I drove by this church last week in Clarksville, Missouri and was saddened by the deteriorating condition of the structure. I can only imagine the number of lives that were touched through the years inside this building, but it would appear that the days of vibrancy for this congregation have passed. I don’t know the history of the church since its founding in 1886, but I was simply struck by image it placed in my mind in regard to my personal faith journey. Am I living my faith with joy, or am I tired, worn out, and broken down in need of significant repair and healing?
Today’s Gospel (Matthew 22: 34–40) encourages us to live out our faith journey with zeal. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” That was only the first half. The second part says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Living out these two great commandments requires a fervent prayer life, diligent study, and active discipleship and service to others. Simply going to church on Sunday is not enough. A sincere faith in God compels us to live out these commandments each and every day of the week. If we think we are finished for the week after attending church on Sunday, we are sadly mistaken. That is just the beginning.
If we become complacent and content with simply going through the motions of church attendance and nothing more, we are living a falsehood. It is a window dressing so to speak. It takes more than attendance at church to be a Christian–it takes commitment. If you are feeling tired and worn out from the journey, ask God to give you strength. Our future looks bright when we walk in faith, hope, and love.
I apologize for the absence of posts in the last week. This time I really was on vacation, and it truly was nice to get away for a few days. In addition to getting some “down time,” I also have new pictures for quite a few upcoming blog posts. As you can see by the picture on the left I made it to Irondale, Alabama. This trip was on my mom’s bucket list and it finally came true.
My mom has watched EWTN programming for years and especially appreciates watching the Mass on TV when she is unable to get out and go during inclement weather. She has frequently mentioned that she would like to see where the taping and production all takes place. I tried to take her last year for her 90th birthday, but an ice storm struck the southern states and impeded our travel. This time we had beautiful weather. We made it into the chapel on Sunday evening just in time to pray the Liturgy of the Hours with a few other folks. It was an intimate gathering that closed with benediction.
We had the opportunity to enjoy many sites along the way and I will be sharing these experiences with you in the days ahead. My favorite stop was the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama. There are signs asking that no pictures be taken in the interior of the church and I obeyed those signs, but I would certainly recommend making a visit to the shrine if you are ever in the neighborhood.
“The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor. And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court.” That is the opening paragraph from an article written by Todd Starnes on October 14, 2014 and published on Fox News.
I have been discussing this article with a few folks today and the responses have been interesting. However, one response made me stop in my tracks. The individual with whom I was corresponding said it fairly succinctly. “On the other hand, even at my age and having gone to Mass my whole life, I cannot remember when I heard a homily in a Catholic Church telling people that the ‘sexual’ sins were sinful. I guess it is usually taken for granted that having sex outside of marriage and certainly homosexual sex was serious sin. But it is also much less awkward for the priest and the congregation. Once in a while the abortion word is mentioned but not often, only when those hateful anniversaries roll around. So, sadly, I don’t think there is much chance that any Catholic priest will be found ‘guilty’ of this hate-speech crime. It would mean that they actually were fulfilling their vocation as shepherds of their flock. Very few are guilty of that.”
Although I am a deacon and not a priest, this comment made me reflect upon my own role in teaching and preaching the faith in its fullness. Have the “culture wars” scared me off from being faithful? Do I have the ability to address the difficult and sensitive issues in a way that does not water down the truth but also extends the grace and mercy of our God? I will admit that this is getting to be a difficult balance to achieve as society continues to grow in its acceptance of aberrant behaviors.
Those in Church leadership have moral obligations and responsibilities to teach the faith in its fullness. Yes, this means talking about sin and even the consequences of sin. Dare we mention the word “hell” in our homily? Explaining these realities will not win an individual pastor or clergy person any popularity contest in today’s society, but I think each one of us would benefit from truly asking ourselves a simple question. Do I seek popularity or do I seek holiness for myself and my parishioners?
Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Jerome. The famous quote attributed to St. Jerome is one that sticks firmly in my mind. “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” That may seem a bit harsh, but if we give it some serious reflection it makes a lot of sense.
We have the opportunity to have easy access to the Sacred Scriptures in the current age. Many of us own multiple copies of the Bible and have electronic versions on our computers as well. Are we using any of them? Is the Bible collecting dust as a centerpiece on a coffee table, or is it simply lost on a bookshelf somewhere?
My encouragement to you today is to create a habit of reading the Bible. Study it. Pray with it. God readily speaks to us in the depths of our heart when we read, pray and reflect upon the Sacred Scriptures. How well do you know the Scriptures? How well do you know Christ?
Saturday evening was a true delight in Cody, Wyoming. Although the 400 mile drive between my house and Cody seemed a bit lengthy, being in attendance at the Respect Life Banquet sponsored by Catholics United For Life was worth the trek. I had the opportunity to meet and visit with Fr. Denis Wilde, O.S.A., Ph.D. from Priests for Life during dinner. I then had the privilege of being the opening speaker for the evening prior to the keynote address given from Fr. Denis.
I saw a number of familiar faces in the crowd of over 100 people in attendance. It was especially wonderful to see several tables full of young people. Knowing that many of these individuals make the trek from Cody to Cheyenne each January for the Pro-Life March to our state capitol touched my heart immensely. They make a genuine sacrifice of time, talent, and treasure to be a faithful witness to the dignity and sanctity of human life.
I shared with the people in attendance the good work that is being done across the diocese in regard to cultivating a culture of life. Teaming up with the Knights of Columbus we have purchased ultra-sound machines for pregnancy care centers in Cody, Jackson, Sheridan, Gillette, Rock Springs, and soon a new and better machine will be purchased in Casper. The pregnancy care center in Cody is currently doing about 120 to 150 ultra-sounds per year. Beginning on October 17 their outreach with the ultra-sound machine will extend once a week to the community of Powell as well.
Although there is not a 40 Days for Life campaign in Wyoming, we have people participating in Billings, Montana, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Fort Collins, Colorado. Our presence is making a difference.
Life Chain takes place this Sunday. We have had a 50% increase in the number of communities in Wyoming taking part in Life Chain in the last two years. We added Kemmerer last year. This year we added Rock Springs and Evanston. Go to the website www.lifechain.net to find the location nearest you. Get involved!
I was asked to open the evening with the prayer that I used last January at the banquet in Cheyenne when Abby Johnson was the keynote speaker. I kept most of it the same but tweaked it just a little bit for this specific gathering. I have included the text below.
Fr. Denis provided a very informative and inspirational presentation. This was topped at the end when he sat down at the piano and showed a magnificent talent. All I can say is WOW! I was given two of his CDs as a gift and I am looking forward to enjoying the music he makes. God has blessed Fr. Denis in multiple ways. Thank you Fr. Denis for sharing those gifts and talents with us.
Creator Of Life–Thank You
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” That is an assurance of God’s love solid and true We are the beloved and precious in His sight How did our society get to this current plight
Children are viewed as a burden to be discarded Planned Parenthood is abundantly rewarded The liberal media calls it “women’s health care” The reality is a truth too heart-wrenching to bear
“Pro-choice” sounds liberating, sensible, and kind The deception it promotes is the tie that will bind “Pro-abortion” is not appealing to the one who hears Accurate terminology could instill worry and fears
Language matters, and progressives know the drill Don’t let anyone know that abortion really does kill “A woman’s right to choose” is now firmly entrenched Pro-lifers are seen as the radicals who should be benched
The landscape seems to always be somewhat weird and strange Pro-choicers now want the current language to shift and change Planned Parenthood consent forms call abortion a “difficult decision” Yikes! That is currently being looked upon with disdain and derision
Abortion is a difficult decision–exactly what does that imply Could it be an ethical debate on a moral issue deserving a reply The “hard choice” indicates a debate on whether or not a fetus should live Endowing the clump of cells with the status of being–what does that give
They claim “pro-choice” no longer resonates with voters as it once did Backing away from the posture of a “difficult decision” is the new bid They now emphasize–don’t give any inclination that it really is a child Because if you do it, provides fodder for the anti-choicers really go wild
Let’s face it– “Follow the money” has been an accurate trail in the past Cut off tax dollars and watch Planned Parenthood move fast Litigation or legislation–it’s all about abortion on demand Roe versus Wade and Doe versus Bolton–the law of the land
There have been over 41 years of tragedy since that fateful time Millions have died–and a civilized society doesn’t see a crime Is it apathy and complacency–or is it something much deeper What has caused us to fail in being our brother and sister’s keeper
To the many women (and men) who are experiencing pain It is not necessary to be isolated and suffering alone in vain All of the wounds and painful memories you can freely bring There is healing and forgiveness from Jesus Christ our King
All of us gathered here in this room tonight Are challenged to keep fighting the good fight May each of us work with faithfulness and love And be open to the abundance of grace from above
And so we pray: Heavenly Father, it is with a contrite heart that we humbly seek you May the love of Jesus strengthen and guide us in what we say and do Let your Holy Spirit empower us to be faithful witnesses to the sanctity of life May we never waver in proclaiming the Truth regardless of the difficulty or strife
Oh God, we lift up to you all those who need our prayers now Your abundant grace and compassionate mercy please endow For the woman considering an abortion–please give her hope Give her the strength and courage she needs to effectively cope
For the family and friends surrounding their loved one in need Give them gentleness and patience to not break a bruised reed Bring conversion of heart to any father not wanting his child Let his temperament grow in peace and not be unjustly riled
Guide all of us to grow in appreciation for life–and to not be cynics We pray especially for all those who are employed at abortion clinics The directors, doctors, nurses, support staff, and the volunteers too We plead for their repentance and conversion; we lift them up to you
For each baby who did not have the opportunity to see the light of day We simply trust in your love and mercy and know you will guide the way For the women who still grieve and mourn after years and years Grant them healing and comfort through their sorrowful tears
Thank you father, for all those involved with Catholics United for Life— they are a treasure indeed Dedication, faithfulness, and compassion–they are truly sowing the seed A bountiful harvest is being reaped due to the tender, loving care of the soil Abortion clinics closing, workers leaving, babies living–it is definitely worth the toil
For all who keep faithfully shining the light We simply pray in thanksgiving tonight Let each of us witness to the Truth all across the land Oh God, firmly hold us in the palm of Your loving hand
Our prayer this night is offered with a contrite heart From your ways O Lord, may we never part Yesterday, today and forever–always the same We make our humble prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Fr. Denis Wilde, O.S.A., Ph.D. demonstrates his musical talent.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania was the U.S. capital city for one day on September 27, 1777. The British captured Philadelphia during the American Revolution, forcing the Continental Congress to flee. It set up in Lancaster, but only for one day. The Congress moved on to York, Pennsylvania on September 28.
On September 27, 1937, the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School was established and today is the oldest continuously-run Santa school in the world. (I had no idea such a thing existed.)
On another note, September 27, is World Tourism Day. Learn more at their website. http://wtd.unwto.org/ World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27. It is a global observance to highlight tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value.
We certainly enjoy some luxuries in modern times to be able to travel all around the world. Obviously, travel costs money and tourism dollars impact many communities in dramatic ways both here and abroad. The social, cultural, and political ramifications of tourism would probably be more difficult to accurately measure than the economic impact. I would like to throw another category into the mix that was not directly included on the World Tourism Day website. What has been the impact of tourism from a moral standpoint? What kinds of immoral behaviors have been introduced into other societies from the more “enlightened” and “progressive” cultures?
Finally, let’s end on an upbeat note. There are some famous and not-so-famous people having birthdays today. Let your heart skip a beat ladies. Shaun Cassidy was born on this date in 1958. Are you a little older? If so, do you know Marvin Lee Aday? He was born on this date in 1947. If you don’t recognize his name, do you remember music by MEATLOAF?
All right, that is enough of a trip down memory lane. I’m starting to show my age. Anyway, I’ll let you speculate about the non-famous people having birthdays today.
The annual September Institute for 2014 is in the books. Nearly 190 people gathered in Cheyenne from all the parishes across the state of Wyoming to learn specifically about youth ministry. Obviously, the challenges are many in today’s society, but there is also reason for great hope. The love of God continues to beckon each and every one of us–young and old–and it is my hope and prayer that we each respond to that call with zeal and fervor.
It is easy to focus our attention on everything that is wrong in our world. As people of faith we aren’t simply “optimists” in the secular manner of speaking. We are optimistic because we believe firmly in the virtue of “hope.” Hope that is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ does not disappoint. That is a consoling thought.
This morning I began my day at by arriving at St. Mary’s School for their annual foundation fundraising breakfast 6:30 A.M. It was a pleasure to see members of the faculty, the clergy, Bishop Etienne, and about 70 parishioners come together for this event (as well as many of the students who graciously waited on tables). It was also nice to see the mayor of Cheyenne and a couple of other elected officials join us for this early morning gathering. I couldn’t stay for the whole event because I had to be at the Little America Hotel by 7:30 A.M. to be sure everything was ready for our closing day at the Institute. My blood wasn’t flowing too smoothly at 6:30 A.M. so I forgot to take pictures at St. Mary’s School. (However, I did get some photos of the Institute during the previous two days.)
I am hoping to get a little rest tomorrow prior to leaving for Cody on Saturday for the Respect Life Banquet. I am looking forward to being with the Catholics United for Life and joining Rev. Denis Wilde, O.S.A., Ph.D. from Priests for Life to share an inspiring message of hope for all the faithful people engaged in pro-life work.
Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo (Notre Dame) Rev. Bob Frederick (Wyoming Catholic College)
I always enjoy the opportunity to see parish leaders from all across the state gather for the annual September Institute. Although the diocese encompasses the entire state of Wyoming (and Yellowstone Park), it still has a “small town” feel to it in regard to having the opportunity to get to know people from each of the parishes. Typically, we gather in Casper for this event, but this year we are hosting it in Cheyenne.
Keeping in line with our diocesan strategic pastoral plan, the Institute will be focused on youth ministry. Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo from the University of Notre Dame will be the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions with a variety of local presenters will also be part of the day’s activities on Wednesday. Obviously, we will also gather in the Cathedral each day to celebrate the Eucharist. The next three days will be filled with a lot of attention to detail, but I think we are ready.
In case I don’t get back to my blog until the end of the week, please know that I am occupied with work related duties. Each time I miss a few days I get e-mails from a few of my Missouri readers asking: “Are you sick?” One individual consistently asks: “Are you on vacation again?” (Very Funny!) I appreciate that readership of my blog has gone up significantly in the last six months, and I do my best to stay consistent with posting several times a week. Sometimes it is just a little more difficult to keep up with the demands of life. Have a blessed week!
It was a gorgeous day to make our way from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Virginia Dale, Colorado for the women’s retreat at the Abbey of St. Walburga. I have been to the Abbey each year as a retreat participant, but this was my first time to be the retreat leader. It was a privilege to gather with women from all three of the parishes in Cheyenne. We also had a participant from Holy Family Parish located on the F.E. Warren Air Force Base as well as one participant from Colorado.My day begun at 4:30 A.M. as I made final preparations for the retreat. Predominantly, that consisted of praying and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a fruitful day. I believe those prayers were answered very profoundly. I was in the chancery office by 7:00 A.M. gathering up the necessities for the retreat. By 8:15 A.M. we were on our way across the border. We enjoyed the hospitality of the Benedictine Sisters, learned a little of their history, and had the opportunity to join them for mid-day prayer.We returned to Cheyenne just after 5:00 P.M. which gave me the opportunity to make it to the state capitol by 6:00 P.M. to join Bishop Etienne for an ecumenical prayer service with the Greek Orthodox Community. We prayed for the well-being of Christians in the Middle East and implored God for peace in our world. My day finally concluded at 8:30 P.M. before I sat down at my computer to put a few thoughts here. Thus, I will not give a lot of details about the retreat, but I will let the pictures give you a glimpse of the beauty we enjoyed. We not only saw the handiwork of the Creator in our surroundings, but we encountered the glory of God in our midst. It was a “WOW” experience.I offer my sincere gratitude to all of the ladies who attended the retreat. Your kindness and deep spirituality touched me. Thank you for your faithful witness to Jesus Christ.
The prayer vigil at the state capitol with Bishop Paul Etienne and several Greek Orthodox priests.
There was a lot of bloodshed to get to that point, but the Constitution of the United States of America was signed on September 17, 1787 by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It took until June 21, 1788 to get the required 9 out of 13 states to ratify the document. Subsequently, the government did not begin functioning under the new constitution until March 4, 1789. Today, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in operation in the world.
I was not an avid student of history in my younger years. As the years of life add up it is easy to now see the folly of such a dismissive attitude toward past events. The present moment that we have the opportunity to experience has been shaped by these historical events in monumental ways. The gift of freedom is a cherished treasure that did not come without a significant price.
The world in which we live is a complex place. While it is easy to sit in my living room and criticize our governmental leaders while watching the evening news, I also realize that their task of governing the country is no small endeavor. This becomes more and more evident as the polarization of America grows ever deeper and wider. Seeking the common good seems to be a foreign concept in the current political climate. On the other hand, could it be that there is just no majority viewpoint as to what is the common good?
My growing concern for our country is the lack of moral persuasion exuded by the Church. Separation of Church and State has been so twisted through the years that the Church has been pushed more and more into the background so as to have little or no influence in the civil discourse of ideas. If the Church does not have a place at the table in the arena of public life, who or what will be the determining influence that shapes the current thinking in regard to the common good.
Preaching and teaching on Christian values greatly impacted our nation in its early years. There is much written documentation to verify that assertion. Now, preachers are frequently badgered into silence about anything that is related to politics or cultural values. Some want the IRS to strip a church of its tax-exempt status if the preacher mentions anything politically oriented in the sermon. Is that really what was intended from the founders of our country? Historical documents would certainly indicate that it is not.
On the flip-side, there are many people sitting in the pews who do not want to hear anything even remotely related to politics from the pulpit. Since many cultural values are shaped by politics and even mandated into law by legislation and court decisions, how does a preacher avoid wading into politics if the sermon covers the topic of morality? If the preacher talks about any of a vast array of topics regarding morality, it can be assumed that the sermon has entered politics. For instance, how would a preacher address any of these things without potentially being considered political?
Abortion Contraception Same-sex attraction Outreach to the immigrant Death Penalty Persecution of Christians
As fewer and fewer people attend church services on a regular basis it is only a logical progression that the Church will continue to lose its influence in shaping cultural values. Furthermore, as some Christian denominations accept abortion, same-sex unions, and other behaviors once considered taboo, the remaining denominations holding fast to traditional moral values are viewed as obsolete, out of touch, and irrelevant. The end result is that the value system once espoused by churches of most major denominations has been called into question at best, and completely disregarded at worst.
What does this have to do with our country and our constitution? Read the pertinent documents from our country’s early history. Look at the biblical inscriptions etched in stone on many of our government buildings. Look at the role of religion in the shaping of our country and you will clearly see that the founders emphasized the necessity of faith for the republic to effectively function under this type of governance structure. All of this begs the question, “What happens now as our country moves away from the founding Christian principles? How long can we last with this system of government as the Christian foundation becomes more and more despised and is incrementally removed from all of public life? Is the streak of 227 years of functioning under the same constitution drawing to a close?
