The Little Church

A dear friend wrote to chide me for having slacked off on writing of late! I can't say as I mind his nudge in the least and by chance it pushes me to offer a book recommendation and kind of a little challenge with this quote from Joseph Bevan:

Looking back, I do not think that my family was as happy as God wanted it to be, because the spiritual side of our existence was sidelined and ignored. I do not blame Ma and Pa for this, because they trusted the teachers and clergy of the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, they were badly let down, and the result is that a whole generation of unbelievers has now been spawned by my brothers and sisters. It is still a mystery to me how my parents were so blind to the unfolding crisis and often uncritically supportive of some of its worst results. [Bevan, Joseph. Two Families: A Memoir of English Life During and After the Council (p. 23). Os Justi Press. Kindle Edition.]

You can debate all you want about Bevan's analysis of the crisis in the Church and even remain pensive about whether passing on the faith to your children is reducible to Mom and Dad witnessing to their children their own love of the Lord, but Joseph convinces me even further that the faith will not be passed on if not within the family.

Bevan's "memoir" contrasting his parents' family and that of him and his wife Claire couldn't be more respectful, offering judgments which do not lack in the slightest the love and respect in which he holds his big, talented and broken family.

What's my challenge? To move beyond denial to embrace the present brokenness of the Catholic Church. I will leave it at that and see whether I can find the words and the heart to compose a more detailed and pointed analysis of the situation.

Pray for me as I do for you!

PROPERANTES ADVENTUM DIEI DEI

Happy Septuagesima Sunday!