Why Catholic

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The heart of our Catholic faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a relationship that heals us, transforms us and saves us. This relationship begins with our Baptism and is nourished throughout our lives with prayer, worship and the sacraments where we meet Jesus in a special way. Our Catholic faith leads us to a loving God who created us to share in his own life and who continually invites us to share in the unity of his family, the Church. We are united in love and in love we move out into the world to serve all of God's people.

When Carol accepted the invitation to spend Thanksgiving day with Mrs. G and her family, she had no idea the day would begin with Mass. She hadn't been through the doors of a church in years but she hesitated to insult the woman who had done so much to help her get back on her feet. As they made their way to the pew, Carol felt her uneasiness subside. She noticed the people around her, how different they all were. But something had brought them all here together. Carol recognized the opening hymn, and joined in the familiar responses. She recalled, "When I started to say the creed, 'I believe in God...and his only son, Jesus Christ...' I began to remember the faith I used to have. I felt some of the pain of the past years slipping away.

Lapsed Catholics: Where did everybody go?
Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M.

When I first learned through the “Diocesan Parish Headcounts” within the 111 parishes of the Diocese of Trenton in 2010 and 2011 that weekend Mass attendance accounted for only about 25 percent of registered parishioners, I became concerned as the Diocesan Bishop. Participation in Sunday Mass, of course, is the primary way the Church regularly preaches the Gospel to the Catholic faithful. “Diocesan Parish Headcounts” are conducted in October to provide some sense of regular attendance among our 850,000 baptized Catholics within the parishes of the diocese. They are a “snapshot” of our Church’s “outreach” to the Catholic faithful. Although our percentage was not much different – actually a little better – than the reported national average, no bishop would consider the number “good news.”

In January 2011, I read an article in America magazine entitled “On Their Way Out: What Exit Interviews Could Tell Us About Lapsed Catholics” by Father William J. Byron, S.J. Father Byron was my predecessor as president of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and is a regular columnist for Catholic publications. His name naturally caught my attention and the subject of his essay intrigued me, most significantly because of the emphasis the Catholic Church has been placing on what is being referred to as the “new evangelization.”

The question posed by Father Byron is an important one: “Does anyone know why the ranks are thinning at Catholic weekend worship?” He suggested that “taking a page from the business world and employing exit interviews” might be a helpful initiative toward finding an answer to the question.

I thought a great deal about his article and decided to contact him. He offered to conduct such an interview in survey form within the Diocese of Trenton, in cooperation with Professor Charles Zech of Villanova University’s Center for the Study of Church Management. Both gentlemen then came to our Presbyteral Council and made a presentation and proposal, which the council readily accepted.

After reviewing and editing a draft questionnaire with the pastors and priests, Father Byron noted in a March 26, 2012 article, “We got in touch with registered parishioners who are no longer showing up by placing articles in the secular and diocesan press, as well as notices in parish bulletins and requests for contact information from pastors. The survey was also offered in Spanish, sent to all the parishes with Spanish-language populations and advertised in a Spanish-language newspaper (America, March 26, 2012).”

Two hundred ninety-eight people responded to the questionnaire. Father Byron and Professor Zech collated the responses and sent me a report, the results of which I read carefully. They provided an analysis of the replies which I then shared with diocesan officials and the Presbyteral Council. Their report served as the basis of one of the presentations given at a symposium at The Catholic University of America entitled “Lapsed Catholics: Old and New Theories, Contemporary Voices, and the New Evangelization” (more)

Catholics urged to resist unjust laws, join in 'fortnight for freedom'
By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Catholic News Service

A depiction of the Statue of Liberty appears in mosaic, part of a larger piece in a side chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (CNS/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- American Catholics must resist unjust laws "as a duty of citizenship and an obligation of faith," a committee of the U.S. bishops said in a new statement on religious liberty.

Titled "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty," the 12-page statement by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty also calls for "a fortnight for freedom" from June 21, the vigil of the feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, to July 4, U.S. Independence Day.

"This special period of prayer, study, catechesis and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty," the committee said. "Dioceses and parishes around the country could choose a date in that period for special events that would constitute a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty."

Made public April 12, the document was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Administrative Committee during its March meeting for publication as a committee statement. (more)

Editor's Note: Click here for the full text of "Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty"  available from the USCCB website. 

Why I Became Catholic

Raising two small children alone after her divorce was a challenge that often brought Carol to tears. She was lonely and afraid she couldn't provide for her daughters. Help came from Mrs. G, the woman who lived next door and babysat many of the neighborhood children after school. Carol's daughters would often come home singing little children's hymns and carrying macaroni pictures of Bible stories. Carol wasn't sure how she felt about religion being part of day care, but she soon found herself singing along with her daughters, "Jesus loves me this I know, 'cause the Bible tells me so..." In time, the words would become more than just a catchy tune. They would become a way of life. God comes to us through his son, Jesus, who had a special love for the poor and downtrodden. He healed the sick, forgave sins, suffered and sacrificed his life for others. Through him we learn about the expansive love and mercy of our God who wants nothing more than to be in a relationship with us.

Easter Reflection – Alleluia!
This day is the most significant day in human and Faith History. Nor longer are we born simply to die. No longer are we slaves to sin while we live. Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and has opened to us hope of Eternal Life with Him. The stone of despair has been removed, the stone rejected has become the Corner Stone, the stones of stubborn ignorance and vicious spite are inundated by the cleansing waters of Truth and Grace. Christ is free, and with Him, so are we. He has gone ahead, and instructed that He will meet us. All we have to do now is forget the past, the sins, ourselves, and do as He instructs; Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, tend to the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead. Pray constantly, and seek His face in our neighbor and ourselves. If we do these things, we will continue to meet Him, every step of the way, until we are finally face to face with Him, forever.
Jesus Christ changed the world irrevocably. By His life, death and Resurrection, He made it impossible for tyrants to dominate, for religious formalists to intimidate, for armies to justify cruelty, for doctors to practice negligence, for lawyers to employ deception, for leaders to embrace corruption, for workers to produce shoddiness, for teachers to deceive students, for parents to ignore duty, for children to assume disobedience. He made it impossible fore evil to present itself as anything but a detour to a dead end and a lie. Jesus Christ changed everything, forever.
Alleluia! We have denied ourselves for 40 days the sound of that word. Alleluia! We have denied ourselves, kept our fast and abstinence for 40 days. Alleluia! We have demonstrated to ourselves and others that God lives in our hearts, that Christ lives in our hearts, that the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. Alleluia! We have been through darkness and despair and now stand bathe in the light of His Glory. Alleluia! The joy, the peace we now experience is but a dim image, a glimpse of what is yet to come, now that He has lived and died and is Risen! Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Glory to His Holy Church and His people! Alleluia!

Learn more about the Catholic faith and the love of Jesus Christ with host Msgr. Walter Nolan, pastor of St. Paul Church in Princeton and his guests. Guests include leaders in the Catholic Church as well as people like you who are living their faith each day. They share how the grace of God has empowered them to do His work here on earth. 

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GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH

The Respect Life Ministry is once again collecting winter coats, jackets, hats and gloves for the needy through the month of October. These items may be brought to St. Vincent de Paul on Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 

This year we are also collecting blankets for the homeless and for our wounded servicemen and women in the hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. We are especially in need of men’s coats. We appreciate your past generosity and look forward to another year of “warmth for the needy”.

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MASS CARDS: 
THE GIFT OF PRAYER

The Holy Mass is the greatest possible prayer of intercession insofar as it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father. It makes present Jesus’ gift of his life, death, and resurrection. Thus, no better prayer can be offered for someone than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

A Mass card is given to someone to let them know that they, or a deceased loved-one, will be remembered and prayed for during a Mass.

Whether you wish to have prayers said for someone who has died, someone who is ill, or someone who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary, Mass Cards are an excellent way to show that you care.

Almost one out of four Americans is Catholic, yet misconceptions abound about our teachings and beliefs.

If Non believers have all the wrong answers it is because when they asked questions there was no one to give them right answers.

People that put this much energy into trying to tear down the church may, in reality be frustrated seekers who never heard the real answers.

We want to answer these questions. email visitationweb@comcast.net or call 732 477-0016 or write us a note and put it in the collection basket next week.

Fr. Barron comments on 
Faith and Reason