As parents of Catholic raised children we ask; What has happened?

As parents of Catholic raised children we ask; What has happened?  

Our children have used their abilities to find good positions in the challenging business market, raised a fruitful family, and learned to adjust to the norms of society.  With these attributes that allow us to fit in as our neighbors, what is this question asking “what has happened?”

We may look back at what the status of Church affiliation was like 50 years ago when I was ordained.  At that period of Church history our diocese still had a reasonable number of priests and some parishes, like the one I was a member, had four priests assigned to it.  Going to confession there were always lines waiting to choose between at least two priests hearing confessions.  There never was a problem finding one to speak with.  And looking out at the congregation from the altar you could see complete families sitting together, singing together, and worshiping as a family unit.

 My wife and I were discussing the current position of the family unit with regards to worship with the entire family being together at Holy Mass.  I have recently written at least two articles dealing with apostasy that has become a tragic result of losing the  importance of Church attendance or worse, the inclusion of Christ in their lives.  

A lot of that issue can be attributed to the many secular events that used to be held on Saturdays, but now appear to fit better to Sundays and the coaches and fathers of the young boys and girls who jump at the opportunity to miss Church and play on their sports teams.   My wife and I are in our late eighties which places our children in the middle to late 60’s.  Our grandchildren are now in their 40’s and here is where we see this generation has slipped into the mode of questioning the need for or sustenance of Church worship,  We might want to know just what has entered our life-style where God once had a number one priority, including the schools we grew up with and the Pledge of Allegiance and speaking about God was included. 

After 9/11 and the unpredicted attack by four hijacked planes brought millions back to Church and seeking God’s intervention in our vulnerable nation where anyone could surprise us as a sovereign nation and our defense system that was supposed to protect us.  

There is a thought that once God is removed from nations that fell it is not surprising.  God loves all of his children, even those who are his worst enemies.  However, the grace of God is a gift that through our faith in God brings into our lives with hope.  There are too many people, societies, and their nations who have lost any thought of believing in what God did for everyone   through the Sacrifice of his Son and with that loss of faith grace cannot get through.  Without his grace any nation will collapse.  

Add all of the faithless attitudes of so many people, especially our own nation, is it any wonder that where we will find ourselves, as a unified nation, will be in not too many years?   A person, his community, their nation, will survive if faith in Christ remains or seeks his Presence.  Remember God’s response to Abraham with regards to Sodom;  “ If there are but 10 just people in the city I will forgo its destruction.”   (Gn 18: 32).

Apostasy is not a theological term that sounds very academic.  It is an existence of disbelief of God and the truth the Church teaches.  Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it.  “Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Cristian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.  (CCC 2089).

Ralph B. Hathaway