St. Mary series a re-exploration of faith
Gary Galka, left, looks on as Fr. Stephen Moran of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wooster and Eva Carter read the Roman Missal at the church. St. Mary is holding Catholics Returning Home, a six-week series designed to inform and answer questions that nonpracticing Catholics may have about the faith since they have left, beginning Oct. 18.
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, and 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.
“I was a cradle Catholic who along the way drifted from my faith. About eight years ago, I felt that something was missing in my life,” said Eva Carter, previous participant in the Catholics Returning Home program. “They were so helpful and welcoming, and while the course is a six-week curriculum, the leadership team is willing to spend as much time as you need to answer all your questions.”
Gary Galka, previous participant, said it was his interaction with fellow participants and congregants along with the one-on-one discussions he engaged in with both priests that led him to finally join and become part of a real church family.
The six-week series is designed to inform and answer questions that 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 Catholics Returning Home.
—The Eucharist: The Heart of the Matter.
—A Walk through the Mass along with Explanations and Clarifications.
—The Sacrament of Reconciliation, an Explanation of Today’s Confession.
—What Catholics Believe: The Creed.
Sessions will begin Monday, Oct. 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, in the Parish Hall (ground level of the church).
“No matter where someone is in life or how long someone has been away, God is here waiting for them,” Carter said.
For more information call the church at 330-264-8824.