From one point of view, the answer is simple: Catholics need to invite inactive Catholics to return to the practice of their faith. A number of proven and effective outreach methods are presented in the resources below. They include information on why Catholics become inactive, what causes them to return, and how they, on returning, can become active disciples of Jesus.

Books
A Time to Listen…A Time to Heal: A Resource Directory for Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1999).

Christian Hospitality (Louisville, Ky.: Office of Evangelization, Archdiocese of Louisville, 2002).

DeSiano, Frank P., CSP. The Evangelizing Catholic: A Practical Handbook for Reaching Out (New York: Paulist Press, 1998).

Duquin, Lorene Hanley. Could You Ever Come Back to the Catholic Church? (New York: Alba House, 1997).

Duquin, Lorene Hanley. When A Loved One Leaves the Church (Huntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor, 2001).

Kemp, Carrie. Catholics Can Come Home Again: A Guide for the Journey of Reconciliation with Inactive Catholics (New York: Paulist Press, 2001).

Mews, Sally L. Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program (Liguori, Mo.: Liguori Press, 2002).

Programs
Catholics Reaching Out. This program helps parishioners invite inactive Catholics to consider returning to the Church. The parish starter kit includes We Miss You invitations, Parishioner Guides, a Parish Manual, and a Display Poster with attachable pocket. For more information, click here.

Landings International. This ten week process is designed to help a person return to the Church. For more information, go to the Landings website, www.landings-international.org.

Sally L. Mews’ Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program runs for six weeks in a parish.

Websites
A website designed to attract and engage young adults is www.bustedhalo.org. Paulist Young Adult Ministry, New York City, runs this ministry.

A website designed to attract inactive Catholics, provide answers to their questions, and suggest pathways for returning to the Church is www.onceCatholic.org. This website is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province, Cincinnati, Ohio.