The official "Who is Father Rick?" thread

[Father Rick]

Hey everyone...

As a newly assigned mod to the Catholic Renewal sub-forum (and as the only non-RC mod here) I thought I'd introduce myself and let you guys ask any questions that you may like.

First, I guess it's important that you guys know that I am "Old Catholic" as opposed to "Roman Catholic". OC's are recognized by the RC as valid sacraments/apostolic succession, etc. with our relationship with Rome being much like that of the EO's. (If you look in the back of your missal at who may/may not receive communion, the "Polish National Catholic Church" listed there is the largest OC jurisdiction in the US.) Theology-wise, we are some what of a mix between the RC's, EO's, and Anglicans.

Personally, I come from a Protestant background-- my father was a well respected pastor within the Assemblies of God. I attended both Southeastern University and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. As I was doing my grad work, I kept feeling God leading me into the historic churches, and eventually wound up with the OC's.

I recently left the parish I pioneered and pastored for the last 3 years (www.saintthomasmorechurch.com) to accept a position as Director of Continuing Education at Walters State in Tennessee (I've always been bi-vocational) and am looking to build a prayer/retreat center in this area. I am the abbot of the Order of St. Michael the Archangel (www.orderofsaintmichael.com) which has a focus on spiritual warfare/deliverance as well as healing.

I've been married for 11 years. No biological children yet, but we've had 18 foster children.

I'm an ice cream junkie and my favorite tv shows are CSI (all of them), Law and Order (again, all of them), Psych and Monk.


If you have any questions about me at all... please feel free to ask. I'm NOT one to hide things, so ask anything you have curiosities about and I'll do my best to answer.

Blessings!

 

[Peaceful Dove]

This is great news (but not entirely a surprise)!

I am really happy you joined us here and can share your Pastoral gifts among the tribes.
I have read up a bit on Old Catholics and haven't seen much difference in our beliefs.

In fact, if I am not mistaken you are still closer in theology to RC than EO's are, aren't you?

 

[Rhamiel]

welcome Father Rick

 

[CatholicFlame]

Welcome FR, and thank you for coming to help mod this forum. peace be with you here

here is a verse that I believe the Lord wants me to share with you FR:

Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

Eph 6: 11-13

 

[_beloved_]

Hello Father Rick!
Welcome. Thank you for the introduction and your website.
Your "about us page" Is a blessing
BTW Your character looks just like you.
God bless you and thank you.

 

[Father Rick]

This is great news (but not entirely a surprise)!

I am really happy you joined us here and can share your Pastoral gifts among the tribes.
I have read up a bit on Old Catholics and haven't seen much difference in our beliefs.

In fact, if I am not mistaken you are still closer in theology to RC than EO's are, aren't you?

Depends...

In some ways we are closer to the RC's...in other ways closer to EO's... and in some things closer to the AC's. Fact of the matter is that all three are pretty similar in the basics.

To explain the similarities/differences of each would take a while... and OBOB would probably not be the best place for me to do so. If someone really wants to get into such issues we could discuss it elsewhere.

 

[Peaceful Dove]

Depends...

In some ways we are closer to the RC's...in other ways closer to EO's... and in some things closer to the AC's. Fact of the matter is that all three are pretty similar in the basics.

To explain the similarities/differences of each would take a while... and OBOB would probably not be the best place for me to do so. If someone really wants to get into such issues we could discuss it elsewhere.

I am eager to hear more about your Charismatic experience.
I know you have been through MacNutts School of Healing prayer, or something very similar. You have shared some of that with me.

I look forward to reading some of your teachings and sharings.

I am interested in hearing some about the deliverance ministry. We have a guy in our Prayer Group that has been in this ministry for some 20 years. It requires great faith and discernment.

 

[Father Rick]

I am eager to hear more about your Charismatic experience.
I know you have been through MacNutts School of Healing prayer, or something very similar. You have shared some of that with me.

I look forward to reading some of your teachings and sharings.

I am interested in hearing some about the deliverance ministry. We have a guy in our Prayer Group that has been in this ministry for some 20 years. It requires great faith and discernment.

As I said in the OP... I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about any of the above.


I grew up in a Charismatic home/church so my experiences with such are quite lengthy (and diverse). It is difficult for me when someone asks a broad question such as "tell me about your experience in deliverance" since that would cover about 20 years of ministry. When it comes to specific situations, however, that's much easier to answer.

I've been blessed over the years to be mentored by men of God from diverse backgrounds who were used in a wide variety of spiritual gifts. Personally, the manifestation gifts (the I Corinthians 12 gifts) in which God has used me most are prophetic gifts and healing/deliverance... but many of the manifestation gifts there actually seem to work in conjunction with each other, so it's not always as clear cut as we try to make it sometimes as to exactly which gift is operating at the moment.

 

[Tigg]

Big Hello!
St Michael, the Archangel I choose at confirmation. Do I like the Archangel, well, big time. "Who is like unto God." Indeedy! I normally don't bother him much as I do think he has an awful lot to handle. But then, go Michael, go! Doing a happy dance here

Thanks for your thread and your sites. Your history is interesting and full of good things it seems. I will read not only your site but your posts with much interest. Take care and may God bless you.

 

[hawko]

Hey everyone...

As a newly assigned mod to the Catholic Renewal sub-forum (and as the only non-RC mod here) I thought I'd introduce myself and let you guys ask any questions that you may like.

First, I guess it's important that you guys know that I am "Old Catholic" as opposed to "Roman Catholic". OC's are recognized by the RC as valid sacraments/apostolic succession, etc. with our relationship with Rome being much like that of the EO's. (If you look in the back of your missal at who may/may not receive communion, the "Polish National Catholic Church" listed there is the largest OC jurisdiction in the US.) Theology-wise, we are some what of a mix between the RC's, EO's, and Anglicans.

Personally, I come from a Protestant background-- my father was a well respected pastor within the Assemblies of God. I attended both Southeastern University and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. As I was doing my grad work, I kept feeling God leading me into the historic churches, and eventually wound up with the OC's.

I recently left the parish I pioneered and pastored for the last 3 years (www.saintthomasmorechurch.com) to accept a position as Director of Continuing Education at Walters State in Tennessee (I've always been bi-vocational) and am looking to build a prayer/retreat center in this area. I am the abbot of the Order of St. Michael the Archangel (www.orderofsaintmichael.com) which has a focus on spiritual warfare/deliverance as well as healing.

I've been married for 11 years. No biological children yet, but we've had 18 foster children.

I'm an ice cream junkie and my favorite tv shows are CSI (all of them), Law and Order (again, all of them), Psych and Monk.


If you have any questions about me at all... please feel free to ask. I'm NOT one to hide things, so ask anything you have curiosities about and I'll do my best to answer.

Blessings!

That's interesting; I've never heard of "Old Catholics", before this post. It is also interesting that you as priests are allowed to marry and have children. Perhaps if our Roman Catholic priests were allowed to marry, there might be an increase in our vocations........something to ponder.

 

[Father Rick]

That's interesting; I've never heard of "Old Catholics", before this post. It is also interesting that you as priests are allowed to marry and have children. Perhaps if our Roman Catholic priests were allowed to marry, there might be an increase in our vocations........something to ponder.

Actually, of the 23 rites under papal jurisdiction, 22 of them allow marriage. It's only the Latin rite that doesn't. A lot of people, even RC's aren't really aware of that though.

 

[CatholicFlame]

That is true, alot of people don't realize that you can be both a priest and married in the catholic church. Of course those of us who do apologetics know!

 

[Father Rick]

That is true, alot of people don't realize that you can be both a priest and married in the catholic church. Of course those of us who do apologetics know!

LOL...

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Welcome Father Rick!

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Welcome Father Rick.

So how about that Papal Infallibility?


LOL


Just kidding...

I may have some questions about the Charisms later.

 

[CatholicFlame]

Jack!

Okay he already wants to leave now!

lol sorry FR

 

[Father Rick]

Welcome Father Rick.

So how about that Papal Infallibility?


LOL


Just kidding...

I may have some questions about the Charisms later.

Jack!

Okay he already wants to leave now!

lol sorry FR

LOL...

Ok, I'll give a very short, simple answer here... but understand that out of respect for OBOB, I'm not going to debate/argue this point.


While OC's respect the Bishop of Rome's authority over those under his jurisdiction, we consider only Oecumenical Council to be infallible-- not any individual. Our stance here is virtually identical to the EO.

 

[CatholicFlame]

Jack, thank God he is still here!

LOLZ

 

[Father Rick]

Jack, thank God he is still here!

LOLZ

**** Father Rick keeps looking for the exit door in vain***

 

[Taita]

Hey everyone...
Personally, I come from a Protestant background-- my father was a well respected pastor within the Assemblies of God. I attended both Southeastern University and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. As I was doing my grad work, I kept feeling God leading me into the historic churches, and eventually wound up with the OC's.

Wow! In Italy AoG is a denomination which feels very far from Catholic Church and I am curious how you passed from there to "historic church", whatever it is ...

What did you father tell you about your choice?