Good Bye, for now....

[St. Columba]

Hello all.  I wanted to say good bye for a while, or maybe indefinitely, I am not sure.  I joined SD about 2 years ago, I think mainly to explore the whole issue of sedevacantism actually.

Although I like being here very much, and have learned a lot, the fact is, I have noticed some negative elements emerging on my end. 

1. First, I am not the pugnacious type.  And so, getting into it with verbal pugilistics all the time is a little draining....not my style...I would make a better ecumenist, I suppose.  But also, I am reminded of the scripture:

Titus 3:9.....But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.  I think much of what I am doing would fall under this prohibition.

What I need to do more of is: Romans 14:19...So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

I ask myself: What does it profit a man to win every single argument, if it means committing even the smallest sin against charity?  (not that I won any arguments here, just sayin)

2. Second, I have noticed that I have been, more and more, assuming the role of tempter when I post: I will take positions that, to innocent readers, might lead them away from the practice of their faith. As an example, the thread I started on certainty when receiving the Eucharist.  I do not want to assume that role any longer.  I do not want to be the cause for anyone to have doubts arising because of what I say....I will have to answer for that one day, I feel.

3. I have five beautiful children (all under the age of eight), and the perfect wife.  They deserve my undivided attention.  I am spending too much time on SD.  Even one extra smile I give my family is worth more (to me) than any knowledge I might acquire that day.

4. Why am I spending so much time on an anonymous internet forum?  I want to spend time with those I love, and who love me.  Nobody really cares if I am here or not....why would they?....they don't even know who I am!

But I must say....I love it when people reveal their identity....like when Gardener posted that video of a conference he gave (awesome video).  Makes it all seem more real.

5. Big shout out to: Pon de Replay, QMR, INPEFESS, Conclavist, Michael Wilson, Gardener, Chestertonian, YeOldeFustilarians, Prayerful, and so many others.  I hope to meet you all in the big forum upstairs one day.

I might be back....please don't take this as totally definitive.

Best wishes to all!   

[Carleendiane]

St. Columba, you are most probably doing the right thing here. Your five kids and beautiful wife will benefit from every moment of your time. I am not one to argue, but that is more a lack of education. Forums, like any other media type, can be invasive in your life. This forum is at the right time in my life....kids grown, families of their own....but, I get the intrusion factor. I could not fathom spending the time I do now on forum, back when my six kids were young. I was not disciplined enough to avoid neglecting something. Sorry to see you go, but happy you will be raising a Catholic family that gets to have ALL of you. God bless you and yours.

[Gardener]

Interesting... wish you'd stay, even if only to academically duke it out with QMR.

[St. Columba]

Interesting... wish you'd stay, even if only to academically duke it out with QMR.

Thanks Gardener.  I really liked your posts too, BTW. 

QMR is more intelligent than I (as I think you are Gardener), but I also do not have the requisite background in philosophy to debate at that level.  (But I did take 7 philosophy courses prior to going to seminary, but evidently I did not learn much....and, as might be expected, I learned next to nothing in theology during my 1 year at a N.O. seminary....learned more theology on Suscipe Domine in one week  )

[Gardener]

You have a PhD in Statistics according to your bio page. You're smarter than I am; I'd have a migraine in just 30 minutes of a Statistics class. That's not a gimme degree like Liberal Arts. Anyway, I totally understand your family obligations as a reason to head out. Were I not finishing a Bachelors, I'd not be on here much either. As it stands, I have periods of downtime at work and need something to do aside from studying, and during home study, need a break from studying.

[Michael Wilson]

Dear St. Columba,
thank you for all of your interesting posts; and the fact that the discussions you are involved in are very informative and always charitable. I wish you and your family all the best.
My prayers.
Mike

[Mono no aware]

Farewell, St. Columba.  Your namesake was a great Celtic saint.  Your latest avatar is an amusing picture of—well, a saint (of some sort), to be technical about it ("santo subito!," they cried).  And as Michael Wilson has aptly said, "the discussions you are involved in are very informative and always charitable."  All in all, that's a good forum career to bring to a close.

[Maximilian]

Your latest avatar is an amusing picture of—well, a saint (of some sort), to be technical about it ("santo subito!," they cried). 

In that photo, JPII appears to be drinking yerba mate from a bombilla.

I wonder if the implication is to connect JPII with his successor from Buenos Aires?

Perhaps, alas, we shall never know.

[Mono no aware]

In that photo, JPII appears to be drinking yerba mate from a bombilla.

I wonder if the implication is to connect JPII with his successor from Buenos Aires?

Perhaps, alas, we shall never know.

I had thought it was Francis at first glance, but apparently yerba mate enjoys an unexpected popularity in Poland as well.  I'm not sure if it's a more recent trend, or if it goes all the way back to the earlier part of JP2's pontificate.  He might've been a trendsetter.

[Non Nobis]

Goodbye St. Columba!

I'm sure you and your family will enjoy your having more time available for them.  (With 5 children under 8, I can't imagine how you managed to find time for S.D.!)
But I'm still glad to hear you may be back (at least for visits?), even if that is not definitive.

You are a very intelligent and perceptive poster.  You recently made very good points on scrupulosity (I just read your latest post), and you showed a lot of charity.

God bless you!

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

And as Michael Wilson has aptly said, "the discussions you are involved in are very informative and always charitable."  All in all, that's a good forum career to bring to a close.

Amen.

Coincidentally, many of the questions you posed were mine, so you have been very helpful to me, facilitating greater understanding of some controversial and/or complicated topics. 

Hands down, you get the SD civility award (in fairness, along with a number of others  )
Your reasoning to leave is sound, but you will be missed.  Be assured of my prayers, friend.

[Kaesekopf]

3. I have five beautiful children (all under the age of eight), and the perfect wife.  They deserve my undivided attention.  I am spending too much time on SD.  Even one extra smile I give my family is worth more (to me) than any knowledge I might acquire that day.

4. Why am I spending so much time on an anonymous internet forum?  I want to spend time with those I love, and who love me.  Nobody really cares if I am here or not....why would they?....they don't even know who I am!

I hate when good people leave, but these two reasons are worth a departure.  This forum is intended to help facilitate spiritual growth and community (insofar as it can).  If you've got "bigger and better" things (which you certainly do), I'd rather see you focus on that! 

(But, feel free to keep us in your prayers.)