Come Home Catholics

The Los Angeles Times ran a story about the "Catholics Come Home" ad campaign the archdiocese of Sacramento is undertaking to reignite churchgoership in a community of 1 million Catholics with only 137,000 regularly attending services. 

Are Catholics the next latter day saints?  I knew the world's largest religious organization, of which I belong, had dwindling numbers and let's face it, we could use some good PR but TV commercials?  Seems a bit, what's the word I'm looking for, swift.

Not to mention the above ad, one of three to be broadcasted, isn't exactly the most comforting of messages. 

"There won't be a chance for any do-overs, no time to rewind our lives, no chance to choose a different ending.  For the movie of our life can be used to judge us.  We will sorrowfully relive the bad times.  And joyfully revisit the good.  It is then we will fully realize how our unkind thoughts and selfish thoughts wound others and lead us away from God, our loving Father."

I could go on, but it is a little, pentacostal at best.  I'm surprised the archdiocese would approve this non-profit group's Old Testament-heavy fear-filled tactics to scare its parishoners into going to church.  (Chicago, Omaha, Providence, R.I., and four other cities will also launch the “Catholics Come Home” advertising blitz during Advent, the period before Christmas; and four others will follow during Lent.)

Here's an idea, Church, how about remind us of the traditions, shared community, love and friendships, songs and fond memories we developed over the course of a lifetime of receiving sacraments, welcoming family members into our lives and yes, even (painful) years spent carpooling in minivans to CCD? 

In short, the only way people will feel more encouraged to attend and even participate is by feeling welcomed.  All are welcome, is the motto my Santa Monica-based church employs, and I have never seen a church this packed for even the late bird 5:30 p.m. liturgy, other than on Christmas and Easter (the Chreastern holidays most attend).  Maybe I have too much Catholic guilt but I am not going to give up so easily.  It's in my blood.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapsed-catholics6-2009sep06,0,1156881,full.story