Met a Syrian (2 of 2): Church.

So, the (Syrian) guy I met was Catholic (he says 10% of Syria is), and still goes to church here.

He says church here is more atomized, because back in Syria it was a chance to see family members and friends you hadn't seen in a while and catch up, whereas here people don't live near their extended families like that.

He also said that it's quite obvious that people are age have fallen away from the Catholic church; very few people go, and he's met so many people who have gone through the sacraments, but just don't attend. He said that that drop-off in #s seems huge and is just shocking.

That is actually the same thing the Latin priest was saying 2 summers ago! He said that's the major unrecognized problem in the Church right now.