It is Still Not Good for Man to be Alone! (part three)

As much as I'd like to think that everyone is wondering how to serve single adults within the church, I know that they're not. 

The overwhelming response is generally, "This is something the singles need to do for themselves." 

Which is extra funny when you consider, they're single. If they were good at convincing people to do things with them, they would have convinced someone to marry them. 

But I digress.

How can the Church serve singles? 

Let’s start with married women. 

Please stop blogging about how hard it is to have and raise kids. You’re scaring men and women away from parenthood. 

Many women have the grace to know that childbirth and parenting is painful and scary, yet they’re willing to do it anyway. But when men hear that their lives will be forever changed into something terrible, with everyday sacrifices and no more money – well you don’t have to do any more convincing. Thanks for making single men afraid of marriage and family. That helped. (sarcasm)

Parents: 

Please stop telling teenagers that their lives will be over if they get pregnant too young. That’s a good way to convince them to end their unborn child’s life as alternative to “ruining” their own. 

At what point do you expect them to change their minds and think babies won’t ruin their lives? 

Yeah, I’m not the only one stuck dating grown men who still think babies are the worst thing that could happen.

Priests: 

Include examples of the single life in your homilies. Make a your parish a welcome place for the lonely. Really, really think about why there are no single men in attendance at Mass, and encourage the few that are, to linger after Mass rather than dashing out the side door. This may mean approaching and talking to them.

Include intercessory prayers for those singles who are called to marriage, but suffer for years in the waiting. 

Also, work on a response other than nervous laughter when an adult suffering from prolonged singleness cries out in loneliness. 

Couples: 

When a Nice Catholic Girl (or middle-aged woman as the case may be) asks if the marriage-minded two of you have a single brother or friend or co-worker, and you respond with, “Not one that I would set you up with.” consider it your duty to bring that bloke back to church, so that he will one day be a suitable partner. Come on. Do your part here! 

This "I got mine." attitude among marrieds isn't helping anyone. Your marriage should be a witness to others. If you socialize with people who see your Godly marriage, and they continue to live a life unworthy of a Nice Catholic Boy or Girl or Man or Woman... then just how strong is your witness?

Oh and be careful of the company you keep.

Singleness is not contagious. Divorce is.

I've seen it happen, at least one part of a faithful Catholic couple starts spending time with a newly divorced friend, trying to be supportive - and before long their own marriage is falling apart. 

Please stop being afraid of single people. You are afraid right? That’s why you don’t talk to us. Or extend us the sign of peace during Mass. Or invite us over for dinner. Or out for Sunday brunch with your sweet, sticky little kids? 

We could be incorporated into your family, since we live so far from our own. We’d be a great example of holy, chaste living for your kids – who, if the Church continues as it is going – will likely be unable to find spouses either.