I Used to Be Catholic . . . I Need Answers.

Top Ten Reasons to Come Back



Maybe you've been away from the Church for awhile. Maybe you're not sure if you want to return, but you are willing to at least take a second look. We understand. That's why we're here.

Perhaps you're not sure if you agree with or even fully understand some Catholic teachings. You may have issues concerning marriage or divorce, or even had your faith shaken by a scandal. Well, you've come to the right place.

Catholics Come Home is here for you to find the answers to those questions and concerns. We'll do our very best to provide good, solid answers to your questions. There's plenty of informative and detailed information here, so please, read on!

There's an old saying that goes: “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” Many people who have left the Church, for whatever reason, still feel a mysterious, even powerful draw to come back home to Her.

Like true-north, the Catholic Church tugs on the compass-arrow of the human heart in ways that can be comforting, puzzling, even unsettling.

We believe that this mysterious pull comes from God. It is His way of using grace to help nudge us in the direction He wants us to go, much like a tugboat nudges an ocean liner toward the safety of the harbor.

Listen to Song 'Our God is Here' by Chris MugliaSometimes, though, in order to navigate through the choppy water of the open sea and arrive safely in the harbor, the ship must be guided by a lighthouse. The lighthouse is there, not to “boss the ship's captain around” or make life harder, but to guide the ship to safety.

Most people would agree that a wise captain heeds the directions given by the lighthouse.

Well, the Catholic Church is like that lighthouse. It was established nearly 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ and sent forth into the world to guide people to heaven. Christ told his Apostles (the original bishops of the Church) to:

Go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).

Even though the Catholic Church is comprised of human beings (sinners just like ourselves), what it teaches comes not from itself, but from the Lord, who established his Church “on a rock” (c.f., Matt. 16:18).

When you were a kid, maybe everything the Catholic Church taught seemed so simple and easy to understand. And that's good. After all, Christ Himself declared: “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Christ wants each of us to have a child-like faith, but not a child-ish faith. We have to mature in our faith.

No doubt, as you grew older, things changed, life got more complicated, and the once-simple answers no longer seemed to satisfy you.

St. Paul said: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Reading Sacred Scripture is the most important part of acquiring answers, re-discovering things long forgotten, and rebuilding a lost faith. But keep in mind that, as St. Peter declared, “No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of personal interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). This is where the Church's role as a guiding lighthouse comes in. Jesus told his Apostles, “He who listens to you, listens to me; and he who rejects you, rejects me” (Luke 10:16).

The Lord wants us to know and understand the truth so that we can embrace it wholeheartedly and live according to it, even when the truth may be startling to us. After all, He declared that “The truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Listen to Song 'Rescue Me' by Michael John Poirier

Many people have questions about the Catholic Church. And there are compelling answers to those questions:

How Do I Come Home?

This section of Catholics Come Home will provide you with some helpful resources to assist you with coming home. Whether it's finding out where and when you can go to confession or Mass, or how to resolve other issues, you should be able to find it here.

Marriage, Divorce and Annulments

This section of Catholics Come Home will guide you to many resources that will help answer your questions, give you practical and specific things you can do to improve your marriage, and resolve marriage-related issues that may be standing in the way of (or which you may think are standing in the way of) your coming home to a full and vibrant marriage.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

In this section, you'll find answers to several common questions about the Catholic Church's teachings and practices, such as the Eucharist, Mary, and the saints. We also address some difficult issues such as abortion, and the priest scandals.

What Does the Church Really Teach?

This page will give you a broad overview of Catholic doctrines, allowing you to “dig deeper” into whatever area interests you. Among the many topics you'll find information about the Bible and tradition, the One True Church established by Jesus Christ, the nature of God, creation, salvation, heaven and hell, purgatory, and much more.

Why Confess to a Priest?

As the Bible reminds us very pointedly, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). This section will provide you with some helpful resources to assist you with coming home. Whether it's finding out where and when you can go to confession or Mass, or how to resolve other issues.

When a Priest or Church Worker Disappoints Us

Index of Catholic Resources

A comprehensive index of Catholic Church teachings and resources about a wide variety of important issues including: war, abortion, contraception, homosexuality, adultery, pornography, masturbation, fetal stem cell research, and Catholic history.

Don't forget what Jesus Christ said about searching for the truth . . .

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Keep in mind that the Catholic Church has been around for just about 2000 years now, and over the years, there have been an untold number of questions and objections raised about her teachings and practices. The answers are there.

And if it happens that you have a question about the Catholic Church that isn't directly answered here at Catholics Come Home, don't worry. There are wonderful resources available with helpful Catholics to find the answer.
God bless you in your journey!