Any programs geared toward bringing former Catholics back?

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Elzee

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Are there any good programs out there aimed at bringing lapsed Catholics ‘back home’?

Our parish is considering starting a ministry try and bring Catholics back who have either left the Catholic Church for another church (in our area, this would typically be a non-denominational church), or who are just inactive all together when it comes to their faith life.

If there aren’t any official programs, have any of your parishes developed one?

Someone mentioned trying to make it part of RCIA, but our pastor prefers making this a separate endeavor.

Thank you.
 
I think there is a program called “Coming Home”. I think that there are probably many “fallen away” Catholics who would like to come home but are afraid, embarrased or don’t know how to go about it. If the program were well publicized (in places other than church) it would let those interested know about it and they might consider it if they realized that more people than just them would be there and that they were all in the same boat. Since so many people are poorly catechised these days it would be helpful to have the program include going over the tenets of the Church.
 
mary_bobo said:
I think there is a program called “Coming Home”. I think that there are probably many “fallen away” Catholics who would like to come home but are afraid, embarrased or don’t know how to go about it. If the program were well publicized (in places other than church) it would let those interested know about it and they might consider it if they realized that more people than just them would be there and that they were all in the same boat. Since so many people are poorly catechised these days it would be helpful to have the program include going over the tenets of the Church.
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I know you are talking about fallen away Catholics but I think the book below could also be applied to them.

I recommend a book called Chats With Converts: Complete Explanation And Proof Of Catholic Belief by Rev. M.D. Forrest, M.S.C. with a preface by Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Its a course of instruction in the Catholic Faith and each of the 30 chapters is written in the form of a chat with a prospective convert and our faith is explained in an easy to understand way for the average person. This is also a book that could be used for apologetics.
 
A lot of the parishes in my area use the Landings Program

landings-international.org

This is a formal program with handouts and a set agenda for each week. I believe it lasts for six weeks.

The program I attended early this year was a bit more informal. We met 4 times. Topics covered inlcuded marriage issues, sacraments, changes since Vatican II, etc.

If you’re looking for a do-it-yourself program I would recommend reading “Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program,” by Sally Mews.
 
Anne1964 said:
A lot of the parishes in my area use the Landings Program

landings-international.org

This is a formal program with handouts and a set agenda for each week. I believe it lasts for six weeks.

The program I attended early this year was a bit more informal. We met 4 times. Topics covered inlcuded marriage issues, sacraments, changes since Vatican II, etc.

If you’re looking for a do-it-yourself program I would recommend reading “Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program,” by Sally Mews.
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Thank you! Anyone had any personal experience using “Landings”?
 
Elzee said:
Are there any good programs out there aimed at bringing lapsed Catholics ‘back home’?

Our parish is considering starting a ministry try and bring Catholics back who have either left the Catholic Church for another church (in our area, this would typically be a non-denominational church), or who are just inactive all together when it comes to their faith life.

If there aren’t any official programs, have any of your parishes developed one?

Someone mentioned trying to make it part of RCIA, but our pastor prefers making this a separate endeavor.

Thank you.
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Here is a program we developed:

This is the ad that ran in the local paper religion section and the diocesan paper for three weeks prior to the first session as well as the Sunday bulletin.

**The first session of HOSEA, a program for Catholics who have been away from the Church will take place Feb 28 @ 7PM at **Sacred Heart Catholic Church - John St. at Skeet Rd. For information call the Church 869-3379.

We also produced a color tri-fold pamphlet that was available in the church information rack and side tables by the doors.

We had 5 color posters made with an image of Christ and the lost lamb with the information and dates put up in the church building.

Here is what the outline looks like, it is the same for each of the 4 sessions held each year Spring (Feb- Apr)), Summer (June- July), Fall (Sept- Oct), Advent (Nov- Dec)

HOSEA
Session -A -2006

§2/28 Session 1
Spritual Life
Expectations of God
**§**3/7 Session 2
Family of Faith
Life in the Church
**§**3/14 Session 3
Sacramental Life
**§**3/21 Session 4
Family Life
Marriage
**§**3/28 Session 5
Liturgical Life - The Mass
**§**4/4 Session 6
**Open Q and A **
Reconciliation With God and The Church
I would do the first session and pop in and out during the others and be available in the building for any questions that would come up.

One of the deacons did session 2

Two lay catechists did session 3

The leader of the Young Adult ministry did session 4
I answered Annulment question at the end.

One of the priests did session 5

The Pastor did session 6
 
Elzee said:
Are there any good programs out there aimed at bringing lapsed Catholics ‘back home’?

Our parish is considering starting a ministry try and bring Catholics back who have either left the Catholic Church for another church (in our area, this would typically be a non-denominational church), or who are just inactive all together when it comes to their faith life.

.
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My parish is in the process of implementing Catholics Returning Home. catholicsreturninghome.org

Here is a link to the list of approve programs:

usccb.org/evangelization/reconciliation.shtml
 
My former parish used Landings. I did some facilitator training for them-- I trained the volunteers how to be facilitators. Several of my friends were involved in the program as facilitators. They had good things to say about it.
 
The program The One True Faith, below in my signature and at this link here: catholictelevision.org/ has excellent information for returning Catholics. See especially the podcasts of the shows (see the link in this message for podcasts) if you are not in a viewing area.

A very common comment we hear from viewers is - “Wow, if I had know that I would have never left the Church.”

You can see clips of the shows on YouTube by searching for “The One True Faith” or “Michael Voris”, who is the host of the show.

I think you will find his style extremely easy to follow and understand, as well as entertaining and informative. The shows are upbeat and modern in style, and definitely don’t put you to sleep with a bunch of history class type presentations we all remember from school. 🙂

~Liza
 
I don’t know of any programs but I will give some advice. I was away from the church for a while before I came back this year. A few years ago there was a big nationwide program on a certain sunday in November I think, inviting catholics to come home, come back to the church. At the time, I very much considered going back and taking part in this program, but for some reason I couldn’t make it that weekend. As a catholic that was away from the church, I think the church making a very public and welcoming campaign filled with promises of information and teaching and reintegration is very promising and attention getting. I realize now that the whole time I was away from the church I was looking for reasons to come back. You’ve got to give people reasons, make it known the church wants them back, make them feel welcomed. Part of my reluctance in returning was me being afraid of how I would be perceived.

Either way, good luck!

PS The One True Faith tv program mentioned above is a good program. I dvr it every week.

😃
 
As a Catholic that has recently come home, the website

catholiccomehome.org

and the podcoats from the One True Faith programs have been invaluable. And, of course, the CA forums 👍

I applaud you in your effort to facilitate and bring people back. I kind of limped back with some help from in-laws who live in Washington state, while I live in Massachusetts. It would’ve been a little easier if there were some ministry available but I’m home nonetheless and happy to be here!!!
 
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