Catholics Come Home

Here is a fantastic evangelization effort – at least judging from the spots they’ve put together so far.

Catholics Come Home is a group dedicated to reconnecting Catholics with their faith, with the byproduct of deepening the faith of all of us.

You really need to look at the videos they’ve produced – they’re linked on the bottom of the page – one is just a stunning overview of what the Catholic Church is, the second is a reminder that life is short, but a merciful Christ is waiting for us, and the last contains stories of personal witness. These commercials are miles beyond the quality of most Catholic media efforts we see and are deeply substantive and do things, IMHO exactly right:

They connect the soul’s deepest thirst to the living water offered by Christ, which is found in his Body, the Church.

It is not “Come see us, we’re a vibrant community and we like you.” It’s not, “Come back and reconnect with your family traditions because it’s good to do that.”  It’s not, “Y’all better come back Or Else.”

It’s simply – Jesus lives, Jesus saves – you – through His Church, and as a part of His Church, you’ll be a part of bringing His love to the others who thirst. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late.

Catholics Come Home is also working with the Diocese of Phoenix during Lent. Here’s an article:

 

The television spots “really resonate with the overwhelming majority of people looking for some answers, in need of healing in their lives, reconciliation with God and the love and support of their Catholic family,” he said.

Peterson said it is his prayer that the campaign will motivate active Catholics to become stronger in their faith, help inactive churchgoers return to parish life and move non-Catholics to enter Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults programs.

Hanning has spent recent months preparing pastors and parish staff on how best to welcome fallen-away or returning Catholics.

As part of that effort, the Phoenix Diocese launched a Web site connecting parishes with resources that parish leaders have found useful in their ministry.

It also outlines five themes priests and catechetical leaders identified as key to helping Catholics return to the faith: reconciliation, understanding the Mass, prayer, marriage and family life.

“Our hope is to provide useful and pertinent resources to help each parish form a response that fits,” Hanning said.

 “During Lent and into the Easter season, we hope that every parish and every Catholic stands ready to welcome and receive those who return,” Hanning added.

Bishop Olmsted said it’s a blessing to be part of the initiative that if successful will expand to dioceses in Kentucky, Nebraska and Massachusetts for further implementation. Organizers hope to ultimately bring the campaign to national and international viewers.

“The TV ads will move our active Catholics to even greater gratitude for their faith,” the bishop said. “It will prompt the inactive ones to consider again the importance of the Catholic faith in their lives and that of their families.”

Fr. Martin Fox is also impressed and has a couple of suggestions. I have a few – I know Matthew Kelly has his fans, but I am not quite sure I would select him as my featured author in an effort like this. But it’s a start.