10 ways to revitalize the Catholic Church in the US

[UrbScotty]

1. Parishioners and clergy must take responsibility for evangelization. The church is not a spiritual McDonald’s whose success largely depends on its managers, the clergy. Paraphrasing President John Kennedy’s call to service, “Ask not what the church can do for you, but what you can do for the church.” Evangelicals and Pentecostals have much to teach Catholics in this regard. Polls show Catholics stayed away from church because they were ignored, slighted, or scandalized. Sometimes they misunderstand church teaching. They need to know that they are missed and that the door is open for them.

2. A priest in France has attracted people to packed Masses largely by spending six hours every night in the confessional. (He also wears priestly garb on the street so that those who want a priest know where to find one.) Clergy here need to recommit themselves to the sacrament of confession. They must be available at convenient times for more than a perfunctory half-hour before Saturday evening Mass. Frequenting the sacrament themselves, priests can awaken in their parishioners the need for repentance and conversion.

3. A pope once said that one good catechist is worth a hundred outstanding preachers. Yet there are wealthy parishes that expect directors of religious education to work as unpaid volunteers! Catechism needs to be taken more seriously as a ministry. In many parts of the world, the minister whom Catholics see the most is their catechist, not their pastor. Parents must be willing to be trained and work as catechists. More adult Catholics must also take responsibility for handing on the faith. This also includes shouldering ministries that care for the least, such as visiting the sick.

...

10. Remember that being Catholic in America, or anywhere, means we can rejoice and trust Christ’s admonishment, “be not afraid.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/09/10/10-ways-to-revitalize-the-catholic-church/

[No Vested Interest]

1. All good points; like so many things...

easier said than done.
So many distractions, and sometimes, real need for our time and attention, in 21st century Earth.
Too many choices.

[UrbScotty]

4. Yep - shouldn't be an excuse, though! (nt)

[hedgehog]

2. "More clergy and religious need to regard the church’s teaching on sexuality and family as good news

The bishops' teaching on sexuality is one reason I am now an Episcopalian!

[TommyCelt]

3. The article makes some good points...

...particularly in its call for greater prayer & fasting practicing, increased awareness and dedication to social justice, and forgiveness (that is a BIG one)

A couple of counterpoints:

2. I know of no priest in my diocese (Rockville Centre, NY, which in comparison to the country/world is quite 'clergy-rich') who has anything near the time to spend 6 hours a day hearing confession. Nor is there anything near the number of penitents willing to fill up that time to make it feasible.

3. Ain't no American diocese I can think of gonna pay their catechists, unless the religious ed program is part of a parish school (which are rapidly dwindling in number).

5. Many laypeople (myself included) who make up the VAST majority of the Church consider the below-the-belt moralizing of the hierarchy to be outdated, exclusionary, cruel, and hypocritical, upon which far too much time and press is already spent; hardly good news. If clergy and religious continue to emphasize this "gospel" even further, the Church will continue to bleed members.

Pax,
TC

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

5. There is at least one point I flatly disagree with

5. More clergy and religious need to regard the church’s teaching on sexuality and family as good news. It is part of the Gospel, and not something to be ashamed of. Granted, it must be done with tact and understanding. But it must be done, with the confidence that is part of the saving truth given by Jesus Christ.

The Vatican's (I do not say "the Church's&quot teaching on sexuality is frankly crap, and is NOT part of the Gospel. Show me anything in the Gospel on contraception. Show me where Jesus condemned gay marriage.

No, the priest who wrote this is like so many others, in an ivory tower, uncontaminated by the real world.

[47of74]

6. "All may; none must; some should."

I feel that when it comes to Confession that it should be more, "All may; none must; some should." Make it something that is highly encouraged, but not forced down the throats of others.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

7. Agreed

And having a priest wearing a cassock as streetwear is simply screaming "I am a traditionalist", which would make me tend to avoid him. (I don't want to get into a pointless argument.)

[goldent]

8. I don't know about that

Some priests just like traditional dress, regardless of their leanings. Sort of like teachers who always wear a suit and tie. I can dig it.