Declining Christmas Mass attendance hints at worrisome trend
By Canton CitizenDear Editor:
First I wish to thank the Citizen for such great year-round community news coverage. Our town is very fortunate to still have this vital news source by dedicated local staff and ownership!
Did anyone else notice the advertisement in the last edition for only four Masses at St. Oscar Romero over the holidays? At one point there were 10 masses between two parishes. Parishioners needed to get to church an hour early to get a seat or parking spot. It’s ironic that in the same edition there was news about the upcoming meetings of the St. Gerard’s Reuse Committee [thank you Mr. Doody].
Still not adequately addressed by the pastor of the new parish — or anyone in the hierarchy at the Archdiocese headquarters in Braintree — are the possible root causes for the decline in the faithful’s attendance, especially and unfortunately among youth. Studies show that only 12 percent of Catholics attend services and that number is further declining.
Unspoken is the cardinal sin and fact that the church “talks the talk but seldom walks the walk,” thereby falling short of being accepting to all. D, E & I is long overdue and would be a great first step.
While on my soapbox, can anyone address what became of the millions of dollars the Archdiocese received through the sale of St. Gerard’s, a place built and maintained by our weekly offerings?
Best Wishes,
Paul Phalan
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=99015
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Dec 23 2022. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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