The Church Loves All Her Children

No matter what sins they commit, sinners continue to belong to the Church since spiritual goods still subsist in them -- goods such as the indelible character received in Baptism and Confirmation, the theological virtues of faith and hope ...

The Church continues to live in her children who are not in the state of grace. The Church seeks to work against the evil that corrupts their souls. She struggles to keep them in her fold, to bring them back to life with her love. She conserves them as one conserves a treasure not easily parted from. And it is not because she wants to carry around dead weight. She only hopes that through the power of patience, gentleness, and pardon the sinner will make his return to her. It is like the withered branch which for lack of sap is allowed time to regain health and flower once more. (J.C. Journet, Theology of the Church).

The Church does not forget for one single day that she is a Mother. She continually prays for her children who are ill. She waits with infinite patience. She seeks to help them with abundant charity. We ought to bring to the Lord our prayers, works, joys and sufferings for the sake of those who belong to the church but who do not participate fully in the life of grace We should especially keep in mind those we happen to know personally who may need to return to the fullness of spiritual life.

In Conversation with God: Daily Meditations

This is something I tend to forget. Though my parents may turn their backs on the Church (to say nothing of God), this makes them no less her children. I also love that phrase "fullness of spiritual life" which fits so very many situations.