I'm a young person who goes to church for all those reasons listed,but feel that bad homilies are something that can drive people away. He does raise an intersting point about why the mainline churches aren't booming. I am a mainline Protestant minister's daughter who converted because of the distintivly Catholic beliefs with the saints, Mary and the wonderful prayers of the Mass and receiving the Eucharist. I was also drawn to the social justice emphasis and share the same views as many NCR readers on more controversial issues. I converted and will stay as long as I can, but it is hard finding other young people with similar views,especially when the larger parishes have more traditional young people in line with Bishop Morlino.