RCIA type outreach to fallen-away Catholics

[Jackene]

This is my first post, so please bear with me. Recently am feeling urged to start an outreach to fallen-away/non practicing Catholics in my Parish, inviting them to a “homecoming/refresher course” in their faith similar to the RCIA program for converts.

I have been teaching CCD to 8th graders for the past 5 years and it has become real clear to me that the parents of these kids are not practicing/handing-on their faith in the home. It is a wonderful and rewarding experience to teach the youngsters, but it seems to me that we are missing out on a great evangelizing opportunity in treating just the symptons and not the causes if we neglect to attempt to reach the parents/teachers of these young people and in some small way effect permanent and lasting change in these families.

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This is my first post, so please bear with me. Recently am feeling urged to start an outreach to fallen-away/non practicing Catholics in my Parish, inviting them to a “homecoming/refresher course” in their faith similar to the RCIA program for converts.

I have been teaching CCD to 8th graders for the past 5 years and it has become real clear to me that the parents of these kids are not practicing/handing-on their faith in the home. It is a wonderful and rewarding experience to teach the youngsters, but it seems to me that we are missing out on a great evangelizing opportunity in treating just the symptons and not the causes if we neglect to attempt to reach the parents/teachers of these young people and in some small way effect permanent and lasting change in these families.

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

You are absolutely correct. And clearly on the right track. It is also correct that returning Catholics do not belong in RCIA, but in a process “like RCIA”. Of course their time in the process would be much shorter maybe anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

 

[hannitycatholic]

:byzsoc: :knight1: Yep let those who have fallen away come back by the love of God.

 

[Joannm]

You are absolutely correct. And clearly on the right track. It is also correct that returning Catholics do not belong in RCIA, but in a process “like RCIA”. Of course their time in the process would be much shorter maybe anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

There are several programs out there, but the sad truth is that the people you want to reach don’t want to attend. There are all sort of excuses or they just don’t care. We juest started a very basic adult course for parents while their kids are in CCD in the evening…40 minutes a week. Our hope was to evangelize and help people to really understand their faith. We have 8 people attend out of over 300 families who participate that night in CCD. COming to this session would mean at the very least that the parents don’t have to drive home then turn around and come back 40 minutes later…but few come. We even offer coffee and donuts. Hopefully as the weather gets nastier people might think to come down. We try. A few years ago we did this big advertising campaign about “coming home” and had a great evening planned to reach out to the people you are talking about and guess how many people came…0. The pastor and I sat there drinking coffee and eating too many donuts. We keep trying, hoping someday people might realise that they need God and their faith. We do have another program that we are going to try in Lent that encourages the parishioners to evangalize and bring people to sessions. We will see if that works.

 

[jpjd]

There are several programs out there, but the sad truth is that the people you want to reach don’t want to attend. There are all sort of excuses or they just don’t care. We juest started a very basic adult course for parents while their kids are in CCD in the evening…40 minutes a week. Our hope was to evangelize and help people to really understand their faith. We have 8 people attend out of over 300 families who participate that night in CCD. COming to this session would mean at the very least that the parents don’t have to drive home then turn around and come back 40 minutes later…but few come. We even offer coffee and donuts. Hopefully as the weather gets nastier people might think to come down. We try. A few years ago we did this big advertising campaign about “coming home” and had a great evening planned to reach out to the people you are talking about and guess how many people came…0. The pastor and I sat there drinking coffee and eating too many donuts. We keep trying, hoping someday people might realise that they need God and their faith. We do have another program that we are going to try in Lent that encourages the parishioners to evangalize and bring people to sessions. We will see if that works.

That is depressing. And yet, as a former fallen-away Catholic, I can understand it. These people just aren’t interested because church, including educational programming, is “dull, boring, dusty, not relevant to my life”. The real problem is that Jesus is not Somebody they are in love with; He is not a thread (much less the *main *thread) in the fabric of their lives. How do we make Church personal to these people?

 

[idrum677]

How do we make the Church personal to those who have fallen away?

That is a perplexing question and one the we have not been able to accomplish on a large scale. The key is for them to understand their relationship - or at the least have a relationship with Jesus first.

No one is going to follow a set of rules just because they are told to, never mind live the radical life called for by Christ and His Church. The truth is, that without a change of heart, people are not going to “come home.” They will see the Church as that obligation they have and nothing more.

In one sense or another, everyone needs that *Road to Damascus *moment that changes their course toward Christ. Think back in your life, even if you are a cradle Catholic like I am, there was that one (or several in my case) pivotal moments that steered you in the right direction. Christ tries to speak with all of us, we just have to listen.

I don’t know if there is a blanket answer for the OP. Faith is a gift and cannot be forced upon people. We don’t have to give up- we can still offer programs that reach out to our brothers and sisters but we must understand that conversion may happen slowly and have faith that the Lord is working in peoples hearts.

Keep reaching out Jackene! You never know who you wil reach, be it a student or one of their parents. The Lord is with you!

 

[maryj]

hello Jackene, and welcome to catholic answers. We are in the process of the same thing at my parish. Here is the thread I started with some excellent suggestions
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=265589

We’ve started the process by having a new Mass at our parish, It’s a family Mass. I had some doubts about this at first but within 4 weeks this Mass is packed. Here’s the premise behind this train of thought…My child will be a lector at this Mass and in turn members of my family will come to hear them read. We’ve got families as greeters at the doors, the children are included in our parish choir, families bring up the gifts, act as ushers, the homilies are geared to basic apologetics and teachings of the church. We have these types of fanily Masses on three Sundays of the month. The Mass is not dumbed down. It does seem to be working. As a matter of fact the Bishop has asked our pastor to speak at an assembly of diocean priests as to “what are you people doing that brings so many children and families into your programs” Our catholic school is full and there is a waiting list for multiple classes. Our next step is to help out parishioners who are trying to answer questions from fallen away family members. I personally think that’s key in this process. Not everyone has a computer with access to Catholic answers!!! And these people need to be armed with the CORRECT responses when confronted by questions from fallen away family members. I hope some of this will help, keep praying that God’s will be done, don’t give up you will find the right recipe for success. God Bless, I’ll be praying for your parishes success.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There are several programs out there, but the sad truth is that the people you want to reach don’t want to attend. There are all sort of excuses or they just don’t care. We juest started a very basic adult course for parents while their kids are in CCD in the evening…40 minutes a week. Our hope was to evangelize and help people to really understand their faith. We have 8 people attend out of over 300 families who participate that night in CCD. COming to this session would mean at the very least that the parents don’t have to drive home then turn around and come back 40 minutes later…but few come. We even offer coffee and donuts. Hopefully as the weather gets nastier people might think to come down. We try. A few years ago we did this big advertising campaign about “coming home” and had a great evening planned to reach out to the people you are talking about and guess how many people came…0. The pastor and I sat there drinking coffee and eating too many donuts. We keep trying, hoping someday people might realise that they need God and their faith. We do have another program that we are going to try in Lent that encourages the parishioners to evangalize and bring people to sessions. We will see if that works.

I want to ask a few questions for the benefit of the original poster.

Did you advertize in the local news paper? Radio? TV?
Did you put any flyers out available for people to take to work or put on community boards?

Was it only planned on one specific night or over several different day so people who could not come on Tuesday could come on Thursday or Saturday morning? OR a weekday morning?

You can also try an evangelization weekend at the Mall. Reserve a table in the mall (or where ever) and ataff it for a day with handout material about the Catholic faith and answer qustions. you will be amaized at how many “I used to be Catholic” people will come up to talk.

If you do begin a program remember that it will take a few years for it to becomewell known. If you offer 3 or 4 sessions a year with 5 or 6 people per session in the first few years you doing good.

 

[KarenElissa]

My parish has something like this. It is called Alienated Catholics Anonymous. It is offered twice a year, right after Christmas and Easter and it taught by our priest. I don’t know too much about it other than from what I’ve heard from the announcements at Mass, but it seems like we have a fair number each time. Here is the brochure from our website.

 

[puzzleannie]

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

your instincts are, I think correct, the adults are the ones to reach. first step is always going through your pastor, find out his thoughts, chances are he has been wanting someone to step out for this for a long time. Suggest he speak to the participants in a general way, on some good occasion, on marriage in general, with a specific invitation for those who have a marriage issue–need annulment, convalidation etc.–to meet privately with him and take care of business and become restored to the sacraments.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My parish has something like this. It is called Alienated Catholics Anonymous. It is offered twice a year, right after Christmas and Easter and it taught by our priest. I don’t know too much about it other than from what I’ve heard from the announcements at Mass, but it seems like we have a fair number each time. Here is the brochure from our website.

Yes" fall-outs" or large announcements in the bulletin during Easter and Christmas Masses and don’t forget the One “Holy Day” everyone attends Ash Wednesday! Will reach the most C and E or fallen away Catholics.