Our Coming Home program is part of our parish outreach and evangelization effort to embrace Catholics who would like to explore the possibility of returning to the active practice of our Faith. All the team members of this outreach program have at one time left the Church for various reasons – Church laws, misunderstandings, confusion, or apathy. Come to one of our sessions to hear their stories. Listen to why they left and how they returned.
You’ve been away - and you have been missed! Come to discover the connections between the teachings of Christ and His Church and the needs and challenges of your daily life.
Returning to Church can be intimidating, but we try to make it easy and fun at the same time. Bring a friend! All are welcome!
For directions to the church, for more information, or for connection to a team member, please call the parish office at (603) 882.7793.
From Anonymous:
A tiny ad about the Coming Home Program in a local newsletter that I rarely read caught my attention. Placing it on the refrigerator, I debated with myself and a dear friend about whether or not to attend. I was frightened about being judged but attended anyway. It was a welcoming, accepting experience - fear disappeared. I was home and never looked back.
From P.F.:
We all have our reasons for leaving the Church. Sometimes, it’s complicated, sometimes it’s simply that we stopped going one week – and then another – until too much time had gone by and we found it easier (more convenient) to not attend Mass. For me, growing up, the Mass was in Latin and I never understood why I had to go to Church. It seemed to be very methodical: Sunday School, First Communion, Confirmation. It’s as though we had paid our dues and Confirmation was the end. Fast forward several decades. I had shut out the Lord for so long that I no longer heard him. But one day, for a whole host of reasons, I realized I needed something bigger than me, bigger than others, in my life. Although I didn’t originally understand, I felt compelled to visit several Churches. And by visit, I mean just walk through the doors. When I walked into St. Kathryn’s, I knew. I just knew. I was home, but would I be welcomed after such a long time away? I attended a few Masses and had no clue what was going on. But I wanted more. I attended the Coming Home program. There I found others who were experiencing the same feelings. We were welcomed into the group, heard their stories, and learned so much in a few short weeks. They were instant friends, family who understood. I then understood that it was not an impulse at all when I decided to visit several Churches: I finally opened up my heart and mind to our Lord and He pushed me forward very gently and invited me to come Home again. Here I have found the peace that was missing from my life.
From R.B.:
Coming Home has given me what I had been searching for all my life but never realized I was searching. I had a Jesus hole in my heart because I wouldn't let Him in. Once I opened myself to receive Him, that hole is filled...filled to abundance...super abundance!
From K.T.P.:
To me, coming home has had a really big impact on my life. I went from not going to church and not really knowing if I believed anymore to working on my questions and doubts in a loving environment with some of the best people I have ever known in my life. These other Catholics are people I met through a mom’s group for young children which led to our decision to homeschool our children. Our faith has been central to our lives and has radically changed our lives for the better. When things are not easy we know where to turn for assistance- our Lord and not our hurt. These relationships both with God and with friends are what we rely on when things get tough.
Our lord and our church not our hurt.
God comes through for us time and again in ways we still struggle to see his plan, but we know he has one and he is in charge, not us. We love our Catholic faith and St. Kathryn’s church is a beautiful community. Welcome home!!!
From Anonymous:
I left the Church for thirteen years. When I did, I thought that I did not need my faith or my God. I thought I could handle my life just fine thank you! I turned to material things to make me happy. I worked a lot of hours. I made a lot of money. I bought a lot of things. These things made me happy for a short while, but it was not lasting.
Then one day as I came upon a church I pulled into the parking lot and went in. Mass was just about to start so I stayed. During the homily I felt as though the priest was talking directly to me. Later I learned that this was the Holy Spirit talking to me. During this homily my heart was overflowing with love and tears came to my eyes. They were tears of joy. I had never felt so fulfilled, so loved.
This love that my heart could not contain, that gave me such joy and peace, was and is the love of my God. Our Lord not only loves us, He delights in us. No matter what we have done, or think we have done, He is always there to love and forgive us.
This is the difference between the things of this world and the everlasting love of Our Lord. This is the love that only God can give. The love that created the Sacraments for us. The love that gives us peace.
Give the Lord a chance to share His love with you to the fullest. Come back to the Church, the Mass, and the Sacraments. Let a tear of joy come to your eyes. Let the peace that only He can give fill you.
God bless you always.