Fr. Dawid Kwiatkowski
St. Anne Catholic Church
On this yet another Sunday, we’re called to reflect on a sobering trend: the growing disinterest in faith among children raised in Catholic families. How do we understand the forces at play, and what can be done to anchor faith in the next generation?
A Catholic mother recently shared her story, shedding light on a struggle faced by many. She grew up practicing her faith but found it gradually overshadowed by a life focused on material comfort.
“Prosperity put me to sleep in regards to God,” she said.
Feeling secure, her relationship with God dwindled. “I was one of millions of half-asleep Catholics walking this earth,” she admits, realizing only too late that this spiritual complacency had affected her daughter as well.
One day, she asked her teenage daughter if she was afraid of God. The daughter replied, “I don’t believe in God.” This stark response highlighted how material security, often intended as a gift, had replaced faith with a sense of self-sufficiency. The mother realized she had neglected to instill spiritual values, unintentionally leaving her daughter adrift in a world that increasingly questions the relevance of faith.
This problem is not uncommon. Many Catholic parents, eager to provide a better life than they had, often focus on material comforts, hoping these will ensure happiness.
Yet, while children may seem content on the surface, they can be left without a foundation for gratitude, purpose, or belief. Material possessions, no matter how abundant, do not address the deeper spiritual hunger that only faith can satisfy.
Today, our culture shapes children with an ease that many parents do not fully appreciate. Entertainment, social media, and societal messages subtly steer young minds toward self-interest and away from values grounded in faith. With less time for reflection, prayer, or spiritual instruction, children can be left without a compass in a secularized world.
Reflecting on her journey, this mother realized that her daughter’s disinterest in God mirrored her own half-hearted faith. Recognizing her error, she began to renew her commitment, trying to rebuild a connection with God and strengthen her relationship with her daughter.
This mother’s story reveals an essential truth: even a small disconnect from God in daily life can grow into a wide chasm, subtly weakening the faith that parents hope to pass on.
Last Sunday’s reading reminds us of our call to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
For parents, this command is a challenge to reflect faith in every part of family life.
Faith isn’t simply taught; it’s lived, with children absorbing it through consistent, visible expressions of devotion.
Creating a home environment that fosters faith means establishing routines that include prayer, Scripture, and discussion. These aren’t simply rituals but sacred practices that allow children to experience God’s presence personally. Families can also make small, meaningful changes, like placing symbols of faith around the home or designating moments each day for prayer. These tangible acts reinforce that faith is more than an afterthought; it’s a core value woven into daily life.
As this mother’s story suggests, reclaiming the faith of our families requires humility and determination. It means making a conscious effort to place God at the center of our ives, prioritizing faith even when distractions and pressures threaten to overshadow it. For parents especially, setting this example is essential.
Let this mother’s story serve as both a warning and a source of hope. Though society may encourage self-reliance over faith, the choice to prioritize God remains ours to make—and to teach. In doing so, we can lay a strong foundation for the next generation, raising believers equipped to carry forward the light of the Gospel in a world that desperately needs it.