My Experience on EWTN’S The Journey Home

~ Lorelei Savaryn

A few weeks back, I hopped on an airplane and headed to Columbus, Ohio to film an episode of ETWN’s The Journey Home, hosted by Marcus Grodi.

I was met at the airport by Scott Scholten and his wife Barb. Scott produces and directs the show, and they also have a special B&B apartment in the basement of their home to host many of The Journey Home’s guests.

I had read other articles about people who had been on the show, and was very excited to see the famous “Guest Book,” where many notes and signatures from guests of the program reside. It was a surreal moment adding my name to that list, especially considering that two years ago, I was closer to leaving Christianity entirely than I was to becoming Catholic.

 

 

And let me tell you this, the Scholten’s are experts at hospitality. I was so blessed to be able to stay in their incredibly comfortable accommodations. Every little detail was attended to, and I was made to feel like a member of their extended family.

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There was also a Mother Angelica mug, out of which I just had to drink my evening tea 🙂

We had lovely conversation over dinner and breakfast the next morning, and then it was off to Mass at this beautiful, quaint, historical Catholic church near the Coming Home Network headquarters, where we would film the show.

I caught sight of Marcus Grodi in the back of the church and we made a quick wave ‘hello’ to each other during the giving of the peace. I knew from my hosts as well as other guest posts about the show that Marcus doesn’t spend much time with guests before the filming begins. He wants to get to know each guest and his/her story for the first time genuinely during the taping.

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They filmed 2 shows this day, back to back. I was up first.

Walking onto the set was also very surreal. I had seen this set before in the shows I had watched. There were some people who were very important and encouraging to me on my faith journey who had sat on the same side of the desk I would sit on soon. Scott Hahn, Jennifer Fulwiler and Steve Ray were a few that immediately came to mind. But there are many others.

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Well hello there, Mr. Desk.

The show used to be filmed live, and still tapes as though it is. There are no re-do’s, just a 2 minute break in the middle. It was a bit intense to think about at first, but everyone is so kind and welcoming. I was definitely on high alert and excited, but once we started filming it felt more like a conversation. I didn’t forget about the cameras and people in the shadows of the lights, but Marcus Grodi is a very gracious host, and it was easy to tell him my story.

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He listened so well. I don’t remember everything I said, but I do remember there were a couple of things he brought up at the end to help a point I had mentioned earlier come full circle. He asked great questions to help me elaborate on some things. You can tell Marcus is a pro. I told my story pretty much from birth to life after conversion, and felt like the time flew by. We then answered a couple of email questions, filmed a short promo, and that was it!

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After filming, some of the Coming Home Network folk took me and the other guest out to lunch, then it was back to the airport and home again. It was a whirlwind, but one I will never forget.

I also don’t think it will ever cease to amaze me that my story is now counted among those that made a huge difference to me as I prepared to enter the Catholic Church, and even still after. Those stories were a lifeline as I wrestled through questions, dealt with loneliness and difficulty in the transition from our Protestant Church, and as I rejoiced in the Truth I had found resided within the Catholic faith.

I hope you will have the chance to watch my Journey Home. It airs Monday, December 18th, 2017 at 8pm Eastern/ 7pm Central on EWTN. If you don’t have EWTN, you can live stream it here online.

Encores will air:

Tuesday, December 19th, 1am Eastern

Friday, December 22nd, 1pm Eastern

Or Watch the whole episode below!

My written conversion story is also featured in the Coming Home Network’s newsletter this month, and can be found here.

-Lorelei

Do you have any questions about my conversion story? Or whose conversion stories have impacted you in your faith walk?

Purchase Lorelei’s Books Here:

Lorelei is the author of creepy, magical, hopeful stories for children. Her debut, The Circus of Stolen Dreams, released in 2020. Her second book, a magical retelling of The Secret Garden, released in 2022. Both are available for purchase wherever books are sold.

Published by Lorelei Savaryn

This Catholic Family is run by Lorelei Savaryn. Lorelei is a Catholic convert, children's author (Penguin Random House), and instructional coach. She was confirmed in 2016, and her conversion journey is available to watch on an episode of The Journey Home. She is a regular contributor on Catholic Mom. Lorelei and her husband JP married in 2007. They live outside Chicago with their four children and pet dog.

51 thoughts on “My Experience on EWTN’S The Journey Home”

  3. Your story was excellent. Your recall is amazing. We are converts and our journey took us through three denominations before seeing the light. We were never Nazarenes but I got to know someone who was Nazarene and he listened to Christian radio, had a Bible at his work place, spoke of the Lord in his conversation but one day told me that if he were to die at that time, he would go to hell because of sin in his life. I learned then that Nazerines don’t believe once saved always saved but your testimony is that you believed in eternal security as a little girl. Just curious because I know that some doctrines in churches are not emphasized due to its unpopularity to the masses

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    1. Hi Doug! Thank you so much for watching! That’s a great point… I think I have reason to believe that my particular Nazarene church growing up didn’t follow all the official Nazarene doctrine. There was definitely an emphasis on a one time conversion event, but it might have just been the particular church we were at. That’s really interesting to know that the official doctrine is different though!

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  4. Great job Lorelei! I enjoyed it very much. As a convert, I welcome you home. Your story will be seen by many and I’m sure you have helped Our Lord by planting a seed in many minds.

    Godspeed!

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    1. Thank you so much for watching, Steve! I’m glad my story was an encouragement to you. And it is so good to be home! 🙂

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  5. I so appreciated your journey home. As a convert, I am always interested hearing other peoples stories. Thank you for sharing! I still have some things I struggle with but hearing your story lais laid them to rest. God bless you!

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    1. Oh my goodness I’m so happy to hear my story was an encouragement to you! 🙂 Converts stories have always been an encouragement to me as well. God bless you too!

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  6. Hello Lore-Lei 🙂 (pronounced lay in Hawaii, for floral lei put on loved ones.)
    I just viewed your wonderful talk with Marcus Grodi on the Journey Home program…OHHHH, how you touched my heart!!! Your story reminded me so much of my marriage to my wife. Yes, I was the J.P., who could not defend my faith too. I was all of 24 or 25, and Eloise, my wife, 2 years younger. It was 1973 when Eloise was taken over by a Baptist gal, and the rest is history. We slipped and slid right out of the Church, with our need to be “Born Again!” As a very weak Catholic, all I can remember is that I insisted on our three girls, Rachel, Rebecca, and Elizabeth, being Baptized as Catholics, but that was it. They became like you were way back at the beginning of your life, a Baptized Catholic, and that’s it. By the time 1980 rolled around, we were out of the Church, with me dipping back and forth. I finally came back to the Church in 1996, (Scott Hahn and two deacons in my local Catholic Church were instrumental, along with a Life in the Spirit Seminar – July 13th, 14th, and 15th), however, my wife has never returned. She is now a Pastor at one of our local Assemblies of God churches, and we are separated, as we speak. Enough of the arguments, and the anti-Catholic hidden animosities, I just needed to go. I spent many years in the AOG churches, unfortunately, never to be reciprocated by my wife coming to share with me in mine. It became a matriarchal spiritual family, at first because of my having to work, and work hard to support the family, and leaving the faith formation of the girls to her. Then in 1996, when I tried to resume some type of leadership, it was too late, she was unteachable. Every attempt, and I tried many, fell on deaf ears. Shortly after my return, I wanted to become a deacon, and her response was, not only no, but hell no…all in a conversation in front of the girls, who were now in their teens. So be it.
    Anyway, I was so gladdened and, sorry to say, a bit jealous, at how wonderfully it turned out for you. Thank you for your testimony. It is my very wish for my girls, to see, and to hear Him calling them back to the Church. I will be sharing it with them, who are now 40, 39, and 38, in my last ditch efforts in hope of fanning the flames of the Holy Spirit residing in them since their “baby Baptisms”, somewhat like what happened to you. Again, thank you for this wonderful Christ Mass present of His Presence!!
    Jesus loves you, this I know!!
    Mr. Greg Correa
    Honolulu, HI

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    1. Oh thank you so much for sharing some of your family’s story with us. Having lived in that separation for the years that we did, I can only imagine how challenging it would be to have the separation grow even more painful over the years, and with little hope of coming together. I am very touched that you hope to share my story with your daughters. Keep praying though, and never give up hope.

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  7. P.S. I tried looking for it on EWTN, YouTube, etc. I guess it’s too early, or might you have a copy that you will be posting here, or on YouTube???

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  8. I caught your appearance half way through the episode.Your enthusiasm for the Faith is electrifying!
    You have such a warm and lively personality. I am looking forward to seeing the whole episode
    and reading your columns. God bless you and your lovely family.

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    1. Thank you so much for watching!!! It was such a joy to be able to share my story, and to now know of some of the people who joined me as I did. God bless you as well, and Happy Advent!
      -Lorelei

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  10. Beautiful testimony Lorelie! You truly radiate your Love for Christ and the Truth! So Happy for you and our extended family. Oma and I continue to pray for all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren…on our journey to heaven!

    Merry Christmas, Oma & Aunt Brenda

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    1. Hi Brenda and Oma! Oh I’m so glad you got to see it! We can all use your prayers for sure! Happy Advent and Merry Christmas to you both! -JP and Lorelei

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  11. Thanks so much for sharing your story! The journey home is one of my favorites as two of our sons are currently not in communion with the Catholic Church. I pray that like your story they will be drawn back by truth and bring their families with! It would be a great blessing to some day see them on the program.

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    1. Hi Brian,
      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! The Journey Home is amazing. I definitely want to encourage you to never lose hope- there is always hope. I never in a million years would have imagined I’d become Catholic, let alone sharing my story on EWTN. We will pray for your sons along with all those we pray for conversion. 🙂
      Sincerely,

      Lorelei

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  12. Simply remarkable!!!Everyone Who had the privilege of hearing you testify to how the Grace of God touched your life, tenderly governing your every step, was deeply moved. Your whole manner Magnificently exuded the love of God without a hint of ambiguity. Our generation has become a generation of escape artist, vainly escaping into the phantom charms of the world with absolutely no enduring fulfillment. How fantastic to see the radical love of God touch your life(Lorelie) and your wonderful husband JP. And lead you back to the Catholic Church. The incarnation is that Holy intersection where God and man come face-to-face. May your family have a blessed Christmas. Again thank you for your powerful words.

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    1. Hi Bob!
      It’s so good to hear from you! JP showed me your text. It means so much that our story was an encouragement to you and others. It is humbling and something we are so thankful for. I can honestly say I love God more now, and better now that I’ve found my way home. But it’s all by His grace that he brought me here. I was so restless, and I am now so at peace.
      Blessings to you and I hope to meet you in person some day!
      -Lorelei

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  14. I too am a faithful viewer of the Journey Home. I’ve been watching/(DVR ing) every week since the early 2000’s. I love to see people who find Christ, God’s Love, and a feeling of finding a complete answer, or as complete an answer as we humans can take in. Every so often a telecast is unbelievably special. Lorelei, your story is one of those for me. I rejoice with you and your family as to how God is speaking to you, and through you. I myself have not had a calling to the catholic church. I do love the Lord with all my heart, but come from a different sheepfold than you. (see John 10:16). But I do rejoice in anyone who comes to a real relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as you very clearly do. Grace and peace to you as you continue your Spirit lead journey in this world, and eventually into the next. Hallelujah!!

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  15. Hi Don! Oh my goodness, thank you so much for sharing your reaction to the program. It is so cool that you’ve watched it for that long! You’ve had the opportunity to see many people grow in their faith and love of God! The way you described the show is perfect.

    We are so thankful for where God has brought us as well, and for the unity and peace and fulfillment we have found. It’s also been cool to hear from some who watched from other faith traditions as well, as many of my friends are. I hope you’ll come back and visit us here on the site from time to time! But, either way, thank you so much again for watching and sharing and God’s blessings to you!

    -Lorelei

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  16. You’re story about coming home to the Catholic Family was almost jolting – in a positive way. The language you used to weave the immense beauty and treasure of the deposit of faith is something else. I LOVE all my Catholic converts b/c you better reflect the understanding and gratefulness of
    finding your way back home. Let’s continue to pray for unity with our Protestant brethren so all can find their way home.

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    1. Hi Barbara! Thank you so much for sharing in my journey home! I will always be thankful for God’s grace that brought me here. And yes, we all long for the day when we are all truly One, as Jesus desired. We must always continue to pray 🙂
      -Lorelei

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  17. Enjoyed your story and reading the behind the scenes account. Thank you for sharing. The Journey Home and stories like yours is what got my attention and caused me to look at the Catholic Church.

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    1. Thank you so much Phyllis! I’m so glad my story was an encouragement to you. It was really fun to write the behind the scenes post, too. 🙂 I hope you come visit us here again!
      -Lorelei

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  18. Absolutely inspiring story Lorelei. Thank you for sharing your testimony of how grace and the prayer of the children of God can lead people of any faith home to the Catholic Church. I myself being a revert the Catholic faith appreciate someone like yourself having the courage to tell their story to a television audience. I am a regular viewer of “The Journey Home” program, and I must say that your story is one of the best I have ever seen. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family in the future. Truly a fairy tale ending. Merry Christmas!

    Sincerely,
    Brian

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    1. Hi Brian! Thank you so much for your kind words. I don’t think either JP or I could have imagined this ending to our struggles in our faith- things turned out way better than either of us could have hoped for. God knew what He was doing- even allowing us to go through that period of questions and doubts. We are very thankful indeed. Merry Christmas to you as well! 🙂
      -Lorelei

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    1. Hi Saba, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing in my story. Merry Christmas (almost)! 🙂
      -Lorelei

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  20. Hi Lorelie, I enjoyed the Coming Home Broadcast. Like you I was an evangelical Protestant. My journey took me through “Independent Bible Churches,” a Congregationalsit Church, a Reformed Presbyterian Church and like you a LCMS where there were many wonderful people. At age 56 I came into the Catholic Church. Thanks for your input into my life through the Coming Home Program.

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    1. Hi Mark! Thank you so much for watching and for sharing. Sometimes our path home is a winding one, but there is such rest when we find it. I hope you are having a lovely Christmas, and wish you a great New Year!
      -Lorelei

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  21. Hi Lorelei! I just saw your appearance on the Journey Home. Your story was so powerful, moving, and most importantly, grace-filled. I was a RCIA team member at my parish for 25 years after converting to the faith myself. I had the incredible blessing of seeing almost a thousand men and women come into the Church. Hearing their faith journeys and seeing them discover the beauty of our faith always enriched and strengthened my own faith. Thank you for sharing your story and for being so open and honest about the path that led you to the Church. I can testify from seeing the examples of so many people that the more difficult the journey always resulted in the most powerful experience during the Easter Vigil. Your joy is infectious and I praise God for bringing you home (and your husband back home.)
    May God bless you and your family during this new year and always!

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    1. Hi Bob! Thank you so much for watching as I shared my story. Wow- it must be amazing to be able to have some small part in the journey of so many people! What a gift. I’ve had the blessing of being able to speak on occasion at our RCIA at St. Lucy’s, and it is always such a joy to share my story with them, or to speak on a topic regarding our faith. It most definitely is such an encouragement and strength to come alongside others following a similar path.
      We are so thankful- and I wish you blessings as well now and in the future! 🙂
      -Lorelei

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  22. Powerful testimony Lorelei …. thank you so much. It’s encouraging to see young couples be clear, passionate and fearlessly honest in witness for The Church. I have recorded some 400 episodes of JH and like to mine them for the conversational gems that make the Catholic case. I’ve watched your story over a dozen times. I enjoyed your practical ideas on points like: once saved, purgatory, universal charity, free will, scripture alone, unity, the Sacrifice of The Mass, and the history of Christian Worship. In your own style your young daughter summed the show best … “we are VERY Catholic”. … Peace be with you …

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    1. Thank you so much for watching and sharing in my story! I’m so glad to hear it was an encouragement to you. Yes, our children are often a good reflection of where the heart is in the home. It was such a blessing for us to hear our daughter said that. We hope the joy in the faith continues through the years. 🙂 Peace be with you as well, and Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
      -Lorelei

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  24. Hi Lorelei,

    From one JH alum to another, welcome home!

    I look forward to viewing your interview with Marcus. Indeed, all the folks at the CHN are incredible hosts. Kind and gracious souls, they are. :^)

    God love you and yours!
    Catechist Kev

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    1. Hello hello! And thank you so much! It was just the best to be able to meet the people there and share my story. I’m going to have to look up your episode now too! 🙂 Love watching the stories of those who went before me.
      -Lorelei

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  27. Hi Lorelie,

    I watch TJH regularly and saw your set a few weeks ago. Great job! So neat to see the Holy Spirit working in people’s lives.

    I am flying out to Columbus to be on the show in less than two weeks (June 17th), so please pray for me! I’m excited to get to tell my story, and I really enjoyed yours as well. Thanks for the prep post!

    Rob Marco
    http://www.robthefob.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Rob! I’m sorry I didn’t catch your post before you went out! How was your experience taping the show? Drop me a note if you can about your air date, and I will try to tune in. God bless you and I will pray your story is an encouragement to many!
      -Lorelei

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