Returning Catholics FAQs: Doughnuts and Fellowship

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

I’ve been going to Mass, but I don’t know how to get acquainted with other people at my parish. I don’t want them to know I was away for a while.

You just might be surprised to le...