Participant Comments for WHY CATHOLIC?

The Diocese of Springfield Cape-Girardeau has just finished year one of the process.  Here are some comments from participants:

Many times we were open to things we previously did not understand.

Many “a ha” moments.  We grew to understand the teachings of the church better and gained new insights.

We visited homebound parishioners and took them Communion as a result of our small group meetings. 

One woman in our group needed to go to therapy in the larger city.  Each small group member took turns taking her.

We wrote a letter to a former pastor from years ago and told him about the fruits of his labor in our parish.

The faith sharing was great!  People are anxious to come back.  The group members already knew each other, but they got to know each other in a deeper way. 

We found ourselves praying more during the week.

We were amazed at how the Gospel sharing really touched our lives and how we were able to connect the Word of God and the teachings of the Catechism with our daily lives.

The group members who did not really know their faith and the returning Catholics took what they learned home and ended up evangelizing their families.

A lot of questions were raised.  We took these to the pastor and got answers. It was very helpful.

We had a mixed group of young and old.  It was beautiful.  They shared their lives with each other and learned from one another.

This program encouraged us to become more involved in the parish. 

Someone at first could not see God working in her life.  She was able to see by the end because of the group experience.

One of our members lost a son.  We supported them.  The family told us how much they appreciated the group and how much the group increased their faith in God.

Our participants have learned how to use the Bible. Now, they know how to find chapter and verse.

I had never before read the Catechism. Now I read it and enjoy it.

Now I am able to answer the questions the Protestants and fundamentalists ask me.

As a result of this program, Mass attendance has grown.