By Rose O’Connor |Correspondent

There are simple approaches one can take when encountering others who are either struggling with their Catholic faith or those who might be considering returning to the Church after having been away.

“We should be uplifting, be encouraging to all,” was the advice Deacon Chuck Moscarello offered when he facilitated a session on “The Heartbreak of Friends and Family Leaving the Church – How, When and What to Say and Do” Jan. 14 in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square. Deacon Moscarello’s presentation was part of the parish’s Tuesdays Night Live Series that’s sponsored by the adult faith formation core team.

Deacon Moscarello introduced his topic by sharing his own emotional faith journey, which included a debilitating motorcycle accident as a young man. An encounter with a caring and loving priest at the hospital where he spent 17 months led him back to the faith he had been given by his family at an early age.

“My father’s faith was ingrained in me,” he shared with moments of deep emotion. Then echoing the sentiments of Pope Francis, he encouraged those who long for a family member’s return to the faith to “be joyful.”

Deacon Moscarello encouraged those who are looking to welcome family members and friends back to the faith “to be a witness, not a prosecutor, a defense attorney or a judge.”

Deacon Moscarello continued his session by referring to the parable of “The Workers in the Vineyard” found in the Gospel of Matthew, to illustrate that “God is a continuum of time” that may not always be easy to comprehend.

He related the workers who were present in the morning to our brothers and sisters in faith who are known as “Cradle Catholics” and on the other side of the spectrum, those who convert or make a Profession of Faith on their deathbed as the workers who arrived to the vineyard later in the afternoon. As Deacon Moscarello retold the parable, he reminded those present that both groups of workers “received the same wages.”

He referred to the book, “Converting the Baptized: A Survival Manual for Parents, Teachers and Pastors” by William J. O’Malley and reminded those grieving for a loved one’s loss of faith to “put it in God’s hands,” and that we are only responsible and have the ability to “save one soul – our own.”

“Jesus has the responsibility for all others,” he said.

Parishioner Mary Ann Isaac spoke of how inspired she was to hear Deacon Mosacarello’s faith journey, then shared her own insights that she gleaned from the discussion.

“We need to share our own personal story,” she offered. “Rather than get into debates with others who are asking questions, we need to learn to just share. Share our stories why we love being Catholic.”

Helene O’Connor admitted that the discussion “affected her personally” and found the discussion to be “very powerful.”

“I am going to try to be more positive and remember that I am a witness, not the judge.”

Vicky and Ed Feltz, who were joined by their three young children ages four to eight, attended the presentation as a family.

“This is an important issue for us,” Vicky explained as her father, who left the Catholic Faith, is currently in the late stages of emphysema. 

“It struck me that I have to work on giving this to God,” she said, then pointed out how she has come to accept the fact that she needs to place her father’s broken relationship with faith “in God’s hands.”

Despite the many challenges and heartbreak of loved ones leaving the Church, Deacon Moscarello advised them to take heart and to continue to pray. 

“People are searching­– encourage them to continue looking. Be a witness of the joy of living in the presence of God,” he said.

“You will affect other people with your faith.”

The Tuesdays Night Live Series will continue with monthly presentations through the month of May.

For more information, contact St. Gregory the Great Parish at 609-587-4877 or visit: www.stgregorythegreatchurch.org