Getting excited about the Catholic faith

‘Give me a call’

A couple of weeks ago while out at a restaurant for breakfast with two very fine priests, a woman introduced herself and told me that I had confirmed her grandson right after I became a bishop 10 years ago. I asked her if her grandson was still practicing the faith. She was quick to point out he wasn’t. I gave his mom, who was also there, my business card. I asked that she give the card to her son so he could call me. In turn, the mom said: “This is my son’s girlfriend.” She turned to the young lady next to her. The mom then pointed out that the young lady was on the phone with the man I had confirmed. The mom said: “This is a good time for you to speak with him yourself.” The girlfriend handed the cell phone to me!

I introduced myself, reminded him that I had confirmed him, and he admitted that he had drifted away from the faith. I told him that we needed him back — and that he needed us. I invited him to call me so we could meet to talk and find out what happened in his life. (Offer a prayer that he gives me a call.) He hasn’t done so yet.

It’s been my experience that so many people never really leave or reject the faith as much as they simply drift away. Maybe after high school they got caught up in a lifestyle that wasn’t conducive to practicing the faith. Or maybe it was the distraction of that first real job and all the responsibilities that came with life once they were out of school. Or maybe just the desire for more sleep on Sunday. In any case, once Mass is missed, everything else, including prayer, seems to just go by the wayside. It’s rarely apostasy. It’s usually apathy.

In my installation homily, I talked about the need for us to get excited about our faith. A sure sign of that excitement is our willingness to evangelize, to showcase our faith — to spread the Good News that God loves us and in that love he gives us the chance to be saved. This Good News is something you and I need to share with those who know nothing about faith, as well as to those who were once practicing, but have drifted away.

You are missed

Thanks to your pastor, this issue of the Pittsburgh Catholic is mailed to every registered household in the diocese. It reaches practicing Catholics who pick up the newspaper every week, as well as some Catholics who might have drifted away over time.

To you practicing Catholics, I say, BE EXCITED about sharing your FAITH. By your example, you can invigorate someone’s faith that has become “blah!” All so many people need is a nudge from a friend, an invitation to come back home. No matter the problem, no matter where decisions might have taken them in life, we can get them back to the sacraments, back to a grace-filled life, back to the church, back to God. We just have to ask them. They might say, “Yes,” and their lives will never be the same again, and ours in turn will be all the better, too!

If you are someone who has drifted away and you are browsing through this newspaper, let me be the one to invite you back today. We miss you, and I know you will find that you have missed us. The grace of the sacraments, that intimacy with the living presence of Jesus, is waiting for you.

Talk to a friend. Talk to a priest. If you wish, drop me a line. But just come back. We’ve been looking for you. It would be great to welcome you home again.