CHNetwork Presents

The Coming Home Network: A Network of Catholic Converts
  • 4.7 (6)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
CHNetwork Presents

CHNetwork Presents is a series of conversations about the kinds of questions that people wrestle with when they’re exploring the Catholic Church, and wondering if they should become a part of it. In each episode, we focus on the specific experiences that shaped our approach faith, and how those experiences uniquely prepared us to be open to the claims of the Catholic Church. We hope that by sharing our stories, we can help others who are on similar journeys.

  1. Evangelicalism, Catholicism, and the Literary Imagination - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 34

    6 DAYS AGO

    Evangelicalism, Catholicism, and the Literary Imagination - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 34

    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

    48 min
  2. Observing Advent as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 33

    11/26/2024

    Observing Advent as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 33

    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

    39 min
  3. A Convert's Guide to Purgatory - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 32

    11/07/2024

    A Convert's Guide to Purgatory - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 32

    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

    52 min
  4. Christmas Conversions in Film and Literature - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 31

    12/20/2023

    Christmas Conversions in Film and Literature - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 31

    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

    15 min
  5. From the Prosperity Gospel to Catholicism - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 30

    06/15/2023

    From the Prosperity Gospel to Catholicism - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 30

    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

    56 min
  6. Living Your First Year as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 29

    06/01/2023

    Living Your First Year as a New Catholic - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 29

    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

    1h 4m
  7. A Protestant Guide to Catholic Bibles - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 28

    05/11/2023

    A Protestant Guide to Catholic Bibles - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 28

    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

    43 min
  8. Pro Baseball and the Journey to the Catholic Faith - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 27

    05/02/2023

    Pro Baseball and the Journey to the Catholic Faith - CHNetwork Presents, Episode 27

    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

    1h 1m
See All (33)

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

CHNetwork Presents is a series of conversations about the kinds of questions that people wrestle with when they’re exploring the Catholic Church, and wondering if they should become a part of it. In each episode, we focus on the specific experiences that shaped our approach faith, and how those experiences uniquely prepared us to be open to the claims of the Catholic Church. We hope that by sharing our stories, we can help others who are on similar journeys.

Information

  • Creator
    The Coming Home Network: A Network of Catholic Converts
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    CHNetwork Presents

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