Fr. Terry: 'A masterful story teller' "Dear Parishioners, As I write this message to you, we have just concluded a successful Parish Mission led by Father Terry Ryan on the theme "Resting in God: A Contemplative Experience" [March 2009]. We had large crowds each evening and everyone seemed to enjoy hearing stories of how he grew up with his Irish family in the Bronx. Fr. Terry is a masterful story teller. As he told his stories, he enabled all of us, young and old, to see that God is always present to us in our journeys of faith. None missed the point he was emphasizing because we became so caught up in the stories that we were easily led to see that God is calling us to get out of our small, selfish worlds and enter the world of God's Kingdom. It was a delight for me to host Fr. Terry for the days of the mission. I had known him many years ago when he way assigned to St. Leo the Great parish in Houston. He is a wonderful servant of God." Msgr. Chester L. Borski
Pastor, St. Martha Catholic Church Kingwood, Texas 'Great comments' at New York's St. Paul the Apostle “Thank you for bringing your program here to St. Paul 's. I heard many great comments and only regret that I could not be present. (Ironically, as my parents begin to struggle with their decline, I could have used some of your experience!) .” Father Gilbert Martinez, CSP
Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Church New York City ‘An inspiration’ to Knoxville's Seekers of Silence “Father Terry has been an inspiration to people of many Catholic parishes, as well as brothers and sisters from many other Christian denominations and other religious traditions here in Knoxville. His workshops, during his eight years as pastor of Knoxville’s John XXIII University Parish, were attended by people from all over Tennessee. When he left, a group of 20 people met and decided to continue having these workshops once a month. Thus was formed what we call SOS (Seekers of Silence). Father Terry has come several times to talk to us, and continues to encourage us, in our service to many seekers who thirst for a deeper experience of God, in meditation and contemplative prayer.” Ghislaine M. Miller
Founding member, Seekers of Silence John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tennessee Following a retreat for priests at St. Malo Retreat Center in Colorado “Father Terry is an excellent communicator. Even a child can understand what he says. Through stories he is able to bring home divine mysteries.” Fr. Herman Jayachandra
Pastor, St. Martin de Porres Parish, Boulder, Colorado “In the stories of life are the keys to holiness and heaven. I very much enjoyed the retreat. It caused me to see the call to sanctity in the stories of my own life. Thanks.” Father John Paul Leyba
Pastor, St. Anthony Parish, Julesburg, Colorado After a presentation at John XXIII Catholic University Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado “I just wanted to ... express my appreciation for the presentation at the Sunday Program. There were many positive comments immediately following your presentation, and as the week has gone on I have continued to hear the graced ripples through the community.” Jim Reid
Adult Spirituality Coordinator John XXIII Catholic University Center After a presentation on St. Vincent de Paul in California: "Father Terry connected the historical life and the spiritual development of St. Vincent de Paul. In simple terms he showed how a modern-day Vincentian is called to serve his brothers and sisters in need in practical ways with compassion and justice, that results in together finding God at the center of this love." T
"Father Terry Ryan gave me a new and refreshing way of looking at Vincentian Spirituality and the life of St. Vincent de Paul. He reminded me that central to our direct service work is being rooted in our seeking for God and Christ in those that we serve. The retreat was wonderful and Father Terry is a gift. I wish and hope that more can hear Father Terry's insights regarding the spiritual meaning and purpose behind our work as Vincentians." L
" I appreciated learning more about Sts. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac truly people ahead of their time." B
"Vincent de Paul's need to go into silence to be nourished and to nourish, nourished me. Father Terry has captured the essence of Vincent's life and shares it gracefully. It is Jesus prayer 'that all may be one' that nurtures, and it is the Spirit who increases our awareness that nothing is outside of Abba that guides us along the path." Lorraine Moriarty
Executive Director St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County San Mateo , California Touching lives in Rockport, Texas “Thank you for the mission at Sacred Heart. I am sure that you have touched many people's lives here in the Rockport community. I know that you have touched mine and have given me another boost in my spiritual and religious life.” Lou Oswald
‘Uplifting, funny, grace-filled experience’ in Colorado “Thanks for giving the mission at Christ on the Mountain church this week. It was a very uplifting, funny and most of all grace-filled experience.” Jeff Aliment, parishioner
Christ on the Mountain Lakewood, Colorado ‘Excellent job’ explaining Centering Prayer “Thank you for your presentation on Centering Prayer to our school staff. I thought you did an excellent job of presenting a topic that is hard to explain. Thanks for the spiritual enrichment.” Rosemary Samuelson, teacher
Sacred Heart Elementary School Boulder, Colorado ‘In touch with the world and its problems’ “You impressed me a couple of weeks ago when you gave a mission at Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville . You seemed to be in touch with the world and its problems. Your thinking is right on the ball in today's happenings.” Shirley Todd
Parishioner, Holy Ghost Catholic Church Knoxville, Tennessee Teaching Mass’ gets praise from seventh-graders “Thank you so much for doing the teaching Mass this morning. I really enjoyed learning why a lot of the stuff happens. I never knew that there were reasons for all of it. Thanks again.” Julia Teta
“Thank you for telling us about the Mass and helping us understand what happens during the Mass. I enjoyed the mass this morning. I hope you can do more Masses in the future." Kerry Martin
Seventh-grade students Sacred Heart Elementary School Boulder, Colorado Terrific Mission’ in Colorado, September 2007 “Thank you for the terrific mission." Father Chris Renner, Pastor
Christ the King Parish, Evergreen, Colorado 'Rich Sharings' “Thanks so very much for the rich sharings on Saturday. They truly are food for our journey. May God reward your generosity." Mary Anne Pilkington , Contemplative Outreach Coordinator
Longmont, Colorado Mission at St. Albert the Great, Louisville, Ky., December 2007 “Thank you for a wonderful mission. It was an answer to my prayers." Martha and Ed Wagner
“Thank you for coming and sharing. You made my Christmas. So glad you went into the priesthood. You are very blessed with the Word." Phyllis Carlson
“You really spoke to me last night. We enjoyed all your personal stories and everything you talked about. Many thanks." Jane Liello
More comments "I sincerely hope your mission thrives. The Church these days seems overly intent on preaching politics and battering its members with ultimatums and threats instead of focusing on the messages of love, forgiveness and daily sacrifice that convert followers from the inside out and are therefore more effective in the long run!" Susan Logan, Centennial, Colorado
"Dear Father Terry, I have enjoyed your talks very much. I have gained some insight on how to deal with little things that annoy me. Keep up the good work." Pat P., Arvada, Colorado
"Thank you for sharing the Spirit, Strength and Experience you have been blessed with. The Divine has been waiting on me, and you were the guide post and the light that has taken me back home to Christ's inner room. I will always be grateful." Kathleen K.
"My wife and I would like to thank you so much for the wonderful Mission you conducted at the Spirit of Christ Church this past week (Arvada , Colorado). It was so refreshing to experience your warm and wonderful message laced with your great sense of humor. Most impressive to us was your positive and human approach. Please continue your great work." Lowell and Mary Kay Georgia (March 6, 2008)
"You are such a blessing to our community. Every time I hear you speak whether it is a homily or a mission or in centering prayer, you touch something deep in my soul that I'm struggling with. It's priests like you - people like you that make me proud to be a Catholic. Thank you so much. You do absolutely amazing work and it is so clear that God is speaking through you." Whitney (March 28, 2008)
"We are so blessed to have you in our lives! God is truly an awesome God. He has given you such wisdom and insight that we are so thankful for." Denise Galloway, mother of two (March 28, 2008)
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