Author: Vernon Dobelmann

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is retreat day.  Each year during Lent the staff of the chancery office attends a one-day retreat at the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado.  Although we cross the Wyoming border into Colorado the abbey is only an hour drive from Cheyenne.  It is the closest and most convenient retreat facility we have. Praying mid-day prayer with the sisters is a blessing in and of itself and makes the journey well worth it.  

The retreat will be different for me this year.  Instead of being present as a participant I will be facilitating the retreat.  I am grateful for the privilege of leading this time together with our group, but a little apprehensive as well. The Scriptures reference my trepidation.  Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”  (Mark 6:4)  Since we are leaving town and these people aren’t my relatives, I am hoping this verse of Scripture does not apply.

Spending as much time at work as we do, my co-workers sometimes feel like part of my extended family.  We work together; we pray together each day before leaving for lunch; we share many of the joys and struggles of life with one another.  My co-workers know my good points; they also know my weaknesses. Leading this retreat will be in the context of simply being a pilgrim with them on the journey.  We are all in need of God’s grace and mercy, and I will share the joy of experiencing that compassion from God on a daily basis.

Someone asked me today if the bishop attends the retreat.  I said he usually does as long as his schedule permits.  The person continued, “You work for the bishop, right?”  I answered in the affirmative.  He continued.  “The bishop will be attending the retreat as a participant and you are the speaker leading the retreat.  Do I have that right?”  Once again, I answered yes.  That led to a final question from him.  “Won’t that make you nervous knowing the bishop is sitting there evaluating you as you give your talks?”  Well, it didn’t until now that you brought it up.  Thanks!

Congratulations to the the four young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Wednesday at F. E. Warren Air Force Base.  Archbishop Timothy Broglio, J.C.D.
of the Archdiocese of the Military Services presided.

It was a privilege and blessing for me to serve with Archbishop Broglio for this celebration.

Author Harper Lee has died at the age of 89.  The Pulitzer Prize-winning author published To Kill A Mockingbird in July of 1960. Although I learned of this script my freshman year in high school in the spring of 1975, I had very little comprehension of the dynamics which surrounded this literary masterpiece.  That would take years of life experience to more fully comprehend.

In an attempt to fulfill the fine arts requirements to attain high school graduation, I ventured into the world of speech and drama my freshman year to get that particular requirement “out of the way.”  I had no idea what such an adventure would eventually bring.  At the age of 14, I qualified for state competition in the arena of speech and debate.  Unfortunately, while my school district considered freshman as part of high school, the state viewed freshman as part of junior high.  Thus, my invitation was rescinded.

In addition to a variety of speech endeavors, I also attained roles in several school plays during my freshman year.  The last of these roles was in the final production of the year, “To Kill A Mockingbird.”  I was selected to play the part of Atticus Finch.  I don’t believe there has ever been a time since then that I have attempted to memorize such an immense amount of material.

Learning lines, knowing where to move on stage, picking up cues, conveying the right body language, striking a convincing tone when delivering closing arguments to the jury, are all things that still stick in my mind although this play took place in my life over 40 years ago.  I definitely learned some things about acting in this process.  More importantly, I learned some things about life.  

Reflecting back makes me appreciate the opportunities for learning that have come my way through the years.  Mr. Ed Schieffer, thank you for all that you taught me in my first year of high school in speech and drama class.  You provided a foundation of public speaking skills that I have been building upon ever since.  A class that I took to simply fulfill requirements has brought immense benefit to me in a multitude of ways.  Your coaching during my formative years was a true blessing. 

Harper Lee, thank you for a script that impacted my life at an early age.  May you rest in peace! 

Vernon Dobelmann as Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird” in the Spring of 1975.Lincoln County R IV High School in Winfield, Missouri
 
Mr. Ed Schieffer, Director

I had the privilege of being one of the speakers yesterday afternoon at an event for National School Choice Week held at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  As Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne it is a pleasure to highlight the benefits of Catholic education.

This morning I switched hats and spoke briefly at a deacon information meeting.  We are preparing to begin another formation class and today was the first information session offered in the diocese.  It was exciting to see a good number of men and their wives seeking more information.  Will they go down this road?  I don’t know.  That is what discernment is all about.  Those who are admitted to the aspirancy year will begin a possible five-year journey toward ordination.  As a member of the formation board I will be walking with this group of men and their wives during those years of education and formation.  

Wearing multiple hats in my role at the chancery office reminds me of one very important thing.  I need to stay rooted in prayer.  It is with the grace of God that these good works will be brought to fulfillment.

I chose not to watch the debates last night.  My frustration at the process runs across the board.  I am tired of the candidates, the media outlets, the political pundits, the lies, the cover-ups, the conflicts of interest, and the games.  A question I heard on the radio this morning affirmed my frustration. A commentator was asked, “Who performed the best in last night’s debate?” Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear the question, “Which candidate laid out the best plan for America’s future?”  The content of a debate seems to mean very little.  It is simply a performance that deprives the voters of real substance.

Style is a big deal in today’s political climate.  Say what you want, but having been a reality TV star seems to have prepared the front runner on the Republican ticket with a solid background to be a politician.  He is “performing” well and drawing large audiences.  He didn’t even show up at the debate and still commanded an undue amount of attention.  That is no accident.

I continue to pray for our nation.  We are in desperate need of a solid leader filled with integrity and wisdom to guide us in these complex times.  Do any of the candidates currently running fit that description?  I don’t know.  I need more time to look past the performance and into the substance.  I wish we had an objective media to help in that endeavor, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

The ranchers against the federal government illuminates the tip of the iceberg of confusion, anger, and discontent in this country.  The lack of objective reporting makes it difficult to analyze the issues and know who is right and who is wrong. Unfortunately, governmental leaders have created an atmosphere of distrust among the people they have been called to serve.  This results in volatile situations which typically do not end well.  The case in point looks to be repeating past precedent. 

In another example the taking of life is celebrated by many supporters of Planned Parenthood.  Instead of being prosecuted for murder and the selling of body parts, Planned Parenthood is exonerated and honored.  The individuals connected with exposing the atrocities of Planned Parenthood are instead targeted for indictment.  Really?  The conflict of interest in the prosecuting attorney’s office is extraordinary if reports by LifeNews.com are accurate.  LifeNews.com reports that Lauren Reeder is a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s criminal family law division, and is listed as a non-compensated Director on the 990 Tax Form for 2014 filed by Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.  No conflict of interest there, right?  Once again, who are the bad guys and who are the good guys in this travesty?

Romans 8: 26 reminds us that we don’t know how to pray as we ought.  I am finding that passage more and more relevant in these days of strife and confusion.  I am going to trust the “inexpressible groanings” of the Holy Spirit on my behalf.  In addition to praying for an increase of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, I sometimes just want to pray for some good-ole common sense for our world.

How brightly is the flame of faith burning in your life?  Is it shining so brightly that you can’t hardly wait to be sent into mission territory?  An exit sign at a church summed it well as it said, “You are now entering mission country.”  

At the end of each celebration of the Eucharist we are sent forth with a missionary mandate to bring the Good News of salvation to all we meet. How well are we fulfilling that component of our baptismal calling? 

Complacency, apathy, and indifference are descriptive words I hear too frequently in regard to the life of the Church.  How could we allow anything connected with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to become mundane? As C.S. Lewis pointed out, “If Christianity is true, it is of infinite importance.” Our walk with God cannot be dull and lifeless.

Each of us bears responsibility for nurturing our faith life.  We cannot simply rely on being spoon-fed by the Church, by the pastor, or anyone else.  There needs to be initiative and ownership of each baptized individual to eagerly seek out God’s grace through prayer, study, and action.  We depend upon the leadership of the Church to strengthen us in that journey, but we can never delegate our responsibility for spiritual growth to someone else entirely.  We are a child of God walking in faith.  When is the last time we asked God for an increase of that faith?

When we leave the church building and enter into mission country, are we thrilled and excited about the possibilities?  Sharing the Good News should bring us immense joy.  If we are reluctant to be faithful witnesses out in the world about what Jesus Christ has done for us, what is holding us back?  Do we recognize and understand the many ways that God has moved in our lives?  Are we aware of God’s presence in our interactions with others?

Entering into mission territory fully equipped means that we have to understand our own relationship with God.  If we just know about God, without really knowing God, it will be difficult to communicate a message that truly conveys the infinite love and mercy of God.  My hope and prayer is that each of us will personally experience God’s love profoundly.  As we experience that love may we then grow in wisdom, understanding, and grace!

       Mission Country–Here We Come!

The restoration of the permanent diaconate in the Catholic Church came into effect after Vatican II.  In 2017 we will mark the 50th anniversary of the order being restored.  Fifty years is not a long time in the life of the Church. Thus, it is not surprising to find that the Church still does not really know what to do with us.  I don’t expect that confusion to end any time soon. The range of emotions about diaconal ministry is quite wide within the diaconate community itself, but especially outside the ranks from both the laity and presbyters alike.

​On June 9, 2011, Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Bishop of Marquette, (now Archbishop of Portland, Oregon) issued a Pastoral Letter entitled, 
The Deacon: Icon of Jesus Christ the Servant.  This 19-page letter gives a tremendous amount of material upon which to reflect for deacons, and indeed, all the priests and the faithful of the Church as well.

Bishop Sample expressed his sadness after the Pastoral Letter was promulgated that most media outlets focused their attention on one item in the 19-page letter.  Deacons should preach less frequently at the Eucharistic liturgy.  The comments that swirled around that specific component of the letter were all across the board.  Some celebrated that comment with gusto. Others were very much dismayed.  Overall, it reignited the broader question of what to do with the deacon in his ministry.

When Bishop Sample issued his letter in 2011, I followed many of the articles written about his letter.  I also read a good portion of the the comments made online following these articles.  It was fascinating to see some of the words of encouragement and support for deacons contrasted with the many negative comments about deacons as well.  The one that stuck in my mind most is what I captured in the title of this blog post.  “Permanent deacons are the worst experiment of Vatican II.”  Can you feel the love?

Last week the clergy of our diocese gathered for a three-day institute centered upon discipleship.  Our speaker was Sherry Weddell, author of the book, Forming Intentional Disciples.  At one point after she had referred to the “clergy” a few times but only meant the priests and the bishop, she corrected herself and casually commented, “The Church doesn’t know what to do with the deacons.”  She verbalized what many of us already knew.  Will it take another fifty years to better grasp the role of the deacon?

Sherry Weddell said time and time again during her presentation that there was a need to “build bridges of trust” to help people in their spiritual seeking and conversion.  Each time I heard her repeat that phrase I was grateful for the many ways that I see deacons fulfill that role.  We aren’t priests, but we are ordained for a life of service that effectively builds bridges.  We are instruments of God’s love leading people to conversion.  That doesn’t seem like a bad “experiment”.

Years ago a religious sister was visiting with my pastor.  I was standing nearby and heard her make a negative comment about deacons.  My pastor asked her, “How could you make such a comment when my deacon is standing right there?”  She said, “I like him as a person, but his role as a deacon is irrelevant.”  In my nearly 17 years since ordination as a deacon I have become accustomed to such comments.  There has never been a doubt as to where the deacon falls on the hierarchical structure of the Church, or as to how we are viewed by some of the priests, religious, and laity. That is okay. I simply strive to live out my calling as best as I am able utilizing the gifts and charisms that have been entrusted to my care for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

We are preparing to begin another formation class of deacons in the Diocese of Cheyenne.  If all goes as planned we will have a diaconate ordination in the year 2021.  Quite a number of current deacons will be moving into the retirement years by then.  My prayer is that men discerning a call to the diaconate will be guided by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit in their prayerful reflection. 

There have been many discussions and plans established for the formation of this next group.  Information sessions have been planned and will begin to take place all across the diocese starting this Saturday.  We will continue to learn and grow in our diaconal ministry.  I was appointed to the diaconate formation board last year by the bishop, and I will have the privilege of walking with these men (and their wives) for the next five years of their lives as they go through the inquiry phase, aspirancy, and candidacy for Holy Orders. 

The role of the deacon has been front and center in my mind during recent months because of all of these preparations.  (The policy manual for the already ordained deacons has been revamped and updated as well.)  I hope and pray that I fulfill the responsibilities of my own calling with faithfulness, fervor, and zeal.  I know there are times when I fail to love as Jesus did, but overall, it is my intent to be a beacon of Christ’s light in a world sometimes enveloped in darkness.  Otherwise, I guess I am just part of the “worst experiment of Vatican II.”