A Ministry of Reconciliation from the Paulist Fathers Home ||| About ||| Contact ||| Paulists Contact Joan Horn - Phone: 979-690-7953 E-mail: joanlandings@aol.com James Moran, CSP - phone: 718-291-5995 EMail: Jmorancsp@aol.com

"LANDINGS" - WELCOMING RETURNING CATHOLICS
BACK TO THE CHURCH

Pauline Gilbertson
UK Landings Coordinator

I am sure that we all know someone who has been away from the Church and might, under the right circumstances, consider coming back.

Whilst some people are comfortable returning to the Church simply by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then attending Mass once again, others may need more support as well as a period in which to explore their faith. "Landings" is a parish-based, lay-led ministry of welcoming returning Catholics back to the Church.

A typical parish "LANDINGS" group meets for one and a half hours per week over an eight to ten week period, and consist of parishioners who have been trained in this ministry - some of whom have themselves been away and have 'returned' - and inactive Catholics who are exploring the possibility of returning.

"Landings" is not the 'saved' ministering to 'sinners'! It does not claim to answer everyone's questions but through it people can, when necessary, be referred to specialist help.

"Landings" offers returning Catholics

• a supportive community within which they can ask questions, discuss issues, deal with difficulties
• an opportunity to be with ordinary Catholics who are trying to live their faith
• a safe environment in which to come to terms with recent changes within the Church and themselves.

For the 'active' Catholics who take part in "Landings", it provides

• an opportunity to share their faith
• participation in the Church's mission to welcome those who have been away
• a chance to grow and learn from each others' spiritual journeys.

"Landings" was devised ten years ago by Paulist Fathers in the USA, and has proved popular and successful in the USA and Canada. The first European "Landings" training workshop took place at Ealing Abbey in 2001, attended by over 60 people from 10 different dioceses in the UK and Ireland. Future UK workshops are planned during the course of 2002 in the Dioceses of Portsmouth and Westminster.

Pauline Gilbertson

January 2002

For more information on International workshops in the UK:
Pauline Gilbertson
UK Landings Coordinator
Landings UK@hotmail.com