Description
“You’re concerned about your child. He’s stopped going to Mass. Maybe he’s found another religion. Perhaps he no longer believes in God. Whatever the case, you want your child to return to the church. This book will serve as a true game changer for despairing parents everywhere. Every parent or grandparent with a fallen-away child needs to read this book”–
Biographical Note:
Brandon Vogt is the Senior Publishing Director for Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. He is a bestselling author of ten books. He serves as President of the Central Florida Chesterton Society and lives with his wife and seven children on a farm outside of Orlando, FL.
Review Quotes:
“Every Catholic parent needs this book. It demolishes the myths about why young people leave the Church and lays out a wonderful (and very practical) step-by-step plan for helping them come back to the faith.”–Trent Horn
Review Quotes:
” Return is the resource that parents of fallen-away children have been waiting for: it combines powerful spiritual insights with practical tips that you can begin applying right now. It’s like a bootcamp for spiritual warriors who are about to go out on a great search-and-rescue mission.”–Jennifer Fulwiler
Review Quotes:
“Brandon Vogt’s Return offers practical and realistic ways to bring lost souls home. And I should know: I was one of those kids who left the Church for over ten years. Return hits home for me. It reveals not just why people are drifting from the Church but how to get them back into the fold of Christ. It’s a true treasure for our times.”–Leah Darrow
Table of Contents:
FOREWORD BY BISHOP ROBERT BARRON
INTRODUCTION
PART I – UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
CHAPTER 1 – WHY ARE THEY LEAVING?
The Most Common Reasons Why People Leave the Church
The Church’s Sexual Teachings
A Warped View of God
The Ultimate Reason Why Anyone Leaves the Church
CHAPTER 2 – WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
Where Do Former Catholics End Up?
Six Main Types of Fallen-Away Catholics
CHAPTER 3 – THE FIVE BIG MYTHS ABOUT FALLEN-AWAY CATHOLICS
Myth #1: “They’ll come back eventually once they get married or have kids.”
Myth #2: “I took them to Mass and sent them to Catholic schools–that should have been enough, right?”
Myth #3: “They left because of me. It’s all my fault!”
Myth #4: “They won’t listen to me; it’s just impossible to have a discussion about faith.”
Myth #5: “It’s hopeless. No matter what happens, my child is never coming back to the Church.”
PART II – THE GAME PLAN
CHAPTER 4 – THE BASICS
Five Mistakes That Will Almost Certainly Keep Your Child Away
The Five Thresholds Your Child Needs to Cross
Help Him Find the Treasure
CHAPTER 5 – PRAY, FAST, AND SACRIFICE
How One Mother’s Prayer Birthed a Saint
The Most Important Way to Spend Your Time
What If I’m Too Busy to Pray?
Four Powerful Ways to Pray for Your Child
It Takes a Village to Pray for a Child
How and Why to Fast for Your Child
Offer Up Your Sufferings
Rely on the Holy Spirit
CHAPTER 6 – EQUIP YOURSELF
The Two Go-To Sources
Read Good Catholic Books
Know Where to Find the Answers You Need
Be Able to Answer the Most Important Question
Know Your Story
Find a Partner
CHAPTER 7 – PLANT THE SEEDS
Share Unconditional Love
Plant “Seed Gifts” in His Life
Share Helpful Articles and Videos
CHAPTER 8 – START THE CONVERSATION
Create Opportunities to Chat
Listen First, Then Listen Some More
The Five Most Powerful Questions You Can Ask
Identify the Big Roadblocks
Absorb the Criticisms
CHAPTER 9 – MOVE THE DIALOGUE FORWARD
Clear Up Misconceptions
Stay Calm and Find the Positive Intention
Look for the Seeds of the Word
Introduce “Shoe Pebble” Questions
Speak with Positivity and Joy
CHAPTER 10 – INVITE AND CONNECT
Invite
Connect
Don’t Move Too Fast
CHAPTER 11 – CLOSE THE LOOP
Gently Pursue a Commitment
Four Key Steps to Reuniting with the Church
Special Hurdles
PART III – THE BIG OBJECTIONS
CHAPTER 12 – PERSONAL OBJECTIONS
“I just don’t have time for church right now. I’m too busy.”
“Mass is boring and irrelevant.”
“The Church is too focused on rules and making people feel guilty.”
“How could anyone remain Catholic after the sexual abuse crisis?”
“I’m married to a non-Catholic. Returning to the Church would really upset my spouse.”
“I had a bad experience with church and I can’t see myself coming back.”
“God can never forgive me for what I’ve done.”
CHAPTER 13 – MORAL OBJECTIONS
“The Church is so judgmental. Didn’t Pope Francis say, ‘Who am I to judge?'”
“The Church hates gay and lesbian people.”
“I’m gay. How could I ever be Catholic?”
“Why is the Church against me living with my boyfriend/girlfriend? We love each other, so what’s the problem?”
“I’ll come back when the Church stops oppressing women.”
“The Church is behind the times on contraception and abortion.”
“I’m divorced. The Church doesn’t want me.”
CHAPTER 14 – THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS
“There is simply no evidence for God.”
“Faith and science are at odds, and I choose science.”
“I never found a personal relationship with Jesus in the Catholic Church.”
“Catholics don’t value the Bible.”
“I jus t wasn’t being fed in my parish. I’ve found another church that is more vibrant and fulfilling.”
“How could God possibly have let that evil thing happen to me?”
CONCLUSION – ONE STEP FORWARD
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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