Author: Vernon Dobelmann

Yesterday we celebrated ALL SAINTS DAY, today we celebrate ALL SOULS DAY, and this weekend our Gospel reading for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time is the account of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. Some commentaries say that Chapter 19 verse 10 sums up for St. Luke his depiction of the role of Jesus as Savior. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

If we take seriously the Gospel accounts, and I hope we do, we have no choice but to be people filled with hope. Jesus comes to seek and to save what was lost. The transformation that took place in the life of Zacchaeus is available to us all. The love of Jesus Christ which permeated the heart and soul of Zacchaeus is the same love bestowed upon each of us. Are we grateful for the gift of faith which has been extended to us by the extravagant grace of God?

In both chapter 15 and chapter 19 of Luke’s Gospel we hear about the grumblings and murmurings of the Scribes, Pharisees, and others about Jesus welcoming sinners and eating with them. One thing becomes evident as we review these accounts. People who are busy murmuring and complaining fail to see the goodness of God present in their midst. The transforming love that Zacchaeus experienced from Jesus was available to others, but they were too busy complaining to recognize the gift. Thus, I believe we need to ask ourselves, “How is my attitude?”

Are we filled with the joy of the Lord? When we have a conversation with someone and they walk away from us at the end of the conversation, have they encountered the love of the living God in us and through us? Are we life-giving people? Are we building up the Kingdom of God?

Zacchaeus reminds us of the power of God. He also reminds us that we have much to be grateful for in regard to the blessings poured upon us by our gracious and loving God. Let us be people of gratitude. When we are appreciative of the blessings in our lives we will grow in union and communion with God. The joy of the Lord will exude from every fiber of our being and we will profoundly experience the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. That is the gift of the transforming love of Jesus Christ!

In the Catholic tradition we celebrate “ALL SAINTS DAY” on November 1. We give thanks and praise to God for all of those holy men and women who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. It is also a solemn reminder that each one of us is called to sanctity. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he informs us that, “God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Quite simply, we are called to be saints.

All Saints Day took on a new meaning for me in 2009. Yes, it was four years ago on this date that I found myself driving alone from Missouri to Wyoming to begin a new chapter of life. On November 2, 2009 I would assume my new position as the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The economic downturn had made it difficult to sell our home in Missouri, and my family remained behind as I ventured out west. I had no idea that I would be uprooted from my family for a year before we would finally be reunited.

The challenges that are faced when we embark upon new endeavors can be quite daunting. I never imagined that so many obstacles could arise from so many different  avenues, but arise they did. Eventually, we were able to meet each of those difficulties and overcome the setbacks and tribulations that plagued our path. Was it easy? Definitely not! Was it worth it? Absolutely!

I spent some time today reflecting upon what has transpired over the last four years. Obviously, family dynamics were a huge part of the transition process–changing schools, leaving jobs and acquiring new ones, leaving friends and hoping to gain new ones, leaving most of our family members and going to where we knew no one, and a whole list of other things.  This was no small undertaking. The support of my family is what enabled me to make this transition.

What have I experienced in four years as the Director of Pastoral Ministries? It has been a multitude of things and much of it has been new experiences. That has helped me to continue to grow in my walk with the Lord, and for that I am extremely grateful. I glanced back through my calendar from the last four years and these are some highlights that caught my eye.
1. Canonically assigned to the Cathedral of St. Mary as a deacon. What a privilege that has been!
2. Received the opportunity to preach on a rotating basis at the Cathedral. Awesome!
3. Have had the opportunity to present catechetical workshops in all but just a few parishes across the entire state of Wyoming. Some that I have not yet been to are on the calendar.
4. Have led three parish missions and have another one on the calendar in February.
5. Have been a guest homilist at numerous parishes across the diocese.
6. Have been the homilist at several of the liturgies when we gather for our annual institutes with clergy and lay leadership.
7. Have led several parish staff retreats and days of spiritual enrichment.
8. Have led several retreats and workshops for parish pastoral councils.
9. Continue to lead an annual RCIA retreat for several parishes.
10. Have led retreats and days of recollection for numerous groups including the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and others.
11. On August 11, 2010 I was appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools. What a learning experience that has been!
12. This role has given me the opportunity to lead staff development workshops for our Catholic school faculties all across the state. If weather and my schedule permit, it also lets me travel 1,200 miles across the state to visit the schools during Catholic Schools Week.
13. Have been serving as the diocesan director for the Propagation of the Faith. Working with missionaries coming into the diocese to give mission appeals has also been a new experience.
14. Have worked with people engaged in legislative advocacy work and have testified before several committees at the state capitol on behalf of life and religious liberty.
15. Have become involved in events that take place on December 21 each year for “Homeless Memorial Day.”
16. I work closely with many groups on life events. This includes Life Chain each year on the first Sunday of October, our state’s pro-life march to the capitol each January on the Saturday nearest the anniversary of Roe versus Wade, an annual banquet, and much more. I work closely with the Knights of Columbus to acquire ultra-sounds machines for our crisis pregnancy centers across the state. That has been an extremely successful project and has borne great fruit.
17.There have been several opportunities for me to be the keynote speaker at life events and conferences in Casper, Cheyenne, as well as Fort Collins, Colorado. 
 18. Numerous opportunities to work with a homeless shelter in Cheyenne and other agencies serving the needs of people who are struggling.
19. Opportunities to teach come along in a variety of ways–adult confirmation classes, RCIA, youth retreats and more.
20. Lastly, I have the opportunity to experience Cheyenne Frontier Days each July. There is nothing in Missouri that can compare with Cheyenne Frontier Days.  (To be fair, Wyoming doesn’t have the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team though.)

The blessings that have come to me during these last four years are too numerous to count. As I continue to travel across the diocese and meet more and more people all across the state and experience the hospitality of the west, all I can say is, “Thank you.”

All you holy men and women, pray for us!

October is Respect Life Month and it is quickly drawing to a close here in 2013. The current 40 Days for Life campaign will be ending a few days into the month of November. Once again, we have seen many blessings come about because of faithful people praying in front of abortion clinics all across the country and around the world.

It is disheartening to see individuals and institutions who claim to be followers of Christ promote abortion on demand. It is especially sad when I see members of my own Catholic denomination falling into that error. Today, I read an article about a Catholic institution that was simply mind-boggling. You can read it here: 
http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/2640/EXCLUSIVE-Georgetown-Law-Class-Required-to-Work-for-Pro-Abortion-Lobby.aspx

Kelli Garcia, a Georgetown University law professor, wrote a love poem to Planned Parenthood back in 2011 entitled, “Planned Parenthood, Why Do I Love Thee?” Are you kidding me? 

I am not a poet, but I don’t think Kelli is either. So here is my response to her poem with my own.

“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


“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 40 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 in vain

All of the wounds and painful memories you can freely bring

There is healing and forgiveness from Jesus Christ our King 


For the gift of life, we give thanks and praise to our God!

The political ponderings today are all about the winners and the losers following the deal to re-open the government. The liberal media will obviously tout this as a huge victory for President Obama and the Democrats; the Republicans suffered a miserable defeat and are experiencing discord in the ranks. Conservative talk show hosts will continue to describe the lack of leadership from the White House as being the cause of our country’s downward spiral. On both sides of the aisle questions are being asked of every so-called “expert” to explain the future of the Tea Party, the Republicans, and of individuals like Senator Ted Cruz. The answers are not surprising, but then again, we have come to expect very little—in regard to substance—from the Washington establishment.

Who are the winners? It is plain and simple. The Washington elite are the winners; the American people are the less fortunate. (I refuse to use the term “losers” to describe the American people.) The lust for power remains evident in Washington, and it has no regard for party lines. In a thirst for holding onto power, even some Republicans did okay.  For example, the AP reports:

“One provision would let the government spend $2.9 billion — an increase from the current cap of $775 million — to upgrade the Olmstead lock on the Ohio River.

It gained attention because the two states it straddles are represented by two of the Senate’s most powerful members: the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and No. 2 Democratic leader, Richard Durbin of Illinois.”

Even the AP uses the word “powerful” to describe the senators. That’s what it is all about.

Some conservatives experienced a bout of depression when President Obama was re-elected to a second term in office. At that time many people openly asked, “How could this have possibly happened?” All of the latest maneuverings in Washington should bring a little clarity to the picture. The cultural values of today are vastly different than they were fifty years ago. The political debacles we see being played out over and over are simply a symptom of a much larger problem in our society. Let’s admit it. The “ME” culture, looking out for number one, has won. “The land of the free” will continue to experience decline as long as a significant portion of our population operates out of the mindset of looking out for number one. The “entitlement culture” is here to stay for a while. Why? People who get things from the government repeatedly vote for those who gave it to them.

The Founding Fathers understood the need for three branches of government to protect us from tyranny. In recent years it has become quite evident that this methodology is only effective if there are truly people of honor in these positions of leadership. What happens to our country when people of integrity no longer fill these roles? What happens when Christian values no longer guide the people who sit in positions of power?

Religious values and morals may be looked upon as old-fashioned, but the message of the Gospel is still the fabric that holds a society together. We may choose to ignore the fact that our Founding Fathers relied heavily upon people living their lives based upon Christian principles, but we are doing that at our own peril. Having upright, ethical and moral principles are essential for a society to thrive. Without people of faith leading the way to instill these values throughout culture we are doomed to moral decay. We are now reaping what we have sown for the last fifty years.

We removed God from our schools and other public institutions. We even removed manger scenes from public lands during Christmas. The HHS Mandate has effectively stripped us of our religious liberty. We now have freedom of worship instead of freedom of religion. Our faith is being constricted and confined to our church buildings and homes. Based upon all that has transpired, one has to ask how long we will have freedom of worship before that is taken away as well.

Watching our government leaders intentionally inflict as much pain as possible upon the American people during these last two weeks was difficult to watch. They locked out the World War II veterans from the memorial built in their honor. They closed National Parks and even blockaded state roads so people couldn’t take pictures of Mount Rushmore. They kept contract Catholic priests from providing spiritual care and religious services to our military personnel. Each of these, and so many more, were directed to hurt the people. It is painfully obvious that many government leaders are more concerned about power, money, and prestige than they are about the American people.

Does any of this surprise us? It shouldn’t. Look at what we value in society and we can see that our politics simply reflect our overarching cultural values. Power and money has the potential to bring corruption in any sphere of life. Examine the lives of professional athletes. Have you heard how many professional football players have been arrested in the last year? Look at the immoral antics of so many of the entertainers and actors that enjoy the limelight. The political field is just another area of quick-sand that sucks in even those who arrive in Washington with good intentions. If an individual loses a re-election attempt, it is time to become a well-paid lobbyist. Of course, there is also the lucrative public speaking route to pursue. Former President Bill Clinton can attest to the millions that are available in this venue for past presidents especially. Writing a book can also enhance that endeavor immensely as well.

Where is the hope in all of this? Scripture says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) I believe we have affirmation that this Scripture passage is still very relevant today. People of faith—it’s time for us to pray and work like never before. It is time for us to bring Christ to the world.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Today begins the second half of the current 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. What an amazing blessing this movement has been to our country and to the world! The power of prayer is revealed time and time again and the 40 Days for Life website recounts many of these blessings on a daily basis.

How did abortion become a political football rather than a moral outrage? Sacred Scripture tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5) Do we believe that? If so, how have we allowed the intentional destruction of millions of infants in their mother’s womb? Do we not believe that each of these individuals was known to God and precious in His sight?

Participants in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil sacrifice a great deal to be present in front of abortion clinics to pray. Some travel great distances to attend and the weather conditions can sometimes be quite brutal.  Furthermore, there are some who do not like to see prayer warriors in front of abortion clinics and hurl vicious verbal attacks against them, and sometimes even physical attacks. So why do people come to pray? The reasons seem to vary. Some have been personally affected by abortion in one way or another and have experienced the harmful consequences.  Others simply recognize the sanctity, dignity, and value of each human life and see a need to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Regardless of the motivation, each participant has made a conscious decision to stand up for life.

It still astounds me to hear the verbal assaults from others while praying in front of an abortion clinic. In almost any other instance of life people will gladly welcome prayer. We even seek people out to pray for us when we are ill, unemployed, or suffering through some type of disaster. However, prayer is not warmly welcomed in front of an abortion clinic. Why is that?

Why is it problematic if I stand outside in a public space and pray for individuals within a building? I am not standing there threatening or even wishing harm on anyone; I am praying for all involved. I pray for the abortionist to experience conversion and start working for the preservation of life. I pray for the nursing and support staff to likewise experience a change of heart. I even lift up in prayer their families at home. I pray that they will encounter the living God in a profound and dramatic way. I pray for all of the other employees and volunteers involved in the administration of the abortion clinic. I ask God to give them clarity of heart and mind in regard to what is happening in their midst.

Next, I pray for the women and men entering the clinic. My heart goes out to them. How did they get to this point where abortion seems to be the only option for the perceived predicament in which they find themselves? How has society failed to instill and nurture values which build up and strengthen families rather than dismantling them in so many circumstances?  How have our churches and other institutions failed to support women and families causing them to feel such extreme isolation, loneliness, and desperation? In what ways have our educational, religious, and government institutions failed to guide young men during their formative years to instill within them the values of integrity, accountability, and dare I say, chastity? What responsibility and accountability do each of us as individuals have to accept in regard to our personal failures in building a culture of life?

Next, I pray for all of the people keeping vigil. We are united with one common purpose—the preservation of human life. It is important that we remain steadfast in our efforts and not grow discouraged. I then pray for all of our churches and other institutions which should be leading the way in our endeavors. Complacency and silence will not help us proclaim the Gospel. It requires courage, persistence, and perseverance. Christians, individuals and churches, are being called to be faithful witnesses. How well are we responding to the call?

Obviously, prayer time wouldn’t be complete without praying for the unborn babies entering the building in which their very lives may come to an abrupt end. This has been an especially difficult component for me to grasp as I stand in front of the abortion clinic—knowing that a life is going to be snuffed out and there isn’t anything I can do to stop it. As a matter of fact, there have been times when a police car is parked right in front of the entrance of the clinic. The quiet and peaceful individuals silently praying on the sidewalk are seen as the threat. The police are there to protect the clinic workers and patrons from us. The idiocy of such a situation is beyond explanation. Legalized killing is protected, while people of prayer are viewed as a threat to the harmony of society.

Each time I visit with someone who has been hurt by abortion, my heart just aches for them. They share the grief, the sadness, the broken heart. The ripple effect of pain is huge, and the mainstream media refuses to honestly look at the reality of what is taking place all around us. Creative words can be used to paint a picture that is significantly distorted from the reality. It doesn’t matter how frequently abortion proponents call it a choice; it is still the death of a baby.

It is important that people of prayer continue to pray in front of abortion clinics. There are a lot of hurting folks who desperately need the touch of God’s healing hand. It is essential that we are present in the very midst of the hurt. Prayer in church is good; prayer in the community where pain and suffering is present is vital. May we all be abundantly blessed during the second half of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil!

Chuck Lawless recently published an article on www.churchleaders.com entitled Hidden, Dangerous, Contagious: 10 Church Diseases You Should Know.  The author devised a number of clever titles to reveal some very serious challenges within church communities.  Although he did not go into much detail on any of the ailments of the church, he certainly “named” things well enough to provide a jump-start for further reflection by the individual reader.  That is what I am going to do today.  I am going to reflect on number 10, Congregational Myopia.

Chuck Lawless said, “The congregation with this condition is nearsighted, focusing on themselves only.  They have no vision for the future, and fail to see that their current direction will likely lead to further disease and decline.”  The diagnosis, as well as the prognosis, seems to be quite harsh.  However, based upon my own experience, I would have to say it is also right on target.  This situation can be quite deadly for the life of any congregation.

I have had the privilege of working with a number of parish pastoral councils through the years to train and assist them in understanding their role in the parish.  One of these gatherings was uniquely enlightening.  This particular event was designed to be a three hour workshop as compared to some gatherings where I conducted the training in the midst of a weekend retreat.  The sole purpose of this workshop was to reflect upon the parish mission statement and brainstorm ideas for better fulfilling it.  As I read the mission statement, it was painfully obvious that it suffered from Congregational Myopia.  The entire mission statement focused on the people already in the pews and had no outreach mentioned at all. 

In a step-by-step process of drawing out the thoughts of the council members, it finally became crystal clear to them that their current mission statement had a definitive shortcoming.  A member finally asked, “How do we correct this?”  We subsequently began to look at the life of the parish from the perspective of where it had been, where it was currently, and where they would like it to be in the future.  Unfortunately, three hours passed quickly and we were far from complete in our endeavor.  I assured the parish council members that they had the tools to finish the project, and they were excited to develop a new mission statement to bring to the rest of the parishioners.  A new fire had been sparked and a myopic view was in the process of being corrected.

The second encounter I had with this particular diagnosis was in a mega-church which boasted a whole booklet full of ministries.  The parish had a state of the art campus with many bells and whistles to enhance the experience of learning and worshiping. It seemed like the epitome of success in regard to church operations.  In many ways it was a successful venture, but a look below the surface revealed some stark realities.  Most of the ministries listed in the booklet were inward focused.  It seemed that they catered to the needs of the existing parishioners and gave little regard to those outside the walls of the church.  I wish I would have coined the term Congregational Myopia at that time to present an accurate diagnosis of the problem. 

Suggesting a wider outreach to build up the Kingdom of God was met with indignation and contempt from some of the parish leadership.  One staff person vehemently asked, “How could you even think that we aren’t doing enough with everything that is going on in the parish?”  In my opinion the answer wasn’t in doing more; it was in realigning priorities and being more intentional in reaching out beyond the church walls.

As I look back at this experience I can see clearly what Chuck Lawless is saying, “…their current direction will likely lead to further disease and decline.”  If our focus is no longer on loving Christ and loving our neighbor, and we are instead centered on ourselves and our success, the only possible outcome is further decline.  Acknowledging our condition is a prerequisite for healing.  If parish leadership fails to recognize that a problem exists, the myopic view continues.  Subsequently, the potential of the parish to transform the world is severely diminished.

It is extremely important that we care for the people in our pews.  They need to be nurtured and nourished with great pastoral care and support.  This helps equip them to be beacons of light out in the world.  We need their faithful witness.  However, it is also essential that we are intentional about reaching out beyond the church walls in our parish-wide endeavors.  How do we care for the poor and marginalized members of society?  How do we bring the love of Christ to our communities through effective outreach and presence?  How do we effectively live up to the mandate to go out to all the world and tell the Good News? 

As individuals, and as congregations, how is our vision?

An early season snowfall created a little difficulty for travel on Saturday, October 5, but eventually Interstate 25 opened and I began my trek from Cheyenne to Thermopolis to preach at the weekend Masses and present a three night parish mission at St. Francis Church. Traveling was treacherous for the first 40 miles with many cars in the ditches and a jack-knifed tractor-trailer in the median. I considered turning around and going back home at one point, but I couldn’t find a safe place to do so.  Thankfully, the blowing snow subsided as I got farther and farther away from Cheyenne. I will readily admit that it was very pleasant driving the last 100 miles on dry pavement.

The homilies and mission talks centered on the topic, “Stir Into Flame the Gift of God.” The Gospel reading for the weekend gave us a great lesson in regard to praying simply. “Lord, increase our faith.” It is a simple and forthright prayer, and one I need to be uttering with some frequency. As Jesus painted a picture of what we could do if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, I became very excited about the great works we would see during the parish mission. I trusted that God was going to move in our midst in a powerful way, and God did not disappoint.

I focused my presentations on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. I put these topics into the context of stirring up the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we could experience the extravagant grace, forgiveness, and healing of Jesus Christ. The parish mission ended on Tuesday evening with an opportunity for the pastor and I to pray individually with parishioners. This is always a profound experience because God touches lives in dramatic ways during these prayer experiences. Once again, the healing touch of Christ was evident and the power of the Holy Spirit moved among us.

Preaching parish missions is a privilege I enjoy immensely. Spending four or five days in a parish gives me a chance to come to know parishioners and pastors in a meaningful way. My life is always enriched by the presence of faith-filled people at these gatherings. Although I am usually physically exhausted when I return home, there is also a renewed sense of inner energy and enthusiasm. The people of Thermopolis certainly gave me that gift this week.

The month of September was jam-packed with activities for my office, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been right in the middle of all of it.  I traveled over 4,000 miles all across the state of Wyoming during the month.  Although I felt extremely tired from time to time, there was also a sense of exhilaration.  In the process of articulating hope to others, I repeatedly found joy.

On Sunday, September 1, I had the privilege of preaching at all of the Masses at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne.  Due to my travel schedule this, was the first time I had the opportunity to preach at the Cathedral in several months.  It was great to see all of the parishioners again and catch up with a quite a number of folks that I had not seen in a while.

On September 3, I traveled to Wheatland for a catechist workshop.  The catechists were ready for another year to begin and it was a pleasure to share in their enthusiasm.

On September 6, I joined the Cathedral Guild ladies for their monthly gathering.  These ladies are some of the most generous and dedicated individuals I have ever met in my life.  In that group of ladies I see the ultimate of ministry in the tradition of Mary and Martha.  These ladies are people of deep faith and prayer, and they are certainly “doers” as well.  The Cathedral community is blessed to have them in so many ways.

On September 8, I traveled to Sundance for an all-day catechist workshop.  The northeast corner of the state is beautiful, and the volunteers from Newcastle, Sundance, Hulett, and Upton made it even brighter.  The fog was extremely thick upon my arrival, but the light of Christ was able to break through nonetheless.  People traveled a good distance to participate in this workshop, and the joy that was present in the group was exciting to see.

On September 9, I attended a meeting of the Laramie County Right to Life.  This group organizes the annual March for Life here at the state capitol in Cheyenne as well as the annual “Celebrate Life” banquet.  I work diligently to get Catholics to participate in these activities, and it has been a blessing to see these events grow year by year.  Two years ago I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the “Celebrate Life” banquet.  Last year the event was moved to a larger venue and the keynote speaker was Pam Tebow.  Yes, that is Tim Tebow’s mom.  Her presentation was excellent.  This year the speaker will be Abby Johnson, author of Unplanned. It will be exciting to hear her testimony.

On September 11, I traveled to Rock Springs and then onto Pinedale.  I visited Holy Spirit Catholic School as well as the parish.  It is always good to stop in and visit with our dedicated Catholic school teachers and principals.  They accomplish some amazing things on very limited budgets.  Serving as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne has been a learning (and rewarding) experience.  I made it to Pinedale in time for a catechist workshop that evening.  We were a small group gathered together, but it was powerful just the same.  The excitement and enthusiasm of the catechists, from the rookies to the veterans, was contagious.  Pinedale is blessed to have these selfless volunteers.

I got up early on the morning of September 12, to travel back to Cheyenne from Pinedale.  Inclement weather, a flat tire, and a few obstacles with road construction blockages added to the excitement of returning home, but I made it back in time to gather with the ladies of the Bishop’s Guild at the Holiday Inn.  I was the speaker for the evening and eagerly shared some thoughts about stirring into flame the gift of faith.  These ladies, many of whom also belong to the Cathedral Guild, are pillars of faith.  I often learn a great deal from observing them, so I consider it a huge privilege to be the one who speaks about the gift of faith.

From September 13—15, I went to Aurora, Colorado for the National Catholic Charismatic Leadership Conference.  Please see my previous post for details about that experience.  All I will say here is, WOW!

From September 17—19, we had our annual September Institute in Casper.  This event is a gathering of all the clergy and many of the parish lay leadership.  The focus this year was on the New Evangelization.  It is my responsibility to oversee the logistics of this event, and one of the challenges is finding well-formed speakers who are also energetic and inspirational.  The speakers this year did not disappoint and I was grateful for their presence.  Dr. Michel Therrien and Mr. Jim Beckman from the Augustine Institute served us well. 

I returned home for a day before departing again.  I spent the weekend of September 21 and 22 in Buffalo.  I was invited to preach at the weekend Masses and then conducted a parish-wide workshop on Sunday afternoon on the topic of bringing faith alive in our homes and in our parish.  It was a well-attended event and the Knights of Columbus took good care of us with a bountiful brunch to get us started.

I spent several days in the office trying to catch up on the administrative tasks that continue to pile up while I am traveling.  Then, on September 26, St. Mary’s School in Cheyenne held its first ever Foundation Breakfast.  I will admit that I was not thrilled about being at the school by 6:45 A.M., but it was a great event and gave a good boost to the efforts of those responsible for raising funds for the Foundation.  The generosity of so many people behind the scenes is truly heartwarming.

On September 27, I was back on the road again headed for Jackson.  I couldn’t believe it, but the weather forecast was a concern.  It’s only September.  Come on!  I drove in fog; then it was rain; then it was snow; then it was sleet—and a lot of it.  Finally, the last 50 miles were free of the inclement elements.  This made for a beautiful ride into the picturesque city of Jackson.  The hand of the Creator is clearly evident in the beauty of the Tetons.

We had an all-day workshop for the catechists on Saturday, September 28.  The pastor had told me that I would find an eager and receptive audience.  He wasn’t kidding.  The catechists in Jackson are on fire with the love of the Lord.  Being with all of them fired me up.  What a tremendous gift these people are to their parish.  Simply wonderful!  I returned to Cheyenne after the workshop.  The 8 hour drive went by relatively quickly as I reflected upon the wonderful experience of the day.

On Sunday, September 29, I traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado to pray in front of Planned Parenthood for the first time during this current 40 Days for Life.  I have been determined to make this a priority during the current vigil.  It is so important that we continue to be vigilant in our efforts to remind people of the beauty and sanctity of each human life from conception through natural death.

In my travels, I try to articulate hope in every opportunity that I have to speak to groups of people, or one-on-one for that matter.  What I experienced during this month was nothing short of amazing.  I may have been articulating hope, but people were flooding me with joy in return.  I saw the goodness of God in a multitude of ways and the joy of the Lord filled me in the process.  Am I tired?  Yes, a little.  That is insignificant compared to the excitement I feel.

Thermopolis, here I come.  It is time for a Parish Mission!

The National Service Committee hosted the annual Catholic Charismatic Leadership Conference this past weekend in Aurora, Colorado.  Approximately 350 leaders from across the country were in attendance for the gathering.  Despite personal difficulties in travel to get to Colorado from Wyoming, it was well worth taking some detours to navigate around the flooding to be present for this uplifting and prayerful event.

One dynamic speaker after another reminded us of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Dr. Tom Curran provided a powerful and profound keynote address to get things started on Friday evening, and praise and worship filled the event for the rest of the weekend.   We were reminded to live with the joy of the Lord, and Maria Vadia demonstrated clearly how it can be done.  Wow!  I don’t believe I have ever witnessed such energy from one individual at any religious event I have ever attended.   Bishop Sam Jacobs wrapped everything up by challenging us in his closing homily to praise God at all times–not just when we are at conferences.

Extravagant grace is something we have each received from God, and it was certainly beneficial to be reminded of this awesome gift from God.  The power of the Holy Spirit is present in our lives at all times.  How do we allow the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to take place in our day-to-day lives?  It has to be more than just a one time event when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, or more than an annual event when we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.  It needs to be a way of life.

The Charismatic renewal impacted my life in a dramatic way many years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in my life.  The prayer group that I had been attending on a minimal level reached out and prayed for me in a way that I had never experienced.  I was invited to let the glory of God shine through this difficult moment of my life by giving praise to God in all things.  That was one of the most difficult invitations I have ever received.  I did not want to praise God.  I wanted to be angry with God.

Although I still have a long way to go in my faith journey, the Charismatic renewal has definitely helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord.  This includes giving praise to God in all things, inviting the Holy Spirit to truly guide me and empower me to walk faithfully with Jesus on a day to day basis, and ultimately, to simply walk humbly with my God.  

Observing others singing and praising God with arms outstretched, speaking in different tongues, dancing before the Lord, and freely demonstrating outward expressions of exuberant joy in the process is not what we typically experience in our Sunday gatherings. Although I have been to several of these major charismatic gatherings, I will admit that it still moves this particular introvert out of his comfort zone.  However, that is a good thing.  Each time I participate I come away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, and it enhances my Sunday experience when I return back to the parish.

If you have never attended a charismatic prayer group, participated in a “Life In The Spirit Seminar, or participated in a Cursillo experience, I invite you to seek one of these events out and give it a try.  Let the Holy Spirit fill you with a “Fresh Fire and Extravagant Grace!”

The speech given this week by President Obama on the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech has been analyzed extensively by both the right and the left.  Depending upon the political viewpoints that one adheres to will obviously affect the way in which one interprets the message given by the president.  Some have viewed it as “brilliant” while others have seen it as “divisive”.  Other analysts have seen it as a “missed opportunity” in which the president could have celebrated the victories and accomplishments of the past 50 years.  Instead, in their opinion, he chose to focus on the shortcomings of our nation.  By doing so, the president simply moved into another campaign speech to promote his own political agenda.

I am not a political analyst, and I have no desire to dissect the speech line by line looking to prove a point on one side or the other.  However, there are certain things that just made me sit in disbelief as I watched and listened to the president deliver his speech.  It started near the beginning when the president quoted these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Every time I hear these words, I wonder how our nation ever got to the point where we simply chose to ignore them.  The words are straight to the point.  We believe that we have a Creator who endowed us with unalienable rights.  A complete list isn’t given, but “among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  It begs the question, “How can we destroy the lives of millions of babies and not see the contradiction?”  How did we as a nation become so complacent, so apathetic, to allow the slaughter of innocent children to be the law of the land?

President Obama went on to say, “Willingly, they went to jail to protest unjust laws, their cells swelling with the sound of freedom songs. A lifetime of indignities had taught them that no man can take away the dignity and grace that God grants us. They had learned through hard experience what Frederick Douglas once taught: that freedom is not given; it must be won through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith.”  If God gives us dignity and grace, why has the president been so adamant in promoting abortion rights?  Is it only some people that have dignity and grace?  My dear people, the president may be right.  “Freedom is not given; it must be won through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith.”  Are we willing to maintain the struggle, exhibiting discipline, persistence, and faith, to fight for the unalienable right to life of the baby in the womb?  Do we have the guts to protest unjust laws?

President Obama continued, “We might not face the same dangers as 1963, but the fierce urgency of now remains. We may never duplicate the swelling crowds and dazzling processions of that day so long ago, no one can match King’s brilliance, but the same flames that lit the heart of all who are willing to take a first step for justice, I know that flame remains.” The fierce urgency of now remains.  Yes, it does.  We are not only struggling for the right to life, but our liberty is under attack as well.  People of faith are being told to keep their faith within the confines of their church building and in the walls of their own home.  It has no place in the wider community.  This trampling of religious freedom, especially in regard to the HHS Mandate which strives to force us to violate our consciences in regard to the sanctity of life, should ignite that flame in our hearts to truly stand up and fight for justice.  “Freedom is not given; it must be won through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith.”  If that is the reality of things, then let’s engage in the struggle until victory is won.

Finally, the president concluded, “And that’s the lesson of our past, that’s the promise of tomorrow, that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it. And when millions of Americans of every race and every region, every faith and every station can join together in a spirit of brotherhood, then those mountains will be made low, and those rough places will be made plain, and those crooked places, they straighten out towards grace, and we will vindicate the faith of those who sacrificed so much and live up to the true meaning of our creed as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  What does the president envision when he refers to, “the true meaning of our creed as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all?”  What is truth in his mind?  His actions have demonstrated that he is the most pro-abortion president in history.  How does that promote life?  His HHS Mandate violates the conscience rights of many faith denominations.  How does that promote liberty?  Removing God from every aspect of public life, except when it is convenient for political purposes, certainly does not promote a development toward us being one nation under God.  Without God, there will be no justice for all.  Read the documents of the Founding Fathers to verify that they understood that this new republic which had been established could only succeed if people were guided by their Christian faith and morals.  

I am grateful for the positive strides our country has made in race relations, and I clearly understand that we still have work to do.  However, since 1973 another civil rights issue has been in play, and after 40 years there is still much to do.  Will people of faith accept the president’s challenge as laid out in his speech?  Will we come together by the millions to change the course of our country’s current path?  Will we fight for the right to life and liberty, so there may be a genuine pursuit of happiness?