An 18-year-old’s perspective on the Church

NICK BRYANT | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

The Catholic Church seems to be losing its mystique and abundance, I am sad to say. Having seen many churches, as many as 14, shut their doors down here in south Florida this year leaves me to believe that this may be the wave of the future. While the parishioners were able to merge with neighboring churches in the area, some longstanding members have opted to go elsewhere.

I, for one, hope this is not the norm throughout the country. I would like to think and hope that we as Roman Catholics are able to gain strength through these hardships and move forward to continue to be a spiritually strong and faithful Christian denomination. Even though right now we are in time of recession, which helped contribute to the closing of some church doors, we will get through this. As they say, “This too shall pass.”  

Looking down the road, we have to make sure that Catholicism doesn’t suffer and doesn’t become forgotten. While is seems that there might be fewer and fewer young people discerning a religious vocation, I do notice an increase in laypeople being involved in the Church. I see many more deacons than I have ever seen. I think that it is important for all of us to get involved and remain involved in various positions in the Church. As part of the younger generation, it is up to my peers and me to keep the Church going. Our parents and grandparents have shown us the way and now it is our turn.

I think that in a few years while the actual number of buildings may be down, I would like to predict that their interiors would be full. We always need a higher power to pray to and that is where we all come home to. It is our roots. It is our foundation. And it will continue to be for upcoming years. 

Bryant, 18, is a 2009 graduate of Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood and a freshman at Broward College. He attends Nativity Parish in Hollywood.