The first week in October was momentous for Seekers of Silence. Not only did we have an outstanding program presented by Jack Love on the language or languages of Jesus at our Saturday meeting, we also had a visit from Paulist Father Terry Ryan, whose periodic workshops on meditation during his eight years as pastor of John XXIII University Parish on the University of Tennessee campus led to the founding of SOS after he was reassigned.
SOS members hosted a pot-luck reception honoring Father Terry at the Clubhouse in the Buckingham Community of Shannondale Health Center on Thursday, October 5. The reception was organized by George and Ruth Smith, both charter members of SOS.
Father Terry also was honored at a reception at St. John XXIII on Friday night. He also preached at masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning at the church before returning to his residence in Colorado.
Father Terry wrote a letter to the Smiths, thanking them and SOS for their hospitality.
The letter said, in part:
“I so enjoyed our time together. I made sure I did not make a lot of plans that would have hurried me through each day so there was plenty of time for us to visit.
“The response from the parish was more than I expected. It has been 14 years since I was pastor. I pretty much remembered everyone who came up to me at the Sunday masses and Saturday mass too.
“SOS is the only work I ever started that is still going. You are doing a fine job. …
“I look forward to a future visit when I can figure out cheaper airfare times.
“Peace & Love,
“Fr. Terry”