Field Notes

It has been a big week for me. For starters, I'm happy to share that Catholic Exchange has accepted another piece for publication. It is a reflection on the Rosary as a means of Encounter rooted in the typology of Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant, so keep an eye out for it in the next week or so!

Next up is a project that started as a creative outlet and a return to my writing roots: the Fr. Gabriel Chronicles. I cut my teeth and learned the craft of writing at a young age from the likes of Stephen King, Lovecraft, Harris, and Blatty. I spent much of my adolescence crafting stories like the ones I enjoyed reading, yet as I grew older and began raising kids, my taste for the macabre waned. Like most projects, Fr. Gabriel started as a sliver in my mind, and the only way to remove it was to start writing. I finished the novella with no idea of what to do with it, but I knew it was something unique that not many other people were trying. True to my fiction roots, I wrote a story I wanted to read, and if I want stories like this, there's probably at least one more weirdo like me out there who will pick it up and appreciate it. You can read a new chapter (or two) every Friday during October here: https://costly-things.ghost.io/the-fr-gabriel-chronicles-part-i/. I do have a second installment started (currently titled "The Brides of Miriam"), so if you enjoy this first journey into darkness with Fr. Gabriel, let me know and I'll plan to continue creeping you out.

A brief update on my book, Built to Bear It. I was locked and loaded for the release date of September 15th when the Lord firmly put the brakes on. I was unsure why, but I believe the following announcement is related to it:

Earlier this week, I was approached for an interview on Ave Maria Radio in the Afternoon with Dr. Marcus Peter to discuss my most recent piece at Catholic Exchange, "Prometheus or the Cross: The Cost of Real Spirituality" ( read here: https://catholicexchange.com/prometheus-or-the-cross-the-cost-of-real-spirituality/). The article touches on my time outside the Church, outside of Christianity, in fact, and the years I've spent reflecting on it. The interview with Dr. Peter is a tremendous honor, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to Angie Allen at CE for providing me with a platform for my work. Dr. Peter is what I consider a "heavy hitter," and I am deeply humbled to have been invited to share the radio waves with him next week. I'll echo the saints in asking you to pray for my dullness!

I have another project I'm hoping to announce soon, so keep an eye out for a potential post about something that is different from my regular articles or blog posts.

Finally, thank you all for your support, encouragement, and prayers.