WE talk a lot about emptying churches, grey heads only, effect of Vatican II, long sermons, married priests, women priests, Vatican II, and occasionally I think about putting my tuppence worth in, and then I go to Mass and watch a group of First Communicants and marvel at the good work being done daily and am humbled by an awareness of the privilege that is mine to belong to our Catholic Church.
But for what it’s worth here’s a few thoughts from the past.
In our day it was a mortal sin not to go to Mass on Sunday.
Growing up in an SP bookie shop beside a pub and then involved in construction throughout the state, often seven days a week staying in pubs, it was not always my first thought to get my seat to Mass on Sunday – but I did – I sure as hell didn’t want to go to the other place.
The true and correct “God is Love” works for those like my lass, but outlaws need rules, until they get their act together.
If we’re not in Mass every Sunday being nudged to get our act together, who will guide us?
The faith I was given by the Brothers through the Catechism, Bible history, religious instruction and the practise of my faith gradually became my lifetime polestar, influencing the majority of my actions.
When you’re young, it’s like learning your tables or Latin roots – we need a rock to step off from, whilst respecting today’s “positives” approach.
Confession or Reconciliation – I’m not about to tell the hierarchy of the Catholic Church how to tackle this one and I’m not clear on how it’s handled in our schools, but are our youngsters being given a sense of sin?
If not they’ll find out as they head into this much tougher world than we knew, and weekly, fortnightly, monthly confession may well be their close friend.
Family – it’s long been the key, to the future of our faith and our society – particularly in today’s world with its “anything goes – never mind the hurt afterwards” attitude, and no one upholds family like the Catholic Church, fostering the pivotal parental role, and respect for life.
Don’t relent – just let your voice get stronger, prudently but firmly sidelining this trend to enshrine atheism’s regressive values in law, in lieu of our Christian ideal.
We urgently need the crescendo of your honest voice.
Perhaps some considered blending of yesterday and today may prove fruitful – always through the young.
BILL WEBSTER
Holland Park, Qld
