Fr. Francis Mary Stone --> Mr. Dave Stone

I should have known that the sharp uptick in visitors today searching for news of "Francis Mary Stone", one-time host of the popular EWTN show Life on the Rock, would somehow be related to the news that he has gone into:

Motivational speaking engagements

Non-medical health and respite services

Products to bolster and revitalize

And yes, that includes promoting "Zrii, the nutritional supplement of those Living Life on the Rock!"

My original post on Fr. Francis Mary's decision to leave the priesthood was the touchstone for Catholic comments, reactions and prayers subsequent to the news breaking. EWTN made no announcement besides reading a short letter he penned at the time, and going back to business as usual with a new host of the show.

What to make of this? As Father Joe says: "it appears that he is having to face the cold reality that husbands and fathers have to provide for their families." I agree with Fr. Joe that we should keep David Stone in our prayers, but I also do not think we should ignore the sadness associated with the turn of events that propitiated his leaving the active ministerial priesthood.

(... and I guess we are to presume that Mr. Stone has received permission to leave off his priestly duties?)

Ph/t: Jeff Miller.

Photo credit: Flickr user "St. Augustine 400"