Come Home for Christmas

Come Home For Christmas is a new initiative of the Catholic Church in 2007 to offer a seasonal welcome to Catholics who for different reasons no longer or rarely attend Mass.

Mary’s Story

I used to go to Mass every Sunday with my mother and sisters. I continued when I when I finished school and became a nurse. When I was twenty-two I met Peter and fell deeply in love. We got married in Church after less than a year. But the marriage did not last. Peter and I had less in common than we thought. We might have loved each other once, but we never really became friends. In the end we split up. A few years later I met Andrew, a really kind man. We both wanted to get married, so I got a civil divorce and married him in a registry office. I started to drift away from the Church after I met Andrew. I felt awkward with being at Mass and soon stopped receiving Holy Communion. I knew that getting married again would put me in a difficult situation, but I loved Andrew and did not want to be alone. When you spend all day caring for other people, you need someone to care for you. After we had got married I just felt it was easier to stop going to Mass altogether and that’s how things have remained. It’s not that I don’t believe. It’s not that I would not like to go. I just feel I would not be welcome.

John’s Story

I used to serve at Mass every Sunday. I even thought at one time I would like to become a priest. I kept on going to Church right until I went to Leeds University to do engineering. It was such an exciting time. I soon got a great group of mates none of whom were religious at all. We would hang out together and have a laugh. I did go to the Chaplaincy at first. I went to a lot of the Freshers’ Week events and intended to go back. But I didn’t get around to it. It just didn’t fit in with all the other things I was doing. I also felt a bit awkward about it with my mates. After all, who goes to Church these days? When I finished at university, I got a job in Sheffield and have been here every since. I do sometimes go to Mass when I go home. I don’t feel bad about the Church, but it just doesn’t feature in my life any more. My girlfriend is also a Catholic and she still likes to go to Mass sometimes. We’re pretty relaxed about things. I suppose I could go with her. But I do think the services are a bit boring, and I don’t like the way people shake your hand and are all smiles, but you know that they don’t really care who you are and wouldn’t like that you don’t conform.

Will I Be Welcome?

Often people come into contact with the Church again at some one-off event, baptism, first Communion, wedding or funeral. Or perhaps you have just been invited by a friend or relative to 'come home for Christmas' and you have decided to take a fresh look at the church. It can be a vulnerable and difficult time, as you remember why you stopped coming. But it can also be a graced moment, when you feel again the peace and wonder of being in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament once more. If you have been hurt we are sorry, and want to heal the rift. Whatever your reasons or situation, you are a vital part of God's family and our church community, and you will be made very welcome.

We in 3 rivers won’t be able to solve all the problems that John and Mary have, but are ready to listen!

Whatever your story or journey, click here we are ready to listen and offer a warm welcome.

The email link above is to Sheila Keefe who is a member of the KIT (Keeping in Touch) diocesan group and is on the advisory board of the CASE team, set up by the Bishops' conference, which is promoting 'Come Home for Christmas'. All members of both the KIT and CASE teams are CRB checked and guarantee confidentiality in every aspect of their work.

As well as listening, Sheila can put callers in touch with further help, contacts, advice or information as needed.

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