Scott Osborne marvels at how the Holy Spirit has used AM 820 to bring his marriage, his children, and his grandchildren into the Roman Catholic Church.
In fact, Scott’s own daughter and son-in-law entered the Church even before he did. Then, in 2022, Scott and his five grandchildren made the move to Catholicism. Eventually, his wife, Daryse, joined as well. “All nine of us agree that St. Gabriel Radio has been a major factor in our decision to become Catholic,” affirms Scott.
The journey into the Faith actually began 13 years ago when Scott and his family were attending a non-denominational church. They were very engaged with church activities. Scott served as an Elder.
“The teachings on St. Gabriel Radio sank into my soul,” affirms Scott.
FR. RICCARDO, A REAL PREACHER
“My wife, Daryse, was listening to Christ is the Answer with Fr. John Riccardo (weekdays 7 A.M.) on St. Gabriel Catholic radio, and she suggested that I check him out,” recalls Scott. He began listening when driving to work and was hooked. “Fr. Riccardo sounded like a real preacher to me. I set the car radio to AM 820 to catch Catholic Answers Live (weekdays 6 P.M.). The teachings on St. Gabriel Radio sank into my soul over the course of three years. Next, I downloaded a PDF of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I delved more and more into Catholic teachings for 13 years through St. Gabriel Radio programs and reading materials recommended by show hosts.”
Scott reflects on his journey, “I grew up in a Protestant, anti-Catholic environment. I thought that Catholics were not Christian and that Catholicism was a cult that didn’t ascribe to the Bible!” He was especially surprised when his nondenominational pastor confirmed that we owe the Bible to the Catholic Church.
In 2019, during the pandemic, he started watching Mass online and discovered the glory of the liturgy. “I liked the online Mass arrangement because afterwards, I could still go to the non-denominational Sunday service.”
INVITE A LOVED ONE TO LISTEN
Scott’s wife also told their daughter Hannah about hearing Fr. John Riccardo on AM 820. Hannah and her husband, Kyle, became avid listeners, and in 2020, they both entered the Catholic Church.
Scott continues his story. “In 2020, I decided that I had to become Catholic. I resigned from my volunteer role in the nondenominal church and entered RCIA. It was a difficult decision. We had been deeply involved in our faith community for 30 years, had responsibilities, and had many friends. Many didn’t understand why my family was drawn to Catholicism.”
Though an engineer by profession, in retirement Scott has undertaken a Master’s Degree in Catechetics and Evangelization Theology at Franciscan University, Steubenville. He is drawn to the logic of the Magisterium and apologetics. The catalyst for his decision to embrace the Faith was the realization of the importance of Apostolic Authority and Apostolic Succession. He acknowledges these as the rock foundation of the Church on earth (Catechism of the Catholic Church 954). For example, through the validity of Apostolic Authority and Apostolic Succession Catholics believe that only an ordained Catholic priest has the ability to perform transubstantiation in the consecration of the Eucharist.
“ In 2020, I decided that I had to become Catholic,” Scott says.
WIFE RETURNS TO HER ROOTS
It took a while for Scott’s wife, Daryse, to decide in favor of Catholicism. In fact, it was a decision to return to her roots. “I was raised Catholic but left the Church as a teenager.” She was looking for help learning about the Bible and found help by attending a denominational and then non-denominational church.
She adds, “Several years ago, a Protestant friend told me about Mother Angelica and AM 820. I enjoyed listening to Mother Angelica and began listening to other programs, my favorite being Christ is the Answer. As Fr. Riccardo practically taught the Word of God, my interest in my Catholic roots increased.”
ONE STOP TO COME HOME: CONFESSION
“ I went to confession to be able to ‘come home,’” Daryse explains.
Fast forward a few years after Scott and Daryse’s daughter and son-in-law became Catholic. Daryse recalls, “I began thinking I, too, could see myself returning to Catholicism. Shows like Women of Grace (weekdays 11 A.M.), Catholic Answers Live and The Journey Home (weekdays 1 A.M.) nurtured me along the way. I began going to Mass with my husband, who was in RCIA at the time, and in the spring of 2022, I went to confession to be able to ‘come home.’”
Daryse is grateful to be able to receive the Eucharist again. “I never stopped believing in transubstantiation. Being able to participate in this sacrament is truly a gift! I have also learned to embrace challenges and suffering in my Catholic journey, as part of what Jesus uses to help me embrace Him more, so I can become more like Him. I can’t fi x anyone or anything…but I can love everyone and pray. My favorite prayer (from the Surrender Novena) has become: “O, Jesus, I surrender my life to You. Take care of everything!”
FOUR YOUNGSTERS GIVE A GREAT EXAMPLE
Four of the grandchildren also wanted to weigh in about their decision to embrace Catholicism and the role that AM 820 has played in their lives.
The eldest grandson, who is 18, explains that Called to Communion (weekdays 2 P.M.) is his favorite AM 820 program. “I just fell utterly in love with how reasonable Catholic philosophy is.” His sister, a 16 year old, says that her journey into Catholicism was a complex interplay of the Catholic community and exploration into the Church’s truths. She says that AM 820 has been a significant contributor to her conversion. She expands on this: “The station’s focus on community gave me the privilege to hear how others live out their faith in daily life. I was able to hear through personal stories and opinions which enriched my journey.”
The thirteen-year-old second grandson also likes Called to Communion, a program that changed his view on the Bible. He declares that it just made sense to become Catholic. “It’s the Church Jesus actually started, and not like one someone just made up a few hundred years ago.” The youngest grandson, an eight year old, likes to listen to Called to Communion as well. He says about his father, Kyle, “My Abba was really good at teaching me. I’m really glad we’re Catholic.”
The Osborne family on the day Scott and his grandchildren entered the Church.
“ I just fell utterly in love with how reasonable Catholic philosophy is,” avows the 18-yearold grandson.
CALLED TO COMMUNION, FAMILY FAVORITE
Hannah, the mom of these youngsters, also attributes her Catholicism in great part to St. Gabriel Radio. She explains, “I started listening to Catholic radio in 2008. At the time, I was Protestant, but my mama had told me about Fr. John Riccardo. He constantly challenged me and opened my eyes to a new way of thinking.” Hannah’s favorite show is Called to Communion. “Without a shadow of a doubt, it has helped to catechize me and to keep me pursuing my faith in love. I hope that the result of my becoming Catholic is that I love better and see the dignity in all of creation.”
Scott wraps up his story of journeying into the Faith by declaring, “I love being Catholic!” He notes with joy that Sunday family dinners are a great roundtable of Faith discussions. “We gather as a family of three generations and talk about the Mass’s homily, what we’ve read, and what we’ve heard on AM 820.”
“I love being Catholic,” Scott declares.
