Joy and Hope (Charateristics of vibrant, Catholic communities)
My children's Godmother was born and raised in the Caribbean. On several occasions, she has commented on what she sees as the lack of joy in a great many Catholic parishes in this country, and contrasts this with the abundant joy in the parishes back home. The Dowager Lady Grantham dismissed this English characteristic as being merely a consequence of our climate, and we in Glossop know a lot about such weather. But as I reflect, I think it goes much deeper than that. My recollection of my own Catholic upbringing could be summed up by the word conformity . We were expected to conform, to do certain things – go to Holy Mass, say our prayers, give money to charity, etc. And there is little joy to be had in conformity. When I am confronted by parishes or Catholic societies and organisations that are evidently joyful, I notice one common element: hope. By hope, I do not mean mere wishful thinking. But a hope that stems from a vibrant, living...