The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #451 4 Apr 3:17 AM (4 days ago)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
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The latest from CHNetwork
The April CHNewsletter is out! Read it here.
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was a deep dive into the riches of Catholic spirituality with Lucas Koach, a former Anglican priest who became Catholic in 2018.
On the latest Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi talked to CHNetwork’s Rakhi McCormick about her background in Hinduism and living her vocation through the years as a Catholic.
In a new On the Journey, Matt, Ken, and Kenny asked the question: is sola Scriptura even logical?
On Signposts, Dustin Quick shared the unique and complex circumstances that led him through Islam and Calvinism to the Catholic Faith.
And our Clergy Convert Conference is almost full! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
A French philosophy professor explained how listening to people attack Catholicism inspired him to investigate it fairly.
Aleteia also shared the story of a woman who grew up hating the Catholic Church but will be received into it this Easter.
And a former Muslim shared how friendship with Catholics helped open her heart to the Church.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Stephanie Mann shared some reflections from St. John Henry Newman on the bodily sufferings of Jesus.
Daniel Esparza looked at how monastic gardens were set up in order to teach the faith and create unique settings for prayer.
And the Vatican has released a document marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
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A member facing tough questions about Catholicism from their loved ones, our members returning from this week’s CHNetwork retreat in Oregon , and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“If a man wants to be always in God’s company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.”
St. Isidore of Seville
Feast Day: April 4th
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #451 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #450 28 Mar 2:47 AM (11 days ago)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
*****
The latest from CHNetwork
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was a great discussion with Tsh Oxenreider, a writer and Evangelical missionary who spent some time in Anglicanism before becoming Catholic.
We shared an article from Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson about the Three Scrutinies that are undergone during Lent by those preparing to receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil.
In a new On the Journey, Matt, Ken, and Kenny looked at whether or not the Church Fathers practiced sola Scriptura.
In our latest Insights video, Fr. Jerry Byrd reflected on this week’s Feast of the Annunciation, and how Mary’s “yes” is a model for all who are undergoing conversion or discerning a vocation.
On a new Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi chatted with former Methodist pastor Keith Nester about the importance of ongoing conversion for those who have become Catholic.
And our Clergy Convert Conference is filling up fast! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
Aleteia shared the story of a former Latter Day Saint who is preparing for Baptism this Easter.
The Vatican is reporting that Baptism numbers are down, but First Communion and Confirmation numbers are up.
A new film explores Matt Talbot’s journey from addiction to sainthood.
And a French construction worker shared how his experience of working on Catholic job sites played into his decision to enter the Church this Easter.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Jenna Marie Cooper wondered why Mary’s perpetual virginity is a controversial topic among some Protestants.
Joseph Pearce explained why J.R.R. Tolkien chose March 25th, which is among other things, the date of the Annunciation, for the destruction of the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom.
Catholic Rural Life looked at some plants to include that are symbolic of the Blessed Mother for those wanting to plant a Mary Garden.
And a recent lab investigation into red spots on a consecrated host in Indianapolis has revealed that it was not a Eucharistic Miracle, and gives an interesting look into how the Church handles such cases.
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A member whose family is having mixed reactions toward their interest in Catholicism, another member whose health issues are interfering with their ability to participate in OCIA, and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“The simple soul believes humbly, hopes strongly and conforms sincerely to the divine will. It finds refuge in God like a child in the arms of his caring father.”
St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar
Feast Day: March 28th
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #450 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The Three Scrutinies: What Are They? 27 Mar 6:44 AM (12 days ago)
In parishes which have active RCIA (now OCIA*) programs, there is a fascinating moment at Mass on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. The elect—adult candidates for baptism and confirmation (and sometimes those to be received into full communion)—are called forward to undergo what are called the three scrutinies. In the OCIA process, this is the period of purification and enlightenment. The scrutinies follow upon the Gospel readings (from Year A): the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-42), the man born blind (John 9:1-41), and the rising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45). “Their purpose is to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to help them resist temptations, and to find strength in Christ” (OCIA, para 141).
The theme is deliverance: from thirst, from darkness, from death. We thus learn that catechesis is more than simply knowing what the Church teaches. We must also incorporate the truth into our lives. For the mind to receive the truth, the soul must be pure. And so the elect come forward and kneel or bow, when all the faithful pray for them. Then they receive a prayer of exorcism and the laying on of hands, to cleanse their souls from evil so that the Holy Spirit would enter. The exorcism prayer invokes the three Gospel events – thirsting for the living water, moving from darkness into the light, freedom from the tyranny of death.
The origin of the three scrutinies dates back to the early Church, but these preparatory rites had come to be incorporated into the one rite of baptism itself. It was the Second Vatican Council which called for the restoration of the ancient catechumenate process (including the handing on of the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer after the third and fifth scrutinies). There is abundant testimony to what this journey encompassed.
From the third century, we can see how critical this period of purification was. St. Hippolytus emphasized how important it was for the candidates’ lives to be carefully examined: “If there is one who is not good or is not pure, he should be excluded, because he has not heard the word of faith” (On the Apostolic Tradition, 20). Every day the catechumens would receive the prayer of exorcism. St. Cyril of Jerusalem warned of the grave danger of receiving the sacrament unprepared, invoking the example of Simon Magus (Acts 8:13ff). Submit to the exorcisms devoutly, Cyril taught; it is like gold ore being refined of its impurities (Procatechesis, 2, 9).
St. Cyril’s Catechetical Lectures from the mid-fourth century provide an extraordinary perspective on how carefully the examination of conscience was incorporated into the catechetical process. It is important, because the enemy will attack the soul relentlessly, trying to divert him from the path to Christ. Cyril describes that dramatic moment outside the door to the baptistry at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The candidates would face west, extend their hand and declare, “I renounce you, Satan, and all your works.” Then they would turn to the east, the place of light, and invoke the Blessed Trinity (Mystagogical Lecture, 1).
The custom soon arose of embellishing this renunciation with a “ptui!” – the act of spitting to the west to dismiss the evil one. We don’t usually find spittoons outside the church door, but the metaphor is a good one about telling the devil where to go.
It is worth noting that those baptized Christians who are entering into full communion with the Catholic Church are to be distinguished from the catechumens and are not required to undergo the rite of scrutinies (OCIA, para 477-478). However, it is the whole community of the faithful who come together in these acts of “spiritual recollection,” for the Lord scrutinizes all who follow Him (para 138).
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*The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults has now been renamed the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to emphasize that this is an ongoing journey and not simply a one-time event. The new OCIA statutes came into effect on Dec. 1, 2024. An excellent resource for further study is The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Study Edition (Chicago: LTP, 2024).
The post The Three Scrutinies: What Are They? appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #449 21 Mar 3:33 AM (18 days ago)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
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The latest from CHNetwork
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was an excellent discussion with Phillip Seeberg, who grew up in Reformed Judaism and came home to the Catholic Church.
We shared an article from JonMarc Grodi on why St. Joseph can serve as a model for those trusting God as they journey toward the Catholic Church.
In a new On the Journey short, Kenny Burchard shared how St. Joseph came to be his confirmation saint.
In our latest Insights video, Debbie Capen reflected on how her story connects with the story of the Woman at the Well.
And our Clergy Convert Conference is filling up fast! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is preparing to receive 650 people into the Catholic Church this Easter.
A nurse from Vietnam, who had performed an emergency baptism when she was still an atheist, is now preparing for her own baptism.
Patricia Gonzales shared the story of a Peruvian man who’s preparing to be Baptized at Easter.
A Catholic convert from atheism talked about how he got into art collecting, and is now displaying some of those pieces at a cathedral in Spain.
Cécile Séveirac interviewed a woman who left Catholicism for Islam and is now returning to the sacraments.
Christopher Baglow discussed the complicated journey of the late Michael Knott, who died last year and had a Catholic funeral.
And Luke Coppen looked at the numbers of those coming into the Catholic Church this year compared to last year’s numbers.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Tom Nash shared some good ways to prepare for Confession.
And Catholic News Agency explored the history of how McDonald’s developed the Filet-o-Fish sandwich specifically for Lent.
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A member trying to understand Catholic teaching on Baptism, another member going through some difficulties in their prayer life, and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“Your accumulated offenses do not surpass the multitude of God’s mercies: your wounds do not surpass the great Physician’s skill.”
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Feast Day: March 18th
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #449 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
St. Joseph the Just 18 Mar 2:04 AM (21 days ago)
This month we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation, the miraculous event in which the Angel Gabriel announced God’s great invitation to Mary to be the mother of God’s Son—an invitation which she accepted with perfect love and obedience. We also celebrate the feast of St. Joseph who, as we know, also received his own “announcement” shortly after—one that posed a potential crisis of faith and moral dilemma. As we read in the Gospel of St. Matthew:
When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”
Matthew 1:18-19
St. Joseph is described in this passage as a “just man”. What does this mean? The term “justice” has become common in public discourse. It is frequently used to refer to a lack of something “out there” in the world—to “injustices” in need of remedy. But this passage draws us back to an important reality. “Justice” is first and foremost a virtue—something interior, present or lacking, long before it manifests itself in the world. So, what does it mean to be a “just man”?
As with other virtues, Justice has diminished in its colloquial significance over time. If it is thought of as a virtue at all, justice is taken to be something cold and calculating, something concerned only with rules and laws rather than people—and certainly, there is a practical necessity to a certain impersonal objectivity when we think of the “justice system” performing its proper function. But once again, Justice is first and foremost a virtue of the human heart—and indeed of God’s heart. The scriptures note that God loves Justice (Isaiah 61) and mankind is exhorted to “do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Later on in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees, for their merely legalistic religiosity in which they “tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).
The Catechism describes the virtue of Justice as “the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor” (CCC 1807). In other words, Justice is the virtue by which we turn outward toward other people, affirm their fundamental dignity, and strive to act in accord with their true good. Justice is the recognition that the deepest and most fundamental reality is that we are persons in relationship with other persons. To be a “just man” is to be a person who has made a habit of turning outwards toward other people and seeing them as God sees them, which, of course, is always with perfect and unwavering charity.
As a result of being a “just man,” St. Joseph received the likely bewildering news about Mary’s pregnancy not with a self-focused wrath or a desire for retribution—but with a primary concern to see true justice done in the situation; to protect Mary and her child from undue public scrutiny or even violence, and to create the conditions for some good to come out of what surely seemed a bad situation. In God’s providential timing, the “rest of the story” is announced to Joseph in a dream, but again, this finds him having already persevered in justice. In the midst of the crisis, he acted justly and kindly, trusting God to make a way forward.
This event highlights the importance of the daily practice of Justice, in particular, and of virtue in general. Whatever virtues (or vices) we practice in all the ordinary aspects of our lives are what will be in play during moments of extraordinary crisis. When calamity or confusion occurs, will we reflexively turn inward and become self-focused or selfish? Or will we imitate St. Joseph in remaining turned outward—considering the needs of others and working for their good?
For so many members of the CHNetwork, especially for Protestant clergy and pastors, the journey towards the Catholic Church often involves moments of crisis: seeing Protestant doctrinal foundations crumble, realizing that much of what they thought they knew about the history and teaching of the Catholic Church was wrong, and realizing that to do “justice” to God by becoming Catholic may well lead to loss of income, vocation, identity, and crises within family and friend relationships. Our mission is to simply help people at these turning points to discern and take the next right steps of their journey deeper in Christ and His Church. We believe that God is indeed calling Christians home to the Catholic Church. But every step along that journey is an opportunity to grow closer to Christ and more conformed to His virtuous example: remaining committed to prayer, seeking the truth in study, building up relationships, sharing the new discoveries in charity, and receiving pushback or criticism with patience and grace.
Wherever you are on your own faith journey, let us together pray for the intercession of St. Joseph, the just man, and imitate his example. Even and especially during crisis moments on the journey, we must turn outward toward God and other people— persevering in prayer and in works of love and service. In His own, providential time, the Lord will show up, show the way forward, and bring about new life.
The post St. Joseph the Just appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #448 14 Mar 2:31 AM (25 days ago)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
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The latest from CHNetwork
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was a powerful conversation with Debbie Capen, whose journey of healing after abortion has led her to help women going through situations similar to hers.
On the latest Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi talked to Kerstin Pakka about how her experience of healing after abortion has also empowered her to help women in crisis pregnancies.
In a new episode of On the Journey, Matt, Ken, and Kenny looked at whether or not sola Scriptura is historical Christian teaching.
We shared a video update from JonMarc Grodi on the people we’ve been working with this year, and the resources we hope they explore this Lent.
In our latest Insights video, Fr. Randy Sly shared how his willingness to say yes to God when he followed a call to ministry prepared him to say yes when he felt God calling him to become Catholic.
And our Clergy Convert Conference is filling up fast! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
Aleteia shared the story of an Algerian woman who grew up atheist in a Muslim environment, and is now becoming a Catholic.
Various media outlets reported on the Rite of Election turnout in Boston, Brooklyn, and Sydney.
A French man who grew up in foster care expressed his excitement at coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil this year.
And UCA news shared the story of a man who was brought back to faith through the experience of his son’s illness and death.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Dave Armstrong looked at how the Church Fathers described Mary as the New Eve.
And Karlo Broussard looked at how this weekend’s Mass readings help illustrate that conversion is a process, and not just a one-time event.
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A member trying to come to terms with the Catholic understanding of Baptism, another member whose family is still struggling to accept their interest in Catholicism, and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“I have no desire for any greater assurance than Divine Providence.”
St. Louise de Marillac
Feast Day: March 15th
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #448 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
Joining the Catholic Church This Year? Let Us Know How We Can Support You! 13 Mar 10:18 AM (26 days ago)
Every year at the Coming Home Network, we hear from hundreds of people — including current and former Protestant pastors — who are seeking to find a home in the Catholic Church.
We provide free resources, one-on-one personal pastoral care, online meetings, and in-person retreats, to make sure you have the support and encouragement you need to take the next right step in your journey of faith.
If you’re entering the Catholic Church this Easter, we’d love to walk with you as you continue your journey through Lent, and beyond! Let us know how we can support you as you prepare to join our Catholic family.
And because the journey doesn’t end there, we hope to help you through your time adjusting to life as a new Catholic as well.
We know what it’s like, because we’ve been there. We look forward to meeting you!
The post Joining the Catholic Church This Year? Let Us Know How We Can Support You! appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #447 7 Mar 5:51 AM (last month)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
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The latest from CHNetwork
The March 2025 CHNewsletter is out! Read it here.
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was a great discussion with Dr. Justus Hunter, a Free Methodist theologian whose prayer and study led him to the Catholic Faith.
On the latest CHNetwork Presents, Matt Swaim talked to former Anglican priest Andrew Petiprin, who grew up Evangelical, about the Evangelical to Anglican to Catholic pipeline.
In a new episode of On the Journey, Matt, Ken, and Kenny discussed the Bereans, 2 Timothy 3:16, and sola Scriptura.
This week’s featured written story comes from Gary Wiley, who was a Wesleyan missionary and pastor before he and his wife came home to the Catholic Church.
In our latest Insights video, Rae-Mi LeRoy, a former Buddhist, shared how discovering Lent helped her find a fulfillment of some of the questions she’d been engaging on her spiritual search.
And our Clergy Convert Conference is filling up fast! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
Joseph Pearce reflected on the conversions of Malcom Muggeridge and Marshall McLuhan.
The Diocese of St Augustine has nearly a thousand people going through the Rite of Election this year; so many that they’ve had to split the group into three different liturgies!
And Fr. Jeffrey Kirby shared why we should use the Lenten devotion of the Stations of the Cross to pray for those who have left the faith.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Marcel LeJeune shared why beauty is a secret weapon for evangelization.
And Clement Harrold explained why Protestant Bibles are smaller.
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A member nervous about making their first Confession, another member who’s had a breakthrough in discussion Catholic topics with their spouse, and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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““Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings.”
St. Perpetua
Feast Day: March 7th
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #447 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The Evangelical to Anglican to Catholic Pipeline – Episode 35 4 Mar 3:30 AM (last month)
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: andrewpetiprin.com
The Spe Salvi Institute: spesalviinstitute.com
The post The Evangelical to Anglican to Catholic Pipeline – Episode 35 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.
The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #446 28 Feb 2:09 AM (last month)
Got a question about the Catholic Faith, or need assistance on your journey? Consider joining our Online Community, or feel free to contact us for support. The Coming Home Network exists to help converts, “reverts,” those on the journey, and those who are just curious – we’d love to hear from you!
*****
The latest from CHNetwork
This week’s episode of The Journey Home was a wonderful conversation with Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen, O.P., who grew up in the country music industry and went on to help found a new religious order.
On the latest Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi and Richard Lane discussed evangelism, discipleship, and a personal relationship with Jesus from a Catholic perspective.
In a new episode of On the Journey, Matt, Ken, and Kenny unpacked the circular reasoning behind the doctrine of sola Scriptura.
Our Clergy Convert Conference is filling up fast! Please let us know if you’re interested in attending.
And on a new Insights, Katie Jacobson shared why she stopped “church shopping” and committed to becoming a Catholic.
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CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
The Vatican this week announced that Bl. Bartolo Longo, a former satanic priest who had a radical conversion to Christ, will soon be a canonized saint!
David Solomon, a longtime influencer of Catholic identity but a lifelong Baptist, who just converted to Catholicism last Easter, has passed away.
The Heights Forum did a deep dive into the Catholic conversion of Ronald Knox.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Our Sunday Visitor explained why non-Catholics can’t receive the Eucharist.
And Catholic News Agency explained who’s in charge of the Vatican when the pope is in the hospital.
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A former pastor struggling to find work that will support his young family, several other members dealing with illness as they prepare to come into the Church, and all our members preparing to be received into the Church at Easter in just a matter of weeks — these are just a few of the people we are praying for and working with at The Coming Home Network. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed.”
St. David of Wales
Feast Day: March 1st
The post The CHNetwork Weekly Roundup #446 appeared first on The Coming Home Network.