Post by hibernicus on Nov 8, 2015 21:45:01 GMT
Dr Janet E Smith, one of the most brilliant and courageous expositors of the teaching of HUMANAE VITAE, laments that the Synod, like the Council and like the Papal commission on contraception, has opened enough ambiguity and allowed enough spin-doctoring to cause vastly damaging confusion. Read the whole thing here, with note that the positive developments she itemises in America are barely visible here, to put it mildly:
www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/11/a-synod-that-will-lead-to-decades-of-fighting
This passage applies quite well to Ireland - for the demise of the ethnic parish in the US, read the demise of the old sort of small-town society (or urban area dominated by traditional employers) in Ireland. Note that I do not want to idealise the old society, which had severe faults - just to point out in Dr Smith's words that the change from one to the other raises major problems for evangelisation which account for many of our recent problems, and which need to be addressed:
EXTRACT
This battle, however, is one that necessitates that we quite radically reform parish life. We need to revivify the parish and that will not be easy. At one time US parishes were buzzing hubs of all kinds of activity. There was no need to work to unite a parish because many were united by very strong bonds, largely that of ethnicity. The neighborhoods around a parish were occupied by parishioners; the schools (even the public ones), and the shops were often in the hands of parishioners. You couldn’t go far in a community without running into fellow parishioners. Even the larger community basically shared the same values the Church was promoting.
Our incredibly mobile society presents what can seem like an insuperable obstacle to getting people to think of the parish as an institution vital to their lives, a place where they are known and loved. Most people feel more known and even cared for by co-workers than by fellow parishioners. Parishes should be welcoming communities that have ways to integrate newcomers into the parish, hopefully a parish that already has cultivated a strong sense of community. Making those things happen is a huge project in itself.
There should never be any lonely Christians. Coffee and donuts after mass help, greeters at the door help, but as we all well know, Catholics can attend the same parish for years on end and not know any other person there. I am told The Amazing Parish project can help make a parish a vibrant center not only for receiving the sacraments and learning about the faith but also for experiencing true community. Whether it is that project or others that bring about the transformation, parishes must become homes for parishioners. The reform of parishes is long over due and if the Synod serves to galvanize bishops, priests and lay people to turn their attention to parish life, it will be a felix culpa rather than a disaster.
Many resources already exist that can be used to help create, sustain community, and build communities. Most all of this is properly the work of the New Evangelization. Here are just a few specifics of what might be done:...
END OF EXTRACT
www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/11/a-synod-that-will-lead-to-decades-of-fighting
This passage applies quite well to Ireland - for the demise of the ethnic parish in the US, read the demise of the old sort of small-town society (or urban area dominated by traditional employers) in Ireland. Note that I do not want to idealise the old society, which had severe faults - just to point out in Dr Smith's words that the change from one to the other raises major problems for evangelisation which account for many of our recent problems, and which need to be addressed:
EXTRACT
This battle, however, is one that necessitates that we quite radically reform parish life. We need to revivify the parish and that will not be easy. At one time US parishes were buzzing hubs of all kinds of activity. There was no need to work to unite a parish because many were united by very strong bonds, largely that of ethnicity. The neighborhoods around a parish were occupied by parishioners; the schools (even the public ones), and the shops were often in the hands of parishioners. You couldn’t go far in a community without running into fellow parishioners. Even the larger community basically shared the same values the Church was promoting.
Our incredibly mobile society presents what can seem like an insuperable obstacle to getting people to think of the parish as an institution vital to their lives, a place where they are known and loved. Most people feel more known and even cared for by co-workers than by fellow parishioners. Parishes should be welcoming communities that have ways to integrate newcomers into the parish, hopefully a parish that already has cultivated a strong sense of community. Making those things happen is a huge project in itself.
There should never be any lonely Christians. Coffee and donuts after mass help, greeters at the door help, but as we all well know, Catholics can attend the same parish for years on end and not know any other person there. I am told The Amazing Parish project can help make a parish a vibrant center not only for receiving the sacraments and learning about the faith but also for experiencing true community. Whether it is that project or others that bring about the transformation, parishes must become homes for parishioners. The reform of parishes is long over due and if the Synod serves to galvanize bishops, priests and lay people to turn their attention to parish life, it will be a felix culpa rather than a disaster.
Many resources already exist that can be used to help create, sustain community, and build communities. Most all of this is properly the work of the New Evangelization. Here are just a few specifics of what might be done:...
END OF EXTRACT