That is definitely a cool bottle of burbon, certainly one of the more interesting I've seen. And good luck with the move and the slower pace. It's hard to obtain, but certainly a worthy goal. And I look forward to reading what you come up with in the months to come. Besides, I think we could all stand to disengage from the collective insanity. It might be the only way to safely manage a world that has completely lost it's mind. And at the end of the day, no one is going to lament that they didn't read more about the Pope's newest scandal, but they will lament that they didn't love their family better. God bless Steve.
Steve: I was only moderately surprised by your announcement. You seemed to be heading in this direction for at least the past few months. Work, even good, holy and important work, can become an all-consuming monster. Your wife and children deserve something better than that.
From reading his works and listening to him, Eric Sammons does seem to have his head on straight and is a clear voice in the present insanity.
I only became aware of the Catholic blogosphere three years ago while reacting to my shock, dismay, and maybe horror, at the McCarrick scandal. At the time I was stricken with the sick in the pit of my stomach, realization that “they” had been lying to us and covering up, in spite of all the high-minded language that had come out of the Dallas accords. In looking for answers, I discovered a world that at first intrigued, but as time went on, began to wear on me. The internet community has been a confirmation of my life long experience that my brothers and sisters in the faith will always fall short. I am also quite certain that they can justifiably say the same of me.
The only certain thing is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit attempting to guide us. A part of me is aware that He has always been standing there waiting to catch me if I will only let Him. All the rest is more or less complicit in this fallen world. Even in the disappointment and discouragement of the past few years He has used what I have read and heard to bring me to a deeper place in my Catholic faith and in my reliance on Him.
Being a life-long Rhode Islander, who now spends a great deal of time at our northern New Hampshire “camp” (New Hampshire/Maine speak for a lake or forest cabin) I heartly encourage you to search out New Hampshire and Maine. Even though the cities in New England are quite liberal and caught up in the present craziness most places in the countryside are conservative, family and church orientated and have not adopted the present woke culture.
God bless you and your family. I pray for you every day.
Well done good and faithful servant, take your rest 😊! Great wisdom putting your beautiful family first. Its where we learn and teach real love - what it is and what it isn't. They grow up fast, build your relationships and cherish your time with them. It pays off a hundredfold when they are grown.
As a fellow hot-dry-place-dweller I envy your choice - ever since seeing the film The Europeans I have been in love with New England. Gorgeous. Who could not open their heart and humbly praise God in such surroundings?
Stay close to Jesus - He knows everything about being a struggling human. Prayers for you all.
I wish you peace, happiness and future success in whatever direction you take. Subscribed and will follow your posts with interest.
So excited for you as embark on your new journey! God bless. Yes, come to New England! Aside from the crazy liberals, it’s great here. Beautiful scenery, nice weather, beaches are great, restaurants are awesome. We are lacking big families though. Maybe our kids can be friends!
I've followed your writing for so long, Steve. This new chapter is timed just about right, I think.
Blessings on your decision, your move (I could never have lived in the desert that long!), all that you are attempting, and your family.
I hope I'm subscribed; I would hate to lose the connection. I think I'm subscribed, because I composing a comment and only subscribers can, right?? (I guess I'll see what happens when I click "post".)
Do not leave the Catholic Church in her darkest hour. Why should WE leave? Let the bad priests, etc., leave. Would you leave your mother while she was being attacked by a band of criminals? No, you'd stay ever closer and try to fight them off. Our Lord always knew this would happen and He has a plan. I trust God completely. Jesus promised us that He would not let Satan overwhelm the church he established on the Rock of St. Peter. Many of Our Lady's apparitions point to the time we now are living in. These things give me comfort (the warnings and prophecies by Our Lord and Lady).
I am going to suggest the state of PA, which is actually a red state, and pretty gorgeous (especially the Pocono mountain area in NE PA, which is 100 miles west of NYC). It is still quite affordable, even with the run-up in real estate prices outside of blue cities. I would avoid moving to a blue state--you'll regret it eventually. The people are so liberal (left-wing) they cannot think straight about anything and they will censor and stop you from even speaking. You'll be living among "the woke," in other words, which is a hellish prospect if ever there were one. If not the Poconos (which consists of Monroe and Pike counties; personally, I prefer Monroe county to Pike), try moving to FL, Daytona Beach area. The area about 5 miles south of Daytona Beach is a tiny community called Wilbur-by-the-Sea. That community has a large, well-run public beach (with free parking, a life guard, outdoor showers, rest rooms, lots of beach, gorgeous sand and sea) which only the locals know to go to (but word is getting out). That particular stretch of beach frequently forms little tidal pools that the kids can frolic in without the parents having to jump up every two minutes for fear little toddler has gotten too far into the surf. There are no cars, alcohol or dogs allowed on the beach, which also allows one to relax under the beach umbrella without fear of being run over by a car or set upon by an overly enthusiastic dog.
I know you had an awful experience recently with your (former) pastor and with the Legionnaires of Christ, but there's no way I'll let a bad priest or set of priests drive me from the RCC. I just change churches (but not religions) when something rubs me the wrong way about a priest. Also, I try very hard NOT to get too involved in the church life--I don't want to get caught up in the politics and see the priests' warts and foibles. There are other ways I contribute to building up the Body of Christ (like constant evangelization in informal circles and giving the local parish money--my local parish has a very good priest, thank God).
There are holy and inspiring priests. I met a particularly holy, kind priest 30 years ago and I can honestly say this priest saved my life at my most vulnerable moment. He MADE the difference, and I'll never forget him. (Of course, Jesus brought me to this priest, so ultimately, I am grateful to Jesus, Who did the REAL saving--the priest was just the "channel of His peace". ) Also, when I was age 10, I had the most wonderful nun for a fifth grade teacher. I just loved that woman beyond the telling, and she love me right back. That lit in me an ardor for God that went out during the awful teen years, but got rekindled later, and burns very hot now (which led to my becoming a Third Order Carmelite about 10 years ago).
Watch out for the drinking--I know how relaxing a cocktail is, especially hard spirits, but as an Irish American who has seen (and barely dodged) my share of alcohol-consumption tragedy, I issue a word of caution to all imbibers of hard liquor. Whiskey and the Irish are a dangerous combination (even for the non-Irish)! It creeps up on one, like a cat creeping up on a mouse in the tall grass.
For inspiration, read up on Sr. Clare (who died at age 33 on April 16, 2016). She is a modern day saint. A movie was made about her life (very inspiring) called "All or Nothing." There are many shorter summaries about her life and death on Youtube, etc. And I think "All or Nothing" is also on youtube (the entire movie).
That is definitely a cool bottle of burbon, certainly one of the more interesting I've seen. And good luck with the move and the slower pace. It's hard to obtain, but certainly a worthy goal. And I look forward to reading what you come up with in the months to come. Besides, I think we could all stand to disengage from the collective insanity. It might be the only way to safely manage a world that has completely lost it's mind. And at the end of the day, no one is going to lament that they didn't read more about the Pope's newest scandal, but they will lament that they didn't love their family better. God bless Steve.
Steve: I was only moderately surprised by your announcement. You seemed to be heading in this direction for at least the past few months. Work, even good, holy and important work, can become an all-consuming monster. Your wife and children deserve something better than that.
From reading his works and listening to him, Eric Sammons does seem to have his head on straight and is a clear voice in the present insanity.
I only became aware of the Catholic blogosphere three years ago while reacting to my shock, dismay, and maybe horror, at the McCarrick scandal. At the time I was stricken with the sick in the pit of my stomach, realization that “they” had been lying to us and covering up, in spite of all the high-minded language that had come out of the Dallas accords. In looking for answers, I discovered a world that at first intrigued, but as time went on, began to wear on me. The internet community has been a confirmation of my life long experience that my brothers and sisters in the faith will always fall short. I am also quite certain that they can justifiably say the same of me.
The only certain thing is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit attempting to guide us. A part of me is aware that He has always been standing there waiting to catch me if I will only let Him. All the rest is more or less complicit in this fallen world. Even in the disappointment and discouragement of the past few years He has used what I have read and heard to bring me to a deeper place in my Catholic faith and in my reliance on Him.
Being a life-long Rhode Islander, who now spends a great deal of time at our northern New Hampshire “camp” (New Hampshire/Maine speak for a lake or forest cabin) I heartly encourage you to search out New Hampshire and Maine. Even though the cities in New England are quite liberal and caught up in the present craziness most places in the countryside are conservative, family and church orientated and have not adopted the present woke culture.
God bless you and your family. I pray for you every day.
JT
Well done good and faithful servant, take your rest 😊! Great wisdom putting your beautiful family first. Its where we learn and teach real love - what it is and what it isn't. They grow up fast, build your relationships and cherish your time with them. It pays off a hundredfold when they are grown.
As a fellow hot-dry-place-dweller I envy your choice - ever since seeing the film The Europeans I have been in love with New England. Gorgeous. Who could not open their heart and humbly praise God in such surroundings?
Stay close to Jesus - He knows everything about being a struggling human. Prayers for you all.
I wish you peace, happiness and future success in whatever direction you take. Subscribed and will follow your posts with interest.
So excited for you as embark on your new journey! God bless. Yes, come to New England! Aside from the crazy liberals, it’s great here. Beautiful scenery, nice weather, beaches are great, restaurants are awesome. We are lacking big families though. Maybe our kids can be friends!
I've followed your writing for so long, Steve. This new chapter is timed just about right, I think.
Blessings on your decision, your move (I could never have lived in the desert that long!), all that you are attempting, and your family.
I hope I'm subscribed; I would hate to lose the connection. I think I'm subscribed, because I composing a comment and only subscribers can, right?? (I guess I'll see what happens when I click "post".)
Looking forward to seeing what the Lord has planned for you!
Dear Steve,
Congrats!
Can't wait to hear what comes next.
Best wishes
Do not leave the Catholic Church in her darkest hour. Why should WE leave? Let the bad priests, etc., leave. Would you leave your mother while she was being attacked by a band of criminals? No, you'd stay ever closer and try to fight them off. Our Lord always knew this would happen and He has a plan. I trust God completely. Jesus promised us that He would not let Satan overwhelm the church he established on the Rock of St. Peter. Many of Our Lady's apparitions point to the time we now are living in. These things give me comfort (the warnings and prophecies by Our Lord and Lady).
I am going to suggest the state of PA, which is actually a red state, and pretty gorgeous (especially the Pocono mountain area in NE PA, which is 100 miles west of NYC). It is still quite affordable, even with the run-up in real estate prices outside of blue cities. I would avoid moving to a blue state--you'll regret it eventually. The people are so liberal (left-wing) they cannot think straight about anything and they will censor and stop you from even speaking. You'll be living among "the woke," in other words, which is a hellish prospect if ever there were one. If not the Poconos (which consists of Monroe and Pike counties; personally, I prefer Monroe county to Pike), try moving to FL, Daytona Beach area. The area about 5 miles south of Daytona Beach is a tiny community called Wilbur-by-the-Sea. That community has a large, well-run public beach (with free parking, a life guard, outdoor showers, rest rooms, lots of beach, gorgeous sand and sea) which only the locals know to go to (but word is getting out). That particular stretch of beach frequently forms little tidal pools that the kids can frolic in without the parents having to jump up every two minutes for fear little toddler has gotten too far into the surf. There are no cars, alcohol or dogs allowed on the beach, which also allows one to relax under the beach umbrella without fear of being run over by a car or set upon by an overly enthusiastic dog.
I know you had an awful experience recently with your (former) pastor and with the Legionnaires of Christ, but there's no way I'll let a bad priest or set of priests drive me from the RCC. I just change churches (but not religions) when something rubs me the wrong way about a priest. Also, I try very hard NOT to get too involved in the church life--I don't want to get caught up in the politics and see the priests' warts and foibles. There are other ways I contribute to building up the Body of Christ (like constant evangelization in informal circles and giving the local parish money--my local parish has a very good priest, thank God).
There are holy and inspiring priests. I met a particularly holy, kind priest 30 years ago and I can honestly say this priest saved my life at my most vulnerable moment. He MADE the difference, and I'll never forget him. (Of course, Jesus brought me to this priest, so ultimately, I am grateful to Jesus, Who did the REAL saving--the priest was just the "channel of His peace". ) Also, when I was age 10, I had the most wonderful nun for a fifth grade teacher. I just loved that woman beyond the telling, and she love me right back. That lit in me an ardor for God that went out during the awful teen years, but got rekindled later, and burns very hot now (which led to my becoming a Third Order Carmelite about 10 years ago).
Watch out for the drinking--I know how relaxing a cocktail is, especially hard spirits, but as an Irish American who has seen (and barely dodged) my share of alcohol-consumption tragedy, I issue a word of caution to all imbibers of hard liquor. Whiskey and the Irish are a dangerous combination (even for the non-Irish)! It creeps up on one, like a cat creeping up on a mouse in the tall grass.
For inspiration, read up on Sr. Clare (who died at age 33 on April 16, 2016). She is a modern day saint. A movie was made about her life (very inspiring) called "All or Nothing." There are many shorter summaries about her life and death on Youtube, etc. And I think "All or Nothing" is also on youtube (the entire movie).
Good luck, Steve! Happy house hunting!