Return Home
returning to the faith
Welcome home.
Maybe you have been away from the Catholic Church for a few years, or maybe quite a few years, but now something’s tugging at your heart. Maybe it’s an ache or a curiosity. Regardless of why you drifted from the Church or intentionally stopped practicing your Catholic faith, you can always come home. You can return to Jesus in the Sacraments and enter, again, into fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church he founded.
Coming home
The Father has been waiting.
Some of us have been there. We’ve had our own “prodigal son” or “prodigal daughter” moments (see Luke 15:11–32). However big or small, we’ve found ourselves away, alone, stuck, distant, drifting, hard-hearted, and even hurt and wounded. The Father has always been there and he's looking out for you, even as you went down some interesting and winding roads. Maybe now is the time for you to turn and come home to the heart of the Father.
The Road Home
some stepping stones along the way
Nobody walking on the face of the earth is “too far gone.” A return is always possible. If you’re looking for some direction in this regard, consider the following steps:
1. Pray
In humility, ask God for help and guidance. Ask God to remove any obstacles or roadblocks that might stand in the way of your return to the Catholic Church. If you need a little help to get started, you might say something like: “Jesus, please help me. Jesus, please guide me. I believe that you are God and that you can __________ (what do you believe God can do for you, for example: give me the courage to return to my Catholic roots and live out my faith). Jesus, I give you _______ (name the obstacles standing in your way). Thank you for listening to me and helping me in the way I need it most. Amen.”
2. Act
Respond to the tug on your heart. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Reach out to a friend or family member who is practicing his/her Catholic faith. Share about your faith journey and ask for support.
- Message Brad Bursa, director of evangelization at Stella Maris, and set a time for an encouraging conversation and support. Get your questions answered and get some further guidance. Email Brad at bbursa@stellamarisfamily.org
- Spend some time in quiet prayer in one of our beautiful churches. Eucharistic adoration could be a great place to start. Learn more on our adoration webpage.
- Join us for the celebration of Holy Mass. At the time for Holy Communion, you may either remain in your seat or come forward to receive a blessing by crossing your arms in an “X” shape over your chest. Upon returning to your pew, consider making an act of spiritual communion until you are able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and return to full communion with the Church.
3. Celebrate
- Return to communion with the Church by connecting with one of the Stella Maris priests and scheduling a time to talk and go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is the return of the prodigal son/daughter moment and the reception of God’s merciful forgiveness. (For more on this, see our resources below.)
- Enter fully into the the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, including a receiving our Lord in the Eucharist at the time of Holy Communion. This is the entry into the Father’s joyful feast, celebrating your coming home.
4. Grow
Engage in parish life. Check out a Bible study or service opportunity. Come to a mini-course or a talk. Meet new people and get plugged in. Learn more about our adult formation opportunities on this webpage.
Let's have a conversation
Learn more about returning to the Catholic Church.
We invite you to encounter Jesus in the Catholic Church and to join in our mission — a bold and daring one — of bringing His love to a hurting world. The world promises comfort, but we were not made for comfort. We were made for greatness. Encounter that greatness and share in it. Return to the Catholic Church.
If you are interested in learning more about how to return to the Church or if you have questions about Catholicism, please fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.
Get in touch.
Simply complete this form and one of our team members will be in touch. If there's anything in particular you're interested in knowing or that you'd like to tell us, please note it below.
a few helpful items for your return
Resources
Confession
Get some questions answered.
A Classic Poem
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