In the May newsletter, Steve addresses a quiet crisis unfolding inside Catholic families — hundreds of thousands of young people leaving the Faith every year, even in devout households. Drawing on Scripture, the wisdom of Pope Benedict XVI, and a lifetime of theological study, he challenges parents and parishes to move beyond checklists and embrace a deeper, more transformative approach to faith formation — one rooted in a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He also announces his new book, Transforming Grace: How to Rescue Young Catholics Drowning in a Secular Culture, offering it free to readers as a resource for families navigating an age of cultural apostasy.
From the Desk of Steve Wood at the Family Life Center (May 2026)
How to Rescue Young Catholics Drowning in a Secular Culture
This year’s Easter saw an encouraging influx of young adults joining the Catholic Church. What’s even more remarkable is that the largest percentage of those joining were young men.
In this newsletter a year ago, I reported that:
- A large Bible publisher reports that Bible sales have surged by 30% in the past year, especially among younger demographics.
- The WSJ reports that Bible sales are booming, fueled by first-time buyers.
One of my new personal prayer practices is to hold a map of the United States and then a map of the world, and to pray for the young people in these states and countries. The future of our country and our Church depends directly on the younger generation. If the trends mentioned above continue and expand, we can expect a hope-filled future. My opinion is that the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a fracturing secular culture, quite unexpectedly, set in motion a youth spiritual awakening.
On the other hand, some disheartening statistics indicate that all is not well with Catholic youth. We need to be both optimistic and realistic. While thousands are entering the Church, it’s estimated that between 500,000 to 1,000,000 Catholic youth and young adults are leaving every year. Between 65-80% of Catholic-raised youth stop practicing their faith by their mid-20s. Only 15% of those raised in Catholic families and catechized in the Church regularly attend Mass.
No wonder that Pope Benedict XVI warned of an “educational emergency” in passing on the Faith to the coming generation.
In the Navy, sailors are required to learn how to fight shipboard fires. At sea, you can’t just go outside and wait for the fire department to arrive. One day near where I was working, a fire broke out. I ran to the scene as we were all trained to do. I found a handful of my shipmates standing with a frozen stare at the growing fire. I shouted at my shipmates to get extinguishers to help put out the fire.
The Catholic youth faith crisis and the corresponding “educational emergency” are so severe that shocked silence and inaction are the reactions.
What Catholic Parents Shouldn’t Do
One Catholic father, representing a small group of faithful Catholic parents, called me for advice. It seems that despite having a good parish, homeschooling, and following a long checklist of pious practices, a significant number of their children had abandoned the Faith. While several in their group still had children in the home, they wanted to learn what they were missing from their Catholic checklist.
Unfortunately, the dad I spoke with didn’t seem to grasp that dependence on the checklist may be the prime problem.
The First Step for 21st Century Parents
The first necessary step before forming a parenting or catechetical strategy is to gain a clear grasp of the cultural situation we find ourselves in.
I believe the cultural shift over the past half-century has brought our culture to a dark low point. Our children and grandchildren are not living in the same culture we grew up in.
Pope Benedict warned, “We are living through an apostasy from the Faith. It is as if the connection between European-American culture and Christian culture was being dissolved.”
If you agree that we are facing a cultural apostasy, then Jesus warning should be at the forefront of the minds of parents, priests, and catechists.
“And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)
Christian parenting advice often teaches about raising good kids while assuming that we are living in normal times. We are not. I repeat: we are not living in normal times.
A New Book for Rescuing Young Catholics
I’ve just completed a new book. Its purpose is to clearly and succinctly describe how to raise faithful Catholics in a collapsing culture. The title is: Transforming Grace: How to Rescue Young Catholics Drowning in a Secular Culture.
Many parents and priests may wonder if keeping kids Catholic is even possible in today’s world. At this turning point in history, I believe it’s important to remember that the Catholic Church is experienced in dealing with cultures just like ours.
The pagan Roman Empire was transformed from the inside out by the power of the Gospel of grace. This transformation was one of the most remarkable manifestations of divine omnipotence in human history. This transforming power is available to you, your children, and your grandchildren.
The book isn’t a checklist of things for parents to do. Neither does it contain any brand-new psychological or child-raising insights. Rather, it’s a compact compilation of what I’ve learned through serious study of theology, the Bible, and the dynamics of the spiritual life over the past half-century. The goal is to build a strong, close, and personal relationship with Jesus. In other words, a vibrant life with Jesus Christ is the not-so-secret secret to successful Christian living in the 21st century for both youth and adults.
A Word of Caution, So You Won’t Burn My New Book
I advocate numerous major changes to the way parents and parishes spiritually form Catholic children. Logically, if we keep doing what we are doing, then the disastrous youth hemorrhage from the Church will continue and perhaps grow even larger. Therefore, if you aren’t willing to have your thoughts on spiritual formation seriously challenged, then this book isn’t for you.
On the other hand, if you are willing to investigate overlooked ways to keep youth from quitting the practice of the Faith, then I would really like you to have a copy.
Here are just a few of the many things you will learn:
- How parents can provide a solid faith formation in the midst of a culture going astray
- Which catechetical strategies really work and which don’t
- How to pass on a living faith and avoid the danger of notional beliefs
- The overlooked key to genuine spiritual renewal
- How to encourage a personal attachment to Jesus Christ
- What is spiritual transformation, and why is it so vital
- What St. John Paul II & Benedict XVI said about transforming grace
- Why a sea-change in religious formation is desperately needed
Am I Crazy?
Here’s my slightly insane financial publishing plan for Transforming Grace: How to Rescue Young Catholics Drowning in a Secular Culture.
For a limited time, I plan to give away my new book. That’s right. We are offering the book at no charge while asking for a donation of any amount. After that, the book will be available through the usual venues.
You might ask, “What if someone gives only a $1 and the cost of just shipping is $5?” That’s fine, because someone with substantial funds may recognize that this project offers substantial hope for families and the Church and chooses to give $1,000. (We can only offer this giveaway to U.S. residents.)
If you are receiving this letter, it means that you are, or have been, a donor to the Family Life Center. We want to express our deep appreciation for your generosity. Therefore, we don’t require a donation for you to receive a copy. Just return the enclosed reply card and let us know that you’d like a copy. That’s it.
How to Receive Your Copy
- By Mail: Simply fill out the enclosed reply card and check the box requesting your free book—we’ll take care of the rest. (Donation optional.)
- Online: Visit RescuingYoungCatholics.com to request your copy with a donation of $1 or more in support of the Family Life Center.
Questions? We’re happy to help: Contact@BibleforCatholics.com
Yours in His Majesty’s Service,
Steve Wood
P.S. Please pray for Transforming Grace to help parents and parishes.
P.P.S. Friends not on this mail list can receive a giveaway copy by making a donation in any amount at RescuingYoungCatholics.com.
P.P.P.S. Transforming Grace is also available on Amazon for those outside the U.S.