Exactly!

I lived on a block with 56 catholic kids on it...on Sundays if you wanted to go to a different mass you just stood outside and got a ride with someone....AND the pastor posted the weekly contribution by name of every family....he preached constantly about money as well...no one liked him much. Going to Sunday mass was simply a fact of life...had nothing to do with faith.

Today's youth..who often leave the church before they are in their early 20s if CARA is right ....don't live in catholic enclaves...probably have not attended catholic schools..have had some spotty Religious Ed....and are not there on Sunday mornings.

The social reinforcement is absent, as are the shame and guilt factors....if Grandma wants a catholic wedding it may occur...but that's about it for the Nones.

I think that meeting these guys where they are....I like that Theology on Tap deal is a good thing. I like ecumenical social justice projects....Habitat for Humanity type deals....(cont)