You are very welcome
If you are a baptised Catholic and have been away from the Church, you are warmly invited to come home.
Perhaps you stopped coming to Mass gradually. Perhaps you experienced difficulties, were hurt, had questions or simply fell out of the habit. Whatever your circumstances, you do not need to wait until everything is sorted out before taking the first step.
Your Baptism remains. You still belong to Christ and His Church.
You are welcome to come to Mass, pray with us and speak to the priest whenever you feel ready.
How do I begin again?
Returning to the faith is not a course to pass. It is a gradual return to friendship with Christ and the ordinary life of His Church.
A good beginning is:
- Come to Sunday Mass.
- Begin praying each day, even if only briefly.
- Prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confession.
- Ask questions and relearn anything you have forgotten.
- Take your place again in the life of the parish.
There is no fixed timetable. Some people need only a little guidance. Others value several conversations with the priest or a parish mentor.
We will help you take the next step at a suitable pace.
Confession and Holy Communion
You may come to Mass even if you are not yet ready to receive Holy Communion.
If you are conscious of serious sin, the Church asks you to receive the Sacrament of Confession before receiving Holy Communion. If it has been many years, or you cannot remember what to do, please do not worry. The priest will guide you.
Simply begin by saying:
“Father, it has been a long time since my last Confession, and I may need some help.”
If you are uncertain about Confession, Holy Communion, marriage or another personal circumstance, please speak privately with the priest. The purpose of the conversation is to help you, not to turn you away.
Returning to the Faith Catholic Companion
Our parish has prepared a simple companion for baptised Catholics who wish to return to the practice of their faith.
It contains six conversations:
- You Are Welcome Back
- Looking Back with Truth and Mercy
- Confession and Mercy
- Returning to Sunday Mass
- Prayer and Ordinary Catholic Life
- Staying Close to Christ and His Church
Each conversation includes clear Catholic teaching, questions to consider, practical guidance, prayer and one manageable step to take.
You may use the companion privately, with the priest or with a parish mentor.
DOWNLOAD THE RETURNING TO THE FAITH CATHOLIC COMPANION
Activity and Conversation Guide
This guide is designed to be used beside the Catholic Companion.
It helps a returning Catholic and a parish mentor or trusted companion to talk honestly, make each step practical and build a steady Catholic life.
It requires no lesson preparation. The companion provides the teaching, while the guide provides simple activities, questions, prayers and practical next steps.
DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY AND CONVERSATION GUIDE
Returning to the Faith App
The app presents the teaching in a simple and accessible format. It can be used on a phone, tablet or computer.
The app is an additional help. It supports personal learning, but it does not replace Sunday Mass, prayer, Confession or personal contact with the parish.
OPEN THE RETURNING TO THE FAITH APP
A simple guide to the pathway
Our printable pathway guide gives a short overview of the steps involved in returning to Catholic practice.
DOWNLOAD THE RETURNING TO THE FAITH PATHWAY GUIDE
Support from the parish
You do not have to make the journey alone.
You may:
- use the Catholic Companion privately;
- speak directly with the priest;
- ask for the support of a parish mentor;
- use the app for additional help;
- come to Mass and become familiar with parish life again.
A mentor will welcome, listen and encourage you. Private sins, marriage circumstances and important sacramental questions should always be discussed with the priest.
Is this the right pathway for me?
This pathway is for someone who was baptised Catholic and now wishes to return to the practice of the Catholic faith.
If you have never been baptised, please visit:
BECOMING A CATHOLIC, RCIA AND THE CATECHUMENATE
If you were baptised in another Christian community and wish to become Catholic, please visit:
If you were baptised Catholic but have never received Confirmation, please visit:
If you are uncertain which pathway applies to you, please contact us. You do not need to work it out before getting in touch.
Ready to begin?
You are welcome to speak to Fr John before or after Mass, or contact the parish privately.
Parish Priest: Fr John Owens
Email: john.owens@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Parish Office: Genny Hickey
Telephone: 07354 832195
Email: cathparishmje@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Come as you are. You will be welcomed, and we will help you begin again.
