CCH welcomed 200,000 souls “home”
and increased Mass attendance 10%
Diocese of Phoenix
Lent 2008
“I am deeply grateful to Catholics Come Home for the projects they have undertaken in support of the Church and of virtuous living. I highly recommend them.”
–Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Diocese of Phoenix
Fact:
12% increase in Mass attendance
Additional Highlights:
- “Media effort draws 92,000 inactive Catholics back home to church”
Diocese of Sacramento
Advent 2009
“I am happy to share with you our experience of Catholics Come Home within the Diocese of Sacramento, California. Among the clergy and parish staff, there is a shared sense of enthusiasm and accomplishment…we experienced an overall rise in penitents seeking out the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lent of 2010 as well as many people returning to the celebration of Sunday Mass. One parishioner recounts how her neighbor commented: ‘Gee, I wish I was Catholic, those commercials are great!’ Among returning Catholics, the phrase ‘hit home’ was heard time and again in reference to the TV ads. I hope that these words portray– in some small way – the many graces we have received from the Lord through the Catholics Come Home diocesan initiative. Be assured of my gratitude and abiding prayers for the work of CatholicsComeHome.org”
–Bishop Jaime Soto, Diocese of Sacramento
Fact:
16.05% increase in Mass attendance (20,800 souls returned to church)
Additional Highlights:
- The Diocese of Sacramento utilized new media as a compliment to their CCH initiative, including web videos from Bishop Soto, and a diocesan website with the ability for visitors to submit questions and share their testimony (http://www.WelcomeHomeNorCal.com).
Diocese of Colorado Springs
Advent 2009
“This television campaign had a significant impact on hundreds of thousands of viewers in our region. Catholics Come Home produced some very inspired media messages and broadcasts them on popular secular television stations. Their campaigns help inactive Catholics and potential converts to come home to the Catholic Church. Their film television messages are inspiring and of very high quality. It is my sincere pleasure to thank you and your team for your dedication and hard work on the Diocese of Colorado Springs Catholics Come Home program.
Many of our priests and parishes received positive feedback from parishioners and fallen away Catholics who accepted our invitation to ‘come home’ to the Church. Many more people were participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. May God continue to bless you abundantly for the good works you perform on behalf of the Church.”
–Bishop Michael J. Sheridan, Diocese of Colorado Springs
Fact:
6.1% increase in Mass attendance
Diocese of Venice
Lent 2011
“Through the positive use of media, you have given expression to the Church’s outreach to her wandering sons and daughters. This pastoral tool is a useful method for the re-evangelization of our society.”
–Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice in Florida
Archdiocese of Atlanta
Advent 2010
Diocese of Savannah
Advent 2010
Archdiocese of Chicago
Advent 2009
“Christ has left us the command to go and make disciples everywhere, at all times. He would also have us call home those who were once disciples but who have lost contact with him and his Church…The advertisements were of high quality, with thought-provoking words and beautiful images…the ads became the catalyst for faith conversations and moments of evangelization in homes, schools, neighborhoods and places of business all around the Archdiocese. Throughout your advertisements and the personal connections made by parishioners, many people returned to the Church. Our partnership resulted in an increase in Mass attendance, more people participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a renewed sense of Catholic identity in active parishioners and affirmation for Parish Staffs who have focused on evangelization in their individual parishes.”
–Fr. Richard P. Hynes, Director of the Department of Parish Life & Formation, Archdiocese of Chicago
Fact:
8.1% increase in Mass attendance
Additional Highlights:
- Based on the prior success of Catholics Come Home in Chicago (Advent 2009), His Eminence Cardinal George has approved a second Catholics Come Home initiative for Advent 2010.
- In response to the parish staff enthusiasm for the CCH initiative, The Archdiocese of Chicago hosted an ‘Evangelization Expo’ for their parishes to share inspiring evangelization ideas with one another. www.CatholicsComeHomeCHICAGO.org.
- The Archdiocese of Chicago partnered with their neighboring dioceses of Rockford and Joliet when airing the CCH TV advertisements to maximize the reach and impact of their shared TV markets, and to work together to make their parishes most welcoming for returning Catholics.
Diocese of Rockford
Advent 2009
“The media messages prepared by Catholics Come Home helped us fulfill our gospel call to go forth among the people and proclaim and share the good news.”
–Reverend Monsignor Eric R. Barr, S.T.L, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious, Chairman of the CCH Committee, Diocese of Rockford
Fact:
10.5% increase in Mass attendance (10,930 souls returned to Church)
Additional Highlights:
- The Diocese of Rockford utilized new media as a compliment to their CCH initiative, including ‘Catholic FAQ’ YouTube videos from Monsignor Eric Barr featured at a special website, www.CatholicsComeHomeROCKFORD.org.
Diocese of Joliet
Advent 2009
“In our diocese, the commercials were received with great enthusiasm by our pastors and parishioners. Even people who are not Catholic commented on how beautifully done the commercials are. More importantly, I have also heard from many people that the Catholics Come Home campaign touched their lives and the lives of their families and friends…and several priests said they heard confession and counseled people who have been away from the Church for two to three decades. The initiative brought together parish employees and volunteers, and all were able to share their faith in new and exciting ways. Diocesan-wide parish Mass counts indicate that there was a significant increase in Mass attendance since the commercials aired.
My prayer is that all your evangelization efforts with the initiative in different dioceses and archdioceses across the country will continue to bear much fruit.”
–Bishop J. Peter Sartain, Diocese of Joliet
Fact:
8% increase in Mass attendance (8,991 souls returned to Church)
Archdiocese of New Orleans
Lent 2011
Diocese of Baton Rouge
Lent 2011
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Lent 2011
Diocese of Lafayette
Lent 2011
Archdiocese of Boston
Lent 2011
Diocese of Manchester
Lent 2011
Diocese of Winona
Lent 2011
Diocese of Charlotte
Advent 2010
Diocese of Bismarck
Advent 2010
Diocese of Fargo
Advent 2010
Archdiocese of Omaha
Advent 2009
“When I was installed as Archbishop of Omaha last summer, I was happy to learn of the plans to initiate Catholics Come Home in our area. We received the financial support we needed from the Catholic community. Priests and parish lay leaders became acquainted with the program. The television spots were seen on stations all over our archdiocese and beyond during the Christmas season. Catholics are coming home. We are receiving an increased interested in RCIA. Anecdotally, lay Catholics report an interest among co-workers to discuss the faith after they have seen the televised messages. Months after the TV spots have aired, we are still hearing positive comments from those who have been affected by the campaign. I offer my thanks to you and your dedicated staff for the assistance you have given us.”
–Archbishop George J. Lucas, Archdiocese of Omaha
Fact:
8% increase in Mass attendance (7,189 souls returned to Church)
Additional Highlights:
- The Archdiocese of Omaha created CatholicsComeHome.org logo ‘yard signs’– multiple signs were placed along the road in front of Catholic Church entrances to help drivers-by connect the TV campaign with the location of their nearest parish.
- Also, 10 billboards were donated throughout Omaha, and the CatholicsComeHome.org logo artwork was displayed on these billboards - a great addition to the campaign.
Diocese of Lincoln
Advent 2009
“Catholics Come Home has a relationship with the Diocese of Lincoln that has been very positive, efforts in these programs have proven to be of worth, and work with the various offices of our Diocese continued to promote the respect and commitment of our Catholic Church, treasuring the great mercy of Christ toward the sinner.”
–Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz, Diocese of Lincoln
Fact:
Increase of 2,000 inactive Catholics who returned to Mass
Additional Highlights:
- The Diocese of Lincoln had a 60%+ practice rate prior to the CCH initiative – a very high practice rate in comparison to national statistics. Despite their comparably high practice rate, Lincoln is especially focused on evangelization year-round, and epitomizes the mission of the Church to evangelize which lead them to partner with CatholicsComeHome.org to reach out to the remainder of souls away from the faith in Lincoln.
Diocese of Erie
Lent 2011
Diocese of Providence, RI
Advent 2009
“There is no doubt that the Catholics Come Home program has had a very positive effect in the Diocese of Providence. Time after time I have heard from many of our pastors who have reported an increased Sunday Mass attendance, longer lines for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, inspiring stories of people returning to the Church and, in general, a renewed and widespread interest in the mission and spiritual resources of the Church. I hope that other dioceses will experience the blessings of Catholics Come Home as we surely have in the Diocese of Providence, my prayers for God’s blessings upon you and your good and important work for the Church.”
–Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Diocese of Providence
Additional Highlights:
- The CatholicsComeHome.org initiative was part of the Diocese of Providence’s broader ‘Year of Evangelization’ efforts. The diocese created special prayer cards for the year of evangelization, and a supporting website: www.yoe2010.com.
Diocese of Corpus Christi
Lent 2009
“A gentleman had not gone to confession since his First Communion, when he was 8 years old. He is now 32 years old, and he made an appointment to speak to a priest! He was spiritually lost, and wants to become part of the Church again.”
–Director, St. Joseph, Beeville, Texas
Fact:
17.7% overall increase in Mass attendance; 16% increase in Spanish-language Mass attendance
Additional Highlights:
- The Diocese coordinated a special ‘annulment fair’ to assist individuals in Spanish and English.
Archdiocese of Seattle
Lent 2010
“I am pleased to recommend the Catholics Come Home Evangelization initiative. From my own personal experience, I can attest to the effectiveness of this campaign. I spoke with many returning Catholics during a Day of Reconciliation at our cathedral parish during Lent who told me that they had seen the Catholics Come Home television ads and decided to return to the practice of their faith. Many of our pastors reported significant numbers of individuals contacting them about returning to the Church because of the ads, and our Easter service in 2010 experienced larger crowds than at any time in recent memory. An additional benefit of the media campaign has been its effect among our most faithful Catholics. People were encouraged by these inspiring messages about the history, beauty and spiritual tradition of the church. In the Archdiocese of Seattle, Catholics Come Home was integrated into a long-term initiative to renew a sense of Catholic identity among our people. The quality and content of the Catholics Come Home television and radio commercials assisted us in this larger effort and also helped counter some of the negative media messages about the Church. Catholics Come Home staff provided outstanding professional support throughout the process and Tom Peterson, the president and founder of Catholics Come Home, even traveled across the country for media interviews as we launched the campaign locally. I recommend that other dioceses strongly consider participation in the Catholics Come Home program.”
–Archbishop Alex J. Brunett, Archdiocese of Seattle
Fact:
4.5% increase in Mass attendance (6,050 souls returned to Church)
Additional Highlights:
- The Archdiocese of Seattle implemented parish-based fundraising which resulted in over 7,000 individual parishioners and families donating to air the TV ads in Seattle. As a result of this parish-based fundraising, Seattle exceeded their fundraising goal and had over 7,000 ‘mini evangelists’ in the community excited about the CCH initiative and that were spreading the good news, long before one TV commercial ever aired!
- The Archdiocese of Seattle also brought CatholicsComeHome.org President & Founder, Tom Peterson, into town to conduct all media interviews. The resulting coverage was extremely positive, giving the Catholic Church and Archdiocese favorable and extensive media coverage in Seattle!
Diocese of Green Bay
Lent 2010
“My deep gratitude for your ministry in new evangelization! Catholics Come Home (CCH) is one true highlight of my episcopacy here in Green Bay. I could not be more pleased with the impact of Catholics Come Home in our diocese. There are two primary reasons for my enthusiasm. First, although already strong, the vitality of our parishes has been strengthened because of the excitement these commercials generated among our laity, religious, and priests. Second, many of our priests and parish leaders are sharing uplifting stories regarding the new and diverse people making sacramental and pastoral requests, including participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, sometimes after many decades. Deep thanks also to you and your staff for the superb level of support you provided our diocese. From major collaboration on raising funds to small details like offering technical support on CCH graphic designs, our efforts together went so smoothly that I have no doubt the Holy Spirit was working through this venture! I truly believe that Catholics Come Home, Inc. is the most promising apostolate in new evangelization and currently available to us.”
–Bishop David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay
Fact:
7.4% increase in Mass attendance (6,000+ souls returned to Church)
Additional Highlights:
- The Diocese of Green Bay implemented a series of informative e-mail newsletters which effectively kept their CCH parish coordinators up-to-date with the latest CCH initiative happenings and timelines. As a result, parishes were especially engaged, involved, and welcoming in Green Bay.
Where We've Been and Where We're Going
There’s an old saying that goes, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or quite some time, but somehow you now feel a tug at your heart calling you back home to the Catholic Church. That’s why we’re here.
Whether or not you know you want to return to the Catholic Church, we’re here to help you take that second look.
That mysterious pull inside you, driving you to look into your faith once more, comes directly from God. Your Heavenly Father is yearning for a relationship with you again, in the Church founded by Jesus 2000 years ago. He’s waiting for you with open arms.
You may want to take some time to explore all of the resources we have provided, to help you learn more about coming home to the Catholic Church. We know you may have questions, and may even want to resolve some past hurts before you can feel free to enter into a relationship with Jesus or His Church again. We understand. You are not alone.
The Church has compelling answers to all of your questions. The Catholic Church has never wavered in its mission to spread truth and love throughout the world. The Lord wants us all to know and understand His truth, so we can embrace it wholeheartedly and live by it. Christ himself reminds us that “The truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Consider this a sign, and your invitation to rediscover the truth, wonder and mystery of the Catholic faith. We are family. Welcome home!
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