Author: Pete Vere

I just got back from the Religious Book Trade Exibit where Michael Trueman and I were signing copies of Surprised by Canon Law for Servant Books. Both Mike and I had a wonderful time and we met up with Amy Welborn and Michael Dubreil (who were signing books for OSV) among a host of other cool people.
On another note, I’ve decided to shut down my account with Wachovia after they wanted to charge me $75 to make a deposit into my bank account. Yep, you heard that right! $75 to DEPOSIT a check into my bank account. Not withdraw, wire transfer, or some other specialized service, but to deposit money into the account. At first they simply told me there would be a fee without telling me how much (or providing me with a phone number or contact person whom I could ask — I had to look this up myself on the internet), and they hung up on me when I asked. I had to call back.
When they told me the fee was $75, I responded that charging a customer $75 for a deposit was outrageous and morally reprehensible — especially when I had made similar types of deposit in the past without incurring a fee, have never overdrawn, etc… The individual insisted it wasn’t a fee for making a deposit, but because I didn’t have enough money in my account to cover the amount of the deposit (Duh! That’s why I was trying to deposit more money into the account) and that I might be tempted to withdraw the money before the check cleared (well then freeze the funds or don’t post the deposit until the check clears!)
They then tried to talk me into keeping the account open, but they couldn’t waive the fees. I was like no thanks, this is completely and utterly disgusting, and I have no intention of bringing Wachovia any more business.

I was in tears as I watched Cardinal Ratzinger emerge from the Conclave as Pope Benedict XVI. First, Cardinal Ratzinger’s theology was a major help and inspiration to reconciling with the Church. Secondly, it was an answer to a prayer. As many of you know, Cardinal Ratzinger bounced back after failing his doctorate the first time around.
I am in danger of doing the same. In the last month it has become more and more evident that I cannot maintain my status as a full-time writer and canonist, and also pursue a doctorate. My doctorate is suffering big-time as I struggle to keep our family financially afloat. We’ve been hit with a couple other financial setbacks as well as the university shuts down family housing (thus increasing our monthly rent in what is already Canada’s most expensive city) and some emergency medical expenses — (you would be surprised what socialized health-care doesn’t cover.)
Up until Pope Benedict XVI was elected, I was giving serious consideration to dropping out the doctorate at the end of this semester. Since I already have a licentiate, it is pretty easy to find full-time work. Nevertheless, I prayed for a sign from God. This is it. Both my wife and my spiritual director agree, and after speaking my parents I will be biting the bullet and undertaking large student loans (which I have avoided doing up until now). In practical terms, this means I’ve seriously got to curtail my outside writing, activities, private correspondence….and blogging over the next year.
Thanks for understanding. I may not be in as regular contact with all of you (I get around 400-600 emails a day), but I will keep all of you in prayer. Please pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.