Everyone knows someone who has left the church or no longer practices their faith. But most people don’t know what to say or do. This fall St. Joan of Arc is hosting a Catholic Home Coming, a four-phase series of programs with information to assist parishioners on how to help invite a friend or loved one back to the Catholic faith.

On Tuesday, September 8^th, St. Joan of Arc invited nationally known speaker and author, Lorene Hanley Duquin for Phase I: Family and Friends of our Catholic Home Coming Initiative. The evening began with prayer, Ms. Duquin’s own personal witness and talk.  Information was provided on various topics for attendees who have a family member or friend that no longer practices the Catholic faith. Evangelization Committee members were available to offer information and answer questions during a reception.

For those of you that were unable to attend our PHASE I – Evening for Family and Friends with Lorene Duquin, please click on this link to hear what she had to say about why people leave and how to invite our loved ones back to the Catholic Church.

[audio:Lorene Duquin-09.07.2009.mp3|]

Phase II: Beginning the Journey is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20^th, at 7:00 pm. On this evening parishioners are asked to invite and accompany friends and family members who are no longer active in the Catholic Church for an evening of prayer, a personal witness, fellowship and an opportunity to talk to others and get information on questions that they may have.

The next phase, Phase III: The Journey Continues will be a four-session series, with pertinent topics for those who have left the faith. Each session will begin with fellowship followed by two topics being presented each fellowship followed by two topics being presented each night. In addition, the first evening will end with an optional session on annulments for those who are interested.

October 27:

• Sin and Confession
• Holy Communion and Jesus’ True Presence
• Annulment Session

November 3

• Prayer and Understanding the Mass
• The Problem of Pain and Evil in the World

November 11

• Catholic Teaching On Contraception
• How to Read and Understand the Bible

November 18

• Mary and the Saints
• Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

The Final phase, Phase IV: Moved by the Spirit will include Advent Activities.

St. Patrick Parish is also hosting a Catholic Home Coming with identical events and topics; but their events are scheduled on Thursday evenings of the same weeks.

Catholic Home Coming is an opportunity for Catholics to reach out to loved ones and friends, armed with knowledge, ideas and support provided by the church to guide someone back into the Catholic Faith. For more information on Catholic Home Coming events, please watch the bulletin or call the parish office at 865-9964.

Do you know someone who has left the Church?

Most of us do not have to look very far to find “non-practicing Catholics” in our circle of family and friends. Many of us are concerned about these loved ones however we don’t know how to help them. Obviously, most of them are searching, but how can we help them find their way home?

As baptized, practicing Catholics we have a precious gift of faith and love from the Lord that needs to be shared with our non-practicing brothers and sisters. First, we need to pray for them. Secondly, we need to extend a personal invitation to them to come home to the Catholic Church. Most non-practicing Catholics are waiting for an invitation to return. Many mistakenly think they are excommunicated and are not welcome to return for a variety of reasons.

Many non-practicing Catholics carry a tremendous amount of guilt and misinformation about the Church so they are afraid of approaching the Church for fear of being rejected. You can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life simply by reaching out to them and telling them that we miss them and would like for them to come back home to our Church family.

Catholics Come Home is a process for reaching out and inviting inactive Catholics to return “home” to the Church and resume an active practice of their faith. It is conducted in a non-judgmental support-group format. However, a sequence of topics on the basics of Catholicism is covered during a four-week series so that attendees are updated. The process is both formational and informational.

No matter how long you have been away and no matter the reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church.

Coming Back to the Catholic Church

For most people, coming back to the Catholic Church is a process – not an event.  For some it happens fast.  They start coming back to Mass, and after a short time, they go to confession or talk to a priest.  For others, the process takes longer.  It may involve shopping for a parish, looking for a priest who is easy to talk with, or finding some other way to feel connected like working in the food pantry or helping at some parish event.

Sometimes, whole families come back to the church together.  In those cases, children may need instruction or the reception of sacraments.  Adults may seek annulments.  Sometimes marriages that took place outside the Church will be blessed.

As we said, it’s a process.  And each person’s journey is unique!

How can you help?

Bring family members or friends who are away from the church to a special evening of prayer and information on Tuesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. in the church.  It is an open, anonymous, non-judgmental evening specially designed for people who feel separated from the church because of divorce, doubts, painful memories, lifestyle, anger or other reasons.

What will happen during that evening?

The evening will begin with prayer, an opening activity and a talk by about why the Church wants people to come back.  Then participants will be invited downstairs for refreshments and information on topics such as divorce and separation, annulments, coming back to the church, confession, prayer, anger at the church, and much more.   No name tags.  No sign-in sheets.  No strings attached.

Some comments from past participants:

• “It met my need to learn more about what the Church is like now.”
• “I had a chance to verbalize some feelings and share some experiences.”
• “Questions are treated with thought, sensitivity, and honesty.”
• “I like the information and the opportunity for prayer.”
• “I wasn’t judged.  I was made to feel welcome.”
• “I don’t feel alone anymore.”

 The evening is free and open to all.  No reservations required.  It’s okay to come late or leave early.

For additional information, call the Parish office at 765-865-9964.

Six signs someone is open to evangelization

1.  Questions The most common sign is when someone begins to ask questions about God, good and evil, or the meaning of life.  A lot of people in our society have lost that sense of meaning. They begin to ask, “What is my life about?  Why do I do what I do?  Is there any purpose in all of this?”  As a parent, spouse, sibling or friend, your role is not to restore that meaning, but to help the person find meaning for him or herself.  You can do that by active listening.  Non-threatening comments such as, “It sounds like you’re really searching…” will encourage the person to talk in a more open manner. You don’t have to offer solutions or answers.  Offer your opinion only when asked.

2. Memories Reminiscing is another sign someone may be open to evangelization.  Sometimes people will recall childhood devotions to Our Lady or the saints.  Memories of music, incense, or some special liturgy will surface.  Don’t be afraid to share your own memories.  You might want to suggest revisiting a childhood parish together or seek out a priest or religious who had a profound impact on the person. If remembering takes a negative turn, don’t be defensive.  The person may be justified in his or her anger.  Sometimes, talking about a bad experience can put it in perspective.  If possible encourage the person to separate anger toward a person from anger at the Church and the Sacraments.  It wasn’t the Church that caused the pain. It was a person connected to the Church. If a person is open to praying, ask the Holy Spirit for healing of memories.

3. Reading Some people are evangelized through reading.  Keep Catholic books, magazines, newspapers and even your parish bulletin in places where family members and friends can pick them up.  If there’s something particular that you find interesting, recommend it to family members and friends.  One woman sent books on Dorothy Day and Edith Stein to her sister who was struggling with how she perceived the Church treats women.

4. Current Events Catholic news events can trigger interest in some people.  Make sure you’re up to date on Papal visits, Marian apparitions, Vatican announcements and local news about Catholic people and events.  Even the priest scandal was a great opportunity to explain to people why you are still a Catholic!  When discussing any aspect of Catholic news, emphasize the universality of the Church.  Unlike other Christian denominations that tend to attract people with similar interests and backgrounds, the Catholic Church numbers one billion people with different cultural, intellectual, and socioeconomic backgrounds. As James Joyce said, Catholic means, “Here comes everybody!”

5.  Major Life Events Illness, death, divorce, the birth of a baby, a job loss or transfer, kids growing into teen years, moving to a new home are all life events that make people open to evangelization. It’s important to listen.  Then share how you got through difficult times with the help of your Catholic faith.  Offer to introduce the person to a priest, deacon or pastoral association.  Invite them to come to Mass with you.

6. God’s Presence The real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is often a factor in bringing people back.  Invite people to come with you for family funerals, weddings, baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Ash Wednesday, May crownings, and Mass on Christmas and Easter.  It’s hard for people to go to church by themselves.  Be an inviter.  If they don’t want to go to Mass, invite them to parish social, cultural or educational events.   Keep the lines of communication open.  Radiate God’s love to everyone. Let the Holy Spirit work through you.  Before long, you’ll begin to see that people will be drawn to Jesus Christ and attracted to the Catholic Church because they want the faith, the love and the peace you possess.