Trying to teach about faith to a child often seems like a fool’s errand. Last weekend, a scene played out in our house, which no doubt was repeated up and down the country… If not the world. “Do we have to go to church”? Such was the utterance of our 4-year-old.
I suppose we could look at it a different way. After all, is it not a philosophical question about the purpose of going to church at all? I doubt that she meant it in that way. I often picture the Catholic Church and the format of the typical mass, and it is indeed true that this is not really a place for young children. Up and down the country in Australia, there is an exercise called a plenary council. It is taking place as we write. Its question is to ask what we want the church to be in Australia in this modern-day and age.
I’ve been involved a little bit, and I can say that, from what I’ve seen, there isn’t really a clear vision from anybody. The most popular views seem to be revolving around women priests and married clergy. If I apply a little bit of analysis to the ideas; however, what I see 10’s back to the theme of family and community. Call them hashtags if you will.
We have realised that – from a superficial level – there is not really a place in the church for a 4-year-old. Yet, church need not necessarily be the act of attending mass. Alas, many people think that is what church is about, but this is only a subsection of faith. Instead, a church should actually revolve around those themes of togetherness, sharing, family and of course, faith. And the only way to teach this to our children is to involve them and to attend. At least they will learn that there is also a place in faith for quiet time and prayer. Such elements are essential if we are to practice religion with intent. But we must not miss the other things too, and if those things are indeed missing then surely we must put those missing ingredients back so that the vision of faith can be fulfilled.
We learnt a lot about that during our time in Vallendar. It was not so much about “going” to church but rather to be part of a church. To be part of the community and making a difference.