To the editor:
I can’t help but disagree with the leniency of Mr. Hull (“Don’t nag adult kids to Mass”, Catholic Courier, April 2006) on this issue which is affecting so many Catholic families today. He is right in saying that adult children don’t go to church because they don’t agree with the Catholic Church’s stand on some issues, find themselves too busy or are disinterested in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. However, it is critical that we as Catholics do try and get them to come to Mass every Sunday by talking with them, praying for them and setting an example. After all, how will we, as the article suggested, participate in helping the physically and spiritually poor if we first don’t have Christ within ourselves through the Holy Eucharist? If we don’t renew Christ within our hearts, then we certainly cannot bring Christ into the hearts of others through acts of kindness, love and mercy.
All throughout this article, Mr. Hull’s comments fail to fully enlighten Catholics on the true doctrines of the church. For example, he recognizes that many young Catholics do not acknowledge that missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin. Nowhere does he point to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #2181), which clearly states that it is. I was glad he was encouraging parents to invite their kids to help at soup kitchens. However, if families are too busy with sports to participate in the most intimate way we can experience Christ, then how could they possibly have the time to help at a soup kitchen? If parents shouldn’t nag their children into going to Mass, why should they nag them into helping the poor? It is necessary for Catholics to attend both Sunday Mass and perform good works for the sake of Christ and our neighbor.
Brian Donohue, Age 15
Avis Street
Rochester
