Mornings, in our three churches—Catholic, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian—the faithful assemble each morning for Mass and prayer services. Though congregation numbers have dwindled considerably in the past fifty years, the zeal of their pastors has not. A metamorphosis within the parishes has occurred that continues. Christian dynastic monopolies of godliness may be in decline but in our town people have adjusted to the times.
It is easy to forget that without priests and nuns of all faiths in the mid nineteenth century, there were no great organisations to administer the welfare, education and spiritual needs to the sick and indigent. Gradually governments took over the responsibility, just as in microcosm, the laity now manage their own affairs.
Today’s parishes provide family meeting space for community endeavour; centres where groups may take exercise physically or intellectually, and find support and stimulus for their afflictions. You don’t have to be a member of a particular church to be a participant.
In our town, close on one hundred groups operate in that great nebulae democracy. They elect their own presidents, chairmen, and chairwomen to organise and run their own activities in many branches of the humanities and, perhaps the most amazing “religion” of all, sport.
