First Teachers of the Faith

Preserve the Faith | Invest in the Future

A Community Response

Jesus, Patient Persistence, & Invitation

Realities we deal with regarding Parents as 1st Teachers

Levels of Involvement

Jesus, Patient Persistence, & Invitation

The Reason

Death

Resurrection

Fulfillment

Faith-Trust-Hope

Preserving the Faith | Investing in the Future

Is 8:23-9:3-1

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulunand the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

 Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.

The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

All Are Welcome…. Aren’t They?

Which image are you drawn to?

Jesus Commands us that its all about Relationshipso With Godo With Others

Preserve the Faith | Invest in the Future

A Community Response

Realities we deal with regarding Parents as 1st Teachers

Good, Bad, or Ugly, they always will be.

Pope John Paul II

“parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children.

Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it.”

Familiaris Consortio

On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World

How Well Are They Doing?

“Not knowing the Faith”

John Cavadini - “Ignorant Catholics” (Commonweal 2004)

1 / 2 Number of natures in the Trinity 1 / 3 guess at the number of Gospels 1 / 4 Immaculate Conception ? 1 / 5 knew what the Exodus referred to

John Cavadini - “Ignorant Catholics” (Commonweal 2004)

1 / 2 Number of natures in the Trinity 1 / 3 guess at the number of Gospels 1 / 4 Immaculate Conception ? 1 / 5 knew what the Exodus referred to

John Cavadini - “Ignorant Catholics” (Commonweal 2004)

1 / 2 Number of natures in the Trinity 1 / 3 guess at the number of Gospels 1 / 4 Immaculate Conception ? 1 / 5 knew what the Exodus referred to

John Cavadini - “Ignorant Catholics” (Commonweal 2004)

1 / 2 Number of natures in the Trinity 1 / 3 guess at the number of Gospels 1 / 4 Immaculate Conception ? 1 / 5 knew what the Exodus referred to

John Cavadini - “Ignorant Catholics” (Commonweal 2004)

1 / 2 Number of natures in the Trinity 1 / 3 guess at the number of Gospels 1 / 4 Immaculate Conception ? 1 / 5 knew what the Exodus referred to

… and more than just Catholic Life

Barna Group (2009)

“Childhood religious education is central to continued adult Faith”

National Catholic Reporter 2005.

“Understanding the Faith, and agreeing with the tenets appear to be two quite separate processes.”

Effectiveness of parents is critical

“Their role as educators is so decisive that

scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in

it.”

Mass Attendance

Knowing God

Oldest Man in the Bible

Lenten Fish Fry

• Mass Attendance• Religious Life• Spreading the message and mission of Jesus

• Mass Attendance• Religious Life• Anecdotal Stories

“Free Babysitting” “The Church will do it… why should I?” Single Mom working 2 jobs Severe stress

• Mass Attendance• “try” to go once a week

• Remember the Sabbath • “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (MT 22: 37)• “Source and Summit” (Lumen gentium, 11)

• What happens when Mass attendance declines?

• less $ collected for the mission of the church• The Church loses its presence in the community• Fewer people are nurtured in their faith• society pressures are harder to fight• don’t know what’s going on in the community• don’t see your friends• fewer people worshipping God.

• Mass Attendance• Religious Life• Spreading the message and mission of Jesus

1965 2010 % change

Parish Priests 35,925 27,182 - 24.34%

Religious Sisters 179,954 57,544 - 68.02%

Religious Brothers 12,271 4,690 - 61.78%

Lay Movement (3rd Order) ? ? ? %

• What happens when the number of people seeking religious life declines?

• same amount of work done by fewer people• teachers, nurses, other professions

• presence of the Church is less visible• combining parishes & closing parishes

•less “personal” service

• Mass Attendance• Religious Life• Spreading the message and mission of Jesus

There are people in your community that: • do not know that God loves them• do not know about salvation that Christ offers• feel hopeless

Mass Attendance

Knowing God

Oldest Man in the Bible

Lenten Fish Fry

“Every research topic starts with a question

about an observation.”

• Some kids don’t know how to pray.

• parents don’t come to meetings.

• I never see that family at Mass

• Some kids don’t seem to care.

• Why don’t my 2nd graders know ?????

• Are they even teaching their children?

• Parents need to stay – not “Drop-off” kids

• Wednesday night is ‘Free Night’ for parents

“Every research topic starts with a question

about an observation.”

• Some kids don’t know how to pray.

• parents don’t come to meetings.

• I never see that family at Mass

• Some kids don’t seem to care.

• Why don’t my 2nd graders know ?????

• Are they even teaching their children?

• “Drop-off” kids

• Wednesday night is ‘Free Night’ for parents

• “I don’t know my faith?”

• “What am I supposed to teach?”

• “I’m a Single Mom with two jobs

doing the best I can.”

• “I don’t know how to talk to my

teenager.”

• “We don’t have enough time to do

this.”

• Struggle & Anxiety

“the subject of parents instructing their children in the faith was met with a universal theme; which spoke to the struggle and anxiety of parents and grandparents in passing on [the] faith to their children and grandchildren.”

- “Not Easy, but Full of Meaning (91).” Bishops of England and Wales

More Often, and More of them

?

Preserve the Faith | Invest in the Future

A Community Response

Realities we deal with regarding Parents as 1st Teachers

?

Layers of Involvement

Ask the Right Questions

Agreement

CapacitySupport

Exploration

Develop

Proposal

Implementation

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (MT 28:19-20)

"Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers". (CCC 1253)

"To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.". (1 COR 12:7)

Response of the Community

Roger Jay Schroeder

email: rog@rohair.com

http://rohair.com