“No One Received Holy Communion”: Fr Gaurav Schroff

blogs:

Since I’ve arrived at my parish (July 2013), all the weddings I’ve celebrated have been of members of the Spanish-speaking community, I’d say nearly a dozen or more.* Almost all of these have been convalidations. The trend in the Mexican community goes something like this: start dating early, then move in together, live for several years in a union libre [i.e. shacking up], have kids together (3 or 4 is the norm), get a civil marriage once it looks like things are stable, and then, finally, years down, approach the altars for the Sacrament. In the meanwhile, everyone follows the rules — they know the Church doesn’t approve, and if they come to Mass (many do), they don’t receive Holy Communion. It’s a whole new reality.

more–illuminates some stuff I’ve noticed at the pregnancy center; and is also very hopeful!