The fourth and final parish mission of the Lenten season is on the horizon. It has been a fantastic Lenten journey thus far, and I am looking forward to joining the parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima again this year for food, fellowship, and prayer. I really enjoyed my time at the parish last year when we had the mission. This will be a phenomenal way to approach Holy Week. If you live in the Casper area I hope to see you in the days ahead.
My daughter sent me this photo from California and provided no context at all. Thus, I can let my imagination run wild in regard to what was being addressed. Do you get half credit if you use the trash cans but do it loudly?
As we draw near to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, how have you responded to the Ash Wednesday invitation to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel”? Were those ashes placed on your forehead a clear enough sign that you are dust and unto dust you shall return? Be a faithful follower of Christ. Your neighbors will apreciate it whether they realize it or not.
It was another wonderful evening in Wheatland last night. I have especially enjoyed getting to know some of the parishioners on a more personal level since my initial arrival on Saturday afternoon. That is a component that I truly appreciate each time I lead a parish mission. Spending five consecutive days in one location allows for more personal interaction than what I typically get when I just come to a parish to do a one day retreat or workshop.
The drive home last night was a little slower due to the rain and snow. There was a fifteen mile stretch in which the snow was fairly intense for a while. I was grateful for the transition back to rain by the time I reached Cheyenne city limits. Traveling in the spring seems to always be a little on the exciting side. Quite frankly, I am okay without the added excitement.
We will wrap things up tonight with a focus on healing. In most cases I draw parish missions to a close with this same focus. It is extremely important that we truly know of God’s forgiveness, mercy, and compassion in our lives. When we open ourselves to God’s healing grace we are then more fully equipped to go out into the world to bring that same healing and peace to others.
The rug at the entrance of St. Patrick Church in Wheatland gives a powerful message in regard to our purpose and mission. We enter to worship and are sent forth at the end to serve. May we live that well in our own lives!
I arrived in Wheatland yesterday with enough time to get in a brief walk before the start of the parish mission. Rain and/or snow may prohibit that this evening. Hopefully, the weather does not create any treacherous driving conditions for my trip there and back.
Last night I focused on the theological virtue of faith. How do we nurture that gift? Each week when we proclaim the Creed at Mass, or when we renew our baptismal promises during the Easter season, what are we expressing? How do these commitments impact the way we live our day-to-day lives?
Tonight I am going to focus our attention on the theological virtue of hope. How does our faith in Jesus Christ fill us with hope? Do we live our lives with joy? Does gratitude fill our hearts? Does a grateful heart prompt us to be generous in the way we love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength? Does it prompt us to be generous in the way we love our neighbors as ourself? The virtue of hope will play a key role in whether or not we are able to answer these questions in a positive manner.
The focus tomorrow night will be on healing, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. How do we embrace God’s forgiveness and healing in our own lives, and how do we extend that same forgiveness and healing to others?
A thought from St. Faustina: Will you enter through the door of God’s mercy or through the door of God’s justice?
I enjoyed seeing the sights while spending time in Wheatland, Wyoming.
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.
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.
