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| 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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