This presentation is designed as a introduction to a parish meeting held to explore how your local c

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This presentation is designed as a introduction
to a parish meeting held to explore how your
local community might respond to the Come Home
for Christmas initiative. You are welcome to
adapt and extend this presentation to suit your
local circumstances. If you substantially change
the content of the presentation, we ask that you
remove the CASE logo from the master slide thank
you. To do this, on the view menu usually
3rd from left after file and edit, select
master then slide master, click on the logo
to highlight it then press delete. Click close
master view to return to the slides. To view the
suggested notes that accompany the presentation,
on the view menu, select notes page. These
can be edited and printed according to your
preference.
Please contact us if you would like any
assistance in adapting the presentation, or if
you would like to give us feedback on this or on
any of our resources. We would also be delighted
to hear from you about any Come Home for
Christmas events you have planned and could help
you publicise them on our websites. 020 8458 3316
or info_at_caseresources.org.uk
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Why now?
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Why now?
Why not?!?

• The majority of people believe that religion is
  a force for good in society
• Christianity has a role to play
• Atheism seems to be on its way out
• Interest in faith is increasing across Western
  culture
• Religion is on the agenda of government and the
  media
• Faith on the public antennae

www.life4seekers.co.uk
FROM Doing God a Future for Faith in the
Public Square
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• 1 in 10 go to Church (across all denominations)
• 3 million more would if only they were invited
• Who will invite them?
• 2 out 3 Catholics dont attend Mass weekly

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• Mary Jones, 42, Cardiff
• Used to read at Mass
• Split from husband
• Now in new relationship

• John Roberts, 28, Wigan
• Used to serve at Mass
• Thought about priesthood
• Drifted away at University

NOT REAL PEOPLE

• Tim Black, 57, Stafford
• Separated from wife
• Suffering from depression

VERY REAL PAIN

• Rebecca Oloyede, 19, Herts
• Helped with Childrens LoW
• Now living with boyfriend

• Sean Fernandez, 31, Middlesbrough
• Attended Church with family
• Was training to be a doctor
• Brother has also lapsed

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WHY DO PEOPLE LAPSE?

• Some never really started
• Expression of teenage independence
• Bad experiences
• Broken marriages / new relationships
• Simply drifted away

CULTURE FRAGMENTED BUT
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There is always hope!
Possibly the most urgent matter Europe faces is
a growing need for hope
a hope which will enable us to give meaning to
life and history and to continue on our way
together.
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WELCOME HOME

• One-off events provide opportunities baptisms,
  weddings and funerals
• Midnight Mass at Christmas
• The door must be open
• What is the quality of our welcome?
• Resources are available to helpwww.everybodyswel
  come.org.uk www.caseresources.org.uk

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MORE RESOURCES
Keeping In Touch (KIT)
www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/kit
Landings
www.landingsuk.org.uk
CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration)
www.faithcafe.org
Legion of Mary
www.legionofmary.co.uk
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INVITING OTHERS
God has created me to do Him some definite
service He has committed some work to me which
He has not committed to another. I have my
mission. Cardinal Newman
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MAKING CONTACT

• Seasonal cards and reply slips
• Use parish records and local knowledge
• Involve parishioners
• Home visiting
• Information evening for parents

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COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
To John, HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Be great to see you
again, All at St Lukes
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WELCOME HOME

• Special Welcome Home event
• Words of welcome
• Display posters in school
• local library or shop windows
• Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Local newspaper and radio
• Advertise new website

www.comehomeforchristmas.co.uk
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FURTHER RESOURCES
INVITATION CARDS
www.caseresources.org.uk
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Over to you, what can we do in this parish?
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PLAN
PRAY
PREPARE
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Father, send Your Holy Spirit into the hearts of
our brothers and sisters who no longer practise
their faith. Guide them in the way of Your truth
and love. Call them once again to full
participation in the Mystical Body of Your
Son. Give us too a double share of that same
Spirit that with confidence we may seek out all
the sheep of Your flock and invite them
back. Together with the Father of the Prodigal
Son, let us always be ready to rejoice and be
glad as we welcome back our returning
family. Inspire us to support and encourage each
other, and to build others up as members of One
Body. AMEN