He said the the loss of "the sense of community" is a factor in this change. This loss harms people's image of God because the Trinity is "the perfect model of how to love unconditionally within families and in society at large."
"Relationships become shallower and the desire for the true good of the other is set aside in favor of personal profit in this life. In families, the most basic cell of society, self-sacrifice for the sake of eternal reward is replaced with the temporary pleasures this life offers."
The "explosion" in technology, especially in communications, is another factor in the new culture. While the Church can bring the Gospel to the far corners of the earth, "the sheer volume of messages and the convincing way that some of them are presented has created confusion about some of the most fundamental questions in life."
The truth must now compete with "many destructive answers" to questions about the nature of humanity, freedom, happiness and truth.
Western culture also believes that Christianity "has been tried and found insufficient," the archbishop said.
Responding to these challenges will not be easy, but can be "painful" and involve the cross.
Archbishop Aquila urged prayers for fortitude, because "our culture will challenge, reject and even hate us because of our faith in Jesus and his Church."
And although hatred of God and mockery of people of faith is becoming acceptable, there are "people of good will who, for all of their imperfections, are just waiting to meet Christ."
He urged Catholics to "move out of our comfort zones" and become "more evangelistic."
"Everyone in the Archdiocese of Denver has an opportunity to encounter Jesus and grow in faith, even once the Year of Faith is over," the archbishop said.
"Jesus, the one who is love, mercy and truth, stands ready to meet you, in prayer, in the sacraments and in the spiritually and materially poor. He desires to call you 'friend.'"
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"And once you have met him, the Holy Spirit will fill you with a joy that cannot be contained, that impels you to 'go and make disciples of all nations.'"