic” who has posted on this thread. I go to Mass every Sunday, but I will confess that there was a period of time a few months ago where I did not go to Mass for two months. I belief that a big and important reason why young Catholics such as myself leave the church is because of how society portrays Catholicism and we how we perceive it. Frankly, I believe that we need to modernize the Church to make young Catholics stay interested and want to come back. We also need to punish those who are clergy that use their positions to abuse children and to take advantage of others. We cannot afford to be “politically correct” in this society. We need to stand up and confront problems head on, not pacify them.

These are my two cents, and if anyone wishes to discuss them further, please do. I welcome this discussion.

Re: modernizing the church

This has been tried and has been a big fat FAILURE! I grew up in the era of folk mass music, guitars (man, there are so many who do NOT know how to play or even tune a guitar!); sappy songs (Sons of God, hear His holy Word; gather 'round the Table of the Lord. Eat His body, drink His blood, and we’ll sing a song of love…1964). That is why we are seeing a return to Tradition, the Latin Mass and orthodoxy.

I cannot stand the amount of chatter going on before Mass. This is irreverent. It is God’s House, Holy Ground, a Sanctuary! Also, people waving to ea other & saying “hi” in the communion line.

We cannot afford to be “politically correct” in this society.

Yesss!!!

I think too many priests are afraid of offending parishioners by proclaiming the Truth about cohabitation, pre-marital relations, abortion, contraception, voting with a well-formed conscience and all the rest. If you have never seen Fr. Pavone on EWTN, please find some of his sermons. What a homilist!

Have you ever heard - at Mass - that to be pro-abortion or to vote for a pro-abortion candidate is sinful? I have not.

Have you ever heard it from the pulpit that cohabitation is a sin (and also why)?

Do you know anything about the Theology of the Body? (If not, may I suggest an intro book, Theology of the Body for guys & Theology of the Body for Girls.

Thank you for your insights, Runner!

God bless,
Mimi

 

[Mimi]

As a catechist preparing our High School aged young adults for confirmation, this is my 2 bits as to why young Catholics are leaving.

1. Poor catechesis.
   This as my first time preparing our youth for confirmation. I, too, spent a huge chunk of my life in other denominations and was really surprise what little they knew. Many did not know that the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God…That they are only 1 God. ( this is even a tough one for Adults)
2. Parents are not actively expressing or talking about their faith with their children . This is because of point number 1. They themselves do not even know the faith.

Let’s bring back the basics. Let’s start teaching them why we read the scriptures and how the scriptures relate to them and their salvation. I love the Baltimore Catechism.

Let’s teach them that God loves them so much and back it up with scripture, the Mass, and the examples of our lives.

They will come home if they have some grounding and foundation for their faith, but most do not.

Pray for them. They are not the future church. They are the church of now and we need them to help us be the hands, feet, heart of our Lord.

There are SO many good books & cd’s for parents to get educated if they have been poorly catechized. My pro-life group buys these, but then, we are in a quandry as to how to get them to the people who may need them! There is a small parish library, but almost no one uses it! We have few yound parents, but there has got to be a way to get to them.

Suggestions?

God bless your work in catechisis - it is SO important!
Mimi

 

[Mimi]

The topic of Mass being “boring” is open to interpretation. A person could be properly trained on all aspects of the Mass and still be bored.

I’m a young adult, I know everything about the Mass, and it tests my patience to hear some of the song choices (among other abuses) at Mass these days.Yes, that stuff isn’t supposed to matter in the sum of things. Yet, if I walk out early during a closing song with clapping and dancing priests, something ain’t right.

Few, if any, young adults I know want to get up on a Sunday morning for that.

No excuse - there is a Sat. vigil Mass. We have several in our area, and also one on Sunday evening (which, IMO, is weird - but that is considered the youth Mass; it is reverently done; no kneelers, since it’s held in a public school gym, but people kneel on the hard floor anyway).

There is also a late Mass at 11:00. Sheesh, if ya can’t get up for an 11:00 Mass, you’re really not a serious Catholic (unless you work some weird hours…).

A person could be properly trained on all aspects of the Mass and still be bored.

Yes - it has to go from the Head to the HEART!

God bless,
Mimi

 

[latin_rite]

As a young Catholic, I may have some insights.

1. You need to learn at a young age that even though you can’t prove scientifically that Jesus is a supreme being

You’re 100% correct on that. If you teach a child that God is real because x=y. What is the child to do when science proves that x doesn’t =y?

1. Young Catholics need to be exposed to different faiths at a young age. One of the most important trips I ever went on was a multi-faith trip which involved visits and discussions with Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Unitarians, among others.

I wouldn’t send the on a multi faith trip. But educate them on other faiths.

1. Stress Catholic Social Teaching. People relate to this better than the line between a venial & mortal sin.

The teaching of venial and mortal sin, plus the teaching of virtue and righteousness according to God. Is what brought about Catholic social beliefs.

1. Allow women to assume the priesthood

Allow women priest? Who can allow that? There are some things, that no one can change. Even if the current Pope was the most liberal burn the bra, woman rights supporter in history of the human race. He still could not change that law. Even with the backing of every single cardinal, bishop, priest in the world. One of the biggest misunderstandings on the Catholic faith. Is the idea that the Pope has the right to chop and change anything and everything about our faith.

p.s Some women have already “assumed” the priesthood. But you know what happens when people assume things, don’t ya?

 

[Via_Dolorosa]

I’m going to be brutally honest here as a fifteen year old Catholic.

You really, truly want to know why young Catholics leave the Church?

Because Catholicism is NOT easy. It’s strict. It’s demanding.

And, I think even more importantly, because Mass is boring.
I’m just being honest here. I know its importance and I make it a real point to try and go every day of obligation, but it IS boring. I think so, many of my Catholic friends think so. None of the tips and tricks to make Mass more interesting worked for me. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the tremendous importance and significance of the Mass.

But it is boring. Sorry.

In fact, the boredom of the Mass actually (very briefly) tempted me toward the prebyterian denomination before I came to my sense, thank God. I wasn’t very well versed in my faith at the time. So I can see how young Catholics who don’t fully understand the faith can be tempted to leave the Church.

BTW-I don’t know a single Catholic who puts Mary and the Saints on the same level as God. Not one. Seriously.

thanks for your insight. I find it refreshing. I remember how boring mass was to me as a kid. I like it a lot better now. God bless you

 

[sidbrown]

1. Allow women to assume the priesthood

It is interesting that so many Catholics want to allow women to be priests even though the Vatican has taken a stand against it.

 

[sidbrown]

Could the crimes committed against young people and children by Catholic priests have anything to do with it?