This week, we begin a series on Being
A Disciple: How to Evangelize. A writer for the “Catholics Come Home”
organization brings us a way to start. You might know someone who was raised
Catholic and is “homesick” for the Church. As an intentional disciple, be aware
of these six signs someone is thinking about coming back to the Church.
1.
Questions
The most common sign is when someone
begins to ask questions about God, good and evil, or the meaning of life. A lot
of people in our society have lost that sense of meaning. They begin to ask,
“What is my life about? Why do I do what I do? Is there any purpose in all of
this?” As a parent, spouse, sibling or friend, your role is not to restore that
meaning, but to help the person find meaning for him or herself. You can do
that by active listening. Non-threatening comments such as, “It sounds like
you’re really searching...” will encourage the person to talk in a more open
manner. You don’t have to offer solutions or answers. Offer your opinion only
when asked.
2.
Memories
Reminiscing about Catholic school, nuns,
priests, or parish activities is another sign someone may be thinking about
returning to the faith. Sometimes people will recall childhood devotions to Our
Lady or the saints. Memories of music, incense, or some special liturgy will
surface. Don’t be afraid to share your own memories. You might want to suggest
revisiting a childhood parish together or seeking out a priest or religious who
had a profound impact on the person. If remembering takes a negative turn, you
don’t have to be defensive. The person may be justified in his or her anger.
Sometimes, talking about a bad experience can help put it in a fresh
perspective. If possible encourage the person to separate anger toward a person
from anger at the Church and the Sacraments. It wasn’t the Church that caused
the pain. It was a person connected to the Church. If a person is open to
praying with you, ask the Holy Spirit to heal the pain of the memories.
3.
Reading
Many Catholics who have been away from
the regular practice of their faith read their way back to the Church. It’s a
good idea to keep Catholic books, magazines, newspapers and even your parish
bulletin in places where family members and friends can pick them up. If
there’s something particular that you think might be of interest, recommend it
to family members and friends. One woman sent books on Dorothy Day and Edith
Stein to her sister who was struggling with how she perceived that the Church
treats women.
4.
Current Events
Catholic news events can trigger
interest in some people. Make sure you’re up to date on Papal visits, Marian
apparitions, Vatican announcements and local news about Catholic people and
events. Even the reporting of sexual abuse by clergy and other Church ministers
can be an opportunity to explain to people why you are still a Catholic. When
people respond in a very strong way to the actions of some in the Church it is
always important to listen carefully to what they are saying before responding.
While we may think we know the reason for their reaction, it would be good to
let the other person state it. Sometimes the strong reaction is because the
person has been affected personally by what is being reported. When discussing
any aspect of Catholic news it’s a good idea to emphasize the universality of
the Church. Unlike other Christian denominations that tend to attract people
with similar interests and backgrounds, the Catholic Church numbers one billion
people with greatly different cultural, intellectual, and socioeconomic
backgrounds. Someone once remarked that the Catholic Church means, “Here comes
everybody!”
5.
Major Life Events
Illness, death, divorce, the birth of a baby,
a job loss or transfer, kids growing into their teenage years, moving to a new
home are all life events that cause great change in people’s lives. Such change
can make people feel adrift; they want to be able to pull into a safe harbor,
to be anchored. Such changes can trigger a desire to return to the Church. Sometimes
people are afraid the Church will reject them if they have been gone for a long
time. Some think they are excommunicated. You might find yourself in a position
of helping someone get accurate information about where they stand with God and
the Church. We affirm that the immeasurable mercy of God is for all and that
nothing is insurmountable to re-connecting to the Church.
6.
God’s Presence
The real presence
of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is often a factor in bringing people back.
People express a longing for the closeness and the strength that the Eucharist
had brought to them. It’s hard for people to go to church by themselves. Be an
inviter. Don’t send someone to Church. Bring them. Invite people to come with
you for family funerals, weddings, baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations,
Ash Wednesday and Mass on Christmas and Easter. Having everyone gathering at
the Table of the Lord for the “family meal” is certainly a wonderful thing to
work towards. If they find it difficult to make that step or don’t want to go
to Mass, you can invite them to parish social, cultural or educational events.
But, some people need a “half-way house.” Keep the lines of communication open.
Radiate God’s love to everyone you meet. Let the Holy Spirit work through you.
Before long, you’ll begin to see that people will be attracted to the Church
because they desire the faith, the love and the peace that you have come to
know because of your relationship with God and with the Church.
– David Thorp,
Catholics Come Home, Braintree MA
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