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My take is that we need to get back to first-rate Catholic schools taught by REAL CATHOLICS. The litigious and legalistic mentality of keeping track of who is attending Mass and how much they are contributing is a sorry statement regarding the condition of the Novus Ordo Church.

When you present QUALITY education, REVERENT Masses, and sane orthodox clergy and teachers, there are NO problems with money or attendance. In fact, there are "waiting lists" and overflow parking.

Get rid of the accountants and the OCD left-brained control freak clergy. They cause nothing but problems. And the church was never supposed to be a police state - tracking people. How ridiculous! How Orwellian!

Eucharistic Adoration, Latin Masses, Rosary, and Christian Classics in education are better ways to revive a parish, school, or college.

The litigious and legalistic mentality of keeping track of who is attending Mass and how much they are contributing is a sorry statement regarding the condition of the Novus Ordo Church.

You recall things as better in this way pre-NO? I know of people who left the church long before VII because of the constant harping on money. And in my own high school parish (ok, this was in the mid-60s, but it was long-standing practice), the girls in the secretarial course in the high school got credits for a one hour a week course in Office Practice, during which they recorded the weekly offerings by parishioner.

I do recall hearing back then, too, that if you wanted to get your kids into Catholic school (they were crowded then), your chances were infinitely better if the parish could see a good record of contributions.

The cure is not just the Mass and Rosary, I am glad you include Christan Classes, I would have them across the board, kids adults, and parents, and compulsory for those who would have the kids attend Catholic School.

I don't care what faith they are, my parish subsidizes the Catholic school, so I subsidize non-Catholic kids education, like a famous Catholic School grad, Bill Clinton. It worked for him. If you want your kids at Catholic school, then need to be nominally Catholic at least.

An hour at Mass, an hour at class, and chances to serve would go a long way. Catholic school for Catholic kids is quite a concept. Conversely, I would not let them cherry pick, kids that need special help should not be barred from a Catholic school. We teach that all kids are precious in the sight of the Lord, but many are bounced from Catholic Schools. The kids who need a disciplined education are denied it by Catholic Schools, I know of a few who were told to get the kids on Ritalin. I don't think there is a lack of kids who need the help in Catholicism.

So many Catholic School parents are so poorly catechized, for example, one guy said openly, I can't lift stuff, I just got a vasectomy a couple days ago. I know it happens, but where is a modicum of shame.