RETURN
Nearly every Catholic family has been affected by the large numbers of young adults leaving the faith.
Our RETURN ministry provides support, training, and resources to the parents of young adults so that you can guide your children back to a relationship with Jesus and his Church, rather than unintentionally pushing them further away.
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You are not alone in this. Share the journey with fellow parents who truly understand, while learning practical strategies for success. Please join in the activities below!
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(Read this wonderful article about RETURN in Today's Catholic)
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RETURN is co-sponsored by Ablaze Mission and Diocesan Marriage & Family Ministry
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Contact
Sean Allen
858-354-9006
RETURN Mass & Stations
For the Return of Adult Children to the Faith
Thursday, April 3, 7:00pm
St. Therese Little Flower Church
54191 Ironwood Rd, South Bend
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Please join us for a special Mass to pray for the return of our adult children to the faith (or other loved ones). The celebrant and preacher will be Msgr. William Schooler.
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After Mass, at around 7:40pm, we will pray the Stations of the Cross with powerful reflections written particularly for this same intention.
All are welcome for Mass and/or Stations.
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No registration necessary, but please let us know that you are coming!​​​
Parish Events
St. John the Evangelist Church
109 W. Monroe St, Goshen
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Book Study
Fridays, 6:00-7:30pm
Nov 15 & 22, Dec 6 & 13, Jan 3, 10 & 17​
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Contact Amanda Woodiel
St. Thomas the Apostle Church
1331 N Main St, Elkhart
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Intro Talk: "Bring Them Back"
Thursday, ​January 23
3:30-5:00pm or 6:15-7:45pm
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Book Study
Contact the Parish Office
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St. Bavo Church
511 W. 7th St, Mishawaka
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Intro Talk: "Bring Them Back"
​Tuesday, February 11, 7-8:30pm​​
Parish Center
(Park in the rear lot & look for signage)
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Book Study
February-April
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Contact Denise Weaver at
stbavooffice@gmail.com or 574-255-1427
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Bring RETURN to your parish!
RETURN for Parishes
Bring RETURN to your Parish!​​
So many parents feel helpless when their children leave the practice of the faith. Bring understanding, support, and hope to your fellow parishioners by hosting a presentation and book study.
Step 1:
Contact your parish staff about having us present our introductory "Bring Them Back" talk at your parish. (Note that this talk is almost identical to the "Home for the Holidays" talk, but we also have more advanced talks.)
Step 2:
Utilize the intro talk (step 1) to gather interest for hosting a follow-up book study. We will provide support for a designated leader to facilitate this at your parish.​
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Introductory Presentation:
"Bring Them Back"​
Length: 1.5 Hours
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If you are concerned about your adult child who has strayed from the practice of the faith, you are not alone. Learn initial steps to guide your adult child to a relationship with the Lord and back to his Church.​
Sean Allen, Founder of Ablaze Mission, and Lisa Everett, Diocesan Director of Marriage & Family Ministry, present practical steps to rekindle faith in young adults based on the book, Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt.​
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Book Study
​Length: 7 Sessions
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Are you looking for a successful strategy to help your adult child return to practicing the faith? Gather with fellow parents like you for 7 sessions to discuss the book, Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt.​​​
We will provide support for a designated leader to facilitate this at your parish.​​​​​
Book Study Participants​​​​
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​As you read the book, here are two resources to help you apply the content to your particular situation:
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Advanced Talks Available:
The Stages of Returning to the Faith
by Sean Allen
Founder of Ablaze Mission
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Parents are often looking for just the right thing to say to bring their adult child back to the Church. However, most often, returning to the faith and the Church will involve multiple steps, each with its own characteristics.
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This presentation teaches you the stages that your child will transition through along their journey home as well as your role at each stage.​ This practical training is based on the book Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell, co-founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute and a national speaker and author on evangelization and disciple-making.​​​
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Having Meaningful (Sometimes Difficult) Conversations with your Adult Children
by Lisa Everett
Diocesan Director of Marriage & Family Ministry
Do you wish that you could have productive discussions about the faith with your adult children? Every parent dreams of having wonderful relationships with their adult children, but when our children make choices that we believe are not in their best interest, how do we talk to them about these concerns?
This presentation provides practical advice based on the book Having Meaningful (Sometimes Difficult) Conversations with your Adult Sons and Daughters by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak, who are family counselors, bestselling authors, national speakers, and parents themselves. Whether you want to nurture already-loving relationships or repair damaged relationships, you can draw closer and guide your children.