"CATHOLICS COME HOME" - A MINISTRY OF RETURN AND WELCOME BACK..........

The Official Catholic Directory 2009, recorded the Catholic population in the United States, at 68.1 million persons. That is 22% of the total American population. Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity in the USA. But statistical studies also show behind active, practicing,vibrant, Catholics, the next largest number of Christians in our country are fallen away, non-practicing, alienated, Catholics. Therefore, the active, practicing, vibrant, members of the Catholic Church have much work to do, to help return and welcome the fallen away, non-practicing. alienated, members to reconcile with the Church and reactivate living their faith. For the past decade many of the parishes in our Sacramento Diocese have sponsored special ministry offerings, like, 'Catholics Returning Home' to invite and receive those who return to the Church, oftentimes after many years or even, several decades. On December 18, the Diocese unfolded the latest facet of this kind of ministry with a six week series to television ads for, "Catholics Come Home". In addition to publicizing the invitation to the lapsed Catholics in our parishes and greeting them as they return to attending Mass, parishes are developing ministry programs to enlighten, edify, and educate, those who have been away from the practice of their Faith. Here at Sacred Heart in East Sacramento, the "Catholics Come Home", ministry program begins on Thursday January 21, for seven consecutive Thursday evenings, from 7-8:30 pm. This 7 week journey of exploration, re-discovery, and renewal, will include a focus on the topics which include Welcome and Oveerview; Coming Home Stories; The Church Through the Ages; The Mass and The Eucharist - Source and Summit; Reconciliation : "I Desire Mercy"; Prayer and Exploration; The Nicene Creed - Our Articles of Faith. If you are a Catholic in East Sacramento/Midtown, who has been away from the Church, or you know family members, friends, or neighbors, who are not practicing and can benefit from this ministry then, "Catholics Come Home", is for you and for them. If you, or someone you know is interested, please come to the first session on Thurs. Jan. 21, at 7 pm, in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 1040 39th Street, Sacramento, 95816. You can also call 916-452-4830, or go online to www.sacheart.org/crh.php.
As Jesus proclaimed to His followers in John 1:38-39; "COME AND YOU WILL SEE"..........
With Prayers and Blessings For Those Preparing to Return and be Welcomed, Fr. Troy Powers