CatherineM Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 If you're wanting to get younger people involved, how about Theology on Tap or a lecture series on Theology of the Body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Or a lecture series on Hell since that is where these young people are going to be headed if they don't try their hardest to make the Mass the center of their life. Plus talks on Hell are very rare, and IMO would be a welcomed change. Here is a sobering sermon by St. Alphonsus on the number of sins beyond which God pardons no more. http://www.olrl.org/snt_docs/num_sins.shtml Edited July 28, 2014 by Credo in Deum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anomaly Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Actually, I find this is part of the problem. We have GREAT, GREAT ministries, except they don't really relate back to the Parish. The food pantry, quilt ministry, social outreaches....the work is done but its like "yep, K thanks, bye" Any idea on how to get these ministries to feed the parish rather than just be their own thing? Hmmm the priest may agree to that. I'm trying to get the parish to, at the very least, send post cards. With less than 2% under 35 and 80% over 65 the mobility and trainablity of the parish is VERY limited. Most struggle to attend weekly There are some, but even I felt horridly uncomfortable. They are all either couples my grandparents age, or widowersThat is a different issue. Another parish I know if had the problem that many of the ministries were old folk's social clubs. Young people were not as accommodated in leadership and participation in groups that were in existence for thirty years plus. They were drifting to younger close by parishes, like the one I just spoke of. The Pastor kinda cleaned up, consolidating, eliminating, and starting new ministries with new leaders specifically to attract younger people. Some were not happy, but it eventually worked out. It helped the old parish had a school so demographics had young parents. But for years, the young felt shut out of ministries and did not feel connected to the parish. I belonged at that time during the transition and the parish did struggle financially. They also emphasized the youth group and bolunteering in ministries along with the new programs and leadership. Fresh blood have to feel like and actually be contributing part of a vibrant community to fix the finances. Otherwise, they're just paying for Sunday church rental. Edited July 28, 2014 by Anomaly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Or a lecture series on Hell since that is where these young people are going to be headed if they don't try their hardest to make the Mass the center of their life. Plus talks on Hell are very rare, and IMO would be a welcomed change. Here is a sobering sermon by St. Alphonsus on the number of sins beyond which God pardons no more. http://www.olrl.org/snt_docs/num_sins.shtml Keep in mind Alphonsus Ligouri suffered horrendously with scruples. I wouldn't take much of what he had to say concerning sin as revelation from Christ himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Keep in mind Alphonsus Ligouri suffered horrendously with scruples. I wouldn't take much of what he had to say concerning sin as revelation from Christ himself. Keep in mind He is a saint and Doctor of the Church so I wouldn't dismiss what he says or treat it will an odor of skepticism. Kind of odd how everyone will cling to everything St Therese will say but then say "well wait a minute lets be cautious with Alphonsus" simply because his message is one that is scary and unpleasant. Plus St. Therese went through serious doubts, but no one holds that against her. Edited July 28, 2014 by Credo in Deum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Keep in mind He is a saint and Doctor of the Church so I wouldn't dismiss what he says or treat it will an odor of skepticism. Kind of odd how everyone will cling to everything St Therese will say but then say "well wait a minute lets be cautious with Alphonsus" simply because his message is one that is scary and unpleasant. Plus St. Therese went through serious doubts, but no one holds that against her. I don't know much about Alphonsus, so I don't have anything for or against him. I also have nothing against big and scary revelations, and I am very much into always remembering the lingering possibility of hell, like the early Church Fathers were. However, Saint Alphonsus did struggle horrendously with scruples, and that needs to be taken into account when reading anything by him concerning sin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 However, Saint Alphonsus did struggle horrendously with scruples, and that needs to be taken into account when reading anything by him concerning sin. Sure, that is fair, however, when what he wrote does not indicate or show a scrupulous tone, then why should we continue to take this into account? If have read the sermon and do not see where he has shown or presented a scrupulous tone or mindset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Sure, that is fair, however, when what he wrote does not indicate or show a scrupulous tone, then why should we continue to take this into account? If have read the sermon and do not see where he has shown or presented a scrupulous tone or mindset. I honestly didn't read the link, but it says something like "sins God doesn't forgive"? The Church teaches there is no sin God does not forgive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Have you looked at the Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell? I think you would find a lot of her research and suggestions helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I honestly didn't read the link, but it says something like "sins God doesn't forgive"? The Church teaches there is no sin God does not forgive. To keep from going off topic I will just say read the sermon. The Church also teaches that the presumption of God's mercy is a sin against the Holy Spirit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I don't know much about Alphonsus, so I don't have anything for or against him. I also have nothing against big and scary revelations, and I am very much into always remembering the lingering possibility of hell, like the early Church Fathers were. However, Saint Alphonsus did struggle horrendously with scruples, and that needs to be taken into account when reading anything by him concerning sin. He's a Doctor of the Church, so he has that going for him. Specifically his moral theology. So... yeah. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone who struggles with scrupulosity, which is why I have stopped reading most of his stuff, but he's one of the greatest theologians of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corban711 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I know this is a gross generalization and is at least partially unfair, but a lot of the generation under 35 do not want to go to anything they don't see as real/authentic/meaningful. If they haven't encountered God at church in a powerful way or don't see the possibility of that happening they probably won't stick around unless their conscience/intellect is incredibly well formed. Thats part of the reason why holiness is so important. It makes faith real, and is powerful to see. Nice and welcoming is good...lots of ministries are even better...but if they lack depth its not enough. This could be a stupid idea and I haven't had to try to rebuild a parish before, so I really don't know...but maybe hosting young adult retreats for the diocese or for 2-3 of the nearest parishes could help. If the numbers of young people are that low it could help unite the young people in that area who are going to church and probably all feel they are the only young ones trying to live their faith. Plus, there is a good % of the population that will join almost anything if they see it as a happening place. Bring a bunch of youth there and it will help motivate the people/event motivated people to show up. Plus, if they are willing to show up for a retreat than maybe they will show up for other things too. Theology of the Body and relationship focused talks almost always draw people. Be active. Organize hiking groups if there are good places to hike. Go to concerts/cultural events. Get your church friends together to go dancing. Serve the poor together. And be totally okay with starting small (even very small) however you decide to start. If its you and 2 other people to begin with thats okay. One of you will encounter someone else to bring in and it can grow organically if you have something worth inviting people to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God the Father Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 2 words: liquor. license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoketos Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Get holy, make babies within married families, open a parish school. BOOM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoketos Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Also sale dump-o-trons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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