tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post1797361093635652032..comments2023-06-01T04:31:28.520-05:00Comments on Liturgy & Catechesis Shall Kiss: Confirmation: The Sacrament in Search of Pastoral Practicejdonliturgyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729552755992633453noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-24235205742105861252011-06-05T10:41:35.974-05:002011-06-05T10:41:35.974-05:00You know what, you are so right! I really think we...You know what, you are so right! I really think we can do better as well. The system right now is very flawed. The Church hardly spends any money on staff and developing programs. Kids are growing up disengaged from their faith, and volunteer catechists are kind of thrown into the mix without much support and expected to make things better. Many times there's little chance to make a difference because the odds are really stacked against us. It's frustrating to have a job to do and not be able to do it because those odds are so tough. <br /><br />Things do need to change, but it will be a slow process. Until then, I think Christian's attitude is gold. We do our best and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. Still, it's hard sometimes to just think of myself as a cog in the wheel. I want to make a difference. I guess God doesn't show us all the good we're doing to keep us humble huh?Marc Cardaronellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10608322942508691673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-45823226714909709832011-06-05T07:31:10.501-05:002011-06-05T07:31:10.501-05:00Thanks, Marc! Glad you were one who wandered back....Thanks, Marc! Glad you were one who wandered back. I know some of these kids will. I just really hate the reality that catechists are handed and expected to function within. I still think we can do better.jdonliturgyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15729552755992633453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-25348592745152488352011-06-04T22:37:30.565-05:002011-06-04T22:37:30.565-05:00Wow, this is powerful! You are speaking truth here...Wow, this is powerful! You are speaking truth here! There is quite a large problem with confirmation and it won't change overnight. <br /><br />You know, I was one of those kids that did confirmation prep out of obligation and dropped out of religious practice soon after receiving the sacrament. And, 20 years later, the grace of that sacrament was there for me when I finally did have a real response of faith. If those kids ever do awaken to faith, it will be there for them as well. It was their right to be confirmed and you did everything you could do to prepare them for that. That's all anyone could ask. <br /><br />Of course, we all want to think we made a difference, had some impact and changed lives. Unfortunately, with kids, we don't always get the opportunities to see it. Even if we do have an influence, they won't show it to us a lot of the time. <br /><br />But, in the end, it was their right to receive the sacrament and their parent's duty to see that they did. You helped them fulfill that. Now they are fully initiated in the Church. There's so much more to that than what you can see in the face of a 13 year old. It's hard to measure what kind of impact that will have on them over time...but it can't be bad! ;-) <br /><br />Keep up the good fight!Marc Cardaronellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10608322942508691673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-81583509339608367332011-05-31T13:09:42.066-05:002011-05-31T13:09:42.066-05:00At the end of each year I find myself saying, if o...At the end of each year I find myself saying, if only there were 30 class meetings, or if only we had a class for two years instead of one, or if only the blackboard were bigger, or the parents were more engaged, or the kids less tired in the evening...or whatever. But given the circumstances I can't control, I believe the kids maxed out on learning their faith.<br /><br />I think a healthy attitude is to do your best with what you have and serenely leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.kkollwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691145638703824456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-39632093380281280762011-05-30T21:12:34.029-05:002011-05-30T21:12:34.029-05:00Thanks for the reminder... I just have to have mor...Thanks for the reminder... I just have to have more faith, I guess!jdonliturgyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15729552755992633453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747077806405542777.post-71271444435370788892011-05-30T20:57:06.477-05:002011-05-30T20:57:06.477-05:00Mustard seed.
Well-done article.Mustard seed.<br /><br />Well-done article.kkollwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691145638703824456noreply@blogger.com