Florida Catholic | Returning Catholics to the Fold

Returning Catholics to the fold is a high priority

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.12.07

Diocese policy helps the divorced feel less isolated

ORLANDO | The invitation for nonpracticing Catholics to return to the church is extended not only through parishes and individuals in the Orlando Diocese, but even on the Internet.

At St. Timothy Parish in Lady Lake, the ministry is called "Returning Catholics." Pat Schaefer has facilitated the process for the past three years, offering a six-week session twice per year "for people who are Catholic, have been away from the church and have questions or concerns, but would very much like to return."

The program provides a comfortable environment for issues to be addressed and priests are available to talk about reconciliation.

Schaefer added, "It is such a satisfying program to run when you see the fruits of it — when you see past participants attending Mass and receiving the sacraments and realize they're back in the fold."

"Landings" is an international program facilitated by Lorayne Stelling for the past eight years at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Winter Park. The program offers a roundtable discussion format of usually about eight people facilitated by individuals who also once left the church and have returned.

"We were there once and we understand," Stelling explained. "I grew up in parochial schools and I thought I knew everything. I married outside the church, but raised my children Catholic. I cried — not just tears, but sobs at every Mass because I wanted to receive Communion. I was away for 23 years and was fortunate to find a fantastic priest who gave me absolution."

Stelling cited many reasons people give for leaving. "People say they drifted away and it became a habit; they were divorced and remarried and need an annulment; they married outside the church and tried other religions, but they always say the same thing — something was missing in their life and it is the Eucharist that brings them back," she said.

"We were there once and we understand."
- LORAYNE STELLING

At St. Paul Parish in Leesburg, people should look for "Welcome Home." Deanna Saxton, director of adult faith formation, has found that many people return as a result of evangelization efforts for the nonbaptized and uncatechized for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process.

She places cards in the pews and frequent articles in the church bulletin explaining all aspects of the RCIA process. This information has become a bridge to nonpracticing Catholics. "It's simply misconceptions about the church. That's why we have Catholics who don't practice. They don't understand. It is our job to be a bridge builder welcoming people home," Saxton said.

Deacon Marshall Gibbs explained that at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs the process is called, "Inquiry Into Our Catholic Faith."

"Most of those coming back need recatechizing to bring them up-to-date with our church and we spend a lot of time 'breaking open the word,'" said Deacon Gibbs. "We extend an invitation from the pulpit at least three times per month. The process is open to any and all. We simply make ourselves available. We're a huge church — there's room for everyone."

Flo Mattison facilitated the ministry at St. Timothy every week for six years and found divorce was such a big issue that she became actively involved in the annulment ministry. She summarized the passion expressed at all the parishes. "People told me what they wanted to know," she said. "I went every which way they wanted to go and welcomed them home."

At Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Indialantic, the program is called "Welcome Back Catholics." Parishioner Don Kraus said, "I was away from the church for 50 years. I had had a terrible experience with the loss of our daughter and I separated from God. I was raised pre-Vatican II and the experience I had in coming back was very difficult.

"Then I met a great Catholic on an airline flight and he got me in touch with a priest in Oklahoma where we were living. The priest just sat and discussed with me. When we moved here, I felt a real strong call from God to help others just come back. The Holy Spirit is just blooming," Kraus said.

Bill Gent, evangelization director for Holy Name of Jesus Parish, said, "To really be successful, you must allow people to express themselves and to vent their bad experience — either someone who represented the church clearly offended them or they misunderstood some of the guidelines surrounding our policies.

"Fifty percent have a marriage issue. Rarely do we have anyone who has a significant disagreement with Catholic doctrine. It's important to help individuals to feel comfortable in returning. A mentor — someone who has also left and returned — works well."

PROGRAMS FOR RETURNING CATHOLICS

• Landings International is a program developed by the Paulist Fathers for implementation in parishes. It can be accessed at: www.landings-international.com. Contact coordinator Joan A. Horn at 979-690-7953 or by e-mail at joanlandings@aol.com.

• Catholics Returning Home is also a parish-based program. A step-by-step guide for implementation of the six session segments is provided. Visit the Web site at: www.catholicsreturninghome.org. For materials, contact Sally Mews at 847-855-0629 or by e-mail at ssmews@comcast.net.

• Catholics Coming Home is an online site to read about various topics, such as the sacraments. It provides addresses to other informational sites such as Catholic News Service, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Eternal Word Television Network and the University of Notre Dame. It also offers the opportunity to e-mail a layperson or priest. Visit the Web site at www.catholicscominghome.org.

• C'mon Back is a Web site maintained by Father Pat Umberger that also provides answers to common questions, addresses some of the obstacles people may have to returning, includes prayer and meditation on Scripture, as well as the opportunity to e-mail Father Umberger. Visit the Web site at www.cmonback.com

PROGRAMS AVAILAILABLE TO INACTIVE CATHOLICS

• St. Timothy, Lady Lake, "Returning Catholics." The program began Oct. 10, 9:30 a.m., in the ministries building. There's no need to preregister, but for information call Pat Schaefer at 352-753-0989.

• Holy Name of Jesus, Indialantic, "Welcome Back." The next program begins Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in Room 3 and runs through Nov. 19. For information, contact Bill Gent at 321-773-2783 ext 139.

• St. Mary Magdalen, Altamonte Springs, "Inquiry Into Our Catholic Faith." The process is offered every Sunday after the 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Masses in the office, St. John Vianney room. For information, call Deacon Marshall Gibbs at 407-831-1212 ext. 229.

• Sts. Peter and Paul, Winter Park, "Landings." There are three sessions offered per year on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the parish office. The next session will begin after Christmas. For information, call Lorayne Stelling at 407-830-1971.

• St. Paul, Leesburg, "Welcome Home." The next program of six to eight sessions will be offered in the spring. For information, call Deanna Saxton at 352-787-6354.

• St. Andrew, Orlando, "Landings." Call 407-293-0730

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Returning Catholics to the fold is a high priority

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