Parish Ministry for Returning Catholics [Paperback]

Patricia Barbernitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1993

An informative, caring and community-focused guide for parishes embarking on a ministry for returning Catholics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809134411
• ISBN-13: 978-0809134410
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The loving antidote to SO MUCH bitterness!, May 27, 2004

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MagicSkip "magicskip" (Marriottsville, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Parish Ministry for Returning Catholics (Paperback)

I was blessed to have attended Ms. Barbernitz's program for returning Catholics. I saw this book put into action. I lived this book, through Pat Barbernitz herself. She is amazing! This is not a book of theory; it's a book built of necessity. Pat developed the program, learned from her own applications of running the program, and had to write the book because she was swamped with people wanting her to teach them how to develop a successful program in their parish.

I had all my own reasons for hating the Catholic church, yet still felt the need to return to it. Somehow, I thought I would be the only one like that. I thought the rest of the group would be people who simply drifted away from church attendance because of moving (and not finding a new parish in the new location) or marrying someone of another denomination or whatever; sort of passively falling away from the church. I was wrong.

When I went to the sessions, I found that most everyone in the group had actively left the church over something that pissed them off!!! So many people were upset enough to leave the church over 1) something that one or more priests had said to them, 2) something that one or more *parishoners* had said to them, 3) something that they were not allowed to do in the church that they thought would be appropriate, or, most pointedly, 4) the attitude and expectations of the church at large, priests, or parishoners about either marriage/divorce or birth control. In many cases, it was simply fear of being looked down on because of a divorce - a feeling of having let down the church because one's marriage had failed. Also, in many cases, it was because of a misunderstanding of church policy and/or doctrine.

This ministry is not, and cannot (successfully) be one of just saying "hey, come on back". It MUST be a ministry that recognizes the imperfections of the church, particularly the imperfections of the people who ARE the church. It MUST be a ministry that lets those who have left express their HURT and ANGER at the church, and express all their reasons why they left. Then this ministry MUST reach out with open arms, acknowledge and empathize with people's pain and anger. Then and only then can the church welcome people back -- as full partners, who OWN the church as much as anyone else. We, the people of Catholicism, WE are the church. Those who have been away need to know, feel, and believe that ownership!

Pat's book is full of healing moments and teaching moments. Heal the wounds; teach -- accurately -- the church doctrines and policies; share the ownership of the church; and do it all in the spirit of love.