This is the
first week of Catholicmom.com’s
Lawn Chair Catechism book study. You do not have to purchase the book to participate;
they have a wonderful 13 page printable guide to study along with. Anyway, the
first week gets into the introduction of the book where the author, Sherry
Wedell, finds that most people that she interviewed in ministry positions in
the parishes that she visited for her studies were not as spiritually developed
as one would expect. Truthfully, this came as no surprise to me.
When I
became a Catholic in 2006, I first attended Mass and was involved in a parish
Bible study before attending RCIA classes. In a congregation of over 250
families, there were 3 people in the Bible study. I was amazed that all along I
thought that Christian church-goers, especially Catholics were active in their
spiritual walks, with all of the wonderful prayers and daily Mass available, I
just couldn’t fathom that they were not uber spiritual and that I, the newbie
in the field, was showing more motivation than most of them who were steeped in
this beautiful tradition their whole lives!
How would I describe my lived
relationship with God at this point in my life? Ooh, I must admit it is not what it
was or what I want it to be. When I first became a Catholic, my children were
small and stayed home on most Sundays so I was rushing to get to Mass and
listen to the Word and bask in the peace. Now I have two boys who receive the
Eucharist and one preparing to receive next year so I must take them with me to
instill spiritual formation in them. I am the only church-going and Catholic
parent of two ADHD boys, one with Autistic-like symptoms and an older son who
tries to help but sometimes causes more harm than good. This makes for less
peace during Mass and more time spent just getting through it. I would love to
get to a point that I could have peace again. Also, our women’s ministry has
broken up and I just don’t have the energy to be the one to re-start it.
What does the word “discipleship” mean to me? The official definition of disciple is “somebody who
believes in and follows the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion”.
In practical terms, I think this means following the teachings of the Church-
Bible, Tradition, and Magesterium- in a way that enriches our own lives,
spilling over into the lives of those we touch.
Do I perceive a need in the Church today to help lay
Catholics become more fervent followers of Jesus Christ? I’m not sure what I think. There seems to be plenty within
the Church for us lay followers to do, but many choose not to do it. Why is it
that we cannot get kids to come to Religious Ed classes but their parents take
great pains to make sure that they get to Scouts and sports and
extra-curricular activities? I just don’t know if this is something that the “Big-C
Church” needs to do or the “Little-c church” needs to do. I think the Church
has offered so much to us that we just don’t take the initiative to get out and
participate in.
How would I describe my parish’s current efforts at
discipleship? A hotbed of discipleship? A weekly gathering of
spiritual sleep-walkers? Or perhaps something in between? I would say that my parish in particular is a weekly
gathering of spiritual sleep-walkers with a few great, energetic disciples who
are fed up with trying to get others to come out and participate and seeing the
same faces every time. We want a church with an active congregation. We are
amid over 200 Protestant churches in our tiny town and we want to knock their socks
off. We want the Catholics to come and enjoy their relationship with Jesus
Christ and to see the beauty of the Fullness of the Faith but they are busy
sleep-walking and not seeing the light-show that is happening in front of their
faces. We disciples are tired and fed-up…
Alicia
Sometimes I think there is also the question of a few people doing everything, getting burned out, and then quitting (or moving). That's a huge problem that I think also needs addressed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have no good answer, but don't let yourself get bogged down and totally discouraged, PLEASE. :) There is always hope...and maybe that hope starts with you and your little one thing. :)
Alicia - I love reading your story - I'm so glad you left a link at my place. On ideas for waking up the parish . . . keep on with the book study. It's totally going there.
ReplyDeleteI often have similar frustration within the parish where I work, I think it helps to realize we can't do it all alone, so find a few other people and commit to prayer for the parish and do something for as many or few people who come to participate. Once you've re-charge a bit :)
ReplyDeleteAs I clicked through the other blogs from CatholicMom.com, I got nervous. I thought I was the only one that felt their parish was sleepwalking and said so on their blog! I actually am using this bible study as a platform to wake some of my fellow parishioners from their slumber. This morning on my way to work, I heard a sentiment that I thought made sense of how I'm feeling: It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”. So, I am taking the hint from the Holy Spirit and diving in, feet first. Looking forward to reading more of your responses!!
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