Without question, this is what I get asked more than any other evangelization question–in parishes, through email, in conversation. Why doesn’t my son/daughter/spouse/sibling go to Church anymore? Why doesn’t the worship of God seem to matter to them?
If you found this article through the magic of Google, know this: you are not alone. Currently, only 15% of adults who were raised Catholic remain active Catholics in adulthood. That is a tragic number, and points to two things: 1) we need to work differently with our young people today than in generations past, and 2) the secular culture has a much bigger impact on the formation of our young (and old) people than we care to admit.
But there is all manner of hope, because Jesus Christ is Lord, the Holy Spirit is active, and God wants your son or daughter or spouse in loving relationship with him through his Church–more than you do! We cannot force our desire or even the Lord’s desire on adults with free will. But we can cooperate with God’s spiritual wooing of your family member, by being a conduit of his kindness, mercy, patience, and invitation.
If you live with concern for your loved one’s relationship to God through the Church, I challenge you now to stand on top of your worry and become the prayer warrior this person needs. Strengthen the relationship and be the face of Christ to this person. Listen to his or her story. Share your story. Invite them back, leave breadcrumbs back “home,” and be an honest witness. Pray and make a plan as to how you will love them. And once you commit to your plan, put any worry into the hands of God.
There are two tools that may help you think through how to invite your loved one back…or to come and see. One is this video, part of a recent webinar on the topic.
The other tool is this printable reminder of how to invite your family member to reconsider God through his Church.
If you wish, you can download this spiritual plan here.
We hope these tools help you love, listen, and invite! Never give up hope. Let Hebrews 10:23 be your scripture: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.“
