Where are they now?
A new initiative has been launched to encourage parishes to reach out to non church-going (lapsed) Catholics.
The project aims to equip Catholics to extend an invitation to those who for many different reasons have stopped attending Church. It’s being sponsored by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE) which has sent resource packs to every parish and religious house in the diocese and across England and Wales. The hope is that it will complement local outreach ministries, not least the seeker events offered at the Franciscan Friary in Pantasaph.
Mgr Keith Barltrop, Director of CASE, said: “Most Catholic families have members who, for different reasons, no longer go to Mass: some lost contact during their teenage years, others drifted away after a broken marriage, whilst some have had painful experiences with the Catholic community. Our initiative aims to encourage Catholics to listen respectfully and lovingly to people’s stories and invite them back. A simple invitation could make all the difference in the world.”
Meanwhile, the Rt Rev Edwin Regan, said: "When Andrew met Jesus for the first time, he was so overwhelmed that he was on fire to share the Good News with his brother, Peter. He brought him to the Lord – and the rest, as they say, is history. All of us know family and friends who have already met Jesus in the Church, but who no longer walk with us in the fullness of the Catholic Faith. We are not to judge them – only God can see the heart. But we can invite them to return to the happiness of a full Catholic life. Who knows what God may do in their lives through that invitation?"
A recent report highlighted that three million people in England and Wales would come to Church if invited. It is estimated that at least two thirds of the Catholic community are lapsed. CASE is therefore inviting every practising Catholic to go out in search of the lost sheep like Jesus himself. Research suggests, for example, that if you invite seven people to a parish event, it is probable that one person will attend.
Dave (not his real name) is twenty six years old and recently came back to Church after an absence of ten years. One Sunday, having received previous invitations, he felt an overwhelming desire to go to Mass. He said: “I never stopped believing in God, nor the teachings of the Church. I felt that I didn’t have to go to Church to believe in God and could do it on my own. Since returning, I’ve gradually come to appreciate that the Church has so much to offer. It’s great, but also challenging.”
The resource packs to support this initiative arrived in parishes for Home Mission Sunday on September 16th 2007, a special day when Catholics are invited to pray for and support the work of evangelisation in England and Wales. Materials provided include: bidding prayers, homily notes, a “welcome home” booklet, poster and sample outreach leaflet. More resources are available online: www.caseresources.org.uk
For more information please contact CASE at tel. 020 8458 3316. E-mail: info@caseresources.org.uk |
