tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post1353513992066447802..comments2023-09-25T12:28:36.198-04:00Comments on Metanoia: Modern Crisis: Chasing Big Numbers At Quality's ExpenseGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-70167425078894168212010-02-25T22:06:01.778-05:002010-02-25T22:06:01.778-05:00Father, thank you for the insightful comment. The ...Father, thank you for the insightful comment. The priesthood requires putting aside worldly hopes; religious vocations require this as well, as do on some level lay apostolates and organizations.<br />Sacrifice is at the heart of our faith, and American culture doesn't exactly celebrate the concept of sacrifice. <br /><br />I would be willing to bet that your anecdote is a very common story; I can't imagine many American Catholics praying that one of their 2.5 children sacrifices his or her life for anything but material reward. It makes me wonder: is contemporary American culture steadily choking out Catholicism?Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-52346306845307311502010-02-25T15:45:39.228-05:002010-02-25T15:45:39.228-05:00I don't feel I can comment on religious orders...I don't feel I can comment on religious orders, but as a diocesan priest, I see something parallel in the small number of vocations to the priesthood. I think there is a mentality among a large number of Catholics that does not encourage vocations to the priesthood. Here is an example: It was only a few weeks ago that a woman whose son showed some interest in the priesthood expressed the mild objection that she wanted grandchildren. It was a comment that I've heard from many parents. The comment was innocent enough, but the mentality is telling. For many parents, their hopes for their sons' future include grandchildren, not the celibate priesthood. Now, in the case of the woman I was talking to, if her son really expressed interest in entering the seminary, I have no doubt that she would be very proud of his choice. But is she praying for his vocation and encouraging him to do so now? I have my doubts. Okay, that's no more than a single example. It's anecdotal evidence. But do you know of any parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or anybody who is really encouraging vocations to the priesthood? Our diocese is in the process of restructuring, a major reason for which is the declining number of priests. Many dioceses are doing the same. Perhaps this will be a wake up call. We currently have 96 active priests. In five years we may have 70 active priests under 70. In ten years we may have around 40 active priests under 70, and that won't include me. If I'm still alive and still healthy, I will not be under 70.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com