If you're catholic ... clap your hands

I was reading an essay by a John T. Fischer, an author and educator(?)  He wrote from the perspective of the 'lost generation' which we have in our Church today.  He grew up at about the same time that I did, the sixties and the seventies, though he might be a few years my senior.  He has an interesting perspective of faith and religion, and why he does not "practice" in the traditional sense, and yet considers himself Catholic.

Fischer's point is that there is this cultural Catholicism which loves the rituals, sacraments, mystery, and the stories of the saints, and yet is not inclined to go to Mass on Sundays, nor adhere to the most basic teachings of the Church.  (In teachings, not the dogmas or doctrines)  Fischer is neither hateful towards the Church, nor does he despise what it stands for.

Fischer articulates that the Mystical Body of Christ is the model by which he leads his life.  To be sure he would say that through the sacraments of initiation we are made one with God, through the Paschal Mystery.  It is this union with God, and the development of that relationship with God and others which is most important.  Just as we have communion with God, we also have communion with on another.  He uses the examples of Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton who held similar views.  Yet Fischer is the first to admit that these folks, being converts, cannot fully comprehend the integral nature of Catholicism, since they were not born into it.

I meet these people in the parish a lot.  Now these are not the nominal peoples who want drive through sacramental services, but have a depth to them, and more so an understanding of Catholic faith.  But it is difficult to minister to them since they generally do not register in parishes, or participate in parish life.  A few years ago we had a wonderful family come in to prepare a funeral for their mother.  They had some wonderful ideas for the liturgy, they struggled with which scripture readings to have read, and wanted to carry their mother's body the three blocks to the cemetery.  The kids all lived in the DeKalb area, they all said they were catholic, yet none were part of the Parish.

Now I am a Vatican II type Catholic.  I have a deep love of the smells and bells, but believe in collaboration and the working for the Church between the laity and the clergy.  But belonging to Church is important.  That is why this way always bugs me.  I am deeply inspired by the description of the Acts of the Apostles, and Pauline Churches.  I believe we are members of the Body of Christ, but cannot be members of the body apart from the core of the community.

A challenge we have today is how to minister to this typology, the 'Cultural Catholic.'  We have to minister to them, that is our obligation.  And at the end of the day they are very connected to faith and life with God through Jesus Christ.  But these people would politely decline any invitation to be part of 'Church' or the programs thereof.  I suppose we could wag our fingers at them and tell them they are going to hell; but that is neither pastoral nor prudent.

I think about the description of Nathaniel from chapter 3 in John's Gospel.  The fact that they are seekers is a good thing.  But as a Church we need to examine our mode and messages carefully.