The act of keeping the old faith alive in the new church is in the hands of the
teenagers.
A Christian teenager has to decide whether or not they have the moral courage
to stand up for their beliefs before very critical anti-Christian friends.
Perhaps the splendid new church will give the young people further initiative to
publicise their religion. The time and money spent on the reconstruction of the new
building must in itself signify the strength of conviction. A building alone means
nothing. It only becomes something when used to glorify God; only a holy place when
the Mass is celebrated and people gather round the alter to share in the Eucharist. It
is this sharing and praising God together that makes the building special. The fact
that Our Lord is always there ready to listen should encourage a visit to His house and
this should be especially comforting to the teenager who seems to have many doubts
and problems which parents or friends cannot help with. Our religion can be seen to
move with the time in the shape of the new building. The Church is an on-going
institution changing all the time moving with the ideas of the people.
The Church is for the ordinary people, not just for the great theologians or
saintly people. God cares as much for the boy on his bike and the Borstal inmate as
the old lady attending Mass each day. This is why the young people should renew
their interest in the Church and declare their faith. God finds room for all and the
future depends on those who do His will. The way is open for all young people to have
a new spiritual beginning in their new church.
Josie O’Dowd
