A growing number of parents do not teach their children about God. On the other hand children, youth, and even young adults report they do not find church a place of belonging or inclusion. Many Catholics no longer feel secure in talking about their own faith or the Church's teachings. They see a lack of reverence, silence and church etiquette which seems to indicate an absence of religious understanding and belief or an unawareness of the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, in His Word, or in the praying community. The sacraments and liturgical rites are not well understood.
People question why sacramental preparation varies widely from parish to parish.
Catholics are asking that priests and deacons give homilies which bring the power of the Word of God into daily life in ways that touch their spirit. They expect to hear God's truth preached with courage and faith so that community can grow in love. In many parishes there is an unmet hunger for liturgical music that conveys spirit, beauty and religious meaning. Young people especially are asking that music be given some priority and that there be variety. At the same time the diocese, once so uniform in its worship, has not yet built up a common and varied repertoire of liturgical music that expresses our unity and Catholicity.