When I was in school - Catholic school - from 8th grade through graduation from high school, they were seemingly trying to keep the young people interested. They would bring in some kids a little older than we were who were called 'Jesus Freaks'. Most of them had been in trouble, dabbled in drugs, disobeying their parents, having sex....whatever their particular sin was and they had supposedly cleaned up their acts and turned to Jesus and the church. Of course this group was made up of really great looking young people who were likened to TV and movie stars of the time. The plan didn't go all that well as many in the group were playing the game to stay out of some sort of military school or other highly disciplined residential school settings. Not terribly effective but we did get to miss a few classes.
This was also the time that nuns were allowed to forgo the standard habit though they ended up in pale blue polyester dresses. Not as drab as the habits worn by the older nuns but not really fashion statements either.
A little later the attempt to hang onto the young people they started up the Folk Mass in an effort to seem/sound more relevant. My sister was one of the musicians and singers. Didn't work on her. She also left the church completely and identifies as atheist.
From what I can tell, being this far from my hometown, the church and the school are much more regimented now. It was pretty lax in the 70s when I was there.
Seems there has always been something or other that has been attempted to keep attendance up - along with sweeping as much as possible under the cassock, as it were.
This was also the time that nuns were allowed to forgo the standard habit though they ended up in pale blue polyester dresses. Not as drab as the habits worn by the older nuns but not really fashion statements either.
A little later the attempt to hang onto the young people they started up the Folk Mass in an effort to seem/sound more relevant. My sister was one of the musicians and singers. Didn't work on her. She also left the church completely and identifies as atheist.
From what I can tell, being this far from my hometown, the church and the school are much more regimented now. It was pretty lax in the 70s when I was there.
Seems there has always been something or other that has been attempted to keep attendance up - along with sweeping as much as possible under the cassock, as it were.