Have you drifted away from the Catholic Church ...
Stopped going to Mass or attend infrequently ...
HAVE YOU ASKED QUESTIONS LIKE THESE?
DOUBTS
What’s missing in my spiritual life?
ABSENCE
I’ve been away for so long ...
CHANGES
How will I ever get caught up?
TEACHINGS
I’m not sure I agree ...
STRUGGLES
I've made so many mistakes ...
WOUNDS
I was hurt by someone in the Church ...
DOUBTS
What’s missing in my spiritual life? Am I missing something by not going to Mass and practicing my Catholic Faith?
God’s gift of faith strengthens us and helps us to live as members of the Body of Christ—the Church. The Church is made up of unique individuals, each with his or her own gifts to share. In turn, the gifts of the church community strengthen and support the whole. We need each other.
ABSENCE
I’ve been away from the Church for so long I wonder whether it’s too late to return?
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been away from the Church.Your return will bring tremendous joy to God! Through His grace, your faith can deepen and grow like never before.
CHANGES
So much has changed since I went to Church. How will I ever get caught up?
The Catholic faith is rich in its teachings and tradition. Even the most scholarly among us does not know everything.
Learning about our Church and our faith is a lifelong process that can be enriched by adult formation classes and personal study. Anyone concerned that they need to catch up will feel right at home with other Catholics.
CHURCH TEACHINGS
I’m not sure I agree with everything the Church teaches.
The teachings of the Church provide guidance and help us to know, love, and serve God so that one day we may be united with Him forever in heaven.
If you have questions about Church teaching, we invite you to speak with a priest or other knowledgeable person.
STRUGGLES
I’ve made so many mistakes. Will the Church really welcome me back?
The Church teaches that Jesus is our Savior; He came not to condemn, but to save. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Christ forgives all our sins, strengthens us spiritually, and restores us to a state of grace.
I was hurt by someone in the Church.
How would returning to the Church help me?
The Church is made up of imperfect people with human problems and issues. If you have been hurt by clergy or any church member, in any way, we ask your forgiveness.
We believe that healing can be found in the sacraments and through the compassionate support of our faith community.
Report abuse
If you suspect a priest or employee at your parish has engaged in sexual misconduct involving a child:
First, notify local law enforcement.
Second, notify the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services through the Texas Abuse Hotline - 1-800-252-5400 or www.txabusehotline.org.
Finally, if the allegation involves a member of the clergy or an employee of a parish or the Diocese, please notify the Diocese of Dallas Victims Assistance Coordinator, Barbara Landregan, at: 214-379-2812.
THE MERCY OF GOD
A Great Light of Love and Tenderness
God forgives us, not with a decree, but with His love, healing the wounds of sin. Because He is involved in forgiveness, He is involved in our salvation.
- Pope Francis -
O God, you are my God— it is you I seek! - Psalms 63:2
PRAYER
In prayer, ask God to guide you. Your response to His loving call could be the first step toward a new beginning!
TALK TO US
If you would like to speak with someone about returning to the Church, we encourage you to contact a nearby parish, which you can find through our Parish Finder map.
JOIN US
If you are not ready to speak with someone, please join us for Mass at your local parish. Take a bulletin and look at the various activities going on in your parish. Choose a place to start that feels comfortable.
Other resources with information on returning to the Catholic faith
CatholicsComeHome.org - For those who are not Catholic, for those who have not been to Mass in a while and for Active catholics
EXPERIENCE GOD'S MERCY
Returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation (also known as Confession or Penance) is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness for offenses committed against God. In Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and his Church. We express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and his Church, make reparation for what we have done, and resolve to do better in the future.
Every time we go to confession, God embraces us.
- Pope Francis -
An important part of our healing is the “penance” the priest imposes in reparation for our sins.
STEP 1: CONTRITION
Confession is not difficult, but it does require preparation.
Before we enter the Confessional, we should begin with prayer. We should review our lives since our last confession, searching our thoughts, words and actions for that which did not conform to God’s command to love Him and one another through His laws and the laws of His Church. This is called an examination of conscience.
How to make an examination of conscience
Begin with a prayer asking for God’s help.
Review your life with the help of questions based on the Ten Commandments.
There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. CLICK HEREfor a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.
Tell God how truly sorry you are for your sins.
Make a firm resolution not to sin again.
If you are unsure about how to confess or you feel uneasy
Ask the priest to help you - This is what Father became a priest to do: to make us friends with God again.
Place your trust in God - Our Heavenly Father is merciful.
Remember that God loves you - He wants to give you this free gift of His mercy and His love.
Listen to this sermon - A priest reminds us about the amazing love of God in the confessional.
STEP 2: CONFESSION
Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope.
Pope Francis
Enter the Confessional
The Sacrament of Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
Begin your confession
When you enter the confessional, the priest will give you a blessing or greeting. He may also share a brief Scripture passage. Make the Sign of the Cross and say, "Bless me Father for I have sinned, It has been [X days, weeks, years] since my last confession."
Confess your sins
Confess all of your mortal sins to the priest in number and kind. Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.
After you have confessed all of your sins
Say "I am sorry for these and all of my sins."The priest will then offer you advice to help you be a better Catholic, such as how to better work with the graces that God is giving you in your life, or ways to combat your weaknesses or habitual sin. He will then assign a penance.
Say an Act of Contrition
This is a way of expressing your sorrow for your sins.
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
STEP 3: ABSOLUTION
Restoration of friendship with God
When the priest absolves you, he will say these words:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, Reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity.
STEP 4: SATISFACTION
Completing the penance imposed by the priest
Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins.
This satisfaction is also called "penance."
When one finishes Confession one leaves free, grand, beautiful, forgiven, candid, happy. This is the beauty of Confession!
- Pope Francis -