Continue reading »]]> The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) reports that there are approximately 64.8 million Catholics in the United States today.

Approximately 33% of this group are not practicing their Catholic faith.

Based on research done by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Evangelization most Catholics drifted away from the Church because they:

• did not experience God’s presence in their Catholic community,
• did not experience warm, personal, caring relationships in encounters with Catholics,
• saw Catholicism as complex and unrelated to their lives,
• experienced hurt from clergy or lay Catholics,
• came into conflict with Church teachings,
• were easily misled by people who attack the Church,
• were in marriages not recognized by the Church,
• got busy and did not take the time to get involved,
• relocated but never reconnected with another Catholic parish.

Inactive Catholics are not anonymous people, they are our family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends.

Six Open Doors to Dialogue

Four Simple Ways to Reach Out to a Non-Practicing Catholic

Continue reading »]]> I was born and raised Catholic, but I lost my connection to the Church.  Although I did make a few attempts at reconciliation, I stayed away for a long time.  In March 2003, I met Fr. Henry C. Frascadore, then pastor of the Church of St. Dominic in Southington, Connecticut.  Shortly thereafter I spent time exploring the church’s web site and his “Daily Reflections.” These provided the wake up call and direction I needed.  I took a leap of faith.

Most of us don’t have to look very far to find someone in our circle of family and friends who is an inactive Catholic as I was.  Many people can’t explain why they stopped coming to church except that life just got in the way. Some inactive Catholics bear a tremendous amount of guilt, legitimate anger, or misinformation; but they are afraid of rejection if they approach the Church. For a variety of reasons, some may mistakenly think they are excommunicated or unwelcome in the Catholic Church. Many are simply waiting for that invitation to return.  Consider this web site a personal invitation to come home.

Continue reading »]]> Estranged from the Church?

Are you

• A cradle Catholic who has drift away from church practice as part of “growing up?”
• A divorced Catholic who “feels excluded from the table of Christ?”
• A disenchanted Catholic raised in the church, but who felt left out when some change occurred or felt ignored when you had issues to raise?
• A person who joined another church seeking to grow spiritually or renew your faith?
• An alienated Catholic who was offended in some way, whether intended or not, by a representative of the church?

Whatever the reason, you have been away too long; but no matter how long, it is never too late to return to the transforming power of God. We invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church. Call St Edward Parish at 330.743.2308 and ask for Sister Therese Ann Rich.