Reaching Lukewarm Catholics

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puzzleannie

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what are your best recommendations for programs to reach out to inactive, underactive or just plain lukewarm Catholics?

my source is looking for a video-based series, perhaps with workbooks, up to 1/2 hour talks, followed by small group discussion

share your experience and resources please
write some good reviews if you have used the materials

don’t get nervous but your recommendations will probably be passed on to the bishop
 
Lukewarm catholics are the majority. Programs that exist in the parish structures now are therefore not reliable for retrieving these wayward souls. You have to “think outside of the box.”

For example, look at the new orders coming into the USA from the outside. Archbishop Fulton Sheen predicted, or prophesied, the USA would someday be a destination for missionaries from outside of our country. How right he was.

Two of the best groups coming into the USA are Opus Dei and Miles Christi. Both have one solid component in common. They teach faithful doctrine. Once a parish has a grip on this, there is no longer a question about contraception, abortion, gay support, euthanasia, fetal stem cell research, no-fault divorce, etc. The attack on the family will begin to heal.

For lukewarm catholics there is another almost immediate effect. When they go to confession and start down the road to a holy life, their eyes are opened again and they can finally see how bad the lukewarm life really is.

The age of dissent in our church in the USA is almost over.

Another fantastic resource is The Vortex, which can be viewed on www.realcatholictv.com.
 
Our entire Archdiocese started the “Why Catholic” series last Fall and it was wonderful. We had over 220 participate in our Parish and it was set up using small “community groups” of no more than 12 people to a group. Each group had a “leader” and we met in our Parish Center or in homes. Each group had a different day/time that they would meet, although it was the same day/time/location for that particular group every week. Therefore, there were many options for people that could meet easier during the morning, evening, on a certain day, etc. We started the “Sacraments” series and there is a study guide and you review and share as a group when you meet. It was a great time of learning and sharing and everyone that participated gave it rave reviews. Here is the link if you would like to learn more about it: whycatholic.org/Renew/home.nsf/vLaunch/Home?OpenDocument&MainLink=/Renew/home.nsf/vPages/WhyCathOV?OpenDocument. If it doesn’t work you can Google “Why Catholic”. There is no video that I know of with this series, but it is a perfect opportunity for the faithful to invite those that may not be as active and it is beneficial and interesting for all. There are other programs/series available on the left sidebar once you click on the link, that may be more appropriate for your particular need. Hope this helps.
 
Puzzleannie, our parish sponsored the Awakening Faith program this past winter, which is designed to reach inactive or alienated Catholics. My understanding is that our parish was the first in our diocese to do this program.
pncea.org/programs/awakeningfaith.aspx

We promoted it as a way to “encourage the people we love, our friends, neighbors, and co-workers, who may be open to returning to the Church, to become more active in their faith.” We advertised the program on our local radio station and newspaper. But the real thrust of the program was one-on-one invitation by parishioners to their family, friends, etc. We prepared parishioners by explaining that people have left the faith for a variety of reasons, and we don’t pass judgement on that; rather we want to welcome them back with open arms and offer an atmosphere of hospitality. Our parish kicked off the program with an “Invitation Sunday” in which parishioners were given invitation cards for inviting Catholics to return to a more active practice of the faith.

The program has six core sessions, with four optional follow-up sessions. Our program had about 25 attending. (We have a small parish and are in a rural area, and we think this was a good turnout for us.) Some of those were active Catholics who came with their invitees, although coming with them is not required. Each session covers a different faith topic, and a booklet is used. The main activity of each session involves breaking up into small groups of about 6-8 people. After reading the appropriate section in the booklet, the small groups discuss the topic, then all come together to share their thoughts with the larger group.

Our attendees enjoyed the program so much all agreed to continue with the four optional sessions. Our pastor liked the program and we feel that it was fruitful.
 
Unless these programs result in a radical change, the parishioners will still behave as lukewarm catholics. For example, a majority will use contraception, about half will twist reason in order to suppor a pro-abortion candidate, and a few will support the gay agenda. The “creative” liturgical ministers will still change the text of the mass and introduce unorthodox music.

If these positions and behaviors do not change, the programs that are attempted at the parish level will simply work to affirm dissent from the one true faith. This is a terrible result.

Souls for eternity are at stake here. Be careful! You might be guilty of a serious charge that will be revealed just outside of the pearly gates, and then it is too late.
 
I have very little knowledge in this , but can only express from a point of one who was on the recieving end. Every week, a certain parish member sent my family a weekly bulletin. When the Lord found it time for me to really consider the faith from my youth, I had Mass times, phone numbers, times for confession…all readily availible… a little seed can really go a long way.
 
Samson01 said:
I have very little knowledge in this , but can only express from a point of one who was on the recieving end. Every week, a certain parish member sent my family a weekly bulletin. When the Lord found it time for me to really consider the faith from my youth, I had Mass times, phone numbers, times for confession…all readily availible… a little seed can really go a long way.
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That is the approach our parish takes as well. As part of our overall stewardship and evangelization effort, we not only did the Awakening Faith program (described above) but we also started a quarterly newletter about the activities of our parish and (FINALLY) developed a website. The newsletter is mailed to all parishoners and anyone else who shows an interest in the parish. Personally, I think that is a great evangelization tool.
 
thanks so much this is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for

keep it coming

the group has a strategy for reaching out and attracting those they hope to reach and want to make sure the actual “program” (I hate that word) is the best they can offer
 
=puzzleannie;8162309]what are your best recommendations for programs to reach out to inactive, underactive or just plain lukewarm Catholics?

my source is looking for a video-based series, perhaps with workbooks, up to 1/2 hour talks, followed by small group discussion

share your experience and resources please
write some good reviews if you have used the materials

don’t get nervous but your recommendations will probably be passed on to the bishop
Click to expand...
This OUGHT to be a TOPIC of great interest; but I suspect not:o

The first step it seems ought to be identfying these folks. The Pastor and priest ought to review the enrollment roles and compare them to those actually KNOWN to be practicing there Catholic Faith.

Step two IMO would then be a “personal” letter from the pastor inviting them back or asking them if they would care to be contacted? [Religion can’t be forced, and this is the position of Canon Law.]

The program , again IMO, would have the first several classes just letting people “get the steam out.” THESE MUST BE HANDLED BY THE PASTOR HIMSELF to be effective.

After a week or two of handling beefs the pastor can turn the program over to TRAINED and Qualified Teachers of our Catholic Faith. The agenda [IMO] ought to be along the lines of RCIA; WITHOUT THE REFERENCE TO RCIA. And cover both what we believe and WHY.

Some of the topics ought to be:
FIRST the CREEDS and a general explaination of what we are saying, what we are praying and how it OUGHT to tie in to WHAT WE ACTAULLY beleive and practice.

Then like RCIA, I’d get very basic: Some church history, Bible history, a detailed explaination of Matt. 16:15-19 and 18:18 [with sufficient detail to be informative YET interestering].

Then the Sacraments [maybe two or three classes?]
What various Church FATHERS beleived on each sacrament
Prayer:types and uses, effects of
The Commandments
Marian beliefs
The Marks of the Church
Justification and salvation [could be two classes?]
The Mass and Sacred Liturgy explained in detail [again by Father]

These are the essential BASICS based on my many years of teaching and sharing our faith.

God Bless and may he BLESS YOUR efforts!

Maybe a blirp in the Bulletin and make the passirs aware of what is being done and ask them for names that MIGHT be included on the contact list?

Pat
 
I recommend you get people out of the parish environment and into an annual silent retreat with real priests. You have to break the connection with the local parish that allowed so many catholics to become lukewarm to begin with. I mean seriously, how can you become lukewarm when eternal life in heaven is at stake. Any good priest and cadre of “ministers” would never let this happen. It could be a combination of factors though and not just the priest’s fault. Many of us suffer with the “creative” music minister or liturgical minister (lay person).

Think of this point. If the line for sacrament of penance is nearly nonexistent, you have more problems than a new parish program can possibly handle. Another parish program will only prolong the decline in the parish and more completely erase the faith there.

You need something more like a revolution. I am not thinking of the kind of revolution Luther implemented. I am thinking of the opposite. A revolution that embraces our pope instead of rejecting him. You need real priests to teach you the faith. Again, this is outside of the parish. You then need to start faith formation meetings weekly in your neighborhoods in the homes. In these meetings, teach doctrine, christian attitudes and virtues. Read a good commentary on the Sunday gospel. Review the lives of the great saints. Turn off the TV!

Fight the good fight. Run the race to the finish!
 
While I appreciate anyone the has truly believes in their cause, a video series and workbooks isn’t going to cut it. People are lukewarm for a reason, and that reason is going to vary from person to person. I can cite all sorts of reasons. Many people are incredibly angry (and rightfully so) about the child abuse scandals. I know others that were scared to death as children about going to hell if they didn’t go to church all the time, and at some point felt betrayed and never went back.

Another major problem that results in Catholics leaving the Church has to do with marital issues. A common example is when a spouse cheats, leaves, and divorces. According to the Church, the innocent party is still married, and that innocent party is completely at the mercy of the guilty party when it comes to have sex or children. So the innocent party can be denied sex and children by that guilty party as long as the guilty party is alive. At best, this situation is disordered, and most people don’t support the Church’s position on this.

Basically, in order to turn lukewarm Catholics in “warm” Catholics, these personal issues will have to be tackled on a personal level. Programs have to be guided in that direction.
 
Warrior1979 said:
While I appreciate anyone the has truly believes in their cause, a video series and workbooks isn’t going to cut it. People are lukewarm for a reason, and that reason is going to vary from person to person. I can cite all sorts of reasons. Many people are incredibly angry (and rightfully so) about the child abuse scandals. I know others that were scared to death as children about going to hell if they didn’t go to church all the time, and at some point felt betrayed and never went back.

Another major problem that results in Catholics leaving the Church has to do with marital issues. A common example is when a spouse cheats, leaves, and divorces. According to the Church, the innocent party is still married, and that innocent party is completely at the mercy of the guilty party when it comes to have sex or children. So the innocent party can be denied sex and children by that guilty party as long as the guilty party is alive. At best, this situation is disordered, and most people don’t support the Church’s position on this.

Basically, in order to turn lukewarm Catholics in “warm” Catholics, these personal issues will have to be tackled on a personal level. Programs have to be guided in that direction.
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I very much agree with you. And its those kinds of topics that are discussed in the small group, and the pastor is on hand to address these issues as a group or if someone wants to meet with him personally then or at another time.

Alot of times inactive (as opposed to alienated) Catholics just slowly drifted away and simply need a personal invitation and welcoming arms to come back. We want to reach those folks too.
 
CatholicFireman said:
catholicscomehome.org/
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That’s what I was going to point to. I know several diocese have used this initiative with substantial success. Phoenix is one of them. I don’t know that it’s a “program” per se, however.

Honestly, I’ve never been that impressed with the stuff coming out of PNCEA (now PEM) or Renew. My diocese did Why Catholic? and people were greatly excited in the beginning, but then it really fizzled by the end. It didn’t deliver what people were expecting. We were expecting a great program that was going to educate many on the central tenets of our faith. But the primary purpose of the program (as Renew themselves will tell you) is not catechesis. Rather, they emphasize the formation of small faith communities within a parish. That’s all well and good (and it really can be a source of renewal if done the right way), but what we got in some parishes was the blind leading the blind into heresy (according to some of our pastors). The discussion questions were way too unbalanced towards the affective aspect. Again, not that the affective dimension isn’t important. It is. But a better balance could have been found IMHO. Not to be too critical of Renew. I know there are success stories, too. My parents’ diocese is doing the program now and they enjoy getting together with all their friends and chatting about the Catechism. But they know they can call me when they (inevitably) have questions. 🙂

Really, as I know you are already well aware, the best program in the world isn’t a magic wand for conversion. For anything to be successful, the support of the pastor is the main factor.

I know of one pastor who decided to give a certain book (can’t recall which one) as a gift to each family registered in his parish. To save on postage, he made them available in the vestibule for people to pick up after Mass. He had them there every weekend for a month.

What happened (and what he hadn’t really planned) was that, by the end of this month, he had a list of all his parishioners who hadn’t been to Mass in at least a month. He sort of stumbled into creating a list of those fallen away Catholics in his parish. So then, some of his helpful parishioners decided to go door-to-door to hand deliver these gifts to those families and offer an invitation to an upcoming event at the parish.

Now, the people going door-to-door were not confrontational people, so they were able to do this in a true spirit of charity, not proselytization. It wasn’t about “checking up” on them or trying to guilt them into coming back to Mass. It was simply an opportunity to give them a gift, let them know they were missed, and be available to answer any questions.

This did lead to an increase in their Mass attendance and really helped revitalize their parish.

I really wish there were shortcuts. It would be nice to send out a flyer, play a DVD, and win tons and tons of souls for Christ. But I suppose we are laborers in the vineyard for a reason… :o
 
puzzleannie said:
what are your best recommendations for programs to reach out to inactive, underactive or just plain lukewarm Catholics?

my source is looking for a video-based series, perhaps with workbooks, up to 1/2 hour talks, followed by small group discussion

share your experience and resources please
write some good reviews if you have used the materials

don’t get nervous but your recommendations will probably be passed on to the bishop
Click to expand...
This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a book targeted toward lukewarm and fallen away Catholics.

amazon.com/Come-Home-Door-Open-Reconciliation/dp/1878886045/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1311812827&sr=8-3

I found it at the local library, bought it, and have been reading it periodically. It goes over the basics and has an imprimatur. Something to think about.
 
Samuel63 said:
I recommend you get people out of the parish environment and into an annual silent retreat with real priests. You have to break the connection with the local parish that allowed so many catholics to become lukewarm to begin with. I mean seriously, how can you become lukewarm when eternal life in heaven is at stake. Any good priest and cadre of “ministers” would never let this happen. It could be a combination of factors though and not just the priest’s fault. Many of us suffer with the “creative” music minister or liturgical minister (lay person).

Think of this point. If the line for sacrament of penance is nearly nonexistent, you have more problems than a new parish program can possibly handle. Another parish program will only prolong the decline in the parish and more completely erase the faith there.

You need something more like a revolution. I am not thinking of the kind of revolution Luther implemented. I am thinking of the opposite. A revolution that embraces our pope instead of rejecting him. You need real priests to teach you the faith. Again, this is outside of the parish. You then need to start faith formation meetings weekly in your
neighborhoods in the homes. In these meetings, teach doctrine, christian attitudes and
virtues. Read a good commentary on the Sunday gospel. Review the lives of the great
saints. Turn off the TV!

Fight the good fight. Run the race to the finish!
Click to expand...
May I be so bold as to inquire what you consider a “real priest” to be? I surmise that you most likely disagree with the Vatacan on this. 🤷
 
You know them when you see them. There is a distinct absence of parishioners at the Sacrament of Penance.
 
puzzleannie said:
what are your best recommendations for programs to reach out to inactive, underactive or just plain lukewarm Catholics?

my source is looking for a video-based series, perhaps with workbooks, up to 1/2 hour talks, followed by small group discussion

share your experience and resources please
write some good reviews if you have used the materials

don’t get nervous but your recommendations will probably be passed on to the bishop
Click to expand...
The recognized outreach in the World is [SIGN]The Legion Of Mary[/SIGN], in two’s: Door-to-Door. Each Pope since the 1920’s Founding has so stated; We number More than a Million, in Every Part of the World, operating under the Founder’s rules, and Pastor’s agreement. We find that about 60% of people, households are no longer connected to Allah, Christ, even Jahwe. It has to be done Positivelly, never argumentativelly, respectfully. We find Many Lapsed Catholics, Protestants, even some ‘spiritualists’. The problem is reaching, getting the People You want to reach, to respond. We mention the RCIA to non-Catholics and long lapsed former Catholics.
Code: 
                                                                                                                        I  myself    like many Parishioners,     are reverts  to The Church.   My  interest  was tipped by the  Ideal to me  [SIGN] EWTN[/SIGN]:  Mother Angelica's   and  the  EWTN greatest wisdoms,  problem    solutions,    Wisdom,    and Humor.   Greatest viewing!    EWTN is all Media sources now,  EWTN.Com  online, even shortwave  and  smartphones.
 
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