A good idea for catholics from...a tv show on golf?

[k5thbeatle]

As an avid golfer I often watch The Golf Fix, a tv show on the Golf Channel. As the name implies it’s essentially a show dedicated to tips on playing golf. I was watching tonight as the show was ending and just before flipping channels the host started talking about something that caught my attention. He stated that in the last 4 years golf has lost 1 million participants (not sure where he got the stats or how accurate but that’s not important). He went on to implore the audience that all golfers probably know someone who has left the game and that it is their duty to invite them back. Maybe take someone to a range or a golf shop or whatever…just invite them back as it is the avid golfers duty to do so.

Mmm…that instantly got me thinking. How many of us catholics know someone who has left the church? Why is there (seemingly) no movement to invite people fallen from the church back? Maybe just invite someone who has been away just to simply come to mass once? Is there an organized worldwide effort to invite those fallen away back?

 

[Sherry_G]

Take a look at the website: www.catholicscome home.org and see that they have great videos for Catholics who have fallen away from the Church. I have sent these to my brother and my sister, as well as some friends. When meeting my brother and sister at least once a year (we all live in different states and plan a reunion for just we three) they used to drop me off at church, but now they actually come in and even sit, kneel and stand at the appropriate times. Last time, my sister actually cried through most of the Mass. She is still not back, but it’s coming, I am praying like crazy. My brother is pretty close, too now.

Yes, the golf instructor had the right idea. Surprising results occur if we just ask or invite. My husbands family go to Mass with me during Christmas and they are Baptists.

 

[PbloPicasso]

Actually, there is a movement, its called reverts. I always preach, so to speak. I’m excited to be Catholic, even with all of the flack I’ve received for being so evangelical. I grew up evangelical, began practicing Catholicism living with my day,even attended the seminary to become a priest, saw things, experienced things, got scared and ran to a safe place that brought me back home eventually. I read that 70 of those Catholics that defect to Protestant faiths revert back to Catholicism. Don’t know where those stats come from though. But there is a movement called “Catholics Come Home” It’s a very good inspiring short video. However, I do believe that we ought to do more by learning more about the history of the Church and even spend our own money to learn theology and church teaching even more than what is offered by the parish and diocese. That’s what my convert wife and I are doing now. Prayer is a powerful tool God’s given us. Use it or lose it. Pray for everyone you come across to either deepen their faith in God or to return or to convert.

 

[William_Pitts]

I always preach, so to speak. I’m excited to be Catholic, even with all of the flack I’ve received for being so evangelical. I grew up evangelical… Prayer is a powerful tool God’s given us. Use it or lose it. Pray for everyone you come across to either deepen their faith in God or to return or to convert.

As one former evangelical to another…Amen!! I can’t help it. I ask all kinds of people if they are religious? I usually end up telling them about my conversion to the Catholic Church or asking them return to the Church. I have found some wonderful Catholic people by simply talking with strangers. And a few sincere people who haven’t made it Home yet.