Resources For Returning Catholics
For Catechetical Leaders & Parish Staffs
(Updated 11/18/09)
Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you. Romans 15:7
Each parish forms the point of entry for individuals and families to engage their faith, celebrate the sacraments, and be nourished as the people of God. Whether long-time, fallen-away, or new inquirers to the Catholic faith each parish serves as "the primary experience of the Church" (NDC, 60)
Spanish Resource / El Recurso en Español
Returning Catholics Prayer
Dear Lord, may our hearts and minds be nourished by your sustaining love,
may our words and actions be guided by your ever present grace,
That all who seek to know you; encounter you here,
That all who seek to serve you; be welcomed to the vineyard
That all who seek to love you; know that they are loved.
That all who seek to return to their Catholic faith may be welcomed and received.
Read Bishop Olmsted's Letter Here
Overview
Each parish forms the point of entry for individuals and families to engage their
faith, celebrate the sacraments, and be nourished as the people of God. Whether
long-time, fallen-away, or new inquirers to the Catholic faith each parish serves as
"the primary experience of the Church" (NDC 60). For this reason we have
collaborated with Pastors, deacons, religious, and catechetical leaders to create
Resources for Returning Catholics.
Parishes are encourage to utilize the resource as they see fit to help supplement,
support and enhance their efforts. Please let us know if we can improve this
resource in any way. We value your input.
Pastor's Page (Updated 11/08)
(Resources, bulletin inserts, announcement & an overview of key themes)
Adult Faith Formation/RCIA Coordinator's Page (Updated 11/08)
(Sample curriculums, materials, recommended resources & more)
DRE & Catechetical Leader's Page (Updated 11/08)
(Parent Sessions, parent materials, recommended resources & more)
Youth Evangelization Leader's Page (Updated 11/08)
(Youth Group Sessions, recommended resources & more)
Receptionist Page (Updated 11/08)
(Welcoming Conversations, resource phone #'s, parish flowcharts & more)
Five Key Themes
Five themes have been identified by priests and catechetical leaders as
keys to helping Catholics return to the faith. Parishes are encouraged to
provide resources for the following subjects:
Sacrament of Confession
Understanding the Mass
Prayer
Marriage & Family Life
Scripture & Tradition
Catholics Come Home TV Commercials
The Diocese of Phoenix was a test-market for the CatholicsComeHome.org
commercials in Lent 07. These commercials filmed in Phoenix and throughout Europe
are currently being ran in 15 other Diocese and hope to go national in 2010.
Parishes are encouraged to continue to use these commercials as a wonderful
opportunity to welcome back fallen- away Catholics, and inspire deeper conversion
among active Catholics. CatholicsComeHome.org is a non-profit Catholic apostolate
that creates and broadcasts effective and compassionate media messages to
evangelize inactive Catholics, and invites them to live a deeper faith in Jesus Christ,
through the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Catholics Come Home Media Campaign Page
Spanish Resource / El Recurso en Español
For more information, please contact Ryan Hanning at 602-354-2321 or email him at rhanning@diocesephoenix.org.
Resources for the Five Key Themes
1) Sacrament of Confession
The Sacrament of Confession is the “the form most expressive of reconciliationwith God and with the Church” (CCC 1484) and is therefore the most appropriate to focus on when individuals are seeking to return back to their Catholic faith.
Our Sunday Visitor "How to Make a Good Confession"
St. Joseph Communications "How to Make a Good Confession"
"The Healing Power of Confession" by Scott Hahn
"Confession" by Fr. Larry Richards
(also available on VHS or DVD)
2) Understanding the Mass
Mass is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (LG 11). Helping individuals understand and more fully participate in the rich beauty of the liturgical life of the Church is an ever-present task among all Catholics.
Our Sunday Visitor "Getting More out of the Mass"
St. Joseph Communications "Why Does the Catholic Church Teach That?"
"The Mass Explained" by Fr. Larry Richards
"Understanding the Eucharist" by Scott Hahn
(also available on VHS or DVD)
3) Prayer
“Prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2565). This living relationship, is not with an abstract nor an idea, but rather a personal encounter with God Himself and is a necessary component of all Christian life.
Our Sunday Visitor "How to Pray as a Catholic"
"Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality" by Matthew Kelly
4) Marriage & Family Life
“The family is the original cell of social life” (CCC 2207) Therefore marriage is a central consideration when individuals approach the Sacrament of Confession and great care should be taken to help them understand the beliefs of the Church in regards to marriage and family life.
USCCB "Married Love and the Gift of Life"
"The Gift of Human Sexuality" by Fr. Thomas Loya
"Marriage & Anullments" by Bs. Joseph Perry
5) Scripture & Tradition
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ...hold fast to the traditions just as I have handed them on to you” (1 Corinthians 11:1-2). Sacred Scripture and Tradition make up the deposit of faith (DV 10) and individuals should be introduced to the beauty and power of God’s word and the richness of sacred tradition.
Our Sunday Visitor "Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked"
St. Joseph Communication "Why Does the Church Teach That"
"Finding the Fullness of Truth" by Steven Ray
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