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St. Mary’s Church — the building that is — is a mute giant near downtown Metamora.
The building does not attract attention. The parishioners, who call that building their spiritual home, however, are working to bring attention to themselves and their church.
And, they have found some creative ways to do it. Their “Rosary Walk” is a great example. It is an important effort.
The Pew Center for the People and the Press in a 2010 survey found Americans between 18 and 29 are far less religious than older Americans.
“Fewer young adults belong to any particular faith than older people do today.
They also are less likely to be affiliated than their parents’ and grandparents’ generations were when they were young,” Pew reported.
A quarter of so-called “Millennials” are unaffiliated with any particular faith.
“And compared with their elders today, fewer young people say that religion is very important in their lives,” Pew found in the survey.
Is that the fault of the young people or a symptom of a church community that has been laying low for too long? Valid arguments can be made either way.
The parishioners and church leaders at St. Mary’s in Metamora recognize the issue exists and are attacking it without regard for blame.
The “Rosary Walk” on Aug. 14 is part of a larger effort called “Mission Metamora.” The purpose of the entire effort is to bring those who have fallen out of the faith back in the fold or attract those looking for faith.
“Mission Metamora,” is the brainchild of Father Donald Roszkowski.
“We’re trying to plant seeds ...” Roszkowski said before the walk started.
Gene Springer of Metamora added, “This work is important. It goes back to who you are. We are proud of our faith,” Springer said.
“We want to invite those who fell away from their faith to come back. There’s nothing wrong with outreach. In the way our times are so uncertain, you need a little spiritualizing no matter who you are.”
Springer is right. Metamora is being well served by St. Mary’s effort. In the end, it is the effort, not the denomination involved, that truly matters. Can we get an “Amen” to that?
St. Mary’s Church — the building that is — is a mute giant near downtown Metamora.
The building does not attract attention. The parishioners, who call that building their spiritual home, however, are working to bring attention to themselves and their church.
And, they have found some creative ways to do it. Their “Rosary Walk” is a great example. It is an important effort.
The Pew Center for the People and the Press in a 2010 survey found Americans between 18 and 29 are far less religious than older Americans.
“Fewer young adults belong to any particular faith than older people do today.
They also are less likely to be affiliated than their parents’ and grandparents’ generations were when they were young,” Pew reported.
A quarter of so-called “Millennials” are unaffiliated with any particular faith.
“And compared with their elders today, fewer young people say that religion is very important in their lives,” Pew found in the survey.
Is that the fault of the young people or a symptom of a church community that has been laying low for too long? Valid arguments can be made either way.
The parishioners and church leaders at St. Mary’s in Metamora recognize the issue exists and are attacking it without regard for blame.
The “Rosary Walk” on Aug. 14 is part of a larger effort called “Mission Metamora.” The purpose of the entire effort is to bring those who have fallen out of the faith back in the fold or attract those looking for faith.
“Mission Metamora,” is the brainchild of Father Donald Roszkowski.
“We’re trying to plant seeds ...” Roszkowski said before the walk started.
Gene Springer of Metamora added, “This work is important. It goes back to who you are. We are proud of our faith,” Springer said.
“We want to invite those who fell away from their faith to come back. There’s nothing wrong with outreach. In the way our times are so uncertain, you need a little spiritualizing no matter who you are.”
Springer is right. Metamora is being well served by St. Mary’s effort. In the end, it is the effort, not the denomination involved, that truly matters. Can we get an “Amen” to that?
