Thursday, February 22, 2007

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish...

On the good news from my weight, I am wearing a pair of jeans which I had confined to the back of the closet because I was too big for them. I was about to say that the jeans were too small, but that's not fair to the jeans. They didn't change; I did. I am anxious to see what my weight will be when I weigh in on Monday. However, you probably won't be able to find that out unless you ring me up.

I have given the following decision a lot of thought. I know that this decision will come as a surprise to some of you. I have decided to close Catholic Ragemonkey. I spoke with Fr. Hamilton this afternoon about this issue and after much discussion and wrangling, we came to the decision to close up shop. Why? It has become clear to me that I don't have time to devote to this endeavor so that it can be a product of which I can be proud. When I look around at the blogs I like, and you know who you are, I realize that you can only have a really excellent blog if the blog is an integral part of one's work. For me, I have enough to do both in the diocese and in the parish that I don't have enough time left over to write here. Quite frankly, after the day is done, I don't have enough mental resources left over to craft anything which passes for enjoyable reading. Perhaps, I can finally get to writing those articles on adult formation and RCIA that I have been meaning to get to. And don't get me started on the backlog of questions for the diocesan paper. So, for this and other reasons, this is the final post of Catholic Ragemonkey.

**** [Switch to the remarks of Fr. Hamilton] **** Fr. Tharp and I thought it best to have our final post actually be one post and not a post from each of us; therefore you are hearing from both bloggers in this final post. We have appreciated our many readers. It has been rather humbling to run into strangers who tell us they read Catholic Ragemonkey. Our decision is in no way a reflection of readership. Rather, it is a reflection that authorship has been lagging. Readers of CRM know that our posts have become few and far between. Fr. Tharp and I have experienced that life as Pastors just keeps getting busier. We haven't made time to continue posting and that certainly impacts whether you have readers to read. In a certain sense, this decision to close CRM is merely formalizing what, in fact, has already been the case: We can't keep up with what are the basic requirements of having a site such as this for public consumption. In reality, we stopped posting and running this blog quite some time ago. The decision -- to actually make a formal closure -- has not been an easy one. There is a significant part of me that wants to hold on to the blog. But, when I cut through the sentimentality of what we did on CRM in its first two years, I realize that the blog has had its run. Now it is time to say goodbye. As much as I like having a forum to post things that just might be read by anyone around the world, I realize that my most important duties (and the ones on which I will be judged) are right here in front of me: teaching, sanctifying, and governing in the person and in the name of Christ. And all right here in the small section of Christ's flock that is mine to tend in service. I guess Fr. Tharp and I have come to the difficult conclusion that we just can't do justice to blogging. The run has been immense fun. The loyalty of readers has been flattering and humbling. But the time has come to say thank you and goodbye. God bless you all! **** [Return to Fr. Tharp's remarks] ****

In conclusion, I want to thank all the faithful readers who have flattered us with their attention. I hope that we have contributed in some small way to the new evangelization and have helped you progress in the spiritual life with a minimum of scandalous in-fighting. If you see us around, stop by and say hi. As Tim Bisley would insist, I'll leave the coffee for the next guy who shows up. And whoever is last to leave, get the lights on your way out.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're both a credit to the Church, to Christianity in general, and most certainly to the priesthood.

Nancy Reyes said...

Well, sad to see another Okie site gone down, but I will keep you in my lowly prayers.

Anonymous said...

I love you guys and am sorry to see the blog close - of course, I totally understand. May God continue to bless you and your ministries.

Kat said...

Fathers;

I have come to enjoy and have been enriched by CRM over the past couple of years. It sparked a long road to healing and eventually returning to the practice of the faith.

Who knew some rather heated exchanges between myself and Fr. H on my long dead blog (finding God in all things), a few bags of starbucks coffee beans sent in reperation for my temper and mouth and a lot of prayers and friendship offered by Fr. H and Masses for my Cousin that passed away in the war would start a smoldering in my life 1000 miles away in Marlyand that would have me back practicing the faith.

Please don't delete the blog, there is a lot of good things here that can help people.

~Kat

Anonymous said...

Wow. Best of luck to both of you.

Anonymous said...

Well, then the Archbishop is just going to have to move at least one of you to Tonkawa. I see no other way.

In all seriousness, God bless you two and thank you for the great reading for the past several years!

Paul Stokell said...

Thank you, Fathers, for a job well done. Good luck to you both in your ongoing ministries.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to adopt the Sooner State as my place of residence next month. I hope to be able to see the good things you both have described so well in the near future.

Take care and God bless!

Cathy_of_Alex said...

I'm sad. But, I have noticed the dearth of posts lately so I'm not surprised.

I expect to see both of you in the Catholic news from Oklahoma!

Julie D. said...

We'll miss you ...

Anonymous said...

Best wishes to both of you and thanks for all you've offered your humble readers....

Nancy in pagan IL

Do you all know any other ragemonkeys interested in taking over the blog?

Layla said...

God bless you both, Fathers.

Anonymous said...

So sad. This was the first blog I visited when I was new to the internet.

All the very best to you both.

God bless
Sharon

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed this blog and understand the load it has added to your routine. I also wish you both the best.

Anastasia Hunt said...

Oh, how sad this makes me. How very sad indeed. But I understand, and I wish the both of you well. If nothing else, CRM has inspired me to learn more about my new faith, and to be proud of it.

Who knows, maybe we'll have the pleasure of meeting up again (I was the yappy blonde at the Revelation thing at St. Eugene's in August).

Gratefully,
Anastasia Hunt
(Back in the Archdiocese of OKC)

Anonymous said...

May God Bless you both -- I will be going through withdrawal pains--first Relevant radio drops Fr. Tharp now this

Carl

P.S would you consider going back to the old format for a few days -- I loved all those links

Anonymous said...

Thank you!!!! Your diocese is lucky to have y'all. May God bless you!!!

Bob the Ape said...

You will be missed. Goodbye and God bless you both.

Anonymous said...

I've really enjoyed your blog. God bless and good luck

Anonymous said...

I will miss your wit and your views on the Catholic Church. I, too, have a blog that I don't update very often and is now being targeted by comment spammers and was wondering whether or not I should close it down. I think your decision is a sign for me to do the same. God bless. Hopefully, you will add comments or at least maybe have guest posts on a different blog (hey, maybe that is what should happen, someone should open a blog and let priests put out guest posts when they feel like it - but not me, I don't have the time for that :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I am going to cry.....

Anonymous said...

what they said.

owenswain said...

"Quit when you're done." Amen and God bless you.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to see you shut down your blog. I had to do the same last year when I realized that I am just a humble parish priest and not the multi-media star, to my regret, and, since that was and is the case, required of me to shut down my blog "Diary of a Suburban Priest." We are overworked and there are not enough priests or hours during the day. I think our former readers ought to pray for vocations to the priesthood and pray that we all continue to work hard to our death with the hope that we will be rewarded in the next life.

God Bless!

RLM said...

It seems hard to believe, the end of an era. May the Good Lord bless all you do, and we'll all be here in case you decide to return for another run in St. Blogs Parish.

We'll keep you in our prayers.

Phil B. said...

I totally understand the "time-hog"nature of blogging and the limits imposed by your commitment(s) to priestly ministry. I remember hearing you on Relevant Radio too.... and now i'll miss you both. God's blessings!

Anonymous said...

Fathers,

I'll miss your updates as well. I wish you both all the best. On a lighter note, is my Catholic Ragemonkey coffee mug a collectible item now?
Bill

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear of the closure of this site. Just today I sought out your site upon hearing from a coworker who's brother from Texas was reading it as he was searching for answers to the Catholic religion (he is looking to change to a new church, but is not Catholic).

Good luck in the future.

Kathleen Pluth said...

Aah! Very sorry to hear this. It's good to hear from priests, and I have found your congenial presence among the Catholic blogs to be very refreshing.

Best wishes, and thanks.

Joel Mielke said...

Good luck, and of course, good words to you.


And never mind the Bollocks.

Anonymous said...

Oh, am I the last? Lights out, then. Fathers, I have been blessed to read this blog. I will keep my eye out for the times that you come to Wichita--or I might come to OK to visit either of you. Unfortunately, with the demise of your blog, you could move to other parishes, and then how could I find you? Regardless, I will hold many of your comments in my heart and prayers. I hope that we will meet in this life--If not, perhaps in the next. God bless you Fathers, you have done a great deal of good here. May God hold you both in the palm of His hand.

Anonymous said...

I totally understand the time issue.
Maybe we'll see you back one day if circumstances change.

God bless.

M. Alexander said...

Saving souls or keeping a blog running? Tough choice but of course you made the right one!

God bless and keep you both and continue your fine ministry. The sheep need you.

Anonymous said...

God Bless You both Father's and thank you for not only sharing your time and talent with your Parish congregations, but with the Internet congregation that faithfully followed your rants and raves! :)

Thank you and you're both in my prayers!

Mr Public Opinion said...

Followers of Ragemonkey may now like to transfer to Coo-ees from the Cloister.http://coo-eesfromthecloister.
blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

Martin O'Shea said...

A Catholic graphic novel which may interest visitors to your blog is available from:

www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk

'The Least Among Us' can also be previewed at the Announcements section of:

www.all-creatures.org/fol

All best wishes,

Martin

Kat said...

I miss yous guys.

Anonymous said...

Great Catholic Website!

Anonymous said...

Great Catholic Website!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your blog, God Bless you :)