Outreach to Non-Practising Catholics
: WELCOME BACK CAMPAIGN
On Sunday, 29 May, Bishop Seamus in a pastoral letter writes to the diocese encouraging us to be part of the Welcome Back Campaign which takes place on Pentecost Sunday 12 June. Parishioners in churches throughout the diocese are asked to take an invitation card to someone they know who has drifted away from the Church and encourage them to come to Mass with them on Pentecost Sunday and take another look at the faith.
Invitation Card as pdf - A4 sheet print and fold and write in details of your church and time of mass
Invitation Card as publisher file - can be edited in publisher to add your church details
More information about the campaign
Bishop Seamus writes:
"All of us have stood on a station platform or an airport concourse to say goodbye and wave someone off. It may have been a family member or close friend and while we are happy for them, their going is tinged with sadness because we will miss them even if they are just going for a short while.
"All of us will have been moved to see members of the Armed Forces welcomed home by their loved ones as they return from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, transforming the arrival tarmac into a place of joy, relief and welcome. No doubt all of us have been able to welcome back family and friends as we have stood in airports and stations, docksides and bus platforms.
"Places of departures and arrivals are fascinating; here we see an important part of life played out, and the wave, embrace and tear shed, witness to ties of love, friendship and family.
"Jesus in the Gospel today prepares his disciples for a departure and an arrival. He must return to the Father but they will not be left orphaned. The Advocate will come to be with them forever, bringing them truth and understanding. They will be through the spirit’s presence united with Jesus and the Father. All that was promised to the disciples then, is realised in us today, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.
"As a diocese we are preparing to Welcome Back Catholics to take another look at their faith. We know that while some people leave the church for very definite reasons, the vast majority simply drift away and feel that no-one seems to have asked where are they. We want to tell them “we miss you and your faith and the community of faith has much to offer you”. ..." Read letter in full