Richard

In 2013, I found my way back to the Catholic faith through a program called Landings. This was a time in my life when I felt like a lost sheep, disconnected from my faith and unworthy to receive Communion. I was in a difficult marriage with a non-Catholic woman, and our relationship was strained to the point where we had no intimacy and I felt alone.

During this challenging period, I received a call from a man from the church who introduced me to Landings. Despite being on the brink of committing a sin – my girlfriend, now my wife, was pregnant – I decided to give the program a try. I was faced with a difficult decision: to leave my marriage. This decision weighed heavily on me, but I felt I had no other choice.

The 8 weeks I spent at Landings were transformative. I found a sense of peace and fellowship that I hadn’t experienced before. I met real people in the church who affirmed my faith and prayed for me. They showed me that I was not alone in my struggles and that there was a supportive community ready to help me navigate my faith journey.

On the last day of the program, during a reconciliation session, I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness. I received Communion for what I thought would be the last time. This was a deeply emotional moment for me, and it marked a turning point in my journey.

After 2013, my life became busy with the arrival of my newborn baby. I kept in touch with the coordinators from Landings occasionally, and when my kids were born, my wife agreed for them to be baptised and follow Jesus. I took on the role of a catechist, but I stayed away from the Sacraments.

In 2022, during a catch-up with my friends from Landings, they offered to help me apply for an annulment to my previous marriage. This was a big step for me, and it took a lot of prayer and courage to complete and submit the form to the tribunal. After 6 months, I received the news that my marriage in the church was annulled. This meant that I could complete my return to Christ.

This journey has been a testament to the power of faith, the strength of community, and the grace of God. It’s a reminder that even when we feel lost and unworthy, there is always a path back to faith. 

Richard (not his real name)

Shared with love by Landings Singapore.

Also featured on CatholicStories.sg to reach more hearts in our Catholic family.