In looking at the fundamentalist and evangelical Protestants, and at the Orthodox, I cannot help but notice the contrast between the general vitality (and burgeoning growth) of these congregations, as opposed to the too-often staid and stagnant Catholic parishes I've been to. I have witnessed RCIA gatherings with the Bishop that have included hundreds of candidates, many of them converts from other faiths. We are still growing, maybe not as fast in America as in other countries such as South Africa and Southeast Asia but the Church is not lacking in members. I understand about wanting that same vitality but you have to remember that the Church is the oldest Christian denomination in the world. If we have grown a little relaxed and comfortable, I think that's understandable. You tend to relax a little when you realize that God is keeping His promises after all these centuries. Our current Pope, however, shares your concerns and is calling for a New Evangelization in the industrialized nations of the world, especially within families and parishes. Now is the time to make your concerns known.
A new General Instruction to the Roman Missal is about to be issued (your diocese may already have it) which will help the pastors all get back on the same page. If you are not already on it, you might check with your parish's liturgy committee (or if your parish doesn't have one of those, with the Pastor) to see when it will be implemented.
It is very heartening to me to see that,while you may not agree with everything going on within the Church, you have not walked out of her. I will pray for you and ask your prayers for me, too.
BTW, I like your screen name. Are you a big Lord of the Rings/Tolkein fan?
In truth, I envy those other countries. When I lived in Brooklyn, we went to an old, old parish (same one Al Capone was married in) with a great history, gorgeous architecture, and virtually no parishoners. Of our three priests, one we had to import from Nigeria, and the other from Japan. They were good priests (particularly the Nigerian), but it just made me cringe to think that, in this old Italian neighborhood that was surely 70% Catholic, we had to look to more vital overseas dioceses for our clergy.
I understand about wanting that same vitality but you have to remember that the Church is the oldest Christian denomination in the world.
Ha. I'm laughing because I can just imagine my Orthodox father's reaction to that statement.
Our current Pope, however, shares your concerns and is calling for a New Evangelization in the industrialized nations of the world....
Thank God.
It is very heartening to me to see that,while you may not agree with everything going on within the Church, you have not walked out of her.
Well, it ain't a buffet I can pick and choose from, is it? ;-)
I will pray for you and ask your prayers for me, too.
You got it. Thanks.
BTW, I like your screen name. Are you a big Lord of the Rings/Tolkein fan?
I am. I read LOTR when I was 8, and while it's not the quasi-religious text for me that it is for others, it was still a seminal event in my childhood, and I like it a great deal.