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March 2008 Issue
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to Feature Articles
The
challenge of the Greatest Generation
| Tom
Brokaw coined the phrase we now take for granted regarding
the men and women of the United States who fought in
World War II or kept the home front intact during it.
By referring to them as "the Greatest Generation", Tom
Brokaw is not saying that they were the perfect generation.
But despite the difficulties they had grown up with
and the ones they faced via the war, they found a way
to succeed on every front. How was it possible for this
generation of Americans to make such lasting marks on
our society and the future of our country and the world?
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"This generation was united not only by a
common purpose, but also by common values - duty, honor, economy,
courage, service, love of family and country, and, above all,
responsibility for oneself. After winning the war, they came
home to joyous and short-lived celebration and immediately
began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they
wanted."
(T. Brokaw, The Greatest Generation) Not only
did this war-tested generation give the world new science,
literature, art, industry and economic strength, but they
also served the church in record numbers as priests and religious
who boldly lived the Catholic faith and furthered the church's
mission. These new leaders of the church were instrumental
in the record growth of Catholic schools, seminaries, hospitals,
and churches during this post-war period. In addition, these
bishops, priests and religious challenged the racial divide
that had plagued this nation, and stood with African-American
leaders like Martin Luther King who were non-violently fighting
for change.
Furthermore, this generation has served faithfully
as lay leadership within their parish communities in the pre-
and post- Vatican II years, generously giving of their time,
talent, and treasure. The church in the U.S. owes this generation
a great deal of thanks, and there is no doubt that we can
learn a great deal from them. The common values I expounded
upon which united the greatest generation are much in need
today. The present generations, of which I am a member, are
the product of political and economic unrest, unrelenting
change, and moral questioning. Because we have basked in the
hard work of the generation who is in the twilight of their
lives, we haven't been tested. How will we step up in this
time and this place to make our mark on the future, not only
the future of the world but also the future of the church?
What are the seemingly insurmountable tasks that we will take
on which will change the course of history?
As the Greatest Generation moves on to the
heavenly reward for which they labored so generously, it is
our responsibility to pick up the torch they carried. Will
the young people of today be encouraged by their parents to
open their hearts to God's will and serve the church if God
is calling them. As the youth of today begin to seek their
futures, will they turn to God in prayer and ask what God's
plan is for their future? Do all of us, the young and not
so young, seek the ways of faith which our church still proclaims
to meet the challenges and bring about the change which our
world so desperately seeks? God is still calling. God is calling
each generation to use their gifts and talents to make sure
that future Catholics will know that more than one generation
has demonstrated greatness.
- Father Ron Hutchinson is director of priestly
vocations for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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