Parochial life has changed drastically. Fifty years ago, 80% of all Christians were in Europe and North America. Today 80% of all Christians are in South America, Asia & Africa. European & American Church is in the minority. Fewer than 30% of American Catholics attend church regularly on Sunday and in Europe it is even less than that.
The situation in India is very versatile. The rural church has kept up her children together. There is still encouraging signs of gospel being lived in honesty and sincere efforts are made to pass the faith and tradition to the subsequent generation. But it is the big cities that are seeing a downward trend and is a matter of grave concern. Our youth in the metros are being influenced by the media and technology. Science has taken away the wonder out of the stars, psychology has explained away the supernatural and secularism has eaten away at the spiritual. Economic prosperity has made people independent and no longer dependent on God.
What all this is saying is this: the parishes and the pastors have to brace up to face the reality – deeply, profoundly and spiritually – as they stand at the face of this brutal reality. During St. Gregory’s time monks were pulled out of their monastery in the sixth century and asked to evangelize barbarian Europe. Today also a situation has arisen where we need to evangelize the Christian people and parish is the place to begin.
We are glad to state that Holy Family Church community at Gomti Nagar is a vibrant parish. It consists of people coming from different background, speaking various languages, following diverse cultures and culinary habits. Yet we are united in one spirit and that is the spirit of the Holy Family of Nazareth. We have miles to go in the work of evangelization. There are people who are not coming to Sunday church regularly. There are children who are not going to regular school due to various reasons. There are couples who are not married in the church as per the sacramental life of the church. We need to stand together and help these people to come to Jesus.
We are launching our website to enable all our parishioners to keep in touch with the parish activities and with one another. May our efforts to bring the good news to all bear fruit in hundred fold.
God bless you all
Rev. Fr. George D’Costa