"Returning Catholics"

[Serapha]

Hi there!




I have a co-worker who, I just found out, is a cradle Catholic, but who has not been to church in at least 10 years. I know most churches run a program for returning Catholics, but I am certain that he won't voluntarily enroll himself in such a program.


I looked online and emailed the local parish (deacon) for help. Does anyone know of a short booklet or pamphlet that might encourage him to return to his faith?


And, please pray for your "brother in Christ" that he would see a need for "fellowship" in his life. I've set the goal of "Easter"... for his return... of course, my timing is not God's timing, but he has been influenced by some recent comments and actions in our work environment that has re-kindled the flame after ten years. He is 27 and has not been to church since he was 16.


~serapha~

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

 

[Serapha]

http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

Thanks, but I don't think that will do it.... but for a buck, I wll pick one up today if the Catholic bookstore has it in stock.


~serapha~

 

[Bastoune]

What do you think he needs to hear to get him to return? What was his reason for "falling away"?

 

[KC Catholic]

I am not sure if I have seen any "Returning Catholic" booklets, etc., but I do recommend the "Surprised By Truth" books. Eventhough these are stories of Protestants converting to the Catholic faith I think that the stories can inspire cradle Catholics and returning Catholics to better appreciate the Church, sacraments, etc.

Additionally, if you can get him on line, we have a wonderful community here of cradle Catholics, returning Catholics, Converts, those converting now and those contemplating conversion.

Anyway...I will continue to look for other items you can give your co-worker to assist in his journey.

We will also pray for you both as well!

Peace.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

What types of things are you looking for...will internet sites help?

 

[Bastoune]

This is a very good site, run by a Catholic Deacon:


http://www.christianity.com/catholicway

 

[Serapha]

What do you think he needs to hear to get him to return?

Hi there!





Well, my comment that..

"there's a penance service coming up before Easter, and if you are interested, I will go with you to that service..."

didn't work.

What was his reason for "falling away"

"youth" and no spiritual leadership or encouragement. He said that the only times that they went to church growing up was Easter and Christmas... and that no one in his family goes to church now.


~serapha~

 

[Serapha]

What types of things are you looking for...will internet sites help?

Hi there!



short, simple, to the point... encouraging... forgiveness without condemnation.


He isn't going to seek on his own... if that were the case, it would not be 10 years since he went to church.


~serapha~

 

[Serapha]

This is a very good site, run by a Catholic Deacon:


http://www.christianity.com/catholicway

Thanks!


And I saved this one to my favorites.... I feel like I will get "one shot" at getting him to read something about returning to ANY faith.



http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID5339|CHID14|CIID1486784,00.html

and I have 6 days before we have lunch again. I don't want to talk to him "at work"... but when we are at lunch without interference.


~serapha~

 

[KC Catholic]

Not sure what state you're in...but I found this:

http://www.oncecatholic.org/help_programs.asp

They connect you to local groups who work with folks who are returning to the Catholic Church.

 

[Serapha]

Not sure what state you're in...but I found this:

http://www.oncecatholic.org/help_programs.asp

They connect you to local groups who work with folks who are returning to the Catholic Church.

Thanks,... there was a local link, and I had forgotten about meeting her (a nun) about a year ago at a Catholic retreat, but I didn't have her email address. I will, though, wait for the deacon's response before contacting her myself. He probably will llink me to her.



~serapha~

 

[TomHall]

I'm a returning Catholic - At least I'm trying it out for a while.
I went to Mass for the first time in about 25 years last weekend.

It took some rather major crises in my life to show me that I'm missing something.
A Stephen Minister who's also my career coach (Bob) convinced me to talk to a couple priests he knows. He told me to tell them that "Bob recommended we talk about how I'm dealing with my lay-off". From a purely secular perspective, I felt that Catholic priests, by the very nature of their work, have a lot of good, real, experience dealing with a wide variety of real problems, and should have some good advice, regardless of their philosophic or political ideas.

After talking to them, telling them where I'm at philosophically and why I left, they convinced me that I could still practice Catholicism. The second told me to consider our conversation a "confession", and an "absolution", and go ahead and attend Mass.
I also have the great fortune of living less than an hour's drive from a parish that celebrates the Latin Mass, which I find much more spiritually satisfying.

My next goal is to learn to find spiritual nourishment from the modern Mass.
If you can get your friend to attend a "free counseling session - no obligations" with a priest, it might work for him, too.

...Additionally, if you can get him on line, we have a wonderful community here of cradle Catholics, returning Catholics, Converts, those converting now and those contemplating conversion....

By "here" do you mean this thread ?

 

[KC Catholic]

TomHall...

Welcome to OBOB and welcome home to the Catholic faith.

And by here ...I mean here at OBOB!

 

[Michelina]

Welcome Home, Tom. Come and hang out with us whenever you feel like it.

 

[Suzannah]

I'm a returning Catholic - At least I'm trying it out for a while.
I went to Mass for the first time in about 25 years last weekend.

It took some rather major crises in my life to show me that I'm missing something.
A Stephen Minister who's also my career coach (Bob) convinced me to talk to a couple priests he knows. He told me to tell them that "Bob recommended we talk about how I'm dealing with my lay-off". From a purely secular perspective, I felt that Catholic priests, by the very nature of their work, have a lot of good, real, experience dealing with a wide variety of real problems, and should have some good advice, regardless of their philosophic or political ideas.

After talking to them, telling them where I'm at philosophically and why I left, they convinced me that I could still practice Catholicism. The second told me to consider our conversation a "confession", and an "absolution", and go ahead and attend Mass.
I also have the great fortune of living less than an hour's drive from a parish that celebrates the Latin Mass, which I find much more spiritually satisfying.

My next goal is to learn to find spiritual nourishment from the modern Mass.
If you can get your friend to attend a "free counseling session - no obligations" with a priest, it might work for him, too.


By "here" do you mean this thread ?

This is wonderful. I'm so happy for you that you are seeking God and that you have found some very practical, downtoearth priests...the world needs more of those (I have one too!)....and I am thrilled that you shared your story. I have returnedto my roots also, in a way....
Your advice to serapha is right on...
Thank you so much for sharing...
Yay for you and your decision!

 

[Michelina]

Does anyone know of a short booklet or pamphlet that might encourage him to return to his faith?
~serapha~

Get him to go to see "The Passion of The Christ".