Apr 30, 2014 / 23:08 pm
The evangelization group Catholics Come Home has released an advertisement to encourage Catholics to find God's peace and love in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
"Our message is simple yet clear," said Tom Peterson, founder and president of Catholics Come Home. "Jesus is really here, and he wants to help you, now. Come home!"
Peterson told CNA April 28 that the 30-second ad aims to help people understand "that their true hope rests in Christ, and he can be found in the Eucharist at every Catholic Church."
The ad shows a man in an ornate Catholic Church walking to an altar upon which is a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament.
"It is here where you will find the best marriage counselor, the greatest healer, wisest teacher and closest friend," the ad says. "It is a place where you will escape the chaos of the world, and find the lasting peace that only comes from God."
"Jesus is personally waiting to embrace you now, with his divine mercy and healing love," continues the ad. "Jesus is calling you home to his Sacred Heart today."
The ad was released on Holy Thursday, April 16.
Peterson said that faithful Catholics know the Eucharist as "the source and summit of our faith."
"Yet so many others don't understand the sacramental graces present in worthy reception of the Eucharist!"
Catholics Come Home cited statistics from Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate which indicate that about 40 percent of Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament.
"Catholics Come Home wants to celebrate and announce this incredible gift from our Lord, who is truly present in every Catholic Church across the globe," Peterson said.
Peterson said Catholics Come Home plans to air the ad during upcoming diocesan campaigns in 2015 and in future national TV campaigns if donor support can be secured.
The Georgia-based organization in March launched the website GoodConfession.com to encourage Catholics to go to the Confession more often, or to return to the sacrament if they have not been in some time.
