Getting Catholics back to Mass

Thank you Chris62,
I've only just picked up your post.
That's an audio-file of Scott Hahn.
I'll give it a listen.

Sometimes it seems to me the danger is not from those who have fallen away as much as those who stay to destroy from within...

Thanks Columba Tom,

I agree it comes from the heart.
I also think that if children/teenagers don't see their parents go and/or take them along with them, then they will be long odds to go to Mass in their future.

Perhaps a new Pope will bring new prayers, new hearts and new habits for some fallen away Catholics, I pray.

I also stumbled across the following, this very morning (after 12months), and decided to post it here, before I came across your post. Now there is a coincidence. (thank you Holy Spirit)

God bless you.

"How to Bring Fallen Away Catholics Back to the Church."
by Scott Hahn

Well, a year later ...

Chris62, you have posted several ideas that people seem to be shy to comment on. Let me take up one, because I see it in the Old Country too: it's about getting the young to attend Mass regularly before receiving the sacraments. The problem here is that we still end up with a sort of pro-forma certification, not a real conversion. Priests sometimes quip about "Last Holy Communion". They never see the children again!

We have to move the battle to the heart. If people don't long to come before Our Lord, they will serve other gods.

Over the years, many friends have come into the Church or returned, and I don't think any were brought in by visible means. However;

1. Prayers have been concurrent.

2. Reading the Divine Office has had an effect. (If any discerning person starts reading the psalms, they're on-track!)

3. And a curious thing, a witness thing: "I want what he's got", they say, indicating a believer.

These three seem to go deep.

It has been great to see an influx of families come back to the Mass in our parish.
The catalyst has been a program run by the PP to have children that are getting ready for the sacraments to attend Mass (brought by their parents). A card is signed and unless that have attended 15 or so Masses the sacrament will be withheld.
It works and hopefully works in the long term. I think it will. There are many positive responses to the program.
And it is great to have our church filled for the Mass especially with families.
I think the more a church is filled than other people are more likely to come.

Your thoughts?

What a nice gesture Cameo27.

I will follow up on that idea.

Make sure you let us know how it works out.

Hope it is a great success.

God bless.

I agree with the folks who said Catholics need to be better informed about the beauty of the Mass.

Today I ordered 500 "A Spiritual Offering For You" leaflets at religiouslife dot com and plan on passing them out to fallen away Catholics or anybody when they are having a tough time. Most Catholics don't understand how healing the Eucharist is and so you can nudge your way into a conversation with them when you hand them out. I bought some of the Angelus bookmarks too. Heh. I have no idea how it will work out but anything is worth a try. Check out the Spiritual offering cards let me know what you think? That is if you have adoration in your Church.

Thank you healonzo.

I have just asked if our PP might like to show this video either before or after Mass one Sunday.

I must get the series.

Many thanks.

If any of you get to see this. It is a great series.

Catholicism with Fr. Robert Barron
Here is a promo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlKzEJjofr8

Someone told me of an idea. What do you think?

When children are coming up for one of the sacraments such as First Holy Communion, Confirmation etc, they need to attend Mass (brought we assume by their parents) for a dozen or so weeks prior, as part of a learning program.
The parish priest signs a card to make sure they attend.
If they don't attend, they haven't properly completed their Sacramental learning program and therefore will have the Sacrament withheld until they do.

Is this too harsh?