Surely You People Can Do Better than This?
So, today in the Seattle transit tunnel, I espied an advertisement on the side of a Metro bus that kind of flabbergasted me. It was an image of Jolly Old Saint Nick, with bright happy red text that proclaimed, “Yes Virginia… there really is no God”. There’s an image of it here. I was utterly offended, though not perhaps for […]
» Read moreExposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Last Friday, my little parish of St Rita of Cascia took a small step towards the “Reform of the Reform”. For perhaps only the second time in this century, for one hour last Friday night, we were allowed Eucharistic Adoration. It was glorious. The first time was last month, and the differences between the two events is instructive. Last month, […]
» Read moreA Call to Vocation?
Today at Mass, two odd things happened. First, I should mention for those not Catholic that today’s second reading at Mass was from the Epistle of Saint James, specifically 2:14-18. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has […]
» Read moreDirge
Today is the Commemoration of All Souls. On this day, I ask you to pray for the soul of India Escobar.
» Read moreConversation with my Pastor
I had an interesting conversation with my pastor this morning. Francine and I are sacristans at our parish, and I am a lector while she is a member of the Sodality of St. Frances. The entire archdiocese will be launching a program related to CatholicsComeHome.org, and we’ve been asked to chair our parish’s efforts. I’m not sure what our jobs […]
» Read moreGratitude
I have been truly overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to me and to my family in the past days. Your thoughts and your prayers have been a source of solace and comfort in this impossible time. I would like to especially thank those of you who made it to Tristan’s sentencing yesterday. For those of you unable to […]
» Read moreFour Facts, Give or Take
Today my son, Tristan Andrew Ryng, was sentenced to 27 months in the state penitentiary. It was 105° today in Tacoma. Set a record, it did, six degrees higher than ever. I am very tired. Today, I looked into the eyes of a man who wished to murder me, and I could not gainsay him.
» Read moreTo Bring You Up to Speed…
Saturday was spent at Tacoma’s Ethnic Fest, an excuse for sampling foods from restaurants previously unknown and browsing through merchant kiosks of cultures entirely unfamiliar. Sunday was a surprise party for our pastor, Fr. Carmine Sacco, SJ. He was celebrating his 65th anniversary of becoming a Jesuit. No, that number is not a typo. He’s baptising the grandchildren of people […]
» Read moreThis is Why
I have not been posting much of late. Mostly it’s because I hate to whine to you. My job is killing me by inches, but I have a job, which is more than I can say of many of my friends. I’ve written not a word on two different stalled novels. And so it goes. And then there was today, […]
» Read moreHe is Risen!
Happy Easter, everyone! Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior […]
» Read moreTristan is out of Hospital
After 128 days in hospital, my son went home to his mother’s house on Saturday. I meant to post this earlier, but I was hoping to include some photos I took of the day. I still haven’t uploaded the photos, so I figured I’d better post before too much more time has passed. Tristan can walk with the help of […]
» Read moreA Call to Evangelism
I‘ve always liked Penn Gillette. He’s an intelligent and thoughtful guy, and (dare I say it?) a gentleman in an age where that is increasingly rare. Mr. Gillette is, of course, an avowed Atheist. I think that makes this particular call to arms even more insistent: “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is […]
» Read moreLife, the Universe, and Everything
It has been some time since I’ve posted here, and longer still since I’ve posted regularly. For this, I deeply apologise to you, my one loyal reader. My only excuse is this: it has been a trying time, and I’ve been working long hours. In the past few months, I’ve spent weeks at a time out of state. I’ve been […]
» Read moreMy son Tristan was the victim of a hit-and-run accident
Tristan was struck by an SUV while crossing the street in the early morning hours of last Saturday while I was in Pittsburgh. The driver left him in the road, where another vehicle ran over him. Only then did a witness to the second hit-and-run call 911. His pelvis was badly broken, both legs were damaged, his right ankle was […]
» Read moreThe Sound You Hear is My Forehead Reapeatedly Hitting the Desk
I‘m approaching the end of my rope. I’m not there yet, but I’m sliding down quickly and some bastard’s greased the last few meters. Nightmares this weekend were the least of it. Tristan has a fantastic attorney, who’s cutting us a huge break in terms of payment. Between bailing Tristan out and making the first payment to the attorney, we’ve […]
» Read moreWeary
My beard is going grey at an alarming rate. My last real photos were for the wedding, and I look like I’ve aged five years in five months. This may have something to do with Tristan’s plight. It does something to you after a while, when you keep getting these little reminders, whether it’s when I’m talking with Tristan, or […]
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