“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…
   
Joel 2:12-13
 
Are you waiting for that moment when you have got it all together, the house is clean, for a day without drama or emergencies to come home to the Church? Are you waiting for perfection? God doesn’t expect perfection, God is looking for you, me, us; however we are, where ever we are in our lives right now. Just the way you are.
 
If you feel that God may be calling you back home to church, we at Saint Joan of Arc United American Catholic Church, welcome your return! Whatever your situation, we welcome you and will listen attentively and respectfully to your concerns and feelings with acceptance and without judgment.  There is a group of Catholics here who have struggled with faith, been turned away by the Church or felt the Church had left them, and in some cases have been away from the church for an extended period of time.
 
For some who have been away for a while their understanding of their faith may be incomplete or you may have specific questions about God, the Sacraments or the United American Catholic Church. If you haven't been to church in a while, you're not alone. If you're looking for the church where all the perfect people go and never question their faith, this isn't it. Examining your faith means you are growing in your faith and seeking a better understanding and a more personal relationship with God. That's a good thing. It doesn't happen in ten easy steps...it's a lifelong process. But here at Saint Joan of Arc, we have a four-week program that can help get you on your way. It's called... Open Hearts, Open Doors!
 
What are your first steps?
 
1)    Begin attending mass! Stay after and meet some of the people. (Really it’s that simple.)
2)    Pray and think about attending the next Open Hearts Open Doors program.
3)    Prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (It’s not as scary as you think.)
4)    Join the parish and be welcomed as a new member!