The class was entitled, "Raising Moral Children," and the participants were anxious for details. The method was simple, but not necessarily easy: model moral behavior.

In other words be the good example, teach with behavior more often than with words. It was acknowledged that this was not a new concept and that it might not guarantee the preferred results in every case, but it was the plain and simple truth.

As the class progressed, many scenarios were discussed and a list of techniques was offered. Much of the information was taken from Robert Coles' book, "The Moral Intelligence of Children." Things ran smoothly until the topic of adult children attending church services, specifically Sunday Mass, was broached.

The participants, many who are religious education teachers, switched from their teacher roles into their parental roles, and comments were exchanged from one end of the room to another. It was a "hot" topic. Personal stories were shared, family rules regarding church involvement were exchanged, and more than one person admitted dismay that their young adult children were not regular churchgoers.

It was not the direction intended when the class was in the planning stages, but it was the reality the participants were living and therefore worth the divergence.

As the class looked for answers to the question of why many of their children, while good, decent and responsible citizens --- many educated within the Catholic school system --- did not find regular church attendance a priority, it was agreed that people could be good and moral without attending Mass weekly.

It was also pointed out that spirituality and a belief in God did not necessarily depend on church attendance. Hectic lifestyles and demanding jobs, among other things, kept people from attending, according to some. Still, it was a disappointment that so many were not connecting with the church of their youth.

It is easy to say that young people today are more interested in careers and fun than they are in seeking God. However, to do this creates a system that only goes one way. In addition to looking at the lifestyles and goals of young people, it might be wise to also look at ourselves --- the church. What are we offering young people?

Most parishes have a myriad of programs and services for families of school age children, teens and senior citizens. Creating something attractive that appeals to young adults presents a greater challenge. Many young adults, who have worked hard to achieve an education, are now working long hours to afford rent, automobiles and some sort of social life (and maybe even a family life). Church life, in many cases, gets a lower priority.

So whatever program is created to draw young adults into a regular "church life" will have to be portable, of a very high quality and about the real issues of life. "Theology on Tap," a speaker series offered throughout the year in all pastoral regions of the archdiocese, has attempted to meet the challenge. It is, however, only a beginning.

There is no doubt that the current situation within the church concerning sexual abuse has made many young people wary. There is an element of trust that needs to be rekindled before faithfulness can be expected. Open honest, discussions of what is happening, as well as the willingness to listen to what solutions these young people might put forward, are important.

Vibrant liturgies that speak to the realities of life with well-delivered homilies, and well educated and experienced parish staffs are also necessary to attract young people to the church. Many parishes may be operating with these in place, but it is certainly worth a periodic assessment to see if reality matches perception.

Are we who we say we are? Do we hire the best, the brightest and the most educated to help run our parishes, or do we settle for the well-meaning soul who will work for less money? Not long ago a parish consultant argued that enthusiasm was more important than education in parish work. Why not both?

The church of the future will belong to the young people of today. We need to pay serious attention to the experiences and formation we are offering them. It is not enough to say that when they mature and have families of their own they will return. While this is very often the case, our church will be better served in the long run if we begin working now to prepare for the future.

Anne Hansen is a parent education consultant and a parishioner at Blessed Junípero Serra Church, Camarillo. Her e-mail address is familymail@aol.com.