"Signs and Wonders Stream From Thy Hand to Nourish Now This Thirsty Land"

...In the closing weeks of 2000, it seemed that the problems the intrepid few who had seen them in the N.O.G. would not be solved. Then the presiding bishop sent a response letter to one of the concerned board members in response to a private one the member had sent her. It not only was rather insulting to the member, as it even refused to acknowledge her ministerial status in the Order, but attacked the work that Bishop Ryner had done. Needless to say, it was filled with incredible inaccuracies and distortions of history. (If enough interest is evidenced, this may well be written of in these pages.)

Bishop Ryner had several choices: He could stay in the N.O.G. and say nothing, but his silence would not only convict him in some minds, but it was a serious misuse of the teaching magisterium of his episcopate. He could stay in the N.O.G. and be a thorn in the sides of some, still seeking to affect some change. This seemed untenable, as any decisions could always be overturned by the presiding bishop, and because the majority of the members were not sacramentalists and didn't care about the most pressing issues. He could give up the "episcopal bit" altogether, but he really felt called to do something. He could join another jurisdiction, but there were very few metaphysical, liberal, Independent Catholic jurisdictions which ordained women, and he wasn't sure he'd be a good fit in the ones of which he was aware. Finally, he could start his own jurisdiction: with no money, no materials, almost no people, and an overwhelming feeling of his own inadequacy to the task!

This was a decision he simply couldn't make using his mental faculties alone, so he began to pray and fast, with the intention that he would indeed begin this perilous quest, but only if God would give him a sign that this was what he should do. He did not have to wait long.

Within a few days, parahelia (sundogs) appeared. Bishop Ryner had lived in Iowa for several decades and had never seen them. Neither had anyone with whom he spoke. He had not seen them when living in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which was much colder than Iowa, which was not surprising, since the temperature on the day in question was not the coldest. These were reported in Iowa newspapers, and since Bishop Ryner did not have the presence of mind to snap some photos that day, we'll try to get one and post it here.

This sign was the one which was sought. It had to be very obvious, in no small part because Bishop Ryner can get rather skepical at times. ;)

If you're interested in learning more about parahelia, check out the pages below. Many thanks to the Rev. Ione Caley for finding them!