Is religious education enough for our children to defend their faith??

The recent happening in Malaysia in regards to the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary (click here to read about it) on the window pane of a hospital not only brought excitement, fear and curiosity among the faithful but also criticism especially from unbelievers. Reading a comment from a young man who left the Catholic Church recently and went to a Pentecostal church brought me thinking what do we actually teach our children in their Catechism classes? What do our children take back from the faith education classes? I personally know this young man and to read his criticism on the Catholic faith I was indeed very sad. I was thinking what did he learn from his catechism faith? What happened to all those prayers and practices while he was a Catholic? Why is there so much anger and confusion on the church now? His criticism was basically what he learned (or supposed to be taught) at the catechism classes. He seems not to understand the meaning behind what the Catholics do, pray and profess. I guess there must have been a sort of ‘brain-washing’ or rather false teachings of the Catholic faith in his new church but how was he able to bend over to the other just like that?

I fear now. I fear for the future of our children and their faith. Frankly the weekly 1hour or so of religious education for our children is not enough. Parents have to help and do more in this area if they want their children to be ‘faith-filled’ human beings having the tools to face life challengers. The happenings in Europe where churches are getting empty and being close down should be a lesson for us in Asia. Currently the Asian family values seem to be eroding too. Our children need to defend their faith. Can they? 

 

Reflecting on this I am challenged. I am challenged to teach my faith to others. To teach in a way that the Catholic faith is not a mere ‘feel good’ religion but a religion with full of love and joy that comes with a full pledge commitment of each individual baptized Catholic to be a priest, prophet and king. I hope to explain to all especially the beginners of the faith the meaning behind what we do, pray and profess. I look forward to my ministry of preaching and teaching and living life of faith in Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. 

  

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess You have given me.
I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace;
with these I will be rich enough,
and will desire nothing more.

- St. Ignatius Loyola (Jesuit)- 16th century