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Catholics Come Home

Welcome

There’s an old saying that goes, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or for quite some time, but now you feel a tug at your heart calling you back to the Catholic Church. Listen to that tug. It’s your Heavenly Father reaching his arms out to you, the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear, hoping to draw you home.

We hope you accept this as your invitation to rediscover the truth, wonder and mystery of the Catholic faith. As your brothers and sisters in our worldwide Catholic family, we want you back. We’ve missed you, and our Church is not the same without you.

Regardless of why you left or got out of the habit of going to Mass, you can always come home and return to the practice of the sacraments and the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church he founded. We are Catholic. Welcome home.
- If you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church or have any questions, please contact:
  
  Deacon Jeff Arner
  
  Director, Faith Formation & Evangelization
  
  6239722129
  jarnersescc.org
- What steps do I take to come back to the Catholic Church?
  Recognize that your Heavenly Father yearns for you to come home to his Church. Then, go to Confession at your local parish and consider discussing any concerns or questions you may have about returning home with a priest. Begin going to Mass again and experiencing Christ’s presence through worshipping in the liturgy. The Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are also there to help you on your journey home, as are parish ministries like RCIA or a local returning Catholics group. If you want to return to the Catholic Church but have not finished receiving the Sacraments, please reach out to us. Know that you are not alone, and do not be afraid to find answers to your questions.
- How can I feel welcome in the Catholic Church again after experiencing hurt at the hands of people in the Church?
  It can be difficult when we feel like our fellow Christians aren't acting very Christian toward us or toward others. The Church is indeed made up of sinful, imperfect people, who often disappoint. But rather than distancing yourself from the Holy Eucharist and the Catholic Church that Christ founded, consider clinging to Jesus all the more, since he never disappoints. It is helpful, in times of trial and hurt, to remember why you are Catholic—not because all Catholics always represent the mercy and love of Jesus perfectly well, but because the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus, administers the sacraments, and contains the fullness of Truth, helping all of us to draw closer to God and grow in holiness. Do not allow the actions of some to cause you to lose faith in the Church as a whole. Discuss your frustrations with a priest or deacon at your local parish, and start your journey back to a welcoming home. Above all, do not lose heart. People may disappoint, but God never leaves us, and He is always present in the Catholic Church he founded.