06/20/05: How Hard Is It to be Young and Catholic?

Jerry Usher · #1 Jun 20, '05, 4:08 pm

Hi There,

If you listened to Catholic Answers Live on Monday, June 20, perhaps you have some comments to share pertaining to our discussion with Tim Drake, author of the book Young and Catholic. If you missed the show, you can hear it in the archives section of our radio page (http://www.catholic.com/radio/calive.asp).

If you're a young Catholic or the friend or parent of a young Catholic, let us know what it's like to try to live your faith or share your faith with those who are young and impressionable.

Hope to hear from you!

God bless.

Jerry

threej_lc · #2 Jun 20, '05, 4:14 pm

Was I fast? :-)

I was blest in that it grew up very easy for me to be young and Catholic.

What made it so easy was that I've had so many friends who were so strongly Catholic, I've always had a support group pushing me deeper into my faith, letting me know that God is what is important, and not what others may think about me.

I've just graduated from college. My godson is entering the seminary. My highschool friend has joined the benedictine order. 3 of my good female friends, just graduating from high school, are planning to join the convent.

I can't really say anything on what is needed to make good Catholic youth, other then giving them good Catholic youth as friends. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION! That is, of course, the source and summit of all grace. An hour a week with your kids, God will take care of them from there.

Josh

E.E.N.S. · #3 Jun 20, '05, 4:19 pm

It's really the same answer for everyone - Christianity is hard if you only have a hankering for it! (I can't remember where I heard this before, but it's so true!)

tkdnick · #4 Jun 20, '05, 4:22 pm

I've found it very hard to make connections with other young people in my parish. They just don't seem to be interested in anything "spiritual". They'll show up for "fun" stuff, but that's about it.

Robert in SD · #5 Jun 20, '05, 4:30 pm

I'm 36 years old. Is that too old to be a young Catholic?

As a young professional, I found that it was just not proper to bring up religion in everyday conversation. If you tried to talk to people about the Catholic faith, you were looked upon by non-Catholics as simply too naive to have a valid opinion. And when religion is brought up it is assumed that only ignorant and uneducated or gullible people would be "religious."

Prior to digging in to some apologetics works, I found that - even though I was raised in the Church and could recognize that someone was attacking my faith or a particular Catholic belief - I did not have the training or ability to express (1) the error and (2) the correct doctrine or moral teaching. For me, the beginning of a change in ability came about when I went through RCIA to receive the sacrament of confirmation. (Note: I missed the sacrament of confirmation when I was in high school, and was not actually confirmed until after law school, even though I continued as a "lukewarm" Catholic up to the point I went through RCIA.)

Hope this adds to the discussion.

contemplative · #6 Jun 20, '05, 4:57 pm

This is a great question. I have my young adult college age children registering at CA forums and they will be responding shortly. I can't wait to read what they say.

As for me - The Parent -
There have been ups and downs. I can't put into words some of the frustrations I have felt in recent years. There has been an undercurrent within my own Church trying to tow me away from my faith but by the Grace of God I have discerned and resisted. I take no credit for reaching the point I am at. God has delivered me. I am confident God will always provide when and how He sees fit.
Is it hard to be Catholic? Is it hard to love God? No
The most impressive homily I ever heard went something like this....
We walk. We talk. We move. We get up. We sit down. When we are sleeping we breath. Our bodies are constantly working. Working to walk, talk, move, sit down, sleep, breath....even just breathing. In the same ways our bodies work to stay pumping full of life, our spirits must work to grow towards the life of God. We must work. Work is difficult. Work to keep our bodies pumping with life. Work much much harder to keep our spirits alive in Jesus. Don't you see how hard we must work!?! Very hard. Is it hard to be Catholic? How conditioned to work are you? We must be athletes for God. Is it hard? No pain no gain.

Grace and Glory · #7 Jun 20, '05, 5:14 pm

I think being young and Catholic is somewhat difficult, but a lot depends on the circumstances. I've been lucky to have had good Catholic friends throughout my life, so it's not as hard as it might otherwise be. However, there are a few things that make being young and Catholic more difficult. I'm a college student, and almost everyone here drinks. A lot of people drink underage, and a lot of people get drunk. Going against that can be somewhat difficult because it means I don't share in the 'fun' a lot of my friends have at the bars. Another thing that makes it difficult is that the TV shows, magazines, and other things targeted at people my age tend to display values at odds with my faith. In some ways, though, it's hard to give an objective judgment about how hard it is to be young and Catholic, because I'm not yet old enough to know the problems that come with being older and Catholic.

lateniteprayer · #8 Jun 20, '05, 5:15 pm

As a young adult holding the Catholic faith, I have noticed a change in my faith life itself as I am getting older. I suppose when I really thing about it---I never really took note when family evening prayers stopped, and my parents didn't ask when if I'd said my prayers for the day yet. It just sort of happened. There came an end to the protected nurturing environment of adults around me making sure that I was keeping God up front in my life. I carried the torch pretty well by myself through highschool where there were peers around me who held the same beliefs and values as me. I never second guessed anything because there was constant support with my peers who, with me, stood up to disbelievers who had contradicting opinions. It was very comfortable, I felt close to God, and it was all-in-all a very nice "time period" you could say.
You could say the "shocker", or the days that blew me out of my element were when I went to college last fall. All of a sudden, I was thrust into a technology orientated college campus filled with upwards of 20,000 people of all different faiths. The situation was a bit unnerving when I realized I didn't have my same group of friends around me who all believed in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The campus ministry was (and is) a paltry representation of the beautiful faith I'd grown up with...so I shied away from it. I sought out Catholic companions during orientation week and the first quarter only to find they'd been extremely let down, disappointed, angered, and saddened by the current state of affairs in the church. And admittedly, many of them had their own disagreements with the teachings and just plain old didn't feel like doing it anymore. This was honestly a bit of a disappointment for myself as I had been optimistic that in a sea of so many people from all over the world I was sure to easily find people that I could share the Catholic faith with.
It was not the case though; many of the people that I interact on a daily basis with now are those who have fallen away. A good many of my friends still have interest and have asked to come to church with my family and I on Sundays, but the distance is a problem. We live about 30 minutes from the campus as it is, and our church is about 50 minutes from the campus. I've tried to work out carpooling, but it is difficult for our family and my friends don't have cars with them on campus. It saddens me that I can't help, but I just don't know how to work it out. Right now, all I can do is try to keep my faith alive within my own house where my father, mother and sister all share the Catholic faith. Honestly though, sometimes I find it hard to just slow down my life to sit down and really just pray hard. I find that it's always very late at night before my eyes shut for a few hours of sleep. But I find that it is good for me, although I realize that I need to 'grow' in the faith as well. I will work on that and continue as I do.
It's not easy, but it sure isn't hard when you've got God on your side.

Augustina · #9 Jun 20, '05, 5:24 pm

I would believe that being Catholic at any age would be difficult. However, I believe that being a Catholic youth is especially difficult today for a multitude of reasons. I am an undergraduate psychology student in the U.S.
I dare assert that today’s culture poses the biggest obstacle to youth. One’s culture permeates many aspects of life at any age. Youth is critical in that it is a time of great development and learning in all areas, but most especially in the discovery of one’s spirituality. Because of this, any influences, including culture, can be monumental. There are many aspects in life where I believe youth find the most difficulty in living their faith.
Education: Learning the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic are undoubtedly essential to survival in our age. However, in our culture today, public schools are being sterilized of religion and college course syllabi are abounding with popular new-age philosophies and some very anti-Christ ideology. In order to learn, in most cases, youth are forced to daily combat ideas that conflict with their Catholic faith. In some cases, even, Catholic students are asked to learn and accept something heretical as fact and be able to write about it for a grade. Required reading for my philosophy class was a pro-abortion book which disrespectfully ridiculed the pope. I also must answer that homosexuality is acceptable human behavior if I want to get the answer right in my psychology classes.
Community: The American culture is very much based on individualism. That is, a “fend-for-yourself”, “I’m number one” attitude is prevalent. This is the case with most Western cultures but I believe it is especially so with America due to it’s history of stressing “rugged individualism.” Catholicism is very community-orientated. Christ stressed the importance of the Body working together with Christ as the head to form the Church. We are also called to care for one another as we do for ourselves. Our individualistic culture contradicts this Christian collectivism. This is difficult for youth in that they often adopt a selfish, un-Christ-like attitude in order to fit this individualistic ideal and to be successful in a worldly sense. Also, because of this attitude many youth lack community support and guidance in the faith.
Sexuality: Youth is a time of discovering sexuality. While Catholic youth may have been taught as young children that God intended sex to be an expression of love between a man and a woman as husband and wife, today’s culture tells them otherwise. I personally cannot turn on the TV, read a magazine, or shop without being bombarded with constant equations of lust to love. College campuses are teeming with students with promiscuous ideals about sex. These temptations and peer pressures can leave a Catholic youth who sticks to his faith a social outcast.
I could go on and on. I’m sure a whole book could be written on the challenges facing Catholic youth; moral relativism, lack of catechesis, liberal feminism etc… are more obstacles facing today’s youth. However, the Catholic youth who do prevail and manage to stay close to God can turn faith-contradicting, faith-challenging, experiences into faith-strengthening experiences and turn them into opportunities to grow closer to God and His plan for them as they face their trials.

ProudToBCathlic · #10 Jun 20, '05, 6:04 pm

I AM a very young Catholic. I have been very lucky. My family has for many years attended a very religious, traditional parish, and I have attended their really great CCD program. I am also homeschooled, so I have been rather 'sheltered' from anti-Catholics. But any that I have come across I have had no problem with, and (need I say?) I LOVE BEING CATHOLIC. However, as I said, I have had many opportunities which are unavailable to most. I really hope my point of view helps this discussion!

JPII GenXer · #11 Jun 20, '05, 8:07 pm

it all depends on which group of friends im with. When im around friends who love and practice their faith, its a lot easier. When im with my "secular" friends, the heat becomes a little more intense. It becomes a challenge to spend quality time with this crowd without having to compromise the faith. But the way i look at it, its all part of the battle to bring spread the Good News! If being young and Catholic were easy, i would be much more worried.

Jerry Usher · #12 Jun 21, '05, 9:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by threej_lc

Was I fast? :-)

I was blest in that it grew up very easy for me to be young and Catholic.

What made it so easy was that I've had so many friends who were so strongly Catholic, I've always had a support group pushing me deeper into my faith, letting me know that God is what is important, and not what others may think about me.

I've just graduated from college. My godson is entering the seminary. My highschool friend has joined the benedictine order. 3 of my good female friends, just graduating from high school, are planning to join the convent.

I can't really say anything on what is needed to make good Catholic youth, other then giving them good Catholic youth as friends. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION! That is, of course, the source and summit of all grace. An hour a week with your kids, God will take care of them from there.

Josh

Josh,

Great contribution to the discussion...sounds like you've been blessed with many wonderful friends and acquaintances...and YES, you're FAST!!!

God bless.

Jerry

Jerry Usher · #13 Jun 21, '05, 9:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by contemplative

This is a great question. I have my young adult college age children registering at CA forums and they will be responding shortly. I can't wait to read what they say.

As for me - The Parent -
There have been ups and downs. I can't put into words some of the frustrations I have felt in recent years. There has been an undercurrent within my own Church trying to tow me away from my faith but by the Grace of God I have discerned and resisted. I take no credit for reaching the point I am at. God has delivered me. I am confident God will always provide when and how He sees fit.
Is it hard to be Catholic? Is it hard to love God? No
The most impressive homily I ever heard went something like this....
We walk. We talk. We move. We get up. We sit down. When we are sleeping we breath. Our bodies are constantly working. Working to walk, talk, move, sit down, sleep, breath....even just breathing. In the same ways our bodies work to stay pumping full of life, our spirits must work to grow towards the life of God. We must work. Work is difficult. Work to keep our bodies pumping with life. Work much much harder to keep our spirits alive in Jesus. Don't you see how hard we must work!?! Very hard. Is it hard to be Catholic? How conditioned to work are you? We must be athletes for God. Is it hard? No pain no gain.

Thanks so much for adding your thoughts, especially from a parent's perspective...very insightful and helpful!

Jerry

chris1 · #14 Jun 21, '05, 9:47 am

i grew up Catholic and never really thought about my faith. i knew there was a God, but was indifferent. it was only a few years ago that i really became involved because of shows like yours and EWTN. i have learned more about my fath in the last couple of years than i ever have.
on a day to day basis i get teased for reading these forums by a certain coworker who was Catholic and is still on the fence, but i am working on him and someday i hope he will see again.

i appreciate all that you do and i know it has been a blessing in my life.

Bruised Reed · #15 Jun 21, '05, 10:04 am

I hope "young" is relative. When I lived in the DC area I knew a lot of Catholics who were young and into their faith. Where I live now (rural, small town) the only ones with whom I can talk faith freely are, well, nowhere near my age. Nothing wrong with that but there are somethings that they don't get.

Also, I'm single in an uber-Noah's ark world ( to paraphrase Bonacci). People get married very young here. And many have kids when if not married and even if not married they are committed even if it's only to their children. That complicates things. Y'know?

And what is that verse about a prophet in his own land? Well, where I live, that would be me. I moved back to my hometwon with a lot more Catholicism under my belt and everyone expected me to be the same.

I would love me some Theology on Tap.