My daughter sent me this picture a couple of days ago while she was visiting someone in California. She knows my appreciation for signs located in interesting places that communicate fascinating messages. For instance, which set of lights (left or right) does the sign address? Typically, we go when the light turns green. Why is it telling me to wait?
As I prepare to hit the road again this afternoon, the weather forecast of rain turning to snow does not excite me too much. I am more impressed with the lush green vegetation in the picture above that has me yearning for warm summer days. Living in a milder climate is certainly appealing at times, but I digress.
Back to following directions: 1. Love your enemies. 2. Bless those who persecute you. 3. “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) 4. “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
These are all pretty simple directions. How are we doing at following them?
In recent years I have conducted a few retreats for parish staff personnel. Pastors recognize the need to keep their employees spiritually healthy and energized. This is especially true in larger parishes where the staff is typically greater in number and have more opportunity for inner-office conflict and challenges. I had the false impression that when one begins to work at a church facility all human dynamics are heavenly. Realistically, we are still human and the group dynamics play out in a multitude of ways. Even if a parish staff is functioning in a healthy manner, it is good to reinforce that positive behavior and keep pastoral sensitivity at the front and center of our minds.
I have led several retreats for parish staff members here in Wyoming, a couple in Colorado, and now I will be leading my first retreat in South Dakota near the end of the summer. I have never been to the Terra Sancta Retreat Center in Rapid City, and I am looking forward to this new experience. I especially appreciate the theme of the retreat chosen by the pastor, and I am grateful that he has entrusted me with this sacred duty of sharing this time with him and his staff. Details of the retreat were completed today, and I appreciate that advance planning which makes my study, research, and proximate preparations less stressful.
There is still plenty to accomplish this spring. I am in the midst of a parish mission in Wheatland, Wyoming. This coming weekend begins a parish mission in Casper, Wyoming. Then we move into Holy Week. After that I have a men’s retreat in Thayne, Wyoming at the beginning of May. (I am hoping that much of the snow on the western side of the state melts before then.) Planning for the ordination and installation of our new bishop on June 5 also adds a little flavor to things in the office in the midst of everything else.
My life is not dull during these days of Lent. I hope you are finding God in the details of your own life. The man born blind showed us the power of Jesus as he washed in the pool of Siloam. How is the power of Jesus manifesting itself in your life?
The parish mission at St. Patrick Parish in Wheatland, Wyoming is off and running. This was my first time preaching in both Wheatland and Chugwater. It is a wonderful privilege to be invited into parish communities to share some time for prayer, fellowship, and learning. I am looking forward to the next three evenings.
On Saturday evening I was also treated to a magnificent concert presented by American Legion Post #10 and VFW Post #3558. The BAR J WRANGLERS put on a magnificent show. If you get a chance to join them during their summer shows in Jackson Hole, I would highly recommend it. They were amazing.
After the concert on Saturday night it was time for some rest. This morning we celebrated the Eucharist in Wheatland first and then headed to Chugwater. After Mass in Chugwater I had an invitation to join a few parishioners for lunch. I did not take the opportunity to sample the town’s signature Chugwater Chili, but I certainly intend to try that at some point.
May these remaining weeks of Lent bring you abundant blessings!
The last time I was scheduled to preach a parish mission at the cathedral I ended up missing Monday and Tuesday evening due to being hospitalized. We are ahead of the game this year. We proactively scheduled two different preachers for those first two evenings anticipating my failure to show. The pastor is always thinking ahead. You let him down once and he does not take any chances in the future. He replaces you. (Just joking. This was designed intentionally to give a variety of speakers.)
Seriously, I am looking forward to preaching at all six of the weekend Masses and the closing night of the mission. My travel schedule does not allow for frequent preaching at the cathedral these days. Thus, it will be nice to make it to all of the Masses and see many folks that I have not seen in a while. I believe the three nights of the mission will provide three very different perspectives and styles from those of us doing the preaching. Hopefully, parishioners will be able to connect well with one or all of us.
If you live in the Cheyenne area please mark your calendar and make plans to join us.
We are less than three weeks away from the 3rd annual women’s retreat at St. Joseph’s Parish in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Although the “Year of Mercy” has concluded, that does not mean we simply forget about mercy. Last year our retreat theme was “Come Celebrate God’s Love.” This year we are going to focus our attention on mercy as we gather to “Come Celebrate God’s Mercy!”
Specifically, we are going to reflect upon God’s mercy in ourselves, in our homes, in our Church, and in our world. Finally, we will look at ways we can then extend that mercy to others as we “go forth glorifying the Lord by our lives.”
It has been a wonderful gathering each of the last two years with over forty women in attendance both years. I look forward to another vibrant gathering. I hope you’ll plan to join us if you are in the Cheyenne area.
There are instances in which I become profoundly aware of just how quickly time is passing. This past Saturday I presented the annual RCIA retreat for the seventh consecutive year at St. Joseph’s Parish in Cheyenne. I moved to Cheyenne on November 1, 2009. We had the first retreat in 2011 and have been having it ever since. It started with just St. Joseph’s Parish but has expanded to include the other parishes in town as well. It is wonderful to gather with people eagerly awaiting their initiation into the Church at the Great Easter Vigil.
This retreat marks the beginning of a very busy season. Ash Wednesday will usher us into the Lenten season. Thursday will find me reading to students at St. Mary’s School for Dr. Seuss’ birthday. On Thursday night the Cheyenne Lions Club will be hosting their annual Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet. I have been asked to be the keynote speaker for this event, and I am looking forward to spending this evening with some successful and dedicated individuals.
On Friday my road travels will begin. First up–a retreat and a three night parish mission in Green River, Wyoming. I will be leading a retreat on Saturday for all of the volunteer parish ministers. This is a beautiful opportunity to renew and refresh ourselves as individuals and as a parish community working and praying together. It will be my privilege to preach at the weekend Masses and lead a three night mission. I was in Green River in 2014 and 2015 to lead parish missions. After a year break I am looking forward to returning again.
There are times when teachers have their students write thank you notes to me for one reason or another. I received a bundle of notes and cards recently that students had written in honor of celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The notes thanked me for my service as a deacon. None of the notes mentioned my role as Superintendent of Catholic Schools. I wonder if that is because it is easier to spell the word deacon as opposed to the word superintendent?
Anyway, I want to share a couple of samples with you that really caught my attention. One student was telling me a little about himself. He said, “My favorite animal is a turtle because they don’t do anything.” I will admit that I had never considered the life of a turtle in that way.
I will write the next quote just as the student had written it to me. That includes the parentheses. He said, “I am thinking about being the first North American Pope (or listening to my mom and becoming a Radiologist).” Let that sink in a little bit and then consider his follow-up lines. “I guess it would be fun becoming a Radiologist because I would just have to look at X-rays all day long. I mean I would have to go to school a lot either way so win win.” Thediscernment process appears to be relatively simple.
The purity and simplicity of children can serve as a good reminder to all of us who may have become more than a bit tainted and cynical through the years. During the upcoming Season of Lent I invite to you become more child-like, just as the Sacred Scriptures encourage us to do.
This is a “guest post” from an individual I greatly admire. Her few words are powerful, and the photo speaks volumes. I am grateful that I was given permission by Christina Thomason to share her story. I invite you to check out her website after reading the one paragraph summary of a lifelong journey. If you find yourself with a similar struggle, please know that help is available and hope remains. stpeterspt.wixsite.com/website
Christina Thomason
Today marks a milestone in my journey towards health. Five years ago I made a commitment to myself to live a healthy lifestyle in recovery from an eating disorder that consumed me for many years. I have seen this horrible disease kill beautiful people and destroy relationships. For me It caused multiple hospitalizations, including an attempt to fix the damage I had done to my heart. If you would have told me five years ago that I would be married, a business owner, a personal trainer, and pregnant I would think you were crazy. I’m grateful for those in my life who’ve helped me through my worst, especially Brett. Living in recovery isn’t easy but it’s amazing.
While we were in Missouri last week my wife and I attended a fundraiser to assist an individual with immense medical bills as she fights brain cancer. We arrived shortly before the event officially began and had a chance to look around before the crowds arrived. Raffle items lined the walls. Generous individuals and businesses were striving to make this fundraiser a success with the donation of these items for the raffle. The restaurant where the event was being held was also donating 20% of all proceeds as well. The gathering was a clear reminder of the many good people who step up to help others when times are tough.
The amount of pain and suffering that is present in our world is almost incomprehensible. We see news stories on television or read accounts in the media about poverty in third world countries. We see natural disasters bringing devastation and destruction to communities across the globe. We see wars and violence on a continual basis. We see the slaughter of Christians in the Middle East. The suffering is real.
We can feel helpless when we survey the magnitude of the suffering. We may think, “What can I do? I am only one person.” It is evident that I do not need to go to another country to witness pain. There are days when the local hospital is filled to capacity. Is there anyone I could go visit while they are in the hospital? Is there anything I could do for them at home while they are ill? When was the last time I visited someone in the local nursing home? Have I visited anyone lately who is lonely because they are homebound?
We have ample opportunities to live out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our day-to-day lives. Are we seizing these opportunities?
The snow in the Colorado Rockies looks beautiful, especially as I enjoy the view in 65 degree temperatures. I took a few days off to extend my three-day weekend, and it is a blessing indeed. I don’t remember too many days of being able to go outside without a jacket in February. It is truly refreshing.
Ash Wednesday is fast approaching, and I have been diligently preparing for the season of Lent. I usually only book two parish missions during Lent, but this year I booked four in an attempt to accommodate as many parishes as possible. The only two weekends not booked in Lent with a parish mission are weekends in which I am involved in diaconate formation.
As I have been preparing my homilies and presentations, I have been drawn into a reflective mindset about my own Lenten journey. I obviously want to expend my energy for God’s people as best as I am able. However, in order to do that well, I must be rooted in prayer myself. I cannot give to others what I myself do not possess. I need to be well-prepared for my teaching and preaching, but the first step must always be prayer. If God’s Holy Spirit is not at work in me I have no power to proclaim the Sacred Word in a way that cuts to the heart.
Subsequently, I am going to use these days of rest and relaxation to enter more fully into prayer, reflection, and just listening for God’s quiet voice in my inner soul. This will also be a time to give some thought to Lenten resolutions. What do I want to experience this Lenten season? Why? What do I need to do to make it happen?
How about you? When Easter arrives, what do you want to be able to see as you look back at the prior 40 days of Lent? How will your life of prayer be enhanced? What works of charity will you do? What will you study and learn? Give some thought to this now. Do not let this holy season pass you by without growing in union with God.
Ash Wednesday is March 1, 2017. Will you accept the invitation to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel?
