The Diocese of Portsmouth is asking lapsed Catholics to “come home” to Church in a newly released video.
In a two-minute video cradle Catholics are asked: “Have you been away from church for a while? Do you want to reconnect? Do you want to find meaning?”
The video features the Advent hymn, “O come, o come Emmanuel” and images of family life and the Sacraments, and is part of Bishop Philip Egan’s drive to bring back the 80 per cent of British Catholics who no longer attend Mass.
The text accompanying the video states: “The Church invites you back. Come and talk to us. Share your story. Come and receive the healing and peace that Jesus is offering you. Let him help your life. Come home for Christmas.”
Bishop Egan said: “Whoever you are and whatever situation you are in, God is calling you to find in Him the fullness of life. Please come back! Make your way home to Jesus. In His Sacred Heart is real happiness and peace. The Church misses you very much. She is incomplete without you.”
In an appeal to Catholics throughout his diocese he said: “Beg the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit this Christmas on those who do not regularly practise their faith. Beg Him to give them a glimpse of the joy of the Gospel. Beg Him through their guardian angels and patron saints to rouse up within their hearts a passionate desire to be in full communion with Christ and His Church. Please pray for this intention every day over the next few weeks. Offer the Rosary for this and frequently pay visits to church to Jesus, present and active in the Blessed Sacrament.”
He added: “I invite you to share this video message as widely as possible in order to invite Catholics across the diocese to come home this Christmas.”
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