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This was a question I responded to on www.iibloom.com today:
What is the best way to get back in the groove of going to Church?
Asked on September 23, 2009
Throughout High School I attended Church on a regular basis with my parents. In college, I would go out on the weekends and would have a tough time regularly attending Church on Sunday….not an excuse…just reality. Now that I am out of college the same routine persists. I’m a baptized Catholic and consider myself Catholic and I have a deep hunger to grow deeper in the faith and prioritize my life. Aside from the lame excuse of my nightlife I have found it very hard to find people to attend Mass with me and I don’t feel comfortable going alone. Any advice?
Answer
Great question! The motivation to regularly attend Mass, after not attending for a while, MUST come from within you. You state, “I have a deep hunger to grow deeper in faith and prioritize my life. ” This is wonderful! No one else can make these decisions for you, so you must come to an understanding of where your motivation “lives,” in order to feed your deep hunger. If your motivation isn’t where you want it, make changes (small or big) to get to where you want to be. I heard it said one time, “Our lives change when our habits change.” These changes don’t come easy and they don’t simply happen because you want them to. It takes action and determination to make these incredibly important changes in your life. You can do it!
I believe that part (a BIG part) of the motivation to attend Mass comes from our understanding of what is happening at Mass. If we understand what Christ did on the cross for us, we’ll better understand what He instituted at the Last Supper and what happens at each and every Mass. We are there to celebrate the Heavenly Banquet, here on earth! Who knew Mass was a big ‘ol party?! (For more on this, I would research “Eucharistic Celebration” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or speak with your local priest. If you don’t have a Catechism, I highly encourage you to get one and learn how to use it. It will be a wonderful tool for you!)
Blessings,
Dave
Answered on September 23, 2009 by Dave DiNuzzo
