Labor of Love for Christ

The Labor Day weekend signifies change. Temperatures thankfully start to cool off. The calendar changes from August to September. Traditional schools have begun or will soon begin their classes. But we learn something else might also be changing in the air.

There have been recent news articles stating more Americans are joining the Catholic Church than leaving for the first time in decades! According to the Catholic Herald, figures compiled by Shane Schaetzel, using research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), the Pew Research Center, the National Catholic Register, and Vatican statistics, suggest that after two decades of decline, adult conversions are once again on the rise. Just five years ago, annual conversions dropped to 70,000. However, this year, nearly 160,000 adult Americans are projected to enter the Catholic Church. Secondly, according to Schaetzel’s research, more people are joining the Catholic Church than leaving it. 

Whether the numbers are truly indicative of what is happening, the figures do present a more hopeful picture for the future of Catholicism in the United States. Last spring, dioceses across the country reported double-digit increases in the number of adults converting to Catholicism. At IHM, we have seen a growth in our adult faith formation program during the past few years. Many of our students in the Welcome Home Order of Christian Initiation for Adults program (formerly RCIA) have told us they are looking for more than what the world is offering. They are seeking God and have a thirst for the Holy Eucharist. 

I would encourage you to read the conversion stories of three IHM families at denvercatholic.org to learn of their amazing journeys to the Catholic Church. For example, you can read about Angie and Brian Hodd’s family journey to the Church through Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and Matrimony. The Denver Catholic calls it “A Sacramental Smorgasbord.” Then there is the article about the quiet witness and prayer of a Catholic wife, Irene Colclazier, together with the Holy Spirit, brought her husband Tom into the Church. Irene’s love for God spilled over into Tom’s lap so much that he just had to find out more about Catholicism! So, he entered the Church at the Easter Vigil at IHM on April 19. Finally, there is the heartwarming story about Taylor and Logan Fossen. Former “nones,” Taylor and Logan found their way to the Catholic Church through restlessness and love proving that with God, nothing is impossible. 

I mentioned earlier that this time of the year signifies a new school year. Here at IHM, we are beginning our new faith formation year. Like many of those before them longing for God, people are signing up for the numerous children, teen and adult faith formation programs.  As of Monday, August 25, there have been more than 375 people registering for classes. Praise God! I would ask you to pray for these students and their families as they embark on their spiritual journeys. If you are interested in learning about these programs, go to ihmco.org/registration for more information. 

I would also ask you to pray for the countless number of volunteers who help make these programs successful. Our staff will tell you that these classes would not be as fruitful as they are without the labor of love of our volunteers.  We are eternally grateful to all of them for the giving of their time and talents. 

Volunteers are key to the success of any parish. At IHM, you may have noticed increased attendance at Mass and more programs like faith formation to meet the spiritual needs of our parishioners. With more people coming to Mass (Hallelujah!), we need more volunteers for the roles of lectors, eucharistic ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, master of ceremonies and ushers. If you have a labor of love for Christ, I would ask you to prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries. There are several training sessions coming up in September. You can read more about them in this weekend’s bulletin. 

Remember, Immaculate Heart of Mary exists to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and accompany our neighbors to the heart of Jesus.