In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI issued Anglicanorum coetibus, a historic move that provided a unique new avenue for Christians from the Anglican world to join the Catholic Church while keeping elements of their liturgical patrimony. As the first head of the Personal Ordinariate in the United States and Canada, Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson shares his background as a bishop in the Episcopal Church, the meetings with then-Cardinal Ratzinger that laid the foundation for Anglicanorum coetibus, and what it was like to have a front row seat to this extraordinary moment in Christian history. NOTE: This conversation was recorded shortly before the appointment of Archbishop Sarah Mullally to the See of Canterbury, but we decided to leave the comments about the lengthy vacancy of that office in the episode because of their pertinence to the overall discussion. More about the Ordinariate: https://www.ordinariate.net More of our stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

Do Catholics believe in the Rapture? If not, what *do* Catholics believe about the end of the world? Matt Swaim, Carl Olson, and Dr. Paul Thigpen each came from Evangelical Christian backgrounds where there were lots of theories about how to understand the End Times, from Hal Lindsey to the "Left Behind" series. Now that they're Catholic, they reflect on some elements of the history of the dispensationalist theology that helped popularize belief in the Rapture, and look at some of the things that the Catholic Church formally teaches about what will happen when Jesus comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Carl's book, "Will Catholics Be 'Left Behind'?": https://www.amazon.com/Will-Catholics-Left-Behind-Apologetics/dp/0898709504 Paul's book, "The Rapture Trap": https://www.amazon.com/Rapture-Trap-Catholic-Response-Times/dp/0965922820 More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

Growing up Baptist, both Sonja Corbitt and Dr. Annie Bullock loved Jesus and Scripture, but at times found themselves in conflict with their pastors as they sought to share their gifts within the churches they attended, specifically because they were women. So why on earth would they join the Catholic Church, given its clear and unwavering commitment to an all-male priesthood? Sonja and Annie discuss that conundrum, and look at a number of other factors -- including the role of Mary in salvation history -- that led them to believe they could not only fit in the Catholic Church, but that their unique gifts to teach and lead could flourish there as well. Dr. Annie Bullock on The Journey Home Sonja Corbitt on The Journey Home Sonja's website: sonjacorbitt.com Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's happened to enough people to warrant a discussion: Why do so many people who come from Evangelical backgrounds feel drawn to explore history and liturgy through the Anglican tradition? And why do so many of those same people feel ultimately drawn to the Catholic Faith? Matt Swaim talks to Andrew Petiprin, who grew up Evangelical, became an Anglican priest, and then later entered the Catholic Church. They discuss some of the themes that commonly come up for people who travel this specific path of faith, and how now as Catholics they look back on appreciation for the Evangelical and Anglican ideas and spirituality that helped to form them. Andrew Petiprin's site: https://www.andrewpetiprin.com The Spe Salvi Institute: https://www.spesalviinstitute.com More Stories and Resources: https:///www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://www.chnetwork.org/community Support Our Work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

As writers of fiction and converts to Catholicism from Evangelical backgrounds, Rhonda Ortiz and Lorelei Savaryn talk to Matt Swaim about their perspective on the literary imagination as Catholics compared to how they understood creative writing in their previous Christian experience. They reflect on some of the Christian authors who have been most influential to them in this regard, and how their experience of the sacramental life has informed the way they approach their fiction writing. Rhonda's books: https://rhondaortiz.com/the-molly-chase-series Lorelei's books: https://loreleisavaryn.com/books/ More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass  

Many of our CHNetwork members will be observing Advent for the first time this year. They often have lots of questions: How does one distinguish Advent from Christmas? How can I help my family enter into this season in a spirit of prayer and hope? And how does it all fit into the bigger Catholic concept of the liturgical year? Matt Swaim talks Lauren De Witt (a Baptist preacher's kid), and CHNetwork's Rakhi McCormick (who grew up Hindu) about how they've incorporated Advent and the liturgical calendar into their family life since they've become Catholic. More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

When someone begins to be open to the possibility of some kind of purification process between this life and heaven, often many practical questions arise: How does it work? Does it hurt? How long does it take? Is it avoidable? Matt Swaim talks to Karlo Broussard, author of "Purgatory is for Real," to tackle some of the common questions that come up among people who have come to accept the basic theological premise of Purgatory, but are curious about how the whole picture fits together. Karlo's book, Purgatory is for Real: https://shop.catholic.com/purgatory-is-for-real/ More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://chnetwork.org/donate

Ebenezer Scrooge, George Bailey, the Grinch... so many of the most iconic Christmas stories in film and literature hinge upon the idea of a conversion of some kind. Matt Swaim is joined by Joseph Pearce and JonMarc Grodi to look at why Christmas is so often associated with a change of heart, and connect the concepts of memory, charity and truth back to their source: Jesus, whose birth is the occasion for all the celebration. Joseph Pearce's website: https://www.jpearce.co More stories and resources: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate

For many years, Lisa Cooper was deeply involved in the Word of Faith movement, led by such figures as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Marilyn Hickey. While others were mocking these televangelists for their over-the-top personalities and lavish lifestyles, Lisa was looking to them for spiritual guidance. She talks to Matt Swaim about some of the nuances of that theological worldview: the role of language, the thinking around wealth and health, and the celebrity pastor culture. Lisa shares how deconstructing from that form of Christianity led her to find a spiritual home in the Catholic Church. Watch Lisa on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/lisa-cooper-former-word-of-faith/ Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

Whether you entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, or at Pentecost, or at some other time, that first year of getting your bearings and living the sacramental life can be full of excitement, disappointment, encouragement, and culture shock. Matt Swaim, Keith Nester, and Shaun McAfee reflect on what that first year as new Catholics was like for them: the biggest surprises, the most rewarding moments, and the things they wish they had done differently. Hopefully the conversation is an encouragement to those of you who are navigating your first year in the Church! Shaun on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/shaun-mcafee-former-southern-baptist-non-denominational/ Shaun's book, "I'm Catholic, Now What?" https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Now-What-Shaun-McAfee/dp/1681923432#:~:text=%22Shaun%20McAfee%20has%20packed%20this,how%20engaging%20Catholicism%20can%20be!%22 Keith on The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/keith-nester-former-methodist-pastor/ Keith's book, "The Convert's Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church" https://www.amazon.com/Converts-Guide-Roman-Catholicism-Church/dp/1700289772/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13QCCI3HNM2NX&keywords=keith+nester&qid=1685613835&s=books&sprefix=keith+nester%2Cstripbooks%2C62&sr=1-1 More stories: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate

For Protestants of any background exploring Catholicism, the idea of a Bible with a bigger table of contents than they're used to can be a bewildering proposition. So why do Catholics have a different list of Old Testament books than Protestants do? And what are some good starting points for a Protestant who wants to get to know these books? Matt Swaim welcomes Gary Michuta, author of "Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger" and "The Case for the Deuterocanon" to unpack the differences between Protestant and Catholic Bibles, and the history behind how those differences came about. Gary Michuta's website: https://www.handsonapologetics.com Gary's YouTube channel, "Apocrypha Apocalypse": https://www.youtube.com/c/apocryphaapocalypse More episodes: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate

Dan Venezia grew up in New York City, and while his baseball skills caught the notice of the Minnesota Twins, spiritually he was in the wilderness. Wade Gaynor came from a strong Christian family in Kentucky, and when he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers, he took his strong Methodist faith to pro baseball with him, and met his wife, Neena, along the way. Neena, Wade and Dan share the ways their experience of Minor League Baseball shaped their way of looking at the world, especially in regards to faith, and how the things they encountered ended up uniquely leading each of them to the Catholic Faith. Dan's written testimony: The Sacrifice that Brought Me Home https://chnetwork.org/story/sacrifice... Neena's written testimony: A Pick-up, a Pope Book, and a Profession of Faith https://chnetwork.org/story/a-pick-up... Neena's children's book: A Garden for Mary https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Mary-Ne... Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate

Many private Christian schools have their staff sign an annual doctrinal statement, to ensure consistency of belief and teaching in their communities. But many of those doctrinal statements are also crafted so as to exclude Christians from certain theological backgrounds, especially Catholics. So what happens when a teacher at one of those schools decides to become Catholic? Matt D'Antuono and Dr. Annie Bullock both had that experience, and share how their interest in Catholicism affected their work as private Christian high school teachers, what happened when they actually became Catholic, and how they've found ways to use their gifts and passion for education now that they've come into the Church. Dr. Bullock's episode of The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/dr-annie-bullock-former-baptist-and-episcopalian/ Matt D'Antuono's episode of The Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/matt-dantuono-former-evangelical-protestant/ A written version of Matt D'Antuono's story: https://chnetwork.org/story/discovering-the-beauty-of-the-truth/ Matt D'Antuono's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-DAntuono/author/B0764HQM3H?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true More episodes: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate  

Often, due to their zeal and the amount of research they do, converts to Catholicism are treated like experts on the Faith, who have somehow figured it out more even than people who've been Catholic their whole lives.But is that really the case?Matt Swaim talks to Casey and Erin Phillips and Lorelei Savaryn about their own experience of being active Evangelical Christians, the way that formed them to think about Christianity, and how it fueled their passion about being Catholic once they discovered the reality of the Church. They also discuss the pitfalls that can be present to new converts, and how those who are new to the Church shouldn't let the fact that they've learned a lot of information serve as a substitute for actually experiencing formation in their newfound faith. Casey and Erin's podcast Lorelei's website

Many inquirers feel drawn to the Catholic Church because of the beauty and power of her teachings and sacraments. But many of them are coming from church backgrounds -- especially Evangelical ones -- where they felt welcomed and included, and their experience of visiting a Catholic parish can feel like the exact opposite of that. Matt Swaim talks to Jennifer Fitz and Rakhi McCormick about their own experience of this phenomenon when they were becoming Catholic, how to remedy some of those frustrations, and how the Mass is fundamentally different than the kind of worship experience that so many of us have come from. Jennifer's Substack articles on this topic: http://jenniferfitz.substack.com Jennifer's Journey Home episode: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/jennifer-fitz-catholic-revert/ Jennifer's written conversion story: https://chnetwork.org/story/tossed-about-then-reeled-in/ Rakhi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakstardesigns Rakhi's Journey Home: https://chnetwork.org/journey-home/rakhi-mccormick-former-hindu/ More of Rakhi's story: https://chnetwork.org/insights/hinduism-and-catholicism-rakhi-mccormick/ Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate  

Monica Anyango grew up Catholic, but left the faith for years before feeling a strong pull back to the sacraments. Raven Yohannon lived in Monica's apartment building, and one day when she got locked out, she knocked on Monica's door, and an immediate friendship began. They talk about how friendship and community are essential components of sharing faith, and what it means to truly walk with people as they seek to grow in relationship with Christ. Monica's work: monicaanyango.com Raven's work: saintsalivepodcast.com

Before he became Catholic, Rob Marco sought to shake off consumerism and embrace self-discipline through extreme outdoor adventures and straight edge punk ethos. Pat Flynn sought it too, through stoic philosophy and hardcore fitness regimens. They share with Matt Swaim how they approached self-discipline and the desire to reject consumerism and appetites before becoming Catholic, and how those concepts took on new meaning when they began to understand how Catholicism treats Lent. Pat's website: https://chroniclesofstrength.com More from Pat: https://www.philosophyforthepeople.com Rob's blog: https://fatherofthefamily.blogspot.com Pat's testimony: https://chnetwork.org/?s=patrick+flynn Rob's Testimony: https://chnetwork.org/?s=rob+marco More stories: https://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Support Our Work: https://www.chnetwork.org/donate  

As kids, both Rod Bennett and Jim Papandrea were captivated by science fiction, from H.G. Wells to Star Trek, to Narnia and more. These stories shaped them, and helped them to ask the most important questions about what it means to be human. Now as widely published Church historians, Rod and Jim talk to Matt Swaim about how sci-fi and fantasy stories, and the desire to explore big questions in unfamiliar environments, can help us better understand the debates through the centuries about who Jesus is, how we should conduct ourselves in an ever-changing technological world, and what it means to have a truly Christian imagination. Jim's book, "From Star Wars to Superman: Christ Figures in Science Fiction and Superhero Films": https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Superman-Figures-Superhero/dp/1622823885/ref=sr_1_13?crid=1IRQUO5A089Y6&keywords=james+papandrea&qid=1668699831&s=books&sprefix=james+papandrea%2Cstripbooks%2C57&sr=1-13 Rod's book, "The Popcorn Cathedral: Essays at the Junction of Film, Faith, and Fantasy": https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Cathedral-Essays-Junction-Fantasy/dp/153323549X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= More stories: http://www.chnetwork.org Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Make an end-of-year gift to support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate

Many people who grew up Catholic have just stopped going to Church over the years, and for whatever reason, think the things they've been involved with have made it so they'll never be welcome to come back. They feel unwanted, by practicing Catholics or even by God, and don't want to be just one more hypocrite in a room full of people who they feel will never accept them. Carlos "C2six" Zamora and Fonzie "Separate M1nd" Pedroza of the Catholic hip hop collective FoundNation share their own experience of getting in trouble with gangs and drugs in their high school years, how that affected their relationship with Christ and the Church, and how they came over time to see God as a loving Father who is always calling His children back to relationship with Him. Featured track: "Empty Pew" by FoundNation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FZX3qNi5Vc More tracks: https://www.foundnationfamily.com Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate

The Seventh-day Adventist movement, founded in the mid-19th century, is in many ways like other forms of American Protestantism, but the writings of Ellen G. White set it apart as its own unique expression of Christianity, most notably in the observance of Saturday as its formal day of worship. Norman bin Yazid, a former Adventist minister, and Arthur and Teresa Beem, who come from generational Adventist families, talk to Matt Swaim about their experience of coming to know Christ in the SDA world, and the key questions they began to ask that would eventually lead each of them to the Catholic Church. Arthur and Teresa's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOoYMICOs_b43LagdV19Vw More episodes: http://www.chnetwork.org/presents Our Online Community: http://community.chnetwork.org Support our work: http://www.chnetwork.org/donate