Young adults and the Church

As a 22-year-old who regularly attends Mass, it seems each year I see fewer kids my age there. Though it still remains a highly successful organization, the Catholic Church needs to find a way to fix this issue fast. 

But perhaps the solution is not something that can help the Church immediately. In fact, maybe it is better to focus less on the struggles of today and more on becoming stronger for the future. 

In order to do this, the Church needs to target the younger generation. Its future depends on the youth and it is time we recognize that. Currently, it seems that the idea is for parents to raise their children as Catholics and that will keep the faith going for future generations. 

Eventually, kids mature into young adults and begin to make decisions for themselves. One of the decisions is based on religion, and recently my age group is beginning to turn away from the Catholic tradition. But instead of working to bring us back, we get criticized.

One of the biggest knocks on kids today is that we're "lazy." There's no doubt we have become less socially active, but think about how times have changed. Back in the day, kids found their entertainment by running around and socializing with the community. When it rained they stayed in and watched television, which played programs that were as exciting as a pet rock. 

Nowadays we have digital cable, which provides us with educational shows such as "The Hills" and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Why waste time walking to a friend's house when we can just text or instant message them? Between fantasy football teams and downloading music to our iPods, you think we have the time to go out and pray?
Yes, this is a problem. As the future of our faith we need to step up, turn off the Playstation, and do our duty as Catholics. The Church needs us to be successful, and lately we've been about as useful as a Slinky. 

At the same time, the Catholic Church needs to take action as well. Mass needs to be more appealing to 17- to - 24-year-olds. Sure, there are youth groups and faith formation programs, but that's not enough. There needs to be a new outlook on the people who attend Mass. 

Teens need a reason to go to church, and a good one at that. If we're going to do something, we want it be fun and honestly, going to church is not our version of "fun." There needs to be a younger feel. 

Maybe get a few students to do the readings and petitions or bring up the gifts. Perhaps every once in a while the priest can use the homily to discuss something a college kid can relate to. Two words that entice any teen are "free" and "food," so why not offer some free food? A plate of doughnuts or muffins is more attractive to an 18-year-old than Megan Fox, starlet of the "Transformers."

My demographic cohort is going to have the final say on whether or not Catholicism is going to continue being the traditional religious powerhouse it has been. 
I'll admit we need to be more responsible. That being said, shouldn't the Church also be paying more attention to us?

(11/20/08)