Reinvigorating Lapsed Catholics

Parish

Our Lady of the Way, Petrie Parish
Petrie, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Archdiocese of Brisbane
Australia

More Info

For more information, email Jan Heath.

Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach

Tested program takes the initiative in bringing distant Catholics back to the Church.

"The Catholics Returning Home program provides a very practical strategy to welcome Catholics back to full and active participation in the life of their local faith communities. In the spirit of Jesus the Good Shepherd, we need to be proactive as a Church in inviting them to return.... My desire is that every parish community would have a welcoming heart for returning Catholics and train a team who can run this proven USA program which has already been tested in many parishes here in the Brisbane Archdiocese with marvelous results." -John Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane

The need it meets

This program is a simple and effective way to bring passive and estranged Catholics (like those who are part of the Christmas and Easter influx) back into a conscious, active living out of their faith.

Where it came from

Catholics Returning Home (CRH) Program was written and developed by Sally Mews over the course of the past twenty years. Sally, a wife, mother, tax consultant and herself a returning Catholic has a heart to help other Catholics rediscover the riches of the Catholic tradition. She has tested and modified this program in her own Chicago parish and many other parishes over two decades and now spends much of her time introducing it to other dioceses.

In August 2002, Sally trained Jan Heath and Kathy Robbie from Petrie Catholic Community in Brisbane and gave them her blessing to promote and introduce this program throughout Australia and the Oceania region. Jan and Kathy are available to assist parishes in conducting this proven program and in training team members.

How it works

This parish-based program has three major promotional campaigns per year: before Christmas with follow-up sessions starting in January, during Lent with follow-up sessions starting after Easter, and in the late summer with follow-up sessions starting in September. The same six-week series is repeated three times per year.

The program consists of a tested, step-by-step, ready-to-use method explained in the book “Inviting Catholics Home.” The sessions provide updated information and formation on the basics of Catholicism in a non-threatening, RCIA-like, support-group format. Topics of the six-week sessions are:

Session #1 – Welcome and Overview of the Series; Sharing by Team and Participants
Session #2 – “Stories of Faith from Catholics Returning Home” video & sharing
Session #3 – The Church Today: Changes Since Vatican II, Q&A
Session #4 – Explanation/Walk-through of the Mass, Q&A
Session #5 – “Tips on Sinning,” Explanation of Reconciliation/Confession, Q&A
Session #6 – The Creed: What Catholics Believe Wrap-up, Q&A

The results

Petrie parish received inquiry phone calls from six other dioceses, and Jan has trained people in Townsville and three Brisbane parishes to run the program.

Multiple parishes have reported that just by doing the CRH publicity, their Mass attendence increased by 20%.

Here are some typical participant comments:

"I have worked in many ministries in the Church but CRH is the most rewarding, satisfying and exciting. Our inactive Catholics matter to God and it is a great privilege to be able to welcome them home." Jan Heath

"I felt rejuvenated. (The program) awakened all these things that I've put on hold for a long time. I've rediscovered what I got out of (going to Mass) and out of being a Catholic." Natalie, a returning Catholic

"Since the program I have listened to Scripture and engaged more in the Mass, and I’ve become part of the (parish’s) music ministry. (The program) gave me a renewed faith - a different level of faith. It feels wonderful." Amanda, a returning Catholic

(The above quotes are from* The Catholic Leader*, Archdiocese of Brisbane, April 13, 2003 issue.)

Key elements

  • A small team of two or three compassionate, non-judgmental people can run this program.
  • Those who have been returning Catholics themselves or have experienced the marriage annulment process are often ideally suited to this ministry.
  • The book "Inviting Catholics Home" by Sally Mews and a supporting team training video/DVD and resource kit provide all the necessary input for this program.

How to implement it

Practical tips to help get started in the Catholics Returning Home program:

  • Visit catholicsreturninghome.org
  • Read "Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program," by Sally Mews (Liguori, 2002)
  • Get support of your parish priest and parish leadership team.
  • Purchase and become familiar with the Team Training Video /DVD and Resource Kit.
  • Recruit team leaders (note needed qualities above).
  • Organize a training session for team members (recommend one five-hour session, e.g. Sat. 9am-2pm).
  • Plan the best times to offer the program in your parish.
  • Invite parish support through prayer, practical support and above all a welcoming attitude and smile.
  • Begin promoting the program six weeks before the course begins - utilize a variety of media.
  • Have a reliable contact person who can respond gently and quickly to tentative inquiries.

Submitted by Jo Flemings on June 21, 2008.
Very Rev. Peter McCartin PP is pastor of Our Lady of the Way, Petrie Parish.