Dear Parishioners:
Recently a “Pew Research” poll that was conducted among 35,000 adults in the United States regarding religious affiliation. The headlines in the report indicate that, over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase of the number of people who declare themselves to have no affiliation with any particular organized religion. This group (now 20% of the American population) are not mainly composed of agnostics and atheists. These are the people you meet constantly (especially among the Millennials, those age 24 – 44 years old) who say that they are not “religious” but they are spiritual. The Pew Research poll has dubbed these people, “the nones.”
What does that mean when one says that they are not religious? Well, the word religion itself comes from the Latin “religare” – literally “to bind fast.” In the land of America where we cherish individual freedoms and the firm stance that no organization or bureaucracy should “bind” me to anything, it is no surprise that religion is on the decline. We treasure our individuality and our freedoms that empower us to choose the person we want to become. And when it comes to God or a Higher Power, I choose to experience Him on my terms; I certainly don’t need an organization to sell me a bunch of beliefs and rules. I will find the pathway of my own choosing. That represents our current cultural stance; it is a self-centered approach to God and faith – and for everything else as well!
Any important relationship, whether it is a marriage or a deep friendship, requires time and commitment. It is very hard to have a deep relationship if you do not put any time, effort or energy into the relationship. Married couples know that when they start to take their marriage for granted, the marriage suffers a bit. Any important relationship requires that time and commitment.
The same is true with our relationship with God: that relationship requires time, commitment and effort. The basic commitment is to go to Mass on Sunday. At Mass, we are challenged by the Word of God (God’s revelation of who He is to us through the Scriptures) and we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If we are what we eat, by receiving Holy Communion, by receiving Christ, we shall become like Christ.
Don’t be a “none!” Make a commitment to Christ and do your part to live up to that commitment by being faithful to Mass on Sunday.
Remember: Together we can do something beautiful for God.
In Christ,
Fr. Brian
PS: Don’t forget our Parish “Clean-up” Party this MONDAY, OCTOBER 14th (Columbus Day) from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. We will be focusing on the Parish enter area. Bring rakes, loppers, clippers, etc. All are welcome!