Saving a Dying, Shrinking Church

Most metrics regarding Church involvement in the United States are bleak. Fewer people attend services. Few people hold to the central beliefs of the faith. Fewer people are raising their kids in religious households. Fr. Casey looks to the words of Karl Rahner, S.J. and offers to paths to kickstarting our lives as disciples.
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[@Irisheddy]

I am a cradle Catholic, then did not attend church for almost 20 years. I went into a church one Sunday saying I need a sign I should be here. The Gospel reading was the the Prodigal Son. I looked up and said "okay I get the hint."

[@justforrfunnn]

I love it! I hope you’ve felt Christ since then and keep the faith burning in your heart 😊

[@tesschavit3009]

Let us pray for all our priests, who dedicate themselves to their people with generosity and unknown sacrifices. Thank you to all our priests.

[@topseykretts7608]

why is the church dying....easy.....Vatican II........Vatican II thought that if we "watered down" the faith and made the Holy Mass more user-friendly, and basically turned everything closer to Protestant churches that it would increase numbers of congregations........but the truth is.......just the opposite happened. The truth is, people Want structure......they want to be held accountable.....today the churches' liberal stance on social issues is pushing many out the door acceptance of homosexuality look the other way when discussing abortion open borders promoting a social Marxist agenda .

[@econdude3811]

The first time I saw one of this priest's videos, I realized that I am now officially old. Goodness gracious he's young!

[@ShawnReidyKofC]

@messiahjesusbible dot com that's not fair and a little harsh. Check the plank in your eye before you criticize the speck in someone else's eye.

[@johnnypierce3933]

@@ShawnReidyKofC That's old stuff from the New Testament ! Read your Torah and really learn who GOD is .

[@soyitaliana78]

Gasp, what!? I’m a catholic

[@WashingtonDC99]

I am so, so thankful that I decided to be Catholic. I chose to be Catholic when I was four years old not because my mother or father took me to church....they never took me to any church. When I was four years old I told my mother that I want to be baptized and that I have chosen to be Catholic. My mother did not listen or pay attentipon to what I was saying after all I was only four years old. I demanded to be baptized, I chose my Godmother. I told the lady who I chose to be my Godmother the situation. The irony of all is....that I was baptized September 11. I can say that I have been Catholic my whole life.Thank you so much for the video clip father Casey. God bless you.

[@damonanderson1060]

I am not a Catholic, but was greatly moved by the Father’s discussion. I think every Christian should hear this! Thank you for this posting.

[@cecilthecockatoo]

Damon Anderson it’s always time for you research deeply and know better and maybe become a catholic

[@topseykretts7608]

why is the church dying....easy.....Vatican II........Vatican II thought that if we "watered down" the faith and made the Holy Mass more user-friendly, and basically turned everything closer to Protestant churches that it would increase numbers of congregations........but the truth is.......just the opposite happened. The truth is, people Want structure......they want to be held accountable.....today the churches' liberal stance on social issues is pushing many out the door acceptance of homosexuality look the other way when discussing abortion open borders promoting a social Marxist agenda .

[@roberteaston6413]

@@topseykretts7608 Before the 1960's the Roman Catholic Church in Quebec condemned urbanisation and the big cities as being sinful. French-Canadian culture was built on the land. It was rooted on the farms and the small villages. They knew that once people left the farms and villages that church attendance would decline. The Catholic Church in Quebec said that big cities and urbanisation would destroy French-Canadian Catholic culture. They were correct. The ironic thing about this is that the Catholic Church contributed to this problem. The Catholic Church encouraged the people of Quebec to have large families. For two hundred years French-Canadians had the largest birthrate in the world for a European people. With such a large surplus population they had no choice but to leave the farms and villages and go to the big cities.

[@topseykretts7608]

@@roberteaston6413 ....hmmmm....interesting. I believe it. You're right

[@roberteaston6413]

@@topseykretts7608 The Catholic Church is glad that so many Filipinos are immigrating to Canada. Filipino immigrants have rejuvenated a lot of Catholic Churches in Canada.

[@Irisheddy]

This is a time of great purification for the church. The people who really believe will continue to attend

[@97ponce]

im from the Philippines. The Church still plays a big part of our culture.. many still attend daily and sunday Masses.. Churches are packed with faithful who adhere to the Gospel. now with the Pandemic.. Our Masses are online.. still many watch the online Masses.

[@casuallavaring]

I think he's mainly talking about the Western world

[@schormu]

God bless christians in asia.

[@smokeymcpot69]

God bless Christians in Africa

[@mightybondgayming5330]

I'm starting to feel the decline of the Church, I have like over a dozen relatives and acquaintances either becoming lapsed Catholics or switching to a new faith - mostly evangelical churches

[@aaron1983]

The Philippines is different, the Catholic Church there exercises compassion first before anything else. As a Filipino in the US, that's the biggest difference I see - somehow I feel judgment here before mercy.

[@jackr1689]

Thank you for this video, Fr. Casey. I’m preparing to enter seminary this Fall and I feel a particular call to work with the youth. My small town in Indiana has a large population of Catholics, but you could consider it more of a lukewarm culture. We started a youth group for the whole city that unites all the parishes that puts on a high schooler-led retreat twice a year with weekly meetings. As a leader of the group, we have been helping the students to foster relationships with Christ and it has been so successful that we had over 60 high school students show up every week to put on the last month’s retreat, with almost 100 kids coming on the retreat! Please pray for the group’s continued success and love for Christ!

[@6williamson]

This is just so great on all fronts! Hope you don't mind if the rest of us pray for you, too.

[@yeahnah2862]

Didn't you learn anything from the Church's sex abuse disaster? Convert adults then let those adults school their children in the faith.

[@jackr1689]

Peter pensive We can use all the prayers we can get!

[@jackr1689]

Yeah nah We have an amazing set of priests here in my Diocese who have saved so many souls. We’re here to convert all, not some. God bless :)

[@TradPapol]

Are you going to the College Seminary or Meinard?

[@pajimacas]

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love, Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth... ✝️🕊️🔥 ❤️👑💙

[@virginiafonacier8795]

AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...

[@robby319]

We usually ignore the words of the priest invoking the Holy Spirit to descend to the altar. That He is sent by the Son and just as he came to Our Lady to take flesh, he comes to us now in the form of bread and wine. We need to know in minds and hearts that we can actually get this close, that He is really there. “I will not leave you orphans"

[@saleemsajid8319]

Tenda tenda tenda .

[@angiem2001]

The state of the world over this past month has led me to really seek out God. I grew up Catholic and have always considered myself Catholic, yet I wouldn't say I've truly known my religion as well as I should have. My daughters go to a Catholic school, so I definitely feel like I truly understand the importance of knowing one's faith. There has been so many things I've seen in this world as of late that have truly inspired me and have made me see the good in humanity. But on that same token, I see so many people using God as a way of power over others. I've seen people say and treat others so horribly, and yet they claim to be good Christians. This has all made me feel so sad. I started looking on KZbin for answers to some questions that have been on my heart. I stumbled upon your channel a few days ago, and if has helped me tremendously. You have definitely inspired me to search for a deeper and more meaningful connection with Jesus. You've also given me hope for this world. Thank you. Do you have any books you can recommend for someone seeking these things? The way you preach really connects with me, so I'd love to find other things that have a similar vibe. Thanks again.

[@isoldam]

I hope you get some suggestions for books, because I'm looking for good Catholic books as well. One of my favorite KZbin channels for Catholic content is Bishop Barron's: kzbin.infofeatured

[@hayleymarse2853]

Even if you don’t want to do a Consecration to Mary, I highly recommend True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort. It’s a really good book that helped me a lot

[@kemmow25]

We can all do more and better. I agree that the flood gates will open when this pademic gets behind us.

[@elizabethd.838]

angiem2001 God bless you on your journey to the Immaculate Heart of Jesus. ❤️ I would like to suggest listening to conversion stories, especially by those that vehemently hated what they thought was the Catholic Church/catechism.

[@queenofhearts7726]

So glad you found Fr. Casey! Depending on “lockdown” orders in your area, if you aren’t already attending Mass weekly, I recommend you start and go to confession first thing! You might consider attending Mass and adoration during the week. Our church has adoration, private prayer time and live-streams Mass on FB daily. If you can’t attend in person, watch on KZbin... they even will do livestream of adoration on some channels. Do an examination of conscience, a good act of contrition and spiritual communion daily. You will soon feel more and more of a draw toward Jesus. As for good books, I’ll get to that, but check out this list I provided for someone else after I found them useful when I was beginning my journey back to faith: How To Be Christian; Ascension Presents; EWTN Journey Home (they have others of interest, too); Bishop Robert Barron; Brian Holdsworth; Busted Halo; Catholic Answers; Catholic Truth; Catholic4rednecks; Creed 101; Fr. Mark Goring; Fr. William Nicholas; Keith Nester; Steven Ray (he’s really good, too); Matt Fradd; Practical Theism; The Coming Home Network; The Counsel of Trent; The Joy Of The Faith; Catholic Productions and many more. You can search KZbin by subject and find videos that way, too, but start with videos by the above channels. If you want details about the Catholic Faith, I recommend you download the Laudate app. It’s free and contains a searchable Catechism and all the documents, including two versions of the Catholic Bible, referenced in the footnotes. It has prayers, daily Mass readings with reflexions and interactive rosary with bible verses that go with the mysteries, etc. Check it out! Although it was awkward at first, my husband and I say the rosary every night along with added prayers we’ve chosen. We use an app called I-Rosary (blue cross and rays on a white background). I like it because you can add your own intro and conclusion prayers along with your intentions for novenas. Oh! You might also want to join your local RCIA classes... you will learn tons!

[@zaneknowlton]

As a convert that was supposed to be coming into the church this Easter I joined because the church didn’t pander to me or conform to me I joined because it was true and I had to conform to it. The Church changed my life even if it feels like many of the members focus too heavily on minutiae and not on taking care of others and evangelism.

[@6williamson]

O K, Welcome Brother! I, too am a convert from being an agnostic. I hear you on the minutiae. You've got the right attitude.

[@zaneknowlton]

Peter pensive awesome to hear, very encouraging

[@elizabethd.838]

Very refreshing to hear. It’s very disappointing to hear so many declare that they’re seeking a church that suits themselves. 😩

[@Alwayslearnimg]

o k A green same for me. I was looking forward to the Easter vigil and everything that went with it but our time will come. I don’t want to church that’s always changing . I want the church that speaks the truth. Thank God for bringing me home

[@Alwayslearnimg]

Peter pensive I was an atheist for 15 years. And through a series of events God gently and sometimes not so gently pushed me towards the Catholic Church. And I’m so thankful

[@juanisdany14]

Thank you father. I'm a single mom, my only son is 7 years old. I take him to church when I'm off, during the week or weekend. I feel I'm responsible for keeping the faith of God in my small family, thank you for the video have a bless day 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jaybartgis5148]

Why are you a single mom?

[@sdstacey46]

Kudos to you. God said His word will not return to Him void. We never know when or how that will happen but your devotion WILL reap fruit in your son’s life, and for the Kingdom of Heaven!

[@peternicholson2504]

I am enjoying listening to this with a cup of tea. I remember when it was standing room only if you were late to mass. Now people have drifted away. Too many distractions.

[@lindasanderson1699]

@@marcokite There are some people who are so against change, they blame Vatican ll for all the problems in society today.

[@The12thSeahorse]

Yes, your right there are too many distractions......but those distractions also become a testing ground to how much you love the Lord and his Church.

[@trying-to-learn]

Hi Father Casey, I go to UGA. Me and some Orthodox friends came into your office to talk to you if you remember. I hope you're doing well!! I just wanted to say that on the point of 'no one has ever converted because they lost an argument', I actually literally did. I read enough philosophy and become convinced about the reality of God as unlimited being via the argument from contingency. Hegel led me to realize that Kant's proofs against God weren't sound. Other arguments convinced me of the necessity of God the Son as this bridge of organization (Logos) and between the transcendent God (the Father) and the immanent God (the Holy Spirit). It's certainly rare, but there are those of us who have been converted by arguments.

[@6williamson]

I agree with you, Riley, and the evidence for the resurrection is quite impressive. The church is just so big with different gifts, and intellectuals like yourself, have an important place!

[@atakan2879]

I am one of those who has converted by argument. I grew up in a Muslim country and in a faithless family. I have always been interested in philosophy and science. I was fascinated by the ideas of atheism, represented by Richard Dawkins, Lawrance Krauss, Peter Singer ... (this list may be very long) in those days, I really read a lot of books like the God Delusion, the Selfish gene , God Is Not Great, and I tried to understand atheism and "Godlessness" but some things still felt like they were incomplete. The idea of ​​the universe being such a purposeless place made me a different, unhappy person. After a long period of depression and confusion, I came across a book at the book fair one day: Antony Flew's book, "There is a god". I knew him as a atheist so i was suprised and the book was completly good, but the important thing was not about the book,with that book I had the courage to ask myself if there was God. In the coming time. I started reading Thomas Aqunias, Pascal, C.S lewis, John Lennox, Josh Mcdowell and many others. I just realized how long I wrote and how long I'm going to wrote so, I just want to summarize briefly. I asked myself some questions, I am sure that anyone who is looking for these questions honestly will find the answer. Firstly i believed that there is start ( by The big bang theory) and the end (by Entropy Law) of universe. I think these are strong arguments. And i asked following questions '' Who wrote the laws of nature? Did the universe know we are coming? Can we talk about existence from nothing? Did Jesus really live? Is there anything that refutes the truth of the resurrection? Could Jesus's apostles sacrifice their lives for nothing for the sake of nothing? As a result of another questions and long answers , I found the truth, happines, of life,my home : the Holy Catholic Church.

[@erravi]

Me too! I was an atheist/agnostic from childhood up until I started researching the philosophical arguments and watching debates on theistic topics. The persuasiveness and soundness of the arguments moved my heart away from the naturalistic view. What really moved me was CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity, the discovery that it was a Catholic priest who created the big bang theory (and the resulting ‘no youre wrong, the universe is eternal!’ from atheists at the time), and gary habermas’ Case for the Resurrection. all the dumb stuff i thought about christians as an atheist was disproved.

[@erock5b]

@@erravi Dude. Praise The Lord. Your comment makes me hopeful for so many atheists I've known.

[@AndrewB21]

Same here. I was a basic nominal Christian going to a Christian school until around 10, and then started questioning God and Jesus on the New Atheist style material basis. Was a somewhat militant atheist from that time up until my thirties, when I started seeing cracks in the truth taught to me by the conduits of information within my society. I started seeking answers and ended up coming to Catholicism through the Perennial Traditionalist school of thought. Much happier than I was as an atheist, and much more well-read to boot.

[@lweberl24]

Happy to see a catholic devoted young man on KZbin. In fact, we, the young ones, are feeling very ”lonely” when it comes to faithful peers. But I keep attending to mass every week and praying for God and the Holy Spirit to guide me and my unfaithful friends and family as well. God bless you all and be with you always!

[@samanthavillagomez997]

I liked the part where you said only the people who have had a profound experience will be at the Mass

[@roboparks]

Only the people who have had a profound experience will actually read and study their Bible. And going to service is just a result of that.

[@ianlilley2577]

@@roboparks What would you say to me then? I've seen miracles, and while I do 100% believe in God, I seem to struggle with faith/trust. (I in general struggle with trusting authority) and I'm rather lazy with prayer and reading the bible. Prayer I try and do regularly though forget a good deal.

[@roboparks]

@@ianlilley2577 Well how do you develop a relationship with someone you dont know or spend time with? And Human Authority is always a problem because people , like myself in the beginning I didn't know the rules and seemed to change at a wim and who ever was in charge. You cant minister to be people were they need to be "you can only minster to them were they are at," Jesus does the same with us. Because in the end Im just a tool for Jesus. He is the potter and I the clay. Hes the Carpenter and I the hammer. And A Life with God is begotten - (Not made) and eternal - (no end , no beginning). But tools are meant to be used so thats a why the local church or local parish. Knowing Scripture is not just about the letter (Memorization)of Law but the Spirit of Law (visceral encounter- meaning going beyond the intellect with Gods Logos , beginning to know Gods Ethos, Pathos and Logos- and not mine). You only know that if you know the Word. And in Praying the Scriptures. But just prayer and reading ,studying Scripture is like sitting on a 2 legged chair. With out the Regulatory Service (Not just Sundays but actual service to Gods community- self sacrifice) Then the chair falls over . "" which is His body, the fullness of Him"" You wont know or be a part of the full body of Christ unless you attend and be of service in a local church or local parish. You wont grow and mature either. This is a prayer. There are many in Scripture. Ephesians 1:15-23 New King James Version (NKJV) 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Peace be with you my friend.

[@ianlilley2577]

@@roboparks so I suppose I should join something like the knights of Columbus then

[@roboparks]

@@ianlilley2577 Thats a Order not a local parish . If you feel called to do that . Thats between you and God. You can do what is right and just and support a local congregation without having a official title .Its whats in your heart thats important. Iam assuming your Catholic (from the comment of knights of Columbus) Have you ever been through the Catholic Catechism or at lest studied the context of it? If you haven't I would start there . Then Call a Local Parish or contact through e-mail that you want to know more and start developing a relationship with local leaders and others in your own community. Even during the lock-down you should be able to this. They can point you in the right direction.

[@Wolffur]

I just came from my weekly RCIA class. We have young families joining the Church, and young children too. Take heart, we are in no wise dying out or shrinking.

[@GenXer82]

Throughout life, I've been through ups and downs, and despite adversities, my faith has brought me abundant graces and profound personal spiritual experiences. I've learned over time that being Catholic is not just about religion...it's about developing an ongoing personal relationship with Christ!! Blessed to be one of the mystics.🙏

[@Onlinesully]

GenXer82 good for you, that sure is nice.

[@jimobrien9960]

Your touchy-feels blather and Karl Rahner are what got us here to begin with. Forget your “personal relationships” (whatever that means) and return to the traditions and teachings that made Christianity great.

[@James.B.Russell]

I love this! This is so true. I recently came back to the Faith after many years of atheism and I’m noticing that I’m becoming a bit of an example among my friends and peers. I’m not proselytizing directly, but having discussions and setting an example really helps.

[@paulineconnolly6940]

Saying the Novena rosary brings us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. I returned to the faith before Christmas 2020 and had a profound mystical experience. The profound joy I have walking with our Lord Jesus Christ now allows me, with the Holy Spirits guidance to talk with family and friend with the spirit of wisdom. Through me as the channel of peace people see me and think.....wow, I want what she has! I don't have a church to go to (I went almost everyday) now I just ask our father for everything...and he truly delivers. So, yes! We can evangelise our fellow brethren through speech and joyful glowing of our Holy Spirit. May the peace of the Lord be with you always my friend X

[@anthonysalvatore468]

Blessings Fr. Casey, You are profound and correct. Thank you.

[@FeralSpirit]

I’m not catholic but I totally resonate with this. I am in my 30s and by far the youngest member of my church. I think some of the older folks who I ate Ed church with (who I love deeply) go out of guilt and habit or socialize and I am there searching for the mystics. I feel like a ship adrift. My church are doers but I feel alone spiritually. I appreciate you. Nearly done with your book and it resonates even though I am ignorant about Catholics.

[@dawnibrahim6214]

My parish priest, has remained faithful to offering us those additional traditional liturgical celebrations which help support mystical experiences (besides of course the mass, properly prayed), such as stations of the cross with benediction during lent, vespers on Sunday nights of lent and advent with benediction; and adoration in parishes is key to providing the much needed silence in our busy modern lives; because we won't really have these "mystical experiences" as deeply without Jesus truly present with us in the Eucharist. There is power in that. (Steubenville conferences have very powerful experiences, but all around the eucharist.) Thank you to the parish priests who continue to offer adoration and benediciton!

[@GamaAnderson]

I have never thought I would hear a Franciscan arguing for the extraordinary form; well, almost. The reform of the reform is real! :-)

[@jakehibbard5409]

I’m a Presbyterian. But, this is so good!

[@jackcraven8345]

Jake Hibbard-Vineyard I left them for catholic but I respect your decision to stay

[@johnflorio3052]

I've met many great Presbyterians through the pro-life movement. God bless you!

[@topseykretts7608]

why is the church dying....easy.....Vatican II........Vatican II thought that if we "watered down" the faith and made the Holy Mass more user-friendly, and basically turned everything closer to Protestant churches that it would increase numbers of congregations........but the truth is.......just the opposite happened. The truth is, people Want structure......they want to be held accountable.....today the churches' liberal stance on social issues is pushing many out the door acceptance of homosexuality look the other way when discussing abortion open borders promoting a social Marxist agenda .

[@jackcraven8345]

Topsey Kretts & turning back on doctrine views in favor of equality

[@johnflorio3052]

Yes or no: Is Jesus less sacramentally present -- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity -- in a Novus Ordo Mass?

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

Fr. Casey, thank you again for your reflections. I will offer my POV, that this is in large measure a leadership problem. People go to church to have an experience of the Holy and the Sacred. The music and liturgy in the RC church has become impoverished. The worship experience is now even more "low church" than in many Episcopalian parishes. We don't have to go back to the Latin mass, or ad orientem worship, although kneeling for the eucharist might impart more reverence to the heart. We need better music, music that conveys authentic feelings of worship: devotion, humility, solemnity, tenderness, and glory. We need more dignified language. We are for example, slaughtering the recitation of the psalms with such uninspired behaviors as sitting when we sing (stand when you sing! Any protestant knows that!) responsorial psalm recitation with each side of the room reading alternating verses gets people more involved than repeating these lame melodies and paraphrases. Who creates this stuff? It's as if the people who design our worship have lost all sense of the sacred beauty and of people's need for such experience. And I hear no one speaking up about these things except the fringe right!

[@liammatias2677]

Why do you suggest that we don't have to go back to the Tridentine mass when everything that you just said about better worship that conveys authentic feelings of worship , a more dignified language etc is literally The Tridentine/Ad Orientem Mass. The Tridentine Mass fills the air with glory and gives the sense of authentic worship as if its heaven on earth. The preservation of church teaching, doctrine etc is kept by the Latin language and its kept that way so modernists and heretics don't change, "modernize" or even alter the words. Translations are of course vital for understanding what the words actually mean but the English translations give the actual meaning of the word and the modernists and heretics can't alter the translated words because if they did the words wouldn't make sense. All in All the TLM should be the Main form of the mass and gladly the Traditional Latin Mass is satisfying the crave of tradition and beauty to the youth of today. Without the Latin Mass and Traditional Catholicsm i would have been an orthodox already. I just can't stand the clown masses and heresy being performed in Modern Catholicsm (not saying Trad Catholicism is perfect btw)

[@PaulTesta]

"[Homilies] that deeply unsettles them to the realities of the Gospel." Amen, Father! I try to do that every time my pastor gives me the opportunity to preach.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Glad to hear it!

[@joycelynmiller2970]

@@BreakingInTheHabit at 22 years old this relate to me

[@mditt7]

I was always fascinated by the writings and lives of the great Catholic Mystics...and I quietly always wanted to be one in some way, shape or form. Thanks for the encouragement Father. As Father Mark Goring always says, Viva Cristo Rey! Amen Amen

[@francisgerard3004]

Dear fr.. it's a real eye opener for me as a priest.. thanks a lot for inspiring.. let's become mystics and carry out our mission.

[@juliusblah499]

I'm a Catholic from Shillong, India. Happy to say our belief on God, Jesus and the Church is strong Sunday's mass are full house.

[@touchofgrace3217]

Julius Blah unfortunately I do not believe attendance is the issue. I guesstimate that easily 80-90% of people in attendance who identify as Christians are Christians in name and tradition only. I believe only about 10-20% are true followers of Christ.

[@cmntkxp]

@JW Pev i am an syrian christian. In the southern tip of India .St Thomas christians started their faith in AD 50..We have several orthodox and RC full communion eastern and western syrian churches in southern parts of India .

[@cesareomartinez6539]

@JW Perry Hello my friend, there is only one GOD, GOD made the animals and the human, so human and animals can't be "gods" Sadly the Hindus people are falling in the lies of Islam, Wacht Christian Prince and David Wood videos to see how Islam lies and the Quran is not from God, share with all the people you can, help Indian people to get out of Islam

[@cesareomartinez6539]

@@cmntkxp Thank God Brother im Catholic too, sadly Indian people are falling into the lies of Islam, i watch Christian Prince and David Wood videos to see how Islam and Quran lies, share with Indian people

[@reznet2]

That's wonderful to hear!

[@crystalrock18]

You and Matt from Ten Minute Bible Hour should come together and do a video. I think it would be really cool.

[@jillchristensen5093]

crystalrock18 I had that thought this morning when saw Matt’s video with the Catholic theologian!

[@crystalrock18]

Jill Christensen Matt from TMBH is a cool guy, with a cool channel that has given light to many on so many theological topics.

[@ХристоМартунковграфЛозенски]

Do you think Fr. Casey should also come to Pints with Aquinas? I think it would be nice.

[@crystalrock18]

Христо Мартунков, граф Лозенски not familiar with pints with Aquinas. So I can’t say. I mean what ever he chooses to do what he chooses really.

[@queenofhearts7726]

crystalrock18 check out Matt Fradd... he does Pints with Aquinas. He is also on Ascension presents.

[@defyingblueprints6914]

In the Netherlands, our country has become very secular. Some psychological therapists even say that they see a lot of people that would be better helped by a pastoral worker then a psychologist (when dealing with grief, loneliness or life purpose issues), but people don't have the connection to a church anymore. My grandparents stopped going to church in their time, so I was raised disconnected to the Christian tradition. Your message to create more mystics is very good. Also spread word that Jesus can be felt like that, I truly didn't even know people still met him to this day. I thought Christians just worshipped a historic figure. I wouldn't go to hip churches, because I had no reason to go to any church, but after a spiritual experience I went looking for information myself and joined a church. To learn about God, Jesus and all his works. Changed my life so much, I'm very grateful churches aren't gone completely!!!🙏

[@Jerds]

I’m 23 and was born and raised Catholic and I just discovered the traditional sect of the church this year. If anyone is skeptical, trust me. I prayed to St Joseph and he brought me to it. He opened my eyes to it. I was so skeptical at first. Why bother with Latin? You can’t understand anything, I thought! Well I tell you my brothers and sisters, I understand more now than I ever did before. Even going through private catholic school and being involved in ministries. This friar is right. Molding the church around the modern world only seems to be hindering us as Catholics. Everything he mentioned is in the Latin mass and more. It’s like being taken back in time when everywhere there were saints. It’s called the Traditional Latin Mass because the form of the mass dates back to St Gregory the Great. It was formalized at the council of Trent to combat the heresies of the Protestant reformation. If it’s available in your area, try going to a high mass and just watching. Don’t pick up a missal they have, just watch and pray. You’ll be changed I’m sure. My first time attending changed my whole life. I know that the Old Rite is the way we are meant to worship. The whole congregation faces toward God in prayer. It feels like you’ve entered heaven. Don’t believe me? Try it. Viva Cristo Rey!

[@johnknight2012]

I was raised to Vatican 2 Catholic and I know Latin Mass is the way to go. Lets hope if God cant get the scourge at the top to repent then he'll remove them. Stating with a Pope that bring South America False spirits Pacamamas Statues in to the Once Holy Church and his crouption of the faith.

[@fred1534]

Sonny Respicio I don’t want to go back to the Tridentine mass.what would be really useful is if the Vatican included English as an official language.then maybe people outside Vatican City could understand what they are saying.the early church spoke the lingua Franca of the day.

[@johnknight2012]

@@fred1534 Latin was choosen because it a dead language and the meaning would never change. Instead of the continuous rewrites and changes with the vernacular. You'd wouldnt have to learn the entire language just the baics of the Latin Mass. You would be able after that to travel to every country in the world and understand for the majority of the service. Further more Latin Mass is worship to God. Priest facing God with his back to People. The Altar and Tabernacle he faces like Jewish Old School. Now we're people center worship. Priest has back to God and they the Modernist threw the Tabernacle out of most of the sanctuarys. Church⛪ service attendance crumbled continuously after Vat 2 now 70% of Catholics dont believe in the true presence...All this was done under the direction of Protestantism & Modernism which gain us nothing but damage to our church watering down everything and making it easier for the Devil to take control. We need to leave the "me" and " I " want behind in our lives... I dont want to learn it either but I will for the Love of Honoring God✨ and Proper Worship 👼☁ and Sticking it HARD to the Devil's Plan💨 👿

[@fred1534]

@@johnknight2012 whatever floats your boat.

[@b.w.9244]

@@johnknight2012 I dont need Latin for that. Attended Mass in various foreign countries and didnt speak the language. Because the order of mass is same, though, I knew what was being said. Except of course the intentions and the announcements. Following your logic, we should be using Aramaic. Or Greek, as much of the New Test is written in Greek.

[@dancambra9394]

Possibly your best work to date. Thank you. Your priestly witness lifts my priesthood.

[@williamfrederick313]

Hi , father Casey, plz visit Tanzania in Africa when everything is settled if the Lord wishea I love you my fellow brother in Christ, may the Lord bless you and guide you always in your life and your ministry

[@q2lover58]

I never understood the reason why people call other people father... it just doesnt seem right considering that we call God the Father.

[@bordertown]

@@q2lover58 The priests are father figures who assume the spiritual care of their respective congregations. The nuns are referred to as mother, women engaged in a ministry are referred to as sisters, laymen dedicated to a particular order are brothers, etc.

[@josephgatere7616]

Father don't forget Kenya!

[@gloriaanaruma1279]

I am Catholic in Brazil. In Brazil, communism, gramscism, politics, all these bad things entered the Catholic Church through men and women who became priests and nuns just to indoctrinate the faithful. They became bishops, and they destroyed the Catholic Church in Brazil, but we still have some brave Fathers who resist this and are few but we follow them. I was discouraged, I would die, but before that happens, I realize that the Catholic Church in Brazil and in the world is alive thanks to the faithful, thanks to good priests, and so it will be. Our Lady Mary, Mother of God, the Saints and the Angels, they help us and unite us. Today I know that I am no longer alone, I have a Church that is spread all over the World, and that Church is Alive in each of my brothers and sisters throughout the World, and I can die in peace. Gratitude for the post.

[@sandragoss48]

This is a profound and inspirational episode. Thank you so much.

[@niakoch9390]

Father Casey, I think you message is so powerful, I might have to listen to it several times, before I grasp it all. 👀 And I Remember I bought a book by Karl Rahner 30 years ago, never read it, maybe this is the time to read it. A huge thankyou for your ministry!💟👍🌼

[@mariagemmagoreti6857]

My parents sent us to Catholic school, we all are now Catholics. Now our children are faithful Catholics. We pray Rosary and DM chaplet together if possible. Thank you Lord for the grace of Catholic faith🙏💕

[@gabriels2859]

If my church was the primary force for social welfare in my community, then my belief in God or not would not stop me from being there every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (and every other day I would volunteer at our food security kitchen, our free medical clinic, our community law clinic, and our schools). The best way to create mystics is to create a force for good so strong, that every US citizen of any faith knows that when disaster strikes, their local Catholic church is the first point of relief. The Chinese say that their emperors had the Mandate of Heaven, and when they lost it, so too did they lose control of China. I believe the same can be said of the Catholic Church. We must regain our Mandate of Heaven to be the force for divine good on this planet.

[@mariettaljiljic1903]

It feels kinda cool thinking of myself as a modern day mystic. Oh yeah. B-)

[@spiritsofnatureonbreak7850]

Meaning

[@lydiapereira1942]

Thank you Fr Casey may God Bless you.

[@nijojohnson1275]

What a brilliant message. So deep and inspiring. Thank you Father.

[@F84Thunderjet]

Traditional Christianity and especially Catholicism, is grounded in fear, guilt and shame. The Church emphasizes how unworthy we are and its prayers require expressing that unworthiness: “Oh Lord I am not worthy that I should come into thy presence….” and many other examples. During my Catholic school years in the 1940’s and 50’s, I, along with my Catholic schoolmates, went to Confession almost every Saturday to avoid the pains of hell (explicitly stated in the Act of Contrition) and to reduce our suffering in Purgatory. Based on Catholic teaching taught by nuns, brothers and priests and not CCD teachers, the very best outcome for a baptized Catholic would be to die before reaching “the age of reason” unequivocally defined in the pre-1992 Catechism as age 7. That kid would go straight to Heaven with no detour to the horrible suffering in Purgatory. But if a pubescent kid willfully retains a sexual thought and dies in an accident before going to Confession, that kid goes straight to hell! Purgatory was a frightening destination for almost everyone who was not destined to hell. So we sought all those indulgences sprinkled throughout Our Sunday Missal indicating the exact number of days we could lessen our time there by performing the specified action such as a novena, stations of the cross, etc.. Many of the prayers at Mass were offered for “the poor souls in Purgatory”. In short, Catholic indoctrination in those days was psychological child abuse.

[@hei0919]

I agree on most of what you said but “child abuse” is kinda heavy for an accusation 😅 well that could be subjective...

[@chriswhittington294]

I converted to the catholic faith 25 years ago. It has taken some unique experiences, personally, to really bring a fire in my heart for Jesus. I am now learning everything I can through podcasts and books. An hour a week doesn't teach you enough, you have to persue learning on your own time. It is amazing and very worth the time! Thanks be to God! 🙏❤

[@Rom1970]

The Saints themselves were mystics.

[@davidmatta2727]

Beautiful. Bless you, Fr. Casey. Yes, to create mystics and a personal relationship with the living God.

[@clairekurdelak2913]

And we can’t do any of these things on our own. Come Holy Spirit!

[@teddytheodoris6778]

Amen this needs to be done in the Catholic Church. A return to traditions. Father, I’m an Orthodox Christian and I feel as though the Orthodox Church hasn’t changed at all to become like the world. It has staid pure. And it really has made all the difference. The liturgy and the sermons inspire faith and prayer. It’s profound.

[@nicolasadjignon1336]

I'm Catholic but I must say Orthodox liturgies are absolutely MAGNIFICENT. My first mass ever was with the Indonesian Orthodox Church, among Erytrean and Pakistani refugees hidden by the archymandrite, i'll never forget that moment. God bless you!

[@josephmillraney1061]

Am thoroughly enjoying your book! It's one of my Great Lenten meditations! Thank you!

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@cialovesyou]

Hi Father. I really appreciate you talking about this topic. It is a conversation we should be having on social media. I am not sure I agree with everything here, especially Rahner's observation. But I do think this is a conversation worth having in a charitable way, as you have done. I shall certainly think about what you said. Hopefully I will get around to making a video response for you.

[@ronnestman4696]

I really appreciate you Father Casey. I’m grateful that I have been lead to your missionary work here on KZbin. God bless you.

[@Navygrl58]

This was certainly a wake up call. I’ve been teaching the public school children in my Parish religious education ( CCD) for over 35 years and it’s sad to see how lax the Catholic families are that send their children. I teach 7th graders preparing for Confirmation and most never go to Mass and haven’t been to Confession since their first Holy Communion, unless we take them once a year. Your right Father, it comes down to weather you really understand what being Catholic means and how important that meaning is to either make you follow Christ or abandon His Church. Very disheartening what’s going on. Life should not return to the “normal” after this pandemic, for if it does we’ll have learned nothing and I fear be worse off than we were before. God help us and guide and enlighten us......Sr. Diane Joan, FCMDM.

[@jameslarson4092]

"Only those who want to come, will come" Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?

[@josephgatere7616]

Thanks for the video Fr Casey. It inspires many of us to seek our inner faith

[@randymessing3349]

All the churches I have attended where the Extraordinary form is celebrated are growing! Reverence and love for Christ is blooming more there. :) Praise God. We must pray for our supernatural faith in God to grow. Pray to your angels, they love you and want to help you. Happy Divine Mercy to you all!

[@paulhandsome1691]

God Bless you Father Casey

[@dennisnauheimer672]

Casey,thanks to you and Karl Ranger I now know I am a mystic. I would not change my personal relationship with our God for anything. Bravo this was your best as to where the church is going. Thank you

[@tomt6040]

Thank you, Father!

[@bobbylee9727]

In the early sixties I went to a military/Catholic academy/high school/prep school and, on the first day of class, we had to go around the room and state our name and the parish we attended. That was the pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church sixty years ago. I miss that church btw.

[@cherylhosmer3963]

You're an old soul, Fr. Casey.

[@jarms40]

An old soul with a young face. This young soul with an old face certainly appreciates the pep talk.

[@thegrindeveryday9408]

I was a lukewarm Catholic my entire life. Since I found this and Dr. Marshall’s channel I’m boiling baby!

[@nategraham6946]

I wonder how long the guilt, fear and social pressure will remain as well.

[@Marco85111]

i agree

[@jamesflynn4741]

Que?

[@amberburrus5160]

This video brought me to tears. Thank you so much for this. Thank the Lord for everything. God bless you Friar Casey😊😊😊

[@johnaugustinejoseph4206]

Padre, I have been studying mysticism in school, for the past few weeks, about St Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross (my man), Rudolf Otto, Martin Buber (i know that he is Jewish) and so on. There is one thing I know noticed that made the catholic mystics different from the others. You talked about this in your last video: the fact that we can experience christ in our world through the Blessed Sacrament. Padre, I myself held anbd grew in my faith due to this mysticism that you talk of. However that mysticism came after, I began to understand the mass, both of the eastern and western rites. Padre if the mass is the foretaste of heaven, I would presume it means that it is the penultimate experience with God, 'the wholly other', the 'mysterium tremendum et fascians'. Padre, without good liturgy, liturgy that is as ancient as it is new and dynamic. You've probably heard the phrase, LEX ORANDI, LEX CREDENDI, LEX VIVENDI - this is the formula that leads to mysticism.

[@leylinegoddess]

if you have read buber, try also reading abraham heschel. my mother, a notre dame grad, introduced me to them

[@cas4040]

Adoration and Procession of The Eucharist is so important for people to have this type of experience.

[@Vezmus1337]

4:53 "No one has ever converted to Christianity because they lost an argument." False. I converted to Catholicism after I lost an argument -- with God.

[@adanherrera5515]

@@ronnieevangelista4123 jajaja you are a protestante we are the true Christian we are the true church . we follow Crist .

[@adanherrera5515]

@@ronnieevangelista4123 yes we will see reminder Crist founded only one church and that is the catholic buddy the rest where founded by men after 1517 so do your home work how founded yours history buddy

[@adanherrera5515]

@@ronnieevangelista4123 who did christ call rock him self or peter secondly who compiled the Bible. It sure was not a protestante it wss the true church buddy. Tell me wich evangelical church you go to i will tell that dude found it

[@adanherrera5515]

@@ronnieevangelista4123sorry never have debated but whar wrong wirh communicating back and forth

[@adanherrera5515]

@@ronnieevangelista4123 trent horn loves live bedates

[@Dave48326]

I am sorry to say that all the good things this young man speaks of were things I never saw in any parish I ever attended. I am 65 now and walked away from the Church in my teens.

[@ipso-kk3ft]

This was a moving and mind-changing video! Will be praying for you and your Franciscan brothers and sisters, Fr. Casey.

[@DrEricsLibrary]

I love the focus on a personal God as a solution to our current religious crisis. The main problem with Religion (and all human organization) is our limitations with communication. Presumably, we can have perfect communication with God as there is no limit to what God can understand about us. It is also possible to have a deep relational connection with another human being. It takes many hours, many discussions, and the willingness to be vulnerable. But it can be done. It can also be done for a small group of people, say 10. When you get to 100, you the communication limitations begin to show. People need to work together with a common theme, mission, and vision. It can still work as a group of 100 is really just 10 groups of 10. However, once you get larger than that, once you get to 1000, 10,000, 100,000, you run into problems. There aren't enough hours, time, and emotional capacity to connect to everyone and people necessarily begin to rely on unspoken forms of communication. These unspoken forms of communication becomes what we understand as "culture". It works when it is founded on kindness and patience. But it can quickly turn into a cliquish clustering of power (also known as high school). This is why large organizations, not just religious ones, begin to create a life of their own. This includes the Catholic Church. Small Religious organizations have the challenge of being able to sustain the original mission without distorting their values. If they succeed, they'll run into other organizational challenges. The Catholic Church has succeeded in maintaining a consistency throughout its church with solemn deliberation of the sacraments and other process (that protestants would accuse of being "unbiblical"). However, such growth runs into the limitations of human communication. And it makes me wonder if a large religious organization can ever truly follow God. Rather, it may be better to stay small, stay personal, stay individual with deep relationships of a small group of people. However, social media runs counter to that philosophy and encourages large scale communications. What happens is that the most generic information is understood by the masses and is adopted quickly. This rapid adoption is known as "media" and becomes seen as "the truth." Unfortunately, depth is lost in the process. What's the solution? I believe teaching people to understand mysticism is one component. But I believe a different model for "the church" will be necessary in our modern day. I'm wondering if a structure like Toastmasters is something worth looking into. But hay, what do I know? Great video Fr. Casey!

[@he-mememan359]

It is very much a good thing where the social pressures have faded away, sadly some places still have them.

[@GaryM260]

Well the Church could actually start preaching the actual Gospel. You dont here that today instead you hear about social relativism , get back to the Gospel and the Church will begin to correct itself. There is NO other way.

[@christianarvelo3330]

For that, the actual pope has to go. A Marxist should not be the pope.

[@theodorejay1046]

Are you Catholic ? The gospel is repeated every Sunday & sermons typically geared to the readings. As someone raised as a Catholic, I'm often better versed in the Bible. So don't make generalizations

[@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong]

@@christianarvelo3330 God's Word is in direct contradiction to the capitalist system. Marxism is not the answer either but to put your economic beliefs above the Gospel is sinful.

[@blackrocket673]

The church has a mass daily where they preach the Gospel . The same way you are listening to this video you can find a daily mass . Seek and you'll find

[@b.w.9244]

During RCIA in 2002, we were discussing the various problems and scandals. The leader stated that the Church will likely have to get a whole lot smaller before it can get a whole lot bigger. I think he was on to something there.

[@JacobMaximilian]

I totally agree; this is why I’m so excited for the future God has for organizations like the Avila Institute; My life was totally transformed by listening to Dan Burke on “Divine Intimacy Radio” and if we had more priests and lay people willing to speak about the mystical life, and great saints like Theresa of Avila, I think the church would be in a much better place

[@NinaHansen2008]

Absolutely spot on!

[@doubleg098]

Thank you so much Father. I wish I knew you better and could talk with you personally. Your videos are so inspiring. Thanks a lot for all that you do for our church

[@serena1785]

I understand what Rahner was saying but I am still sick of hearing the excuse I am spiritual but not religious. Just a cop out and excuse for not doing anything. But it is true mystics go below the surface reality of the literalist understanding of scripture. Radical Fundamental literalist in any religion are very dangerous.

[@annettegape109]

This was spot on! Good timing too! Now is the time to let the seed fall and let the Holy Spirit do what it will do! It is exactly what I am thinking about as I re-imagine if I do end up having a Faith Formation program in the future! Because, who knows!

[@stephanvillavicencio5679]

excellent talk. i like that you pointed out the activities and behaviors that we all need to think about for being good Catholic Christians. thank you for writing and presenting this video, Brother Casey!

[@monicaweaver4522]

I understand ‘feeling’ a relationship to God but at some point it crosses the line to catering to one’s self-centeredness. My father gave us the bottom line....”Going to mass once a week is not too much to ask to thank God for all your blessings”. I still believe in that. I go to thank Him (worship in His home)for all he has done for me and my family, even in the hard times. It is very humbling.

[@freespeech6999]

The mission of the church is salvation, not the other non sense it engages in. When you see 500 people take communion, and perhaps six people confess, you know something is wrong; specially if the priests do not address this and other issues. They just keep people in their ignorance. Pathetic!

[@southtownj382]

By Faith Alone!

[@sawcsam1019]

I like that you are giving people a reason to be ok with making that choice of not going to church

[@rosixrincones6171]

I agree with you that a church is not a club . However, even though I love just been there to say my prayers, it is important to feel at home, to be welcomed. I missed that from the Anglican church while I lived in the UK and returned home to Venezuela. Now I live in Sweden and the little Lutheran church here does a fantastic job with the refugees. A club is one thing and I totally agree with you, but being welcomed is pivotal.

[@j.k.6865]

Can you explain to us the 5 ways for God by Thomas Aquinas and other ideas, or is philosophy not your cup of tea?

[@thomasrothenberger]

Exactly! Thumbs up!

[@Elijah_Al-Naysaburi]

Blessings . 💗💗💗

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

I am originally Hindu. I started to occasionally go to mass when I was a young girl with known friends. Then I discovered mass and went every week while I was in college and continue to attend mass in person or online depending on the situation I’m also concerned about the way religious life is having. I can’t imagine a single day without thinking about God. Unfortunately that’s not the reality of lots of people today. In these challenging times, it is important to have a personal relationship with the God who created us. How can we become better mystics?

[@JEduardoYLiz]

Amazing!!! God already knowing this era change, inspired the Vatican II council.And also as one modality inspired its practice through the neocatechumenal way. With the Virgin Mary telling Kiko Arguello, “Lets make Christian communities as the sacred family of Nazareth, who live in humility, simplicity, and praise. The other is Christ.” Currently, this itinerary of faith has many fruits. Bring people back away of the faith, reconstructed destroyed families, transmission of faith to children, gave consecrated vocations to the church, families in mission who abandon everything for the new evangelization, bring the presence of the church in deschristianized places through the mission ad gentes, in which four or five families and priest go to a hard place to live there and make visible the love of God through a Christian community (Church) and people watching how this community live bring the non-believers to the faith. A missionary Church.

[@geopence]

Terrific message. Perhaps the decline in attendance and the attenuation of the church’s power to affect the secular world is simply a spirit led transition to its actual purpose. Perhaps we were always meant to exist as an alternative to the world, a place and a way of life with a real point of difference. Following a faith is not an act of invention or reinvention, but having a faith, owning a faith, is designed to make you peculiar - it’s designed to make you extraordinary. Perhaps that core to our movement that always mattered most, or maybe mattered at all, simply exists now as the option to a culture that is decidedly secular, instead of the option to a culture that is nominally Christian. There are real advantages to that changing status.

[@Chirokea]

thank you for exposing these facts and enlightening me on the subject.i always feel sad and despaired when i see the state of our church.. what you say will make me thnk

[@mistakenmillenial6834]

How are you keeping your hair so neat?

[@etherealstars5766]

Holy water 😉

[@hopatease1]

@@etherealstars5766 : ) HA HA

[@etherealstars5766]

@@hopatease1 And of course, embalming oil conditioner!

[@gerarddeveney4872]

After 28 years in evangelical churches I came back to the Catholic Church....that was 10 years ago . If it wasn’t for the Eucharist I would leave...it’s been a disheartening experience!!

[@paddyearly]

Thank you Fr. You are an inspiration🙏 God bless you🙏

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Much of what you say the Church needs now is thankfully present in the Ordinariates.

[@paulgibbons2320]

You've summed the problem up really well. I'm not sure I have a clear answer to turn it around.

[@augustcorneliogandionco3388]

Latin Mass check the Latin mass they say its full

[@danielhow424]

Bang on!

[@lizetrocha]

Thank you for this message!!

[@soyitaliana78]

Now, who in their right mind would give this video a thumb’s down, is beyond me. The man speaks the truth.