Catholics Returning Home series starting at St. Mary
Deacon Bob Zerrer, middle, with Janet Ball, left, and Jessica Andrews, who took part in a previous Catholics Returning Home series at St. Mary church in Wooster. The next Catholics Returning Home series will begin Oct. 14.
In a program known as Catholics Returning Home, the people of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wooster have swung open the church doors to individuals who for whatever reason have become separated from their church and want to re-explore their connection to the Catholic Faith.
Begun locally in 2014, the church has followed a program model put forth by Sally Mews, author of “Inviting Catholics Home.” Mews came to Wooster to help establish a team of church members to lead the effort. Now this team is extending an invitation to nonpracticing Catholics to join them, no matter how long or for whatever reason they have been away from the church.
“Our team provides a nonjudgmental, confidential, safe place where individuals can explore the challenges they have faced and their concerns associated along the way with their faith journey,” said Mary Zuercher, team coordinator.
Janet Ball and her daughter Jessica Andrews attended the Catholics Returning Home program together last year.
“We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to take the classes. Most of all, being back to the church has been a great blessing. It feels good to be home,” Ball said.
The six-week series is designed to inform and answer questions nonpracticing Catholics may have about the faith since they have left. Sessions are as follows:
—Welcome and Overview of the Series.
—Sharing of Faith from Previous Catholics Returning Home.
—The Church Today: Living in a Vatican II Church.
—A Walk Through the Mass Along With Explanations and a Look at the Eucharist.
—The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Explanation of Today’s Confession.
—What Catholics Believe: The Creed.
Sessions will begin Monday, Oct. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, in the Parish Hall, located on the ground level of the church.
For more information call the church at 330-264-8824.