Catholics Returning Home is a program used by our parish to welcome returning Catholics in a group setting that shows the returning Catholics that they are not alone in their feelings. This program allows those that are returning a chance to get to know people from our parish so that when they come to church they do not feel all alone or like a stranger. The program is a very easy method of returning and getting reacquainted with the Catholic Faith.
    The program is a ten week process were by you come together as a group consisting of the returnee's and people from the parish who are there to share there journey of faith with you. There is also a group leader and a returnee from a previous  ten week session. The entire group become very good friends during this process and these friendships can last a life time.

 

How does the program work?

1) It starts off with a check-in exercise whereby everyone in the groups tells how their week has gone since the last meeting. (2 minutes each)

2) You then do a reflection on "WORDS & ANGELS"  which are little cards that depict an angel doing something for someone else, each card also has a word or emotion listed on the card allowing  you to relate your feelings according to the little card that you pick from the pile of cards. (1 minute each)

3) You then have one of the friends from the group do an opening prayer, then as a group you share how the prayer reflects on you. (15 minutes)

4) Now is the time where each week someone different shares their Spiritual Journey Story. (Listeners are bound by confidentiality)

5) Now the other members of the group share their feeling about what they just heard from the one sharing their story.

6) You now take a break and share refreshments that were prepared by someone in the group. (15 minutes)

7) You will then come back together as a group and discuss various Catholic Themes. ( 25 minutes)

Week  1: What is your concept of God?
Week  2: Why follow Jesus?
Week  3: What is Church? Why Catholic Church?
Week  4: Baptism/Confirmation - What are you saved from? What are you saved for?
Week  5: Eucharist- What do we celebrate here?
Week  6: Sin & forgiveness holding on, letting go.
Week  7: Marriage - the real and the ideal.
Week  8: Single - chosen lifestyle, divorced, widowed, ordained, religious.
Week  9: Suffering, illness, death, resurrection.
Week  10: Change, transformation Ready to return?

8) You will then close the meeting with the Homecoming Prayer & The Our Father.

9) Now is the time when you share hugs and good byes till you meet again the following week.

    When the 10 week process has been completed you will then have a one day retreat at the Catholic Center where you will be with the people from our parish as well as groups from other parishes in our dioceses.

 

The following is a letter written by one of the leaders of this program.

LANDING'S  RETREAT
by: VELMARIE SITZMAN

On June 20, 1998 I had the privilege to once again participate in the Landings Retreat at the Catholic Center. Four people returned to the Church and received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, one after over 30 years. It doesn't seem to matter how many  times I see this, it still makes me cry. I watch the look on the faces and I see wonder, relieve, tears, and joy and not just on the faces of those returning, but on the friends as well.

After spending 10 weeks  with each other and hearing  the stories of  heartbreak, tragedy, grief, guilt, joy, faith, hope and love, the bond that develops is a special one. Everyone is accepted and welcomed, When you have been away this is a very important part in coming back.

Having been  away myself for so  many years, I can  identify with those coming back.  The feeling  of being back,  and knowing  you belong not just to the community but to God is a heartwarming and beautiful emotion. It's as if you were in a dangerous place and now your are safe.

We have had people who were as young as 18 and as old as 72, couples coming back together to make their lives richer, single parents who want to raise their children in the  Catholic faith, Catholics who were away because they were married outside the church and want  to return to their roots. It doesn't matter what the reason for  being away, the reason for coming back is always the same, the feeling that something was missing in their lives.

I don't know what the returnees get from the program but as a friend in Landings my life has been made rich by coming to know all those that came back. My faith has been deepened and my belief that it is never too late for God has been strengthened. I learn something new every time.

I would like to encourage everyone to be a friend in the Landings program at least once. It is not a long term commitment, but the benefits you reap are limitless.  I would like to thank George, Mark, Reva and Ron, for all they gave me during the program, and the friends, Dottie, Rita, John, Pat W., Paul, Linda, Pat M., and Barbara.

If you would be interested in this program please give the office a call at  (812) 476-7186.

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