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

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It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's happened to enough people to warrant a discussion:

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

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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/

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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?

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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?

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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.

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.

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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

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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.

Gary's YouTube channel, "Apocrypha Apocalypse": https://www.youtube.com/c/apocryphaapocalypse

More episodes: https://www.chnetwork.org/presents

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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.