Experience Love & Acceptance by coming home to the Catholic Church.

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 for quite some time, but now you feel a tug at your heart calling you back to the Catholic Church. Listen to that tug. It’s your Heavenly Father reaching his arms out to you, the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear, hoping to draw you home.

We hope you accept this as your invitation to rediscover the truth, wonder and mystery of the Catholic faith. As your brothers and sisters in our worldwide Catholic family, we want you back. We’ve missed you, and our Church is not the same without you.

Regardless of why you left or got out of the habit of going to Mass, you can always come home and return to the practice of the sacraments and the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church he founded. We are Catholic. Welcome home.

Find the Lasting Peace that Only Comes from God.

Your Father in heaven wants you to come home, and so do we, your fellow members of Christ’s body, the Church. The longing you have in your heart can be fulfilled through Jesus and his Catholic Church. You are not alone. Countless of your own brothers and sisters in Christ have returned home, have come back to Confession and to Mass, and have experienced the joy of a renewed relationship with the God who loves them and accepts them unconditionally. Now, you can too.

How can I feel welcomed in the Catholic Church again after experiencing hurt at the hands of people in the Church?

It can be difficult when we feel like our fellow Christians aren't acting very Christian toward us or toward others. The Church is indeed made up of sinful, imperfect people, who often disappoint. But rather than distancing yourself from the Holy Eucharist and the Catholic Church that Christ founded, consider clinging to Jesus all the more, since he never disappoints. It is helpful, in times of trial and hurt, to remember why you are Catholic—not because all Catholics always represent the mercy and love of Jesus  perfectly well, but because the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus, administers the sacraments, and contains the fullness of Truth, helping all of us to draw closer to God and grow in holiness. Do not allow the actions of some to cause you to lose faith in the Church as a whole. Discuss your frustrations with a priest or deacon at your local parish, and start your journey back to a welcoming home. Above all, do not lose heart. People may disappoint, but God never leaves us, and He is always present in the Catholic Church he founded.

What steps do I take to come back to the Catholic Church?

Recognize that your Heavenly Father yearns for you to come home to his Church. Then, go to Confession at your local parish and consider discussing any concerns or questions you may have about returning home with a priest. Begin going to Mass again and experiencing Christ’s presence through worshipping in the liturgy. The Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are also there to help you on your journey home, as are parish ministries like RCIA or a local returning Catholics group. Know that you are not alone, and do not be afraid to find answers to your questions, both here and through your local Catholic parish community.

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