Why is it so Hard to Join the Catholic Church?

How welcoming are we as Catholics to new people that come to our parishes or express interest in joining the Church? It's amazing to me how many time I get messages from people saying they have come to a decision to convert to the Catholic Church only to get little no know response when they reach out to their local parish. Why does this happen? What can be done about this? What can individuals do to make their parishes more welcoming? Join Keith as he discusses these issues with Matt Swaim (The Coming Home Network/Sonrise Morning Show Co-Host).

Coming Home Network

To support the channel and Keith's ministry:

For more info about Keith visit:

Please remember to subscribe to the podcast.

[bighunterman]

after my first Mass the Saturday of August 19th, i came up to the Deacon and was immediately told how to get into RCIA. been in it since. ain't missed a Sunday. just had my Rite of the Elect yesterday.

[viviennedunbar]

Sometimes it seems like people convert DESPITE the Church! I was an atheist myself and it was actually meeting a lovely group of Catholic young women in their early 20s who asked me to come to Mass with them that I found out about Catholicism, but I always had a strange fascination with the Church, even though I knew nothing about Jesus. I believe that's the beauty of truth and goodness in the Church, She is the Bride of Christ and the Groom's presence makes Her beautiful, full of love and joy, She is the Sacrament of Life to the world.

[crlucas]

This is spot on. I've been considering becoming Catholic; however, all of the challenges discussed in this video are very real and very true! Currently I'm an Evengelical.... It's a vastly different world!

[marysalmond]

Great name: The Converts!!! You play it Love it!

[kc_fromcleveland]

Crazy good podcast.. Personally I’m going through some of the stuff talked about in this podcast . Going from a non believer to a month ago walking into my first mass was exciting as hell. Thanks you for the great content and looking forward to learning more everyday

[cathetedder]

Yes, true all true. I'm working on it, and fortunately, a wonderful lady came alongside me. I'm going to look for the Coming Home Network.

[sergioolivas]

Great idea for converts, make a starter kit with a Rosary, scapular, miraculous medal, bottle of holy water, Crusifix and a mini statue of our Lady. You can start selling it

[pavlaharrogate]

Thank you so much Keith for your amazing ministry! God bless you!

[coffeebirdtree]

From what I've always seen, anyone is invited to Mass or any other Catholic service. The only thing you can't do is receive Communion until you've gone through a program

[myronmercado]

Hi Keith. This just came to me. I think you should start with a prayer.

[icelbael]

This is enlightening. Something to be considered by the RCC.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[mikeoconnor]

Great conversation. Protestants often do a better job in evangelization - and unfortunately have been successful in pulling Catholics away from Church.

I think it’s important for Catholics to be knowledgeable and willing to e Chen’s themselves to those who want to know

[johns.]

This is a great talk, I would like to hear what it means for Kieth to Love God, and Love Neighbor as a Catholic, maybe a future topic. God Bless your ministry.

[Moon]

Great conversation!! God bless you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[whiteangel]

Being friendly and loving our brothers and sisters when they come to church is very important, but we also have to understand, we go to church to meet and worship Jesus. We don't want to think church is like a social club that you love to go because you will meet your friends or new people, rather, is a place to worship God in community. I agree, as Catholics we need to greet parishioners more often to make them feel welcome. Guys you are doing an amazing job.

[richardbergholcs]

your ideas are great Keith you are bringing your lay thought into evangelisation and your interaction with Matt have so many effective ideas, eg 48 hour follow up and the thoughts on failed hospitality. The CC is so cultural -so hard to change without prayer

[thepic]

Yes Yes Yes! I agree with you both on everything in this discussion and I’m a cradle Catholic! Many a times I’ve looked around the church and saw people not looking very happy to be there! It’s no wonder so many Catholics leave the faith when someone smiles at them and leads them to a happy place of worship! At one point in my life I did help in the church service and even taught CCD and some of the people in charge were the grumpiest! I believe it was Mother Teresa who told her helpers to do the Lord’s work with a smile! Despite grumpy people in the church, when things open up again I intended to try to inform the youths going through Confirmation with the knowledge that I’ve studied and learned! I want so badly for people to love and understand the Catholic faith as I do! Thank you for your videos please continue with more like this! God Bless you and your family!

[queenofhearts]

I played videos from Journey home, especially from Baptists, within earshot of my husband who had left the Baptist church.

Neither of us was attending a church (I’m a cradle Catholic who simply stopped going). We decided to go back to church and settled on Catholic because I wanted to be able to receive the Eucharist again. Neither my husband nor I even had his conversion on radar... it was not even a consideration. Between listening to Journey Home and Catholic Answers, he started arguing with his old beliefs (and the video ascertains), finding truth in all of the new information he was getting “by proxy” as I was reacquainted with my faith. Within a couple of weeks of starting to attend Mass, I knew he was going to convert and bought his confirmation 5 way medal with the “I am Catholic...” notation on the back. It was another 3 weeks before he knew.

He is now very happily Catholic and a 3rd degree Knight! Thanks to all you wonderful YouTube evangelist!

[liberatewethepeople]

This is so good! As a revert I whole hardly agree with you. I felt like a outsider. I’m going to implement some of these ideas your giving to help visitors in our parish. I remember the first day I walked back in my Catholic Church for the first time in 20 years I felt lost and I was raised Catholic. I can’t imagine how a Protestant would feel.

[donm-tvcm]

I am so so so so glad you guys are talking about this! I am currently navigating all this and finally, after many months, am gratefully in RCIA. It's heartening that you're on this topic, as something certainly needs to be done in how the Church greets visitors. How can the Church say it's about The Great Commission when it has to be nudged into action by seekers, just as you detailed? If anything has made me hesitate, it's this inexplicable lack of eagerness I perceived from the get-go.

You had some great ideas. Here's another: a monthly "meet the Church" open house where interested visitors can come in, meet the priest and/or deacons, make connections, get questions answered, get steered to RCIA, etc. Hold the sessions whenever a few "pew cards" are turned in. Announce the upcoming session at the end of Mass. That alone would be a HUGE jumpstart to making people like me feel more welcome back when I first showed up. I'm very shy by nature, I can't help it, and I would have QUICKLY jumped on such an offering.

Another area to consider is RCIA itself. Having one class cohort per year starting in August and ending at Easter is not very winsome to Protestants thinking about coming in. As you detailed in your video, Protestant churches are quick to help people come into the faith. Think: quarterly class beginnings. Think: offering online/Youtube RCIA for people like me, who got seriously interested and came to my first Mass back clear back in JANUARY and had to wait to start RCIA in October(!). Online would be great, but social connection is also critical. Being in a class with classmates going through the same introductory experience is extremely valuable. Part of every RCIA program (online or classroom) should include early opportunities to meet parishioners and to engage in the works of the parish. Help us outsiders become socialized so we don't feel so awkward.

Sorry so lengthy. Thanks for bringing this up, and may God bless your work in improving outreach. I have no doubt that once I'm fully confirmed into the Church, this will be a hot area of interest for me to help out in.