Video blog: The Love Lost Nun of Mercyhurst College

Mercyhurst College here in Erie Pennsylvania has a resident ghost: an apparition of a Nun.

I detailed the story here: http://theparanormalpastor.blogspot.com/2008/08/crazed-ghost-of-love-lost-nun_12.html

Part of my seminar at this years Erie Horror Film Festival is a multimedia presentation that includes animated local legends, the Ghost Nun being one of them. The main body of the story is on my Youtube page. Let me know what you think.

More new stories to come by the second week of October, and I can take a breath!!

Until Next Time,
Pastor Swope

Seminar at the Erie Horrorfest

I have the humble privilege to participate in a seminar series for the Erie Horror Film Festival next month. They are wishing to expand the fulcrum of their view beyond the cinematic, and into the true tales of the unexplained. Therefore I am going to give a multimedia presentation of Erie Counties most astounding true tales of terror, The UFO landing on Presque Isle, The Love lost Nun of Mercyhurst College, The Ghost boy of Penn State Erie's Wintergreen Gorge, The Restless Dead of the War of 1812 to name a few.

You can find more information about the fest and the celebrity guest stars from horror filmdom here:
http://www.eeriehorrorfilmfestival.com/
Come and say hello!

This is one reason why stories have not been flowing like usual here, I am doing a 3d animation on most of these stories. It seems my old habits of precrastination from Grad school has never left me and I always approach the task from the side instead of head on and waste a lot of time, which is why more stories are missing here. I do have a group of stories in the pike that shuls flow after this task is done. Sorry. But if you are in the Erie area and do enjoy the stories, I do believe you would enjoy the finished product I have labored over for the last month or two.

And hey, the fest is hosting Corey Feldman. He has seen Gremlins first hand!

Blessings,

Pastor Swope

Pithy and Pompous Paranormal Pundancy

Frank, head of Erie County Paranormal asked me to appear on their blogtalk show this Saturday night. After having Riley Martin on the show last week there was a verbal slugfest between two callers that descended into Theological issues such as evolution, life on other planets and proving there is a God. They asked the callers back this week and asked me to sit in and strike up a debate. It was a blast and the two hours flew by, it was a thought provoking session where I show I cannot tell jokes very well and can come up with a crude analogy with the best of them. Tempers flared a bit and mayhem ensued. If you want to take a listen you can go to the show at the link below.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ghsthunter346/2009/09/13/The-battle-of-is-there-life-on-other-planets-returns-to-Erie-County-Paranormal

One of the key 'heretical' points I bring up is my belief that animals do not have souls. I try to explain it theologically and with an inappropriate metaphor, but I don't think many understood my intent.

Until Next Time,
Pastor Swope

An Exorcist's Field Guide

My new book, "An Exorcist's Field Guide to Blessings, Consecrations and Eradication of Malevolent Entities" is now available on Amazon HERE.

It is a guide for the Lay person to perform a simple customizable ceremony for a house or building consecration or a blessing. I also include how to proceed if there is a possible malevolent entity involved. It is designed to be used in the field as you perform the ceremony, with readings and prayers in English, Latin, Gaelic and even the African Jula language. You can customize the ceremony to your needs.

When talking about this project, many have voiced their concerns as to a lay person performing this ritual. I do understand their concerns. Trying to perform such a rite without understanding or guidance can make matters worse. However this is first and foremost a ritual of faith. It requires faith, no matter the training or experience of the officiant. You can have the most experienced professional accomplish nothing if that person does not have faith in the power of God over evil. Likewise a novice can quickly become a seasoned spiritual warrior when a ceremony is mixed with a bit of faith.

"if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21

I also have heard the argument that only Clergy should attempt this ritual. I understand this, especially if you are from a Roman Catholic tradition. But one of the primary principles that Martin Luther proposed with the Protestant Reformation was the priesthood of the believer. Our mediator to God is Christ Himself, we need no man to intercede for us. Likewise so with rituals. As a believer in Christ by faith you can preform all the sacramental duties of the church, while academic training and a proven character through denominational affiliation is for building up stable church leadership. But according to Protestant tradition, you do not need a Seminary degree to pray a prayer of faith, to anoint someone for healing, to celebrate communion, to baptize, perform a wedding (of course you have to have legal authority for a binding wedding) or any other ritual within the Christian Tradition. All you need is belief and faith in Christ.

Until Next Time (hopefully a full story by the end of the week!)
Pastor Swope