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In an increasingly solipsistic culture, entering into the Catholics Returning Home programme as a team member does a lot to remind one that the body of Christ is first and foremost a community growing together.

This season, under the familiar, warm tutelage of Neville and Phil F, four new candidates returning were led through some of the changes that have been occurring in the Church over the last few years. But if anything, their earnest, honest and blunt questions led the team itself to a fresher understanding of the place the Church holds in the world today.

“By your pupils you’ll be taught,” as Hammerstein put it; yes, but these candidates were far from mere pupils; each had an advanced, knowledgeable background in Church teaching, and wanted to know, sincerely know, that the Church was still what they needed it to be. Confidentiality precludes disclosure of specifics; suffice to say, four candidates brought four very different reasons for wanting to return, as well as different emotional conditions the Church would need to meet for them to commune once more.

That they were able to be so honest, and so inquisitive, without censure is what Catholics Returning Home is all about: the prodigal’s father stands at the gate, arms welcoming, heart compassionate and relieved all at once. This time, the series of discussions took place as an enterprise shared between Hunter’s Hill and Ryde parishes, and the group met at the Hunter’s Hill Church hall. Thanks to Mike B. and to Warwick, and also to Father Kevin Bates, who called in and brought an added dimension of affectionate shepherding to the occasion. Until next time ....