Hang in there, Unam
I,too, am a convert.
I encourage you to believe that, in spite of what seems so discouraging in statistics and reports from various sources, there are actually good things going on that are not yet fully manifested-—the yeast in the dough is quietly beginning to rise. The number of men entering the seminary is increasing. Some of the special, new congregations of religious sisters are growing so fast that they are facing some problems with housing. In my deanery, the five parishes have active Catholic schools, scripture study groups, and are able to have enough volunteers to maintain 24-hour Adoration chapels. Daily Masses—morning and evening-—in the 5 deanery parishes are well attended...at least 100 or more at each one.
I’m telling you the truth about where I live.
The Church has always gone through cycles of ebb and flow and I want to encourage you to believe that we may seeing a new springtime in the Church. Our numbers may be smaller (those darn statistics again), but the depth of faith and commitment will be strong.
Stay with us as it all unfolds and be a part of it. :-)
The same could be said for the Disappearing White Protestant Voter, but it’s not as identifiable. Not all the white yutes voting for Obama came from Catholicism.
I hope you’re right. I know the Pope is taking measures to build for the long term, and that sadly we may need to go through a period where the Church becomes smaller but more faithful.