Am I a Gen X Catholic?

By Michael Merritt

I am not sure. Then again, I may be confused about many things, ‘feelings and labelling’.

I am a male child of God, created in His image. I know how I ‘feel’ about myself, but I cannot definitively speak for all men, and what it means to experience our collective male sexuality.

I am also not considered young. We normally think about Millennials as young people but that seems to be fluid: A Millennial Catholic or Gen Y seems to be defined as someone born between roughly 1981 and 1996.

However, this would mean that based on definitions:

• Millennials are between the ages of 28–43 years; major income earners but
• Gen Z would be between the ages of 12–27 years; the next generation of potential churchgoers.
• Gen Alpha will be from early 2010 to 2025 between 0–11 years old (however Covid may have introduced a new ‘generation’).

Gen Z seems to be the driving force in fashion, political activism and ‘trends’. As an ‘older’ person, I am also acutely aware of Gen Xers, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation, the Church Militant between 44 –96+ years old.

While younger persons stand out for use of technology, there are also older generations who embrace digital life, and there are younger generations still without access.

Modernised views on social justice issues and progressive interpretations of Church teachings affect all groups, and many may have grown up with a less strict Catholic upbringing compared to previous generations.

Perhaps our thinking has been ‘confused’ by the marketing ‘bins’ in which we have been placed. These categorisations, usually shaped by global cultural changes, have been used as analytical tools and for understanding demographics, but are they entirely applicable to our Archdiocese and how we understand our parishes?  Generational labels can sometimes lead to stereotypes and oversimplification.

Stereotyping can create ‘blindspots’. Perhaps we do not ‘see’ one another as our generational faith ‘gold’ or asset in which to invest.

God created us inherently diverse and complex with free choice; people can and do change, grow, and transform. We are not homogenous groups. Perhaps, we need to focus on our similarities and not our differences.

Generational grouping can be a starting point to help us understand how our society and culture are changing over time. This should help us focus on being more effective in our encounter with the body of Christ and their encounter with Jesus: Where are persons socioeconomically? Where are they at in life? What do they need?

The readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) spoke to the gift of life and the power of faith to overcome challenges. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; only have faith.”

Our faith should allow us to nurture life in all its forms, to have hope when all is lost and to look for opportunities to share your time, talents, and resources with those in need.

But we need to have a deeper dialogue, on what are the things that really make us afraid and challenge our experience of discipleship: for each of us, and all of us to come to Jesus. Then we will be more open to Him, so that He (and His body) can increase our faith and build our Church.

I look forward to and hope that dialogue is an aspect of what the synodal process will achieve.

Michael Merritt is a member of the St Charles Borromeo RC Church, Tunapuna community.