Posted on 06/27/2005 1:42:52 PM PDT by Coleus
He's exactly right. Some say you can't refuse anyone the sacraments, yet if you know the children will not be reared in the faith...not only is the priest to account for the souls under his watch, but the parents will also have to answer to God.
First off, I should tell you my parish is in the Bronx, NY. As a catechist, I have seen what they call the factory lines...you have a couple that wants two drug-dealers for godparents (money) and they don't get the concept of what a parent's or godparent's responsibility is. You teach them of the seriousness of the sacraments and how they are charged to practice their faith and to make sure their children are taught about their faith.
4 weeks later, baptism, they've got family (despite several requests not to), running all over the sanctuary. They're more concerned about the big party after and the family that comes has no idea when to stand, kneel, pray and they run to get in line for communion (in spite of several talks beforehand on this also). Then you never see them again.
In the RCIA, where you have adults who either: haven't been back since first communion or confirmation, converts, just want to get married...you name it. You catechize them as well as you can... I'm not judging...it does make you wonder why you do it. It doesn't help when you have a pastor that doesn't genuflect (before the tabernacle or during/after the consecration. A sister that teaches 'You can say Our Mother instead of Our Father' (no lie...after 4 years of prayer...she's gone, to spread heresy with Benzinger, maker of a catechetical series...even worse). You would howl with laughter at the face she'd make at the mere mention of EWTN.
I told the head of CCD last year, when she requested help (she must have been in a real spot to ask me, to help the kids with the readings for first communions (we have five Sundays...five masses each Sunday with three languages...yeah, exactly). I noticed not ONE parent was there for either rehearsal...one guy even dropped a six-year old off and turned to leave...I asked him where he was going, he was supposed to stay...his response 'her mother told me to drop her off...I don't have anything to do with that'...Is it me? I told the CCD director (after I asked if she sent letters home for the parents to be at the rehearsals), she needed to get their teachers right now...get them on the cell phones and call every parent...Tell them if they didn't get there right now, their child would not receive the sacraments. That just doesn't make sense...especially in a dangerous place like the Bronx. Some parents use religious classes like babysitters...Don't get me wrong, I have seen nine year olds come to Mass by themselves (praise God), not dropped off...walked to Mass by themselves. A year later, their parents start coming...sometimes it takes the children to bring the parents back.
The celebration of the Mass is THE essential component of the Catholic faith.
I was at the annual Mass yesterday for my musical Society, where a priest (and friend of mine) who celebrated spoke about the events that had happened since the last annual Mass. He said the most significant event was probably the passing of Pope John Paul II.
He said...'Many people have spoken of Pope John Paul II, and many column inches have speculated on his greatest achievement, his most important moment. His most important moment and greatest achievement was he celebrated Mass'.
I thought that was a very saliant point.
We do have cards for them to sign. See teenagers like to come at the last five minutes to get their cards signed...as if they've been there all along. The downside for them, I usher also...so I see when they come in.
That's regretable, but all the more reason for someone to go to Mass...whereever they were, hospitals and homes have services too.
Exactly, we have over 600 kids in our CCD program at any time (that's just first communion, not regular classes or confirmation), We cannot sacrifice the ones who come and have their hearts set for those who pop up once in a while and cut up because they don't know the prayers, scriptures, parables...you name it. In the Bronx, we have some out of control kids too...in the full sense of the word.
Then you have to spend extra hours trying to get the kids caught up that don't want to be there and others, not because they didn't want to come sometimes...but because Dad wanted to go to Atlantic City, Mom wanted to go to Pennsylvania shopping...every weekend...come on.
Are you in NY?
Sometime it is difficult to be right. Jesus was Flamed also as I recall.
RamS
Obviously, you're not Catholic...or you're CINO.
This is not about money, it's about their faith and their souls. How can the parents take religion seriously unless they realize how serious it is?
You know last year at St. Patrick's Cathedral I took my 74 RCIA brothers and sisters to see the Cardinal (required).
(By the way, we don't charge)
My friends heard them calling names from the book of the elect forever (that's a lot for a parish). So a sister I know in RCIA in another parish in the Bronx was so excited, 'Oh so many, your parish is on fire'. I said 'It's not the quantity, it's the quality...let's see how many will be serving in the church and coming to Mass next year'.
As far as the hundreds of First Communion kids, we dig out of our pockets for everything, unless the Knights of Columbus or other groups help us out, rosaries made by the Legion of Mary, scapulars from the Carmelite third order, dresses donated for those who don't have the funds...and that's hundreds of kids...but God provides.
I guess if I were full of pride or selfish...or both, I would think of money first...who cares about money, none of our catechists get paid...and don't want to. It's about spreading the word, helping someone else...not all about me.
If that's the logic, they shouldn't have their child in that religious education program...right?
"Suffer the little children ..."-- Jesus Christ to the adults."Screw you, and your little kids too!"-- Michael Cichon
Alert, that also has been changed.
John 6. Get back to me.
It's that way at my parish...some of the parents don't bring them.
That's the point. At least if they brought them, maybe they would hang out in the church until they finish and attend Mass together
It's about time. Parents need to be the foundation makers of their children's faith and someone is finally couragous enough to hold them responsible.
Yes, he is the living bread from heaven. The Hebrews had manna in the desert, yet they died.
Zavien do you read the scriptures or what...that's in every version. Oh, let me know when you finish with John...especially 6:66, let me know what happened in that verse.
Another tip, in Revelation...why does the lamb appear to be slain? Get back to me.
You read those verses yet? I'm waiting.
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