Anna LaNave

A Catholic returning to active participation in the church is truly an event to be celebrated, especially since he or she might have been away for years. Many returning Catholics, however, come home with some fear and a lot of questions. One returning Catholic carried the Landings flyer around in her purse for three months before she got up the nerve to call. Others come to Landings after seeing a notice on the parish website or hearing of Landings from a friend or relative even before they have been back to Mass or confession. The Holy Spirit has brought them back to the church’s door. How will we welcome our brothers and sisters home?

Landings International is a Paulist ministry for returning and inactive Catholics celebrating 20 years of giving parishes a way of reaching out to Catholics wishing to re-enter the church. Landings provides a safe place for re-entering Catholics to discuss their faith and be welcomed by active Catholics who are ready to listen and embrace them. The ministry has been introduced in 85 dioceses around the world, and has active programs in Singapore and Great Britain. With 40 million inactive Catholics in the United States alone, Landings has proven itself an effective and sometimes inspiring tool for evangelization as well as reconciliation.

Landings proudly announces the recent opening of its office in the North American Paulist Center in Washington, D.C. Heading the office is Anna LaNave, Landings coordinator at St. Charles Borromeo in Arlington, Va., for the past seven years. Mrs. LaNave is also the co-author of the new book, “When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics.” Joining Mrs. LaNave is office manager Camille Bissmeyer, a graduate student in theology at the Dominican House of Studies. These new additions to Landings are committed to increasing the number of trained parishes, while providing support, training and resources to existing Landings programs.

Father Jim Moran, C.S.P.

Landings is primarily a parish ministry of the heart which seeks to reintroduce the returnees to the love of Christ through the companionship of others like themselves and a team of welcomers who are trained, active parishioners. Landings gives returnees the opportunity to share their spiritual stories – their early experiences of Catholicism, why they stopped practicing the faith and why God seems to be calling them back – with others who are also making the same journey. This ministry leaves judgment, pressure and insensitivity at the door.

Landings is one of the church’s best kept secrets, in the view of Father Jim Moran, CSP, who heads the ministry along with longtime national coordinator Joan Horn.

“Too many priests and parishes are still too cool or afraid of dealing with potential returnees,” said Father Moran. “But, in fact, returning Catholics may not only become Landings welcomers themselves, but they will enhance any lay ministry they take part in. They also contribute significant support to their parishes and faith communities.”

“The key to Landings is compassionate listening,” he continued. “In more than words, Landings offers the example of lived faith. The welcoming Catholics are there in the pews on Sunday, keeping company with those returning.”

For information about bringing Landings to your parish, please email [email protected] or call (202) 269-2550. Log on to paulist.org/landings for information on where is there a Landings ministry in your area.