Why Are You Still Here?

This month we've been asking the Big Question at IC: why are we Catholic? We've spent the whole year of formation talking about how we are called to Go Make Disciples, upon Jesus' command to do so. But of course, it'd be pretty difficult to be a disciple who makes disciples in a Church if we don't know why we, ourselves, are here.

So at Generations of Faith last month, and at the doors of the Church, we have made available buttons with this challenge: Ask Me Why I'm Catholic. The first part of being able to wear that pin out in public and answer the question for those who ask us, is to know for ourselves what our answer is.

And it can't be denied that this is a trying and discouraging time in the recent history of the Church, considering the allegations and bad news that seem to be flying everywhere around the world. Maybe there is no better time to answer the B.Q. for ourselves. Why am I Catholic? Why am I still Catholic?

Here, BustedHalo.com offers interviews with young adult Catholics in New York on their opinions about the Scandal and about why they still come to Mass. They ask:

• Why are people still here?
• How do you feel about how the Church has handled the situation (the sexual abuse Scandal)?
• How has this effected your feelings about the Pope and the Church hierarchy?
• What can Catholics do to help resolve the situation?
• Why do you continue coming to Church each week?

They invite you to view the interviews and share comments on their Youtube page, and we welcome them here. What are your thoughts?

So... why are you Catholic?

Have you seen the buttons?
At Generations of Faith this past weekend, we all were given a chance to come up with the answer to the question: Why am I Catholic?
Then, we were given nifty blue buttons that boldly challenge the world. They say:
Ask Me Why I'm Catholic
If you were wearing a pin like that, and someone asked you the Big Question, what would your response be?
Here are two responses to this question that reflect the news of our times: Here, one from Timothy Radcliffe in the British journal - The Tablet, and one from Elizabeth Scalia, featured on National Public Radio.

Here, too, is the video shown at this weekend's GOF gatherings, from Catholics Come Home:

What are your thoughts?