I wrote a story in this issue (pages 3 and 10) and in the July 11 issue of The Observer about the reports here in the diocese, along with others across the globe, that show people are returning to church since the pandemic. In many areas, the numbers are not only reaching but exceeding pre-pandemic Mass attendance totals. In addition to people returning to the practice of their faith, numbers also show increases in those beginning their faith journey as Catholics by joining the Church.
All the numbers I have read, reviewed and reported have led me to believe that we have important work to do. And that doesn’t mean just us “diocesan types” or parish staffers or ministry teams and leaders or educators — it means everyone. And I don’t think that means just Catholics. I think it means all people who believe in God.
Believers are in this together. As you will read in my article, folks attribute some of the curiosity and hunger for faith to apologists, social media and the buzz around the Eucharistic Revival efforts of the Catholic Church. But I think you also have to give a nod to all the other Christians who produce God-centered materials like musicians and the non-profit Come Near which produces the “He Gets Us” ads encouraging people to have Jesus in their lives. All this positive media about Jesus and what He teaches puts believers back at the “cool kids table.” Christians are no longer hiding their convictions away from the public square. They are talking about God and thanking Him on television, radio and TikTok. Mainstream rap, country and pop music is talking about sin and the need for repentance and forgiveness—a lane that was once reserved for low-power Christian radio.
But there is something else that gets people motivated to seek faith and the sacraments. It’s good example. Mentoring. Witness. Walk the walk, talk the talk. Whatever you call it, or however you describe it, it’s what happens when person after person has an effect on another. When we follow the way of Christ and are authentic in our actions and beliefs, people notice. And I am not talking about celebrities. I am talking about the average person in the pew.
As a convert, a lot of average people influenced me mostly because they authentically lived their faith and could accurately explain what and why they believed.
All this brings me to my point. Even though we can find some hope and even a little joy in the increasing numbers of people entering the Church and those coming to Mass, it represents a serious assignment for all of us.
As Bishop Malloy describes in his column on page 2 in this issue, we are called to be salt and light. That doesn’t mean we stand on the corner and quote Scripture or go door-to-door. After all, if we are called to be salt we can start with a “dash” to make the taste of our belief appealing rather than repelling. For some it may mean registering for the ministry formation program as described on page 4. For others it may mean being a better volunteer or contributor. Being a good witness of faith can be as easy as smiling at others and striking up a conversation with others before and after Mass. One person holding the door or one person not racing into or out of the parking lot can shape an opinion.
People come back to Church because they want the love of Christ. Let’s all get busy and be the best representatives we can be of that love and pray our numbers continue to grow.
