Lynn Petersen, Cape Town – Sadly I agree with Mary Bowers Wake Up to stop the loss of Catholics. Parish priests do not visit the homes of parishioners anymore and we are indeed losing people to other denominations.
But, due to a decrease in vocations, many priests manage more than one parish at a time, have large congregations, and must attend “meetings on admin and money-making matters”.
So instead of waiting for the Church to organise Bible study classes, involve the youth in parish life, and so on, how about parishioners taking the initiative?
Legion of Mary, St Vincent de Paul, Knights of Da Gama
Start a Bible study or youth group, or join one of the ministries or sodalities within the parish. For example, the Legion of Mary visits parishioners on behalf of the priest and promotes the Rosary; the Care Group visits the housebound and sick; the St Vincent de Paul Society aids the poor; the Knights of da Gama work for the greater glory of God. If any of these do not exist in your parish, find out how to start one.
Our priests can only do so much, they too are human.
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