Landings For Returning Catholics
Landings, a reconciliation ministry of the Paulist Fathers, is a program that invites all Catholic parishes and communities to reach out to Catholics who have been away from the Church or who struggle in their relationship with God and the Church. In a welcoming and non-judgmental way, small groups of active lay Catholics join with returning or inactive Catholics to share their spiritual journeys and explore their Catholic faith. Landings trains Catholics to give witness to the Church’s evangelization mission by opening their hearts to those who have been away. Sharing your time, your resources, and your faith could bring others back to the Church. By setting up a Landings program at your parish, you can provide a safe harbor or a “landing” place for returning Catholics to explore their faith and their future with the Church.
“The term New Evangelization speaks for the need for a renewed method of proclamation especially for those who live in a context, such as the present one, in which developments of secularization have left heavy traces in countries with a Christian tradition.…The New Evangelization primarily addresses those who have drifted from the Church.”
—Pope Benedict XVI
Landings
is for Returning Catholics
This reconciliation process will help you and your faith community to welcome inactive Catholics who want to take another look at the Church, and to celebrate their sacred moment of return by giving them a “safe place to land.”
is simple, yet subtle in its effects
Since 1989, the lay-oriented process has successfully brought returning Catholics back to active participation in the faith.
is a lay ministry
This program trains and engages active lay Catholics to welcome those who are searching, and wondering.
encourages storytelling
Each person’s journey is special and sacred in the eyes of God. The meetings focus on sharing faith stories and reflecting on Catholic themes.
If you are interested in starting a Landings group or joining an existing group, please contact Fr. John at johnardis@paulist.org