Young Catholics want practical advice from Church

Most young Catholics find Mass boring and are crying out for practical advice on how to live day-to-day as a Christian, a recent survey found.

Young Catholics performing an action song at the workshop

Most of the 170 young Catholics surveyed only go to church out of a sense of duty and find homilies that simply explain the Mass readings long and boring.

Ho Chi Minh City archdiocese´s Committee For Family, which conducted the survey, is trying to address the shortcomings it found.

The committee ran a workshop on Nov. 28 on how to draw young people to the Church.

Marie Nguyen Kim Quyen, a psychology student, was among 300 young Catholics who attended.

She told the gathering that priests should create a friendly atmosphere and stand among the congregation to deliver homilies that are brief, interesting and understandable.

Homilies should be directed at guiding people in their faith life, she said.

Young people need a participatory kind of Mass in which they can answer questions on Mass readings and moral issues raised by priests, she said.

Marie Lan Chi, a participant at the workshop, was one of 1,000 young people regularly attending Sunday Mass celebrated by a Blessed Sacrament priest at a local church.

“We feel happy to attend a Mass where we can hold hands when reciting the Our Father, shake hands and smile at one another during the Sign of Peace,” she said.

They sometimes also view photos, video clips or a theatrical performance that deliver a message, in addition to listening to the priest´s homily which helps them resolve daily problems, the college student said.

During the workshop, some youths also presented their views on Church activities and expectations of local clergy and Religious.

Father Louis Nguyen Anh Tuan, head of the committee, told UCA News the workshop is an opportunity for youths to express their expectations of liturgical services.

“I will ask priests to improve their homilies and celebrate Mass in an interesting way for youths,” Father Tuan, 47, said.

He plans to hold another workshop and invite local priests to talk with the young people.