-
August 29, 2019This time of year marks the end of summer, a celebration of workers, and the beginnings of a new school year. Teachers and students are leaving behind what is hoped to be wonderful memories of time away from school, vacations, catching up on hobbies, housework, yardwork and gardening, reading and a host of many other things they don't have time for during the school year.
Another change that is particularly noteworthy is the recent announcement that our Corpus Christi Parish will be working toward further consolidations marked by a closing of the Holy Family site that is set to occur around the Lenten season next spring. As with summer vacations and new school years, this change will be filled with both the sadness of leaving the past behind and joy of the possibilities that lie ahead.
For many of us, Holy Family was a parish and church where we were baptized, received all of our sacraments, including marriage, and where our own children (and grandchildren) did too. Fr. Tom did a very nice job recognizing this during his homily of Aug. 25. He recognizes the difficulty that many will have over and around this significant change. But, as in his homily as well as the presentation during the town hall meeting of Aug. 21, the underlying causes of this need for consolidation (and all the consolidations occurring across the nation) is an unfortunate mix of a priest shortage coupled with a loss of revenue related to diminishing Mass attendance. It is a reality that has been near the top of my list of personal intentions for many years. Like most Catholics, I too know of family members and close friends who have either stopped attending Mass altogether or who attend so infrequently that it is nearly impossible to make a substantial contribution; monetarily or otherwise.
Two summers ago, during a meeting in the basement of Holy Family, this possibility was discussed. Fr. Tom had voiced the hope that, with a revival of Mass attendance effected through some outreach efforts, we would not only NOT have to reduce Masses or close buildings, but actually have the wonderful need of keeping all three sites open and adding more Masses!!! Not surprisingly, this did not happen and we are back to the issue at hand. For those who attend Sunday Mass regularly, Holy Day Masses, and even daily Masses; it is difficult to understand why so many Catholics choose not to attend, participate, and support.
I am convinced that the crux of this "falling away" is sin and the devil's knack of capitalizing on it to drive us further down and away. Rational creatures that we are, we can talk ourselves into believing nearly anything we want: "I'm a spiritual person, I just don't need religion," or "I don't get anything out of Mass." It's difficult, if not impossible, to be a "spiritual" person and not have the felt need to express that through communal praise and worship (of which the Mass is the most important way). I remind my own children that Mass isn't necessarily designed for you to get anything out of; it's a chance for you to offer God praise and thanksgiving not only for everything He's done for you but just because He is God. One of the textbooks we use for our high school Confirmation program is called Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation. Chapter 15 teaches the candidates that the Mass is not just the source and summit of the Christian life but participating in it is the most important thing we can do on earth!! So how can we help those who have fallen away better understand this? I think through prayer and evangelization; reaching out and inviting them back.
WHERE we celebrate Mass is much less important than THAT we celebrate Mass. I know that many parishioners will need to determine WHICH Mass or even WHICH parish they will attend and belong to; but I sincerely hope nobody considers joining this trend to stop celebrating the Mass altogether and lose out on the ineffable graces and benefits we can gain from it. Please put this at the top of your personal prayer list.
Blessings,
Marty Shudak, [email protected], 712-308-3983
