[Mrs. Don-o]

I know a husband-wife team who worked for 25 years at the parish and diocesan level in a big diocese in Texas on adult religious education. They were frustrated because no matter how good an educational program was, only the predictable faithful 2-5% of the parishioners would attend: the same ones for everything.

They've become convinced that the best time to fortify adults' knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and morals, would in conjunction with sacramental preparation for themselves or their children:

• parents' classes preparatory to infant Baptism;

• parents' classes preparatory to children's
  • first Confession and
  • Communion and
  • Confirmation;
• couples' classes preparatory to Matrimony;
• even a bit of teaching (when practical) in conjunction with Anointing of the Sick... if not for the sick person, then for their caregivers and kin.

Isn't there a pastorally effective way to do this?

People who are serious about a job or profession accept the need for regular updating of skills, in-service training, and a duty to enhance one's fund of knowledge and understanding. Should we expect less for the Catholic Life?

I'm thinking of Our Lord's warmly and winsomely inviting words to the effect that unless you're willing to renounce father, mother, wife, husband, children, friends, property, and life itself, and take up your cross, you are not worthy to be His disciple.

What an extremist.

And did it "work"?

[dsc]

“They’ve become convinced that the best time to fortify adults’ knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and morals, would in conjunction with sacramental preparation for themselves or their children”

They’ve become convinced...I guess that’s what honks me off. My grandson isn’t baptised because “they’ve become convinced.” Who in Hell are they to deny an infant the sacrament?

[dsc]

I meant “they” in the abstract. I was not referring to your friends, who, of course, have nothing to do with my problem.