Unfortunately, this is all TOO common. This is why, if possible, we should find those who are committed Catholics and meet regularly to pray for our parishes. This is especially important in the worst parishes. Prayer IS powerful and will eventually work wonders. Those who are committed to such prayer should also get involved in the various ministries of that same parish as led by the Holy Spirit. What God can do with even one person is pretty amazing. ;-))
Example: Influence the Women’s Club (substitute any group) to sponsor a seminar of Fr. John Corapi ...or inivte GOOD speakers, etc.
It takes time, faith and patience....but change WILL come.
Honestly, you don’t have to sit in the worst parishes.
I can’t tell you the amount of people who have “spoken with their wallets” and left that parish. Running, not walking to the one I’m in now.
We pray for that parish, A LOT. For five years (as directed by my current pastor) I continued to wash altar linens for them every January. Two years ago, I walked into the main and Low and Behold! a large crucifix hung behind the altar! This was a huge step for this parish.
Take your money to a good parish. Direct your prays at the old one.
Ooops, prays=prayers
Unfortunately, this is all TOO common. This is why, if possible, we should find those who are committed Catholics and meet regularly to pray for our parishes. This is especially important in the worst parishes. Prayer IS powerful and will eventually work wonders. Those who are committed to such prayer should also get involved in the various ministries of that same parish as led by the Holy Spirit. What God can do with even one person is pretty amazing. ;-))This is outstanding advice. We have two parishes in our town that we frequent, and the one that has 11-12 ladies that stay after daily mass to pray the rosary is fairly vibrant (they have adoration, etc.), but the one where no one prays at all following daily mass, is still pretty much spiritually dry. Prayer IS powerful as you say. Also, getting in touch with one's bishop is helpful. My husband wrote out a letter to ours, and received a snail mail back in cursive as well. It was pretty cool.