How to reach out to ‘lapsed Catholics’

Dear Editor, Your banner headline on “reaching out” (‘Parishes are urged to reach out to ‘lapsed Catholics’ IC 16/04/2015) could not have been more timely for us here in Arklow parish, as it is an affirmation of the major visitation project our Parish Pastoral Council has just concluded with the help of Legion of Mary friends in the Dublin archdiocese and across the border in Ferns diocese.

Over four full days we visited over 4,000 houses affirming the people who still practice and encouraging those who have lapsed (for whatever reason) to return to a loving, welcoming and, most importantly, non-judgemental Church.

We issued a broad invitation to all to become involved in parish life by sharing whatever talents they have. We inquired as to how our parish could better serve them. We distributed a prayer card to help them in their daily prayer. The response was heartening.

This was a major undertaking for any parish and would not have succeeded but for the wonderful people in the Legion. Our parish is deeply indebted to them and to Pat O’Donoghue who welcomed us with open arms from our very first approach to Legion HQ.

I write this letter on behalf of our pastoral council to encourage other parishes to develop similar projects and to publicly thank my new-found Legion friends for the joy and grace they brought to our town and parish.

Yours etc.,

Anthony Byrne,

Arklow,

Co. Wicklow.