Got a question about the Catholic Church, or need assistance on your journey? Consider becoming a member, or feel free to contact us for more information. 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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This week’s Journey Home episode was with Lorelei Savaryn, who grew up as a fundamentalist Christian, and whose experience of a number of denominations got her asking questions about teaching authority and the Catholic Church.
We also published Lorelei’s written story online, which first appeared in our December Newsletter.
Our latest Signposts video short features former Presbyterian seminarian Nathan Wigfield, who was drawn by wonder and reverence to the Catholic Church.
We re-shared a classic Journey Home roundtable episode from 2003 with Fr. Gray Bean, Gordon Sibley, and Marcus Grodi, who spoke about how they celebrated Christmas as protestant pastors, and how they celebrate it now as Catholics.
And our CHNetwork Community shared some thoughts on how to manage Mass attendance when visiting non-Catholic family and friends for the holidays.
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Meanwhile, around the web…
CONVERTS AND CONVERSION
The Arlington Catholic Herald interviewed Deacon Michael Baggot, who grew up agnostic but is now in formation for the priesthood.
And a Catholic youth minister who was once deeply involved in the occult shared his story with Our Sunday Visitor.
ECUMENICAL/INTERFAITH ITEMS OF INTEREST
Allison Low argued that the approach of “unity in essentials, liberty in nonessentials,” neglects to address the question of who gets to decide which doctrines are essential.
And Dr. Matthew Bunson hosted a webinar for uCatholic about how faithful Catholics responded during the Reformation.
APOLOGETICS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Fr. José Antonio Fortea shared advice for those who feel too ashamed to go to Confession.
And Jimmy Akin engaged in more historical apologetics about the Temple in Jerusalem.
AND A COUPLE OF CHRISTMAS LINKS…
Fr. Michael Rennier reflected on how to celebrate Christmas like GK Chesterton.
And Stephanie Mann looked back to the 17th century, when the “War on Christmas” was waged not by secularists, but by Puritans.
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A member who’s recently decided to put his investigation of the Catholic Church on hold, a couple interested in Catholicism but facing opposition from both sets of parents, and a convert going through a difficult separation who’s recently lost her job – these are just a few examples of the people we are working with this month at The Coming Home Network International. Please help us continue to support those on the journey by visiting chnetwork.org/donate today!
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“Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.”
St. John Cantius
Feast Day: December 23