If I could, I'd send you both my Apostolic Blessing...
Since I can't, I simply wish to thank you both for enlightening my life in every possible way, and for your wonderful friendship (which I trust won't end right now...).
May God and His Blessed Mother watch over you all always.
Jack Dwyer.
P.S. [sigh] I suppose I'm just gonna have to get off my large and lazy posterior and actually get my own blog now... Those of you who actually think this a good thing (you poor demented souls you), should contact me on my secret e-mail address of dis00005@idl.net.au I cannot yet promise I will do this thing, nor will it be anywhere near as good as this or other sites. But a sufficient number of requests will make my actually doing it more likely. God Bless...
oh man. this sucks! I understand (I have pondered the thought of quitting too, but instead I take longer breaks when needed)
please keep reading, and maybe pick up the proverbial pen again one day. your jokes of the day are so funny, and well, all the rest of it too. be well and grow in faith and closer to Christ, that is all that matters!
Thanks Jack.
And count this as a request for you to start blogging. You'll have two readers right off the bat. I'm sure Scarlette and Anon would frequent you too. 
Rebecca, my sister in the Order of Orthodox Toilet Paper Dispensing, thank you. I'm thinking that my difficulties in giving this up demonstrate how much I need to at this time.
As a frequenter of comboxes everywhere, I couldn't have you go before I said good bye.
Being anonymous, I know you hang on every word I say. I know that my comment will be the one you care for the most.
Oh, this is getting long for an anonymous comment. Oh well, it is a good bye message. Oh, time for some brave condemnation. 2,000 people have died of smoking since you posted those 3 pictures. You need to be more tolerant like me! You shouldn't be so hate filled.
Rick, I'm bummed to see you go, especially since I just started reading your blog. I guess that's why Blogger created archives.
I'm not sure that giving up one's blog is as much like giving up a child as it is like giving up an addiction. I've found that no matter what my good intentions were when I started, it is very easy for the blog to become an ego-feeder. It's difficult to become humble before our God when we are subconsciously (or not) trying to make ourselves greater. And our prayer life suffers when we are puffed up. This has been my problem anyway.
God bless you and Rhonda. Thanks for your posts here and your comments at my place.
Ah, well, we'll miss you. You'll have to drop by our place and leave comments every now and then or else I'll get to feeling young and spry.
Hope your hiatus is full of blessings and spiritual rejuvenation! Our best to Rhonda and your little ones.
Rick...shame.
I pray for God's Blessings upon you and yours.
I wish you well laddie. Feel free to make a guest posting at my place anytime. I even wish Rhonda well. I think once the infrastructure is in place, you will see blogs move over to a group format. It is so time consuming doing a blog on your own.
So now we see if you HAD used those neon 3x5 cards you gave me so much grief about you would be able to keep blogging. :-D
Perhaps your difficulty in giving it up is actually a sign that blogging is your destiny. (I've got to give this a shot...)
Lest anyone think that I’m throwing my own funeral to see how many people will come; only to resume blogging three days later as if I had never even written these words.
That would be called "pulling a Rocco".
I suppose that's going to be my last sassy comment here.
Now, I guess I'll have to find another sandbox to play in.
Really big hugs
Rick,
The reasons people stop 'blogging are as numerous as why they start. I wonder if they don't die sometimes from the weight of self-expectations collapsing upon them. Finding one's voice in this cyber-Babel is a challenge which cannot be overlooked. And, yes, when 'blogging becomes bigger than your life, it is necessary to put it back in its proper perspective.
Nevertheless, it will be a loss to the 'blogosphere, along the lines of John Donne's "No man is an island". While, as "Desiderata" says, "...for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself...", you did some very good things. The Katelyn Sills story was yours from the start (save from her own 'blog) and a fine example of 'blogging at its best from you. Your historical insights were posts I enjoyed. And we all need to laugh at the absurdities of this thing called life, which you also managed to do.
As the person who got me into 'blogging, I will note your passing will a touch more sorrow. It is those who introduce you to something to which you own the biggest debt of gratitude. Your words of encouragement, both as a fellow 'blogger and on personal matters (and that includes your lovely bride), have been much appreciated.
You know my comment boxes as well as my private e-mail are available. My prayers and best wishes to you and your family.
First Fr. Bryce. Then Fr. Ethan. Now Rick. The greats are falling like flies. You will be sorely missed, Rick. See you in the comboxes indeed.
LOL Anonymous, how is it that you get around to so many blogs anyway? I think that's as big of an accomplishment as Santa's Christmas Eve adventures.
Amy,
Thank you. Yeah, it is like an addiction and is dangerous to our sense of self. I actually considered that danger when I started blogging, and have made a conscientious effort to avoid that pitfall. I've fared better at certain times more than others, but as I was mulling all this over I realized that didn't fall too bad in that regard. Perhaps a self-deprecating sense of humor helps one keep in line. My biggest problem was dedicating too much time and effort into it.
Thanks again for being a visitor and your kind comments.
Thanks MrsD,
Of course I'll see you around. What would I do with myself if I didn't have you and Julie to pick on?
ukok,
Yeah, I bring shame to wherever I go.
Really though, thanks for your prayers...I can definitely use them.
Speaking of which, Rhonda was praying her novena to St. Therese (Therese has been a huge advocate for us, God bless her sweet little soul) and asked Therese for a sign to come to me indicating my prayers will be answered (I tough it out and don't ask for signs). Rhonda said that it didn't have to be a real flower and could even be something in the mail. Sure enough, yesterday I got St. Valentine's Day Mass cards from the Society of the Little Flower and the text on the envelope seemed to say it all.
Now I just have to nag her to get going and show me some results.
MZ,
I even wish Rhonda well.
LOL... Did you learn that at the Dale Carnegie course the company sent you to?
Hmmm...or maybe I should be sending Rhonda off to one.
Anyway, thank you and the Mrs. and I will still be looking in on you.
Julie, Julie, Julie...
Blogging would have ceased the moment I started using those darn things.
You know, one of the things I'm going to miss most is the ability to tease you via blog post. Now I'll be confined strictly to your comboxes.
And thank you very much for your "Nooooo" post. Coming from the gal who said that me and my blog suck, I consider that quite a compliment.
Scarlette,
Your sassiness will be missed. I'm sure we'll happen upon each other soon. Thanks.
Thanks a lot Ron, you are definitely someone I number as a friend.
I am undeserving of your kind words. You are still in my prayer intentions, so look at it this way. I'll have more time to pray for you.
BTW, you should Therese a shout. I don't know if it would be wise to tell her I sent you though. I think the only reason she helps me is because I love her whole family and consider them all to be saints.
Thanks T.O., but I'm hardly "a great". I suspect the blogoshpere will get a little better reputation now that I'm gone. Heck...maybe Kathleen Parker will now write an article praising the blogoshpere!
Beav,
If you get back into Blogging, we'll let you hang out with us at the dance.
Eddie
Rick,
You'll be missed, my friend. Gee whiz, Beav, I feel like I've had a death in my family. Well, maybe more like the old deaf and blind dog had to be put down.
Anyway, I hope you'll resume blogging at some point - when the Spirit lets you know the time is right. St. Blog's needs your wit so that we don't begin to take things too seriously.
AWWW! This sucks! I was wondering why Papa han't mused for a while and why you have been absent for the last few days.
Rick, I've chosen to visit blogs less often as a form of mortification - I was advised to add mortification to my prayer. Your quitting just made it easier for me - but now I have to find something else to give up! You don't make it easy for me...
It was nice "meeting" you. Please don't let Papa quit musing. . .
Not. Happy.
We'll miss your wit.
Ahem ... and now Theocoid is blaming me for being too mean to you.
Nice parting shot, buddy! :-D
Oh man...that was too funny. LMAO.
Thanks Theo. [Re: Theo's comments to Julie's gracious post]
Hey Eddie, that sounds just swell!
Thanks Jay...you're too kind, friend. I consider being likened to an old deaf and blind dog a compliment. Usually folks refer to me as just a dumb-ass dog, or in the case of MrsD, an old goat.
Thanks Salvacion, you've always been very supportive and it's appreciated.
When you find a good mortification let me know. I've been looking for a harsh mortification that will help bring me mastery over my body and passions but not really hurt.
Sniff! You'll be back. I've seen others vow the same thing, and fall off the wagon. Mark my words.
Maureen
Sorry to see you go, but I certainly understand the reasons.
Can we atleast expect one celebratory post when Roe v. Wade is overturned?
Seriously though, please keep reading and posting.
I was nearly going to give up on blogging till you and a few others noticed my humble blog and yours has remained one of my favorites.
Thanks!
Thanks Maureen. That may very well be the case, but it won't be for a good while. Right now I'm sad to be quitting, though I know it's for the best. Deep inside though, I hope after 6 months or so the desire isn't even there. If it is, I'll have to evaluate whether it's a smart move to do or not.
Anyway...keep up the good work at Catholicnews and congratulations on your accomplishments.
Thanks Bo, I appreciate it.
FD,
Thank you. I like your blog, and I like the fact that your a shooter and blog about it. It had been a few years since I lusted over the M-14; you talking about rifles got me all riled up again.
Keep up the good work!
Come on, now.
You just taking a sabbatical.
Right?
I mean, you're not seriously going to leave your devoted fans in the lurch.
Right?
I sure hope that you find your way back to the front soon. But if this truly is your curtain call, let me say that it's been an honor to read your inspiring work.
God bless you this year in all that you do.
And I know I'll hear from you soon!
So long, Rick! We'll miss you! I hope we see you again!
You have a wife like the lovely Rhonda and you want to MASTER your passions (including stoping blogging)??? Give them free reign, I say!!!
It does seem though that giving up smoking, which would be a GOOD thing to give up, would be a good start instead of blogging and chasing Rhonda around the house... Concentrate on one battle at a time. First, smoking. Then (maybe), "fun" with the missus. Then (maybe maybe), blogging...
I'll harp on this anyway, via my constant, annoying and non-stop e-mails to you... You might soon have to give up the whole internet thing as a result...
Dear Rick,
What can I say? Everyone already said it. Gosh, why am I always the last to know? We will miss you. 
(this should be a sad face, not mad)
Thank you for blogging and all your great work. And for being a friend in the blogosphere.
I wish you well and may God bless you always!
Rick,
I certainly will miss you, but understand your reasons for taking a sabbatical at this time. I look forward to your return.
I will keep you and your special intentions in my prayers.
Come visit me.
God bless you,
Hey Fool,
Devoted fans? LMAO, too funny! Thank you for your extreme generosity though.
Never say never, but as it stands right now, I'm done. I need to spend more time listening to God and less time running my mouth.
I'll be seeing you around.
Thanks Paul, and FYI: The guppies are still living!
Wow Jack...I'm sure you have an endeared the Mrs. to you after that. I'll never catch her now, for sure.
Thanks, pal.
Charo,
I should be thanking you for all your support. Keep helping ol' St. Pete.
And God bless you too.
Unfortunately Rick, all forms of mortifications hurt in a way - even giving up our favorite dessert. My director says I could do the chore I hate doing most, and offer it up of course, or I could smile when I least feel like smiling; little things like that - ask St. Therese; she knows.
Thanks Jean,
Don't worry...I still plan on making use of my Bloglines.
God bless
Yeah Salvacion, that they all hurt is precisely the problem. I would be more apt to mortify myself if it wasn't so darn uncomfortable.
As for the Little Way, I love the idea, but have never been able to practice it more than a few hours before the conscious thought escapes me and I unwittingly fail to practice it.
Not exactly saint material here.
Rick, I wasn't going to post about your sabbatical but you provoked me.
For I think there's something in some writing somewhere that says it's the one who knows he's NOT a saint that is the one on the way to sainthood.
Or maybe that's the formula for a bishop... Oh, something about noli episcopari wasn't it?
OK, no, here's the relevant Chesterton quote...
Aristotle had described the magnanimous man, who is great and knows that he is great. But Aristotle would never have recovered his own greatness, but for the miracle that created the more magnanimous man; who is great and knows that he is small.
[GKC, St. Thomas Aquinas CW2:472. Hmm: small & STA - hee hee, talk about a paradox!]
Rick, for some of us out here in the e-cosmos, you ARE great. Read and rest and pray and work, and perhaps someday when God wills, blogg some more...
You and me both, my friend. Promises I make in the morning are forgotten by 10:00 A.M. Either my attention span is very short or I'm not really physically, mentally nor spiritually attuned to Him. Still, they say the struggle sometimes is enough to gain grace.
PAX
So long, farewell,
Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye....
Think the Trapps leaving Oesterreich; it's never really final.
Hope to see you again!
Thanks for all the time you spent doing this fine Blog. It was interesting and fun too. I hope you get some good answers to your prayers.
I agree with everyone about Jack starting up a blog. It's a great idea since I've always noticed he has a large amount of wit. I need a place to camp out too, since I am getting the boot from here.
When you get it up, Jack, post it here or email me, so I can pack my sleeping bag!
Hey Doc, those are some mighty generous words and I am sure are applicable to many people...just not this guy. Lurking behind every thought of humility is the ugly head of of pride. Sometimes I wonder if it is pride every sentiment of humility - which still makes it pride. Disturbing stuff.
Thanks for another profound quote. Though I remind you that there is no greatness about me, other than I make really cute babies, and you know Who is ultimately responsible for that anyway. There are a few readers who know me personally and could certainly vouch for my pathetic existence, but they are too kind to do so.
And thanks again for the Mass intentions.
Thanks Dad29, I'll be looking in on you as usual.
MBrindisi,
Thank you for your kindness here and at other times. Rhonda and I appreciate it. God bless.
Adios, Rick.
You're welcome to guest-blog anytime!
Well thank you very much for the offer, Jacob. I doubt I would risk alienating your readership by posting some of my lame stuff.
You're one of my blogline hits, so I'll be seeing you.
To quote my Father (R.I.P.), MBrindisi, "That's not wit, that's "...
I'm just a smartass. But if I get a blog, I will inform all...
God Bless...
I can't believe it! And just now that the good bishop Gumbleton has made such a revelation! Did you think the devil made him do it so as to tempt you back to the blog? I can understand and sympathize; the internet is an incredible timewaster. That said, though, I'll miss reading you a lot less if Papa Benedict were to resume musing.
Good luck and God bless.
Rick,
Hate to see you go, but I read this with amazement. I was thinking the same thing myself, this morning.
(Not that you needed to quit blogging. That I needed to quit blogging.)
Bizarre.
I think I would much rather keep an online diary. Besides, who am I to go around babbling about things?
God bless you, Lugaris.
It's been a slice.
(Rick, if you wrote a book of Pope blogs, or a Pope diary, it would fly off the shelves. You have a sweet, humble, respectful writing style that everyone loves. And to my knowledge, no one's done that before. Something to consider, you talented thing, you.)
Thanks rcesq,
You can't imagine the temptation that ol' Bp. Gumbleton has given me.
If you haven't read it yet, here's something you might appreciate from Arroyo's book on Mother Angelica. He relates a conversation between Cardinal Szoka (when the Abp. of Detroit) and Angelica. Szoka asked something to the effect, "Are there good bishops and bad bishops?" Mother answered in the affirmative. Then Szoka followed up with, "Like my auxilary?" She replied, "Yes, that's a good example. I don't want those bishops on my network."
Thanks Cathy, you're too kind.
God bless,
Thanks for the laughs and the prayers and the help when I needed it.
I will miss you.
I would quit blogging, but I need it for my sanity.
Thanks Maggie. It's certainly been fun. Cya 'round.
Holy carp. That's right. I said carp. And I mean it! This is serious!
I can't believe you aren't blogging anymore. I feel like I just found your blog and now it's gone. Thank God for the ability - nay! the God-given right - to harrass Julie via the combox. Otherwise, where would I be able to get a dose of your humor or get your "Lost" input? Then again, your "Lost" input usually involves pictures of women with exceptional inner beauty, so who am I kidding?
Seriously. I will miss your blog and your humor. I understand why you are leaving, though. Good luck and God speed. All the best to you and yours
Holy crap Bridget. I said crap. And I mean it! You're like a week late...The City can't be that special to ya.
Anyway, thanks kiddo. And yes, we'll be sure to mix it up with our pal, Julie. Who says the Internet is a total waste of time?
God bless,
Rick, I've been away for a while and came back today in the hope of finding yet another insighful post...but alas...sigh.
I can't really add to the comments above as they've all said a little bit of what I was thinking/feeling when I read this post.
You will truly be missed!
I hope to see you in in the combobox-pew in St. Blogs!
God bless you and the family!
Thanks Ashton, and God bless you.
See what happens!
I go to the US for two weeks and the heart of the Catholic blog world implodes!
And to think that in your hour of need I wasn't there for you (instead I was schmoozing with the Hahns, Fr Fessio, Fr Mitch Pacwa etc- and I've got the pictures to prove it!)
God Bless ya Rick. Read a lot, pray a lot, look after the wife and kids. Keep the Faith!
And don't hold your breath waiting for a Venerable Aussie blog. After the intensity of the past two weeks, I've got way too many apostolates to start...
You were states-side and you didn't look me up? Yet you hung out with Jesuits?
I see where I rank.
Lucky for you that you happened upon two of the three good Jesuits in the country. I'd hate to have had to call Cardinal Pell to arrange an exorcism on you.
Anyway, thanks for the good wishes and drop me a line from time to time letting me know about your apostolates. Actually, drop me a line about your trip; it sounds really interesting.
God bless,
wow. nice blog. thanks and God bless.
jeff,sj
Yes, I saw you were gone two weeks ago. I was too busy to say anything about it.
Just found out about Gumbleton. The Pope's actions were actually quite heartening, considering that Gumbleton, by his admission, indicates he didn't turn in a true resignation letter until Jan. 21, 2006 (which was a Saturday), By Thursday it was officially accepted.
I wish you were around to actually say something about this. Oh well. God bless.
Thanks Chris,
Yeah...there's been a few things recently that have been difficult for me to resist blogging about. Our friendly neighborhood auxiliary being one of them.
God bless,
Rick,
Just saw this. I understand your motivations; procrastinating over a report due this afternoon is what led to my blog-surfing just now.
God bless.
Thanks Rich, and God bless you.
Okay Rick, when you going to start posting again...you've had your vacation
God bless.
Just when I got my first chance to read your blog and Your leaving
Darn!! You are loved for sure. Look at these comments. I do know what you mean about blogging though. I think I am going to tone it down, not stop, as well so that my prayer life is first above all else.
God bless
LOL ukok. I felt very conflicted about even posting the Thank You post. But I suppose where there is necessity there is no law.
Thank you, Ginny. I have to say, the best thing about blogging has been all the wonderful people I have met. You just can't find that number of like-minded folks in your neighborhood or parish, so it's nice to share things through blogs.
That is why I can't quit visiting blogs.
Have a successful Lent and a Happy Easter.
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