Articulating Hope

Author: Vernon Dobelmann

  • Catholic Extension Society–Thank You!

    I passed by St. Anthony’s Church in Guernsey, Wyoming today on my way to the small town of Hartville, Wyoming.  (Population 76)  I was a conducting a workshop for catechists from two mission parishes–St. Anthony’s in Guernsey and St. Leo in Lusk. We were graciously welcomed to utilize the Hartville Community Center for our workshop. Small town hospitality is still alive and well in Wyoming.I always appreciate the opportunity to get out into the diocese and meet the people who keep catechesis and faith formation thriving in our parishes.  The workshop today was unique in that it was only for a couple of mission parishes.  I typically get invited to hold a workshop in the main parish and any connected mission churches are invited to join us there.  That was not the case today.  Although these missions are served by St. Rose of Lima in Torrington, this workshop was tailored specifically for the catechists in Lusk and Guernsey.  I was reminded today of what it is to be a “mission diocese.”Before moving to Wyoming I had been working in a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis with over 3,000 households.  The attached Catholic school had nearly 500 students and the parish religious education program had over 500 students.  First Communion was problematic because the church was too small to accommodate all the people even though the church could hold 1,200 people.  The mission churches don’t struggle with such issues.  I was informed today that they may have as many as three children make First Communion in a year.  Some years there aren’t any.Wyoming is the least populated state in the country, and although Catholicism is the largest denomination in the state (followed closely by the Mormons), there are still only about 60,000 Catholics in the whole state.  In metropolitan areas in other states you may find Catholic churches within blocks of each other.  In Wyoming you won’t find that kind of close proximity.  Harsh weather conditions can make the isolation even more dramatic.  If there is a sign on the interstate that says, “Next Services 76 Miles,” you better believe that there is absolutely nothing available for the next 76 miles.Catholic Extension Society has blessed the Diocese of Cheyenne abundantly through the years, and continues to do so yet today.  As the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the diocese, I know first-hand the generosity of this wonderful organization.  It is through grants received from Catholic Extension Society that enables my office to continue.  It costs money to travel the great distances across the state of Wyoming–over 98,000 square miles.  However, the ability to connect personally with people, as I did today with the catechists from Lusk and Guernsey, is essential to enhancing the outreach endeavors of our parishes and missions.  The faithful people who contribute to the Catholic Extension Society bless people all across this country in mission dioceses in ways that they may never know on this side of heaven.  I just want each and every one of those donors to know how much their donation means to the work of proclaiming the Gospel message.  Your kindness and generosity is making a difference.  Thank you.After the workshop was completed today I took advantage of being in this historical part of Wyoming.  I went to Register Cliff and also to see the Oregon Trail Ruts. Traveling across the state can be difficult even with all of the modern roads and vehicles that we have; I can only imagine the hardships of the early settlers.  They had to be some rugged individuals and I admire their courage and tenacity.Enjoy the pictures from Hartville, Guernsey, and the historic sites in the area.

    PictureHartville is the oldest incorporated town that is still in existence in Wyoming.  The school desks below are in the community center which also serves as a museum.  The iron work on the leg of the desk is amazing.  The oldest bar is claimed to be in Hartville.  Although I did not get a picture of the actual bar, it was made in 1862 and shipped to Wyoming from Europe. Thus, it came by ship and eventually by train to its current location in Wyoming.  The woodworking on the bar is fabulous.

    Last, but not least, I wanted you to know that I really did conduct a workshop today.

  • Snow in September–Global Warming???

    Snow in September–Global Warming???

    We woke up this morning to a dusting of snow in Cheyenne.  The last snowfall of the season happened on Mother’s Day (May 11) and the first snowfall of this season happened on September 11.  That makes for a relatively short summer season.  I am grateful that we are going back into the 70’s over the weekend, and I am also appreciative that this snowfall required no shoveling.

    The snowfall in May required a great deal of shoveling if you recall.  Although I don’t miss the heat and humidity of summer in Missouri, the winter season does seem extremely long in Wyoming.  I hope this isn’t an indication of how long it is going to be this year.

    Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Hartville, Wyoming.  It is the oldest incorporated town in Wyoming that is still in existence (according to their website).  I am presenting a workshop to the catechists from the mission parishes of Lusk and Guernsey.  Although I will miss seeing their churches by having the workshop in an alternate location, I am looking forward to experiencing another piece of Wyoming history.

    I will leave you with two last pictures comparing the May 11 snowfall with the September 11 snowfall.  Basically, these pictures are sending myself a message.”Stop being lazy and put the mower in the garage instead of on the porch!”

  • Teaching About God’s Gift of Forgiveness

    Teaching About God’s Gift of Forgiveness

    The cold, damp air seemed to set the tone for the day.  I was tired and sluggish and the weather seemed to match my mood.  I will also admit a certain level of anxiety because of today’s anniversary.  Whether an attack is on our native soil or in a place like Benghazi, the anniversary of the 9/11 attack always spikes my apprehension about our citizens taking another hit.  

    Obviously, as I delineated all of the (terror) attacks on American soil in the last 20 years in my post yesterday, we are vulnerable to attacks at any time and on any day.  It isn’t just on this one day.  In yesterday’s posting I  did not include any school shootings, the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and other events not labeled as terrorist attacks. The pain and loss of life in these crimes is also quite intense.

    Reaching the evening hours with no reported attack has brought a sense of relief.  At the time I am writing this I still have concern about the folks present for Thursday Night Football.  I will be grateful when the stadium is empty and people have returned safely to their homes.

    I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker this evening for the first meeting of the Bishop’s Guild in this new season.  The topic that was chosen is the theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday which will be celebrated on September 21.  The theme is, Teaching About God’s Gift of Forgiveness.  Hopefully, all of us are teaching about God’s forgiveness first and foremost through our own forgiving actions.  I can only imagine the difficulty of some people in trying to forgive the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack. How do we find the strength to forgive when we have been hurt so tragically?

    Thankfully, all things are possible with God.  The love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us.  That is how we manage to go on through the difficult days of life.

    My evening with the ladies of the Bishop’s Guild was a splendid one.  I am extremely grateful for each of you individually and as a group.  You have blessed, and continue to bless, God’s people through your lives of faithful witness.  Thank you for your dedication to Christ and the Church and the many ways you serve.  Please know that your sacrifices are genuinely appreciated. 

    As we left the hotel following the banquet we were greeted with snowfall and 35 degree temperatures.  It’s only September 11.  I am not ready for winter.  Thankfully, it is a short blast and then back into the 70’s over the weekend.  

    I am watching it snow, but I am still thinking “summer” as I remember how hot it was in Missouri in July.
  • Where Should You Be?

    Where Should You Be?

    Have you ever stood on the edge of a mountainside and simply pondered?  Have you considered the ease of travel in modern times with paved roadways and engine-driven vehicles?  What did the early settlers think as they traversed through the mountains on horseback, in wagons, and on foot?  Did they stand at the base of a mountain and get discouraged about climbing the mountain and crossing it?  

    We all face obstacles in life.  How do we typically respond to those obstacles?  

    At this stage of your life, are you where you are supposed to be?

    In a few weeks another birthday will arrive for me.  Some of the goals I set as young man have been reached, but others have not yet come to fruition.  (One of the goals was to be financially independent by the age of 40.  I missed that one by a long shot.)  As I was thinking about some of those things this morning I realized that I am not yet where I want to be in many areas of my life.  I started to get discouraged by that but then remembered John Maxwell’s line, “When you’re through improving, you’re through.”  As long as we are blessed with the gift of life, we continue to move forward in our journey toward God.

    I began revisiting my goals this morning and making some adjustments to them.  I also began reviewing some material that I have accumulated through the years on leadership.  I found several pages of quotes that provided plenty of food for thought. Many of these were in John Maxwell’s book, Leadership 101.  A few of them really struck me as being pertinent at this stage in my life.

    “The highest purpose for faith is not to change my circumstances but to change me.”“Be a yardstick of quality.  Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”“People do not follow programs; rather, they follow leaders who inspire them.”“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”“A leader takes people where they want to go.  A GREAT LEADER takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”I have been blessed with some extraordinary people in my life through the years who have helped me grow in faith, in knowledge, and in understanding.  They have been an asset in encouraging me to strive for that place where I ought to be.  In turn, I have been striving to be that great leader who helps others get to where they ought to be.  I know I still have much work to do in my earthly pilgrimage.The key to successful leadership is influence–not position or authority.  The question I am asking myself I will also pose to you.  Are you exhibiting a positive influence for those around you?

  • Cleaning Can Be Like Christmas

    My family has moved quite a few times in the last 15 years.  Each time we land in a new place it seems I get more and more disorganized.  Boxes go unpacked and things go missing for years.  Today, we tackled some of those unpacked boxes and I can’t believe the things I relocated.  Some of these items I had actually searched for on numerous occasions, but today was when they were found.

    One folder that I found had resources that I used for various talks in my early years as a deacon.  Another one had some of my homework in it from when I was in formation and even classes I took following ordination.  One class I took after ordination was entitled, “Teaching Religion To Children.”  An assignment we received in that class was quite unique.  Each student was given a cartoon picture and we had to compose a prayer based upon the picture.  I received a picture of Winnie-the Pooh singing and dancing and enjoying the contents of his honey pot.  Here is the prayer I composed 15 years ago based upon that picture.

    PRAYER OF WINNIE-THE-POOH

    I blow on my trumpet a melodius chord
    And make a joyful noise unto the Lord
    That is what Scripture tells me to do
    Hello Lord, it’s me–Winnie-the-Pooh

    Oh God, it is with all my heart and soul I pray
    That I may never find myself going astray
    But sometimes, as quick as a wink
    Oops–I guess I didn’t think

    Please guide me until the journey’s end
    And always be my faithful and loving friend
    Protect Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore too
    And don’t forget me–Winnie-the-Pooh

    I ask you to give me so much grace
    That I see heaven–not that other place
    And Lord, I don’t know if this is right or not
    But for now, I simply pray for a full honey pot

    Amen

  • Marriage and Family Novena Starts Tomorrow

    I signed up for something a long time ago that has been a real blessing to me, and it is FREE.  Go to www.praymorenovenas.com and subscribe.  During each novena the daily prayers come right to your inbox.  If you check your e-mail every day there is no chance to accidentally forget your prayers.  The prayers are short so they are able to work for any lifestyle.

    The next novena begins tomorrow (Saturday) and will be for the intention of strengthening marriage and family life.  These nine days of prayer will lead up to  Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which we celebrate on September 8).  We have seen the decline in our society due to the instability of family life.  Let us pray for that trend to reverse itself.  I realize that it is a three day weekend and we want to get in that last bit of summer fun, but I encourage you to take time to pray as well.

    http://www.praymorenovenas.com/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-novena/ 

    On this Labor Day weekend please pray also for all those who are seeking work.  If you have the blessing of being gainfully employed, take time to give thanks to God for that blessing.  If you are unemployed or underemployed and desire fruitful work, sincerely and humbly ask God for that need to be fulfilled.

    Have a safe and blessed weekend!

  • Dream Big!

    Today is the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  He was born on August 28, 1749 and died on March 22, 1832.  He has many fantastic quotes but some stand out for me in particular.

    “Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.”

    “I love those who yearn for the impossible.”

    “The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.”

    “Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

    “Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Willing is not enough; we must do.”

    These quotes speak profoundly to the Christian journey.  If we are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit we should not be dreaming small dreams.  Let’s move the hearts of men and women through our faithful witness to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s yearn for the impossible, because we know that with God all things are possible.  Let’s be people who encourage others so that they can walk in hope.  Finally, let’s put our faith into action.  It isn’t enough to just know our faith academically.  We must apply it if it is to bear fruit in our lives.

    “Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”  (Matthew 17:20)

  • Don’t Be Stumped–Be Creative!

    Don’t Be Stumped–Be Creative!

    Do you ever yearn for simpler times?  The demands of day-to-day life can certainly take a toll on us if we lose focus on what is important.  I frequently hear people express frustration and fatigue at the pace of life.  Some have asked, “Where is the peace?  Where is the fun?  Where is hope?”

    It appears to me that each generation has had its own particular issues of frustration.  It may seem like technology is running roughshod over our lives today, but is it not also pretty amazing at the things we can do?  The modern conveniences we enjoy are numerous.  However, if we end up being held hostage by them we are in serious trouble.  As the saying goes, “Do we own things, or do the things own us?”

    This past weekend at the retreat I was reminded of how many things I take for granted on a daily basis.  Waking up in the middle of the night and needing to go to the bathroom is typically not a big deal.  At home we have a bathroom located in our bedroom.  On the retreat I had to leave the bunkhouse to go to a centralized bathroom and shower facility.  Yes, I was walking outside down a path at 8,400 feet not knowing what types of creatures were in the trees around me.  It also was down to 43 degrees as well.  Although the restroom facilities were nice and well-maintained, walking through the forest to get there was a reminder of the luxury of indoor plumbing—especially when that plumbing is in the same building where you are sleeping.  After making that trip outside through the brisk night air, there was no going back to sleep.  I was plenty early to watch the sunrise.

    So why is it that we frequently lack peace and tranquility in our lives when many of us enjoy fairly comfortable lifestyles?  Have we allowed the cares of the world to consume us?  Have we created a lifestyle that induces stress because we are living so close to the edge of financial ruin?  Are our relationships with family members strained for one reason or another?  Are we holding on to unforgiveness?  Have we dabbled in “New Age” spirituality or occult practices?  Are we holding on to our “favorite” and habitual sins? Basically, what are the obstacles present in our lives keeping us from progressing in our spiritual journey? 

    The Sacrament of Baptism liberates us from sin and configures us to Christ.  The shackles of bondage have been removed and we are free.  We are no longer walking in darkness; we are children of the Light.  The question is, “Have we subsequently rejected the Light?”  My encouragement to you today is to open yourself to the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Be set free from sin and united to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.In order to move forward in our spiritual endeavors we are called to be people of prayer. We also would benefit from being very specific prayer in our prayer.  After a thorough examination of conscience can we clearly discern the areas of our life where detrimental obstacles reside?  I encourage you to pray very specifically to be set free from these shackles.  Seek forgiveness.  Seek healing.  Seek courage.  Seek strength. Seek perseverance.  Pray in hope, for hope will not disappoint.

  • Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat–WOW!

    Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat–WOW!

    How do I put into words what transpired this past weekend at the Table in the Wilderness?  Get over 50 men together and let them sing (or at least make a joyful noise unto the Lord) and watch what happens!  Praising God releases the power of the Holy Spirit in some magnificent ways.

    The Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat has been extending its outreach beyond the Casper, Wyoming area over the last few years.  This event is a result of the prayerful efforts of the Shalom (Charismatic) Prayer Group in Casper.  It certainly has spread its wings.  I think we had men present from quite a number of communities this year including Casper, Riverton, Cody, Rock Springs, Rawlins, Laramie, Cheyenne, and even someone from Colorado as well.  The impact on a man’s life to gather with other men striving to be better Christians can be phenomenal.  This retreat is certainly filling a need in that regard.

    Charismatic spirituality has had a profound impact on my life personally.  A Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group in Canon City, Colorado prayed with me many years ago prior to a major cancer surgery.  The power of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit was almost palpable in that gathering.  I went into surgery with a great sense of calm because of what I experienced with this prayer group.  Words cannot adequately describe the sensation of peace  I was given by the Holy Spirit in the midst of such a major crisis.  It is truly a peace that only the Lord can give.

    The greatest impact on my prayer life offered by the Charismatic Renewal has been quite simple.  It has been the process of helping me to be cognizant of giving thanks and praise to God in all things.  I will admit that I have struggled with doing that when life is hard.  However, the Charismatic Renewal has kept that aspect of prayer in the forefront of my mind.  I still don’t do it well all the time, but through the grace of God, I think this component of my prayer life has improved overall.

    Each time I have the privilege of leading a retreat or a parish mission I am deeply touched by the openness and candor of people in regard to their spiritual struggles.  It is obvious that we are all on a journey, and sometimes our pilgrimage is filled with a lot of obstacles and potholes along the way.  I am in awe when I see the grace of God provide answers for those striving to overcome the challenges.  I know that some of the men this weekend received insights into some of their own personal challenges.  Our God truly is an awesome God!

    I wish to thank the leadership of the Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat.  You created an atmosphere in which we had the opportunity to encounter our God.  Who could ask for anything more?  May God bless each of you abundantly!  On behalf of all the men who reaped the benefit of your hard work, I simply say, “THANK YOU!”

              I couldn’t sleep so I had the opportunity to see the sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday. 

  • Bird Power

    Bird Power

    I stopped to rest for a moment while mowing the grass and I returned to see that I had a little helper.  I didn’t want to scare the bird away so I decided to prolong my break.  I wasn’t too productive while sitting and watching the bird, but it was nice to enjoy a tiny component of nature.  However, I really needed to get the task completed.

    This weekend I will be leading the Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat.  I am looking forward to spending time with about 50 faith-filled men from all across Wyoming as they seek to deepen their relationship with the Lord.  I am grateful to Bishop Etienne who will be joining us this evening to celebrate the opening Eucharistic Liturgy.  I am also appreciative that the diocesan vocation director, Fr. Steve Titus, will be with us for most of the weekend as well.

    Stir Into Flame The Gift Of Faith is the title for the weekend retreat.  My hope and prayer is that we walk away at the end of our time together having accomplished that goal.  Please keep us in prayer.  Many men will be traveling great distances to get to the retreat.  Please pray for their safety.  Please pray also for the wives and families at home. May this time away to reflect and pray reap many benefits for each man present as well as his family.

    I will touch base with you again at the end of the weekend.  I hope to have some good pictures to share following the retreat.  

    (If we are lucky we will see some larger creatures while out in the mountains.)

    Have a blessed weekend!