10 Ways to Revitalize the Catholic Church* - 1 of 2

By: Fr. I. Michael Bellafiore, S.J. - Excerpts

Feast of St. Pius  (Padre Pio ) -

"Reform is afoot in the Vatican, Pope Francis has tightened the reins on the Vatican bank, worked through a grueling visit to Brazil, named a new secretary of state, and is now busy preparing for the October meeting of cardinals who will advise him on how to breathe new life into the Catholic Church....

 

"Here in America, Catholic parishes need to take measures to better carry out this mission.

 

1. Parishioners and clergy must take responsibility for evangelization. The church is not a spiritual McDonald's whose success largely depends on its managers, the clergy. Paraphrasing John Kennedy's call to service, "Ask not what the church can do for you,l but what you can do for the church." Evangelicals and Pentecostals have much to teach Catholics in this regard. Polls showed Catholics stayed away from church because they were ignored, slighted or scandalized. Sometimes they misunderstood church teaching. They need to know that they are missed and that the door is open for them.

 

2. A priest in France has attracted people to packed Masses largely by spending six hours every night in the confessional. (He also wears priestly garb on the street so that those who want a priest know where to find one.) Clergy here need to recommit themselves to the sacrament of confession. ... for more than a perfunctory half-hour before Saturday evening Mass... priests can awaken in their parishioners the need for repentance and conversion.

 

3. A pope once said that one good catechist is worth a hundred outstanding preachers. Yet there are wealthy parishes that expect directors of religious education to work as unpaid volunteers! Catechism needs to be taken more seriously as a ministry. ...Parents must be willing to be trained and work as catechists....

 

4. Catholic colleges and universities believe unequivocally that it is an honor to be Catholic, and need to be demonstrably evangelical. The people who are often proudest to be part of Catholic education are in fact non-Catholics: Protestants, non-Christians, and even atheists.

 

5. More clergy and religious need to regard the church's teaching on sexuality and family as good news, not something to be ashamed of.... done with tact and understanding. But it must be done with confidence that is part of the saving truth given by Jesus Christ...."

 

George H. Kubeck, In pursuit of the truth - cinops be gone - Monday, September 23, 2013

*Sunday Bulletin - St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church - Hawaiian Gardens, Ca. September 22,2013