On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I don’t know. I’d kind of like to try coming back to the Church, but I figure I’ll stand out like a sore thumb. Won’t everyone know that I’m an outsider because I
don’t know when to stand or sit or kneel or what to say?
I’ll be honest. I’ve been on both sides of this question. Yes, a few people may snicker at you if you’re the last one to stand for the Gospel reading or if you start to kneel when they sit. Pray for them, that they might be more focused on the Lord than on the others in the pews.
Many people, however, will be busy being attentive to the Lord. And more than a few are likely in the same situation as you. After all, research shows that about half of U.S. adults raised as Catholics leave the Church at some point. Of that number, 21 percent return, and 25 percent consider themselves “cultural Catholics” and may drop into Mass a time or two a year. It just could be that those who laugh a little are nervous because they’re not sure what to do themselves.
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