Is Our Faith Dying?

I am seldom surprised by people but I do get disappointed.  As you know we recently celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation and over the last while other children have been celebrating their Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We have tried to make these Sacrament a memorable celebration for our children and a spiritual experience for all.  Certificates are given at Mass offering families another opportunity to give thanks to God for all they have.  What I find disappointing is that a number of school parents (seven families) have phoned asking the times of Mass in this parish.  I find this most disappointing given their children attend Catholic schools, they live within the parish, and yet they do not even know the times of the Masses. 
How can we ensure that our children inherit their spiritual birthright if Church means so little?  We have 2,000 years in our Christian heritage of wisdom and tradition.  5,000 years if we include our links with our Jewish family.  Countless people have given their lives in the service of the gospel so we can benefit from their sacrifices. 
The spiritual has the ability to transform lives.  It offers hope, inspiration, direction, a moral code, inner peace, and so much more.  Most importantly our religion gives us a framework in which to commune with the transcendent. 
I can only wonder as people remain nominal Catholics.  What do they replace their religious practice with, entertainment, sport, family time, leisure, shopping, etc.  How do we nourish the souls of our children and how will we enable them to experience God in their lives?  Why is that so many families only come here when it is a Parish Family Mass but at no other time.  Must it be a special occasion for people to attend?  What is so difficult when we have Mass on three different occasions at each and every weekend.  We seem to have forgotten that attending Mass is about nourishing and caring for your soul. It is also important to remember that the invitation to attend Mass is not from me but from God.  Why is it that so many say “No” to God—I am too busy. 
 
God invites you to Mass each and every weekend. 
All that is asked is one hour a week but for many even that is too much. 
Religion and spirituality seems to be now understood as a lifestyle choice. 
Will you be at Mass next weekend—what is your lifestyle choice? 
On behalf of God I ask you to come to Mass.