The Church itself is not immune from secularism. All of us are tempted to fall into cultural Catholicism. We continually try to create a way to keep our Catholic card but live like the rest of the culture.

But to be Catholic is to be countercultural. To follow Jesus means living a life that really is different from others. It’s impossible to authentically live the lay vocation and just be like everyone else. Holiness means to be set apart, to be different. 

So we can’t be satisfied when our parishes or dioceses settle for cultural Catholicism or act as if Catholic identity is living like everyone else, just with a little Jesus sprinkled on top. 

Through the countercultural life of following Jesus, you are called to help your parish and diocese avoid the disastrous path of cultural Catholicism. You are called to the constant, difficult work of Church renewal. And this only happens if we commit to live an authentically radical Catholic life—one where we seek to encounter Jesus, be transformed by Him, and share His mission—no matter how odd it may seem to the rest of the world.