How Christian do you think your town/city/community is? Many news stories in the past several years have addressed the "Rise of the Nones" as they say, that is the growing number of people that indicate in surveys or interviews that their religious affiliation is NONE (as opposed to Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.) For decades, there have been concerns about atheists and agnostics. How many times have you seen such articles or new stories? And, when you have seen those articles, how many times have you thought, "Oh, that is too bad, but I am glad that isn't around here?" Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but yesterday (June 5th) Barna Research shared information entitled: The Most Post-Christian Cities in America: 2019 The good news: Communities in the Diocese of Youngstown did were NOT listed in the Top Ten. The bad news: Youngstown-Warren came in at #63, and Cleveland-Akron-Canton came in at #67. As for other cities around us in the Top One Hundred List, we have: 28. Detroit, MI 35. Toledo, OH 36. Pittsburgh, PA 59. Columbus, OH 70. Dayton, OH 71. Cincinnati, OH Keep in mind that this is surveying all people, of all backgrounds, not Roman Catholic specifically, but this is the like the air we breathe, it is all around us, and does include Catholics. The factors considered were:
To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals had to meet nine or more of the following factors. Highly post-Christian” individuals meet 13 or more of the factors (out of these 16 criteria). How would you rate using this list? Parents, how might you address some of these with your family? I see great possibilities in: reading the Bible together, volunteering, praying, sharing stories of the importance of your faith/God/prayer/Church participation, and how Jesus is part of your daily life! College students and young adults with roommates, many of the suggestions for parents above can easily be done with your dorm-mates or roommates and groups of friends. Side note: in the Catholic tradition, we don't usually say we are "Born Again," however, we were at our Baptism... we continue to each time we say Amen and receive Communion, and we do every morning that we dedicate our day to God. "Sunday school" and "Small groups" may not be terms you are used to either. But are you involved with continuing education sessions, participate in your parish mission, go to speaker sessions, take Catechist Certification courses (including the Youth Ministry Online Trainings), go to Bible studies, take part in Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, Women's Group, Men's Fellowship, or participate in Faith Formation programs? Then, there you go! Do not let this study get your depressed, instead, use it as an incentive to find ways to more obviously live your faith. Remember that old song, "They will know we are Christians by our love"? Share God's love by doing acts of love every day. Then, next time Barna does this research, maybe Youngstown, Warren, Canton and the rest of the diocese will be lower on the list as we promote Christian living in our schools, places or work, areas of service, and everywhere we go! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To read the Barna article references, please visit: www.barna.com/research/post-christian-cities-2019/?fbclid=IwAR3zTfrp-ellKQ0hFBg7nar38qWH1C7YU0GccmSxuPUeNo7zNtz90Jm1wqM#.XPlmy2qsqw0.facebook To read more about the "nones" from Pew Research, visit: www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/08/why-americas-nones-dont-identify-with-a-religion/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recall the words of St. Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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