How Do I Come Home?

Some tips to help you on your journey back to the Catholic Church:

• Recognize that your Father in Heaven wants you to come home.

  Regardless of what’s happened in your life or how long you’ve been away, you can always come home to the Catholic Church. And the our Lord wants you to come home.

  Think for a minute about Christ's parable of the Prodigal son. The young man had walked away from his father, certain that he was doing the right thing by leaving. But eventually, he had a change of heart and tentatively made his way home, full of doubts about whether his father would accept him back.

  The story has a happy ending. Not only did the father welcome his son home again, but he threw a party in celebration of his son’s return! You can be sure that the angels and the saints in heaven—and your own Heavenly Father—will rejoice that day you come home to the Catholic Church.

  This section will provide you with some helpful resources to assist you with coming home. Whether it's finding out where and when you can go to Confession or Mass, or how to resolve other issues, you should be able to find it here. God bless you on your journey home. We’re happy to welcome you back into our Catholic family!

• Go to Mass.

  Going to Mass is an exciting step on your journey home. Check out the online Parish Finder to locate the Catholic parishes in your area. You can search by area code, zip code or city. The Parish Finder will also list Mass times, so you know the Mass schedules in parishes in your area…and around the world!

  Many parishes offer a program for Catholics who have been away from the Church and are discerning a possible return. If you call a parish, ask if they have such a program. In addition, the parish staff will be willing to set up an appointment to meet with you to assist you in your discernment process in any way they can.

  If the parish you call does not have a "Coming Home Director," ask for their "RCIA Coordinator" who will be happy to help you, without any pressure or obligation.

• Study the Bible.

  St. Jerome, one of the Church's most brilliant Scripture scholars, once remarked, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” As Catholics, we should be regularly immersing ourselves in Scripture, but sometimes we need a little help in deciding where to start. There are a myriad of Bible study options out there, but not all of them are trustworthy and solidly rooted in the 2,000-year tradition of the Catholic Church's biblical teachings.

  The good news is that there are some truly excellent Bible study programs for Catholics. One that we recommend, especially for those who are just getting started in their study of God's written Word, is Catholic Scripture Study (CSS).

  The CSS study commentaries are written by leading Scripture scholars and authors, and each study contains references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, papal encyclicals and writings of the early Church Fathers and the saints. Additional resources are available to study leaders and students on the CSS Program Web site, including an “Ask the Author” forum, as well as maps, pictures and articles. . .” (Read more).

  We also highly recommend Jeff Cavins’ The Great Adventure Series. It is engaging and rich with information. It will make anyone fall in love with and get excited about the Bible!

• Read the Catechism.

  Want to know what the Church really teaches? Go straight to the source for understanding Catholic teaching. The Catechism will help you learn all of the teachings of the Catholic Church in a clear, straightforward and truthful manner. Check it out!

• Know that you are not alone.

  Find encouragement in the fact that you are not alone on this journey back home to the Catholic Church. Take time to listen to the testimonies of other Catholics who have been in your shoes!

• Go to Confession.

  

  Perhaps you are feeling weighed down by the troubles in your life that have occurred while you were outside the Church. Christ wants to free you of that burden and offer healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Check your local parish for Confession times and make use of this healing sacrament as the beginning of your journey home.

  Learn more about Confession here.

• Find answers to your questions.

  Get your questions answered about…

  Church Teachings

  Moral Issues

  Marriage and Divorce

We are family. We’ve missed you! Welcome home.