2006.10.01: October 1, 2006: Headlines: COS - Mali: Religion: Catholicism: U.S. Catholic: When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Mali: Peace Corps Mali : The Peace Corps in Mali: 2006.10.01: October 1, 2006: Headlines: COS - Mali: Religion: Catholicism: U.S. Catholic: When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation

By Admin1 (admin) (ppp-70-129-41-112.dsl.okcyok.swbell.net - 70.129.41.112) on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 10:03 am: Edit Post

When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation

When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation

"It was the first time I'd ever been without an organized Catholic Church," said the 27-year-old, who now lives in Washington, D.C. Mattessich, who had sung weekly in a Newman Center choir during her years as a Wellesley College student, drew strength during this challenging time from her favorite church song, "Be Not Afraid." "It became my mantra during my time in the Peace Corps," she says.

When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation

We're just not that into you

Oct 1, 2006

U.S. Catholic

[Excerpt]

Why aren't more young adults making it to Mass? We went straight to the source for answers. Their reasons, they say, range from a crowded calendar to disenchantment with the church to just prefering to stay in with the Sunday paper.

When Molly Mattesfcch served as a Peace Corps volunteer two years ago in the West African nation of Mali, she relied on audio tapes of Sunday Mass to stay connected to her Catholic faith during her two- year tenure in the predominantly Muslim nation.

"It was the first time I'd ever been without an organized Catholic Church," said the 27-year-old, who now lives in Washington, D.C. Mattessich, who had sung weekly in a Newman Center choir during her years as a Wellesley College student, drew strength during this challenging time from her favorite church song, "Be Not Afraid." "It became my mantra during my time in the Peace Corps," she says.

But after a few months, tapes and mantras weren't enough to sustain Mattessich's Catholic connection, and she now identifies her Peace Corps years as a spiritual turning point. "I listened to the same services over and over, and it became hard to keep up without the community," she says. "I started journaling a lot more, and I thought, 'Hmm, I can sort of live without this, maybe.' "

Complicating matters further was Mattessich's growing awareness of the lack of church leadership roles held by women, which began to trouble her more and more. Witnessing the widespread effects of AIDS in Africa caused her to question the church's teaching on contraception. Then, after she returned to the United States, her favorite Boston parish closed. It was the last straw.

Mattessich says she "almost never" attends Mass anymore. When she does, she harbors negative feelings toward what she experiences.

"When I go to Catholic services now, I think, 'Oh my gosh, you people have no connection to reality,' " she says. Mattessich has decidedly relinquished her place in the pews for the time being, and a multitude of young adult Catholics have chosen to do the same. Whether their absences stem from a disagreement with church teachings or the seductive powers of the Sunday paper, for the church, the widespread lack of engagement among its younger members is an inconvenient truth whose underpinnings are hard to discern.

RENE M. LAREAU is the author of Getting a Life: How to Find Your True Vocation (Orbis, 2003), a book on faith and discernment for young adults. She lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Copyright Claretian Publications Oct 2006




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