Retaining our Catholic youth

by Letters Editor · June 27, 2013

By R Auret, Thornville, �KwaZulu-Natal

�Retaining �young Catholics� (January 16) must be one of the best articles written for The Southern Cross. Those who do not appreciate our Mass now would not appreciate the possible changed version.�To attract and hold people, young and old, parishioners need to have some social life that draws them to the parish to meet and enjoy the company of other Catholics. This I saw in a Bulawayo parish some years ago.

“The biggest drain on Catholic youth is mixed marriages, marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics.” (CNS photo/Marcin Mazur, Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales)

The biggest drain on Catholic youth is mixed marriages, marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics.

When the non-Catholic does not take the Catholic faith seriously, the influence on the Catholic spouse and children is considerable and detrimental. Good intention is not enough.

This does not mean the young will grow up to be poor individuals. They may be very good people, but not Catholics who will influence the world for good the Catholic way.

I have seen this in my family dating back to the early last century, a series of mixed marriages with few really active Catholics and some without any faith.

My wife and I, because of old age, are no longer able to drive and, without practising Catholics in the vicinity, are unable to go to Mass.

Instead we go to a Protestant church nearby, with the help of a lift. This service, while good, is completely without the sense of the presence of Christ. But as my former parish priest said: it is better than nothing.