Yesterday afternoon at the Eastern Catholic Church in Richmond, we said a parastas. The Order of Parastas is a memorial service for those who have fallen asleep (‘reposed’) in Christ. There were three of us – one Chinese evangelical, one Eastern Catholic Jesuit who is also Chinese Canadian, and me (whatever I am) – and therefore the Lord was in our midst. We had planned this parastas last week. I had first suggested it to my priest because a few of my close... Read more
After listening to Ivanka speak at the Republican National Convention last night, I finally understand in much more concrete ideological terms what ‘Make America Great Again’ means. Perhaps I have failed to pay attention to her rhetoric earlier. What she said tonight, after all, doesn’t sound much newer than what she used to say on The Apprentice. Maybe it is I, then, who have heard it with fresh ears. It could be that I unconsciously sat up when she addressed... Read more
This is an addendum post to the third post in a blog series tentatively titled (pending a better title) ‘Growing Up Conservative,’ written in response to Sam Rocha’s call for those of us who have taken a critical stance toward conservative ideology to write about our process of literally growing up and out of it ‘in as clear-eyed and even-toned prose’ as we can. Previous posts are: PART 1: ‘Sure, I’ll write about growing up conservative’ PART 2: ‘I thought “conservative” just meant “solid” and “dependable”‘ ... Read more
This is the third post in a blog series tentatively titled (pending a better title) ‘Growing Up Conservative,’ written in response to Sam Rocha’s call for those of us who have taken a critical stance toward conservative ideology to write about our process of literally growing up and out of it ‘in as clear-eyed and even-toned prose’ as we can. Previous posts are: PART 1: ‘Sure, I’ll write about growing up conservative’ PART 2: ‘I thought “conservative” just meant “solid”... Read more
This is the second post in a blog series tentatively titled (pending a better title) ‘Growing Up Conservative,’ written in response to Sam Rocha’s call for those of us who have taken a critical stance toward conservative ideology to write about our process of literally growing up and out of it ‘in as clear-eyed and even-toned prose’ as we can. Other posts are here: PART 1: ‘Sure, I’ll write about growing up conservative’ PART 3: ‘Catholic school contorted my “conservatism”... Read more
This is the first post in a blog series tentatively titled (pending a better title) ‘Growing Up Conservative,’ written in response to Sam Rocha’s call for those of us who have taken a critical stance toward conservative ideology to write about our process of literally growing up and out of it ‘in as clear-eyed and even-toned prose’ as we can. The next posts, for those who can stand my narcissism, are: PART 2: ‘I thought “conservative” just meant “solid” and “dependable.”‘ PART 3: ‘Catholic... Read more
It is 11 January 2016, and the Anglican primates – mammals, yes, but top-dog archbishops in their respective Anglican provinces more importantly – are meeting in Canterbury to (dun dun dun) decide the fate of the Anglican Communion in a meeting called by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. There’s been quite a bit of drama over the last week. The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which is the realignment of socially, sexually, and ideologically ‘conservative’ ‘Global South’ Anglican provinces... Read more
Recently, I organized an event for an Eastern Catholic parish. I am not Eastern Catholic. [This changed on the Vigil of Ss Peter and Paul 2016.] Held at what I think is the best kept ecclesial secret in Richmond, British Columbia – Richmond Eastern Catholic Church (ECCR) – the event was titled ‘Courageous Mourning: Traditional Wisdom for Modern Grief,’ a presentation from the parish’s Chinese Canadian pastor, Fr Richard Soo, SJ. The event came about because Fr Soo and I... Read more
It’s no exaggeration to say that I am in love with – haunted, more like – by the new show on Omni Television called Blood and Water. It’s a crime thriller that is everything a show should be. It’s got a brilliant cast – Steph Song plays the lead detective Jo Bradley, assigned to a homicide case by a portrayal of former Vancouver police chief Jim Chu, to the chagrin of the more senior Detective Gorski (played by David Outerbridge).... Read more
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I’m a person on Patheos!
I’m on Patheos! It is a bit strange to say that, but here I am, thanks to the kindness of the Catholic channel’s editor Sam Rocha. I am glad to see that many of my colleagues here are already my friends – Artur Rosman, Mark Shea, the Pezzulos, and even a fellow Byzantine Catholic, Henry Karlson. By making this list, I am sure that I have missed others who are my friends, for which I apologize. I hope to get to... Read more