Synod listening sessions show strong desire for catechesis

Last spring, another step in the Synod of Synodalty took place as three regional listening sessions were held March 13.

Two big questions were asked: “Where have I seen or experienced successes and distresses, within the Church’s structure(s), organization, leadership and life that encourage or hinder the mission?” and “How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?” Participants could answer however they saw fit.

“We touched on a wide variety of topics,” said Jonathon Molik, pastoral associate for St. John Paul II Parish in Lake View. “There were people there that discussed young people. Some people discussed marriage and the sacraments. Some discussed the hierarchy of the Church. Some took it from a more personal faith experience. Others took it from a parish, community practicality standpoint. The more traditional orthodox teaching of the Church, people who appreciate the Latin Mass, people who are more appreciative of the reforms of the Church. We touched upon almost anything you could think about.”

Molik saw a heavy concentration on evangelization of both non-Catholics and fallen away Catholics.

“There was a lot of emphasis on prayer from at least the people who were gathered there, that the people who are practicing their faith, who are proud to be Catholic, who want to see the Church in Buffalo survive, need to emphasize in their own spirituality, in their own prayer life that we can’t take for granted that the people we see in the pews around us who we know by name are Catholic are actually living out that Catholic faith,” he said.

He also saw a strong desire to return to a more orthodox teaching of the Church, using the Catechism, Canon Law and writings of the Church that are not often used today in catechesis. He noted that of the 18 people who attended, the median age was 50-55.

“They had experiences when they were in CCD of more of an orthodox – here’s the faith and here’s how to live it,” Molik said.

It’s not just a case of older people thinking what they had was the best. Younger people at the meeting felt they missed out on something.

“There was a strong pool from the younger generation almost upset because they didn’t get the same CCD experience that the older generation got. They feel they didn’t get a true representation of what the Catholic Church was about in their faith formation.” This from those born 1990-2005. “It was a different way of learning from what they now enjoy learning. A lot of young people, Catholics especially, do a lot of their own catechesis and research, and they desire a more orthodox traditional mindset of the Church. And the older people see it as, ‘We went through that and we’re still here.’ Let’s put two and two together. The people who aren’t here went through program X and the people who are still here when through program Y. So why aren’t we using Y?”

A full report from all three listening sessions has been compiled into a diocesan report that will go to the USCCB.

Responses range from positive:

·      The emergence of many lay led initiatives such as Hallow, Formed, Dynamic Catholic have been essential in leading people to the teachings of the Church.

·      VIRTUS has been successful.

·      We need to remember that we love the sinner and hate the sin, not accept the sin.

To negative

·      Lack of good catechesis from leadership which results in poor formation of the faithful.  Many suggested that this is the major reason for lack of understanding of the Eucharist and the decrease in Mass attendance.

·      The lack of homilies speaking to the hard issues of the day due to fear of being disliked has led people astray.

·      The Church is often seen as trying to bend to the culture rather than holding true to the Church’s timeless teaching. Some made mention that they left protestant churches to become Catholic and now seeing the Catholic Church doing what drove them from the protestant church.

To addressing needs

·  Need to develop and foster programs for youth and young adults that are not just social gatherings but have catechesis and faith sharing as their base.

·  Need to find ways to keep Catholic schools open.

·  Need direction and assistance in reaching out to fallen away Catholics to bring them back.

·  Need the Church to encourage families to pray together at home.

·  Need to continue to develop shared responsibility of laity and clergy, allowing laity to use their talents.