There is a real need for Catholic Museums, not just in our local areas, but in the world.
The quintessential Catholic “family outing” is the Sunday Mass. And this is critical – the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Faith.
But outside of the Mass there are very few Catholic activities designed for, or that appeal to, the family. I think that there is more that needs to be done to spark an interest in the Faith.
If we can draw a parallel, I think we can compare the Faith Life to a fire. You need 3 things, fuel, oxygen and heat. The Mass (and all the Sacraments) are like the fuel. They keep our Faith alive by Divine Grace. But we also need good Catechesis / education – the Oxygen, and we also need personal desire or inspiration – the heat.
You can have a Catholic that is educated and well formed, and receives the Sacraments, yet has little motivation or inspiration… they do the bare minimum, and therefore they are a flickering flame. You can also have a person who is Inspired and has great desire, and receives all the Sacraments, but hasn’t been well informed. Those inspirations and desire are short lived without a proper education and understanding. And likewise you can be well informed and have inspiration, but if you aren’t living the Sacramental Life then something is amiss.
A Catholic Museum helps to add elements of the Education and Inspiration back into our community. Together with the Sacraments, this can be a recipe for a renewed Faith Life!
I pray that All Saints Museum contribute to this.