Catholic Singles

Dear Father,

I am currently reading Pierced by a Sword by Bud Macfarlane, and I am amazed by the Catholic community represented in the book. The genuine love and faith are incredible in a world where mere lip servise is paid to Catholicism. My question: How can we find strong catholics to be friends with? Where are they 'hiding'? Since reading this book I thirst for this sort of friendship, but have been unsuccessful in finding it. Where else should I look?

In the Heart of Mary,
Jessica

Hi Jessica!  Thanks for your note!  What an interesting question.  And one that I hear often.  Being here in a Campus Ministry setting, we seem to create a really nice community for our students.  They are able to come together for Mass, community service, social activities, etc.  And then once they graduate, they struggle since they find parishes "too large" "too cold" or "too interested in older people" (or younger people)

The challenge sometimes begins by taking the initiative to join a parish that you feel connected to.  Maybe you check out a few parishes and "feel them out".  See what activities, organizations that are there that maybe you'd like to get involved with.  I know in my old parish, the choir really grew over the years and it became it's own little community - where they'd get together after rehearsal and grab a bite to eat or grab a drink. 

Sometimes it takes just someone like you to ask others to consider doing something "more" than what is "typical" for us Catholics to get the ball rolling.

I'm sorry, because I know this can be a challenging and difficult process.  But the fact that you desire such a good thing says to me that perhaps the Lord is putting that on your heart to encourage you to help establish something.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Father Jim