Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Catholic Family: Yesterday and Today

The Holy Family with the Infant St. John the Baptist by Paolo Veronese


Picture source

It does appear that the family is declining.  Family life seems to be a thing of the past.  Has the Catholic family remained intact?  Sadly, no.  Maybe your family is like the Catholic family of old but how about our friends or siblings and their families?  Yesterday's Catholic family would keep holy the Sabbath.  It would be a day to start with Mass, then a special breakfast, relaxing as a family and then looking forward to a special dinner.  This is no longer true in most homes.  It is not unusual for Catholic parents to miss mass because of work obligations.  Sad.

It is clear that if we are concerned with saving our family life, we have to make our homes Christ-centered. Even if our worldly society makes it difficult for Catholic families, it is the parents' obligation to see that they raise their children in a Catholic home.

The following is from the latest Christian Mothers newsletter.

YESTERDAY'S CATHOLIC FAMILY

Two parents, both Catholic

Many children

PARISH-CENTERED

Control of influences

WEEKLY CONFESSIONS AND MASS

Parochial school or CCD attendance

Strong home-religious life

Much parent-child contact

Front porch pace of life

Supportive of pastor

Now compare the way Catholic family life used to be with Today's Catholic family:

Might have two sets of parents:
4 million Catholics presently in second marriages and another 4 million divorced but un-remarried

Nearly half of the marriages are interfaith

Fewer children:  almost identical with national average

Mom probably works outside as well as inside the home.

PARISH IS NOT CENTER OF FAMILY LIFE

Only one out of three Catholics attend Sunday Mass regularly

NEARLY 8 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE NO FORMAL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Galloping pace of life

MINIMAL  HOME-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

Not necessarily supportive of pastor or parish

Not as concerned with the religious future of t heir children as with their marital and job opportunities.




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