We are just ten days away from the start of the parish mission at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Casper, Wyoming. I am looking forward to spending these days in the parish with my good friend Fr. Thomas and the many parishioners that I have come to know through the years. As we move into the middle of the Lenten journey I will do my best to share thoughts on God’s Extravagant Mercy!
This is a wonderful group of people that I have the privilege to work with on a daily basis at the Diocese of Cheyenne Chancery Office. Leading a retreat for my co-workers was a bit intimidating, but I am hopeful that I did not mess them up too much in the process. This photo was taken at the end of the day and everyone looks unscathed from the experience.
Having the opportunity to go off-site for a day of reflection and renewal is good for the soul. Stepping back from the daily grind and focusing attention on our spiritual journey can help us keep our priorities in line. I am praying that my presentations yesterday helped our group to do just that.
It is now time to complete my preparations for the women’s retreat being held this Saturday at St. Joseph’s Parish in Cheyenne. I was notified yesterday that 50 women from the parish have signed up to attend the all-day retreat. The beautiful season of Lent continues to draw people closer to the Lord.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) is retreat day. Each year during Lent the staff of the chancery office attends a one-day retreat at the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. Although we cross the Wyoming border into Colorado the abbey is only an hour drive from Cheyenne. It is the closest and most convenient retreat facility we have. Praying mid-day prayer with the sisters is a blessing in and of itself and makes the journey well worth it.
The retreat will be different for me this year. Instead of being present as a participant I will be facilitating the retreat. I am grateful for the privilege of leading this time together with our group, but a little apprehensive as well. The Scriptures reference my trepidation. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” (Mark 6:4) Since we are leaving town and these people aren’t my relatives, I am hoping this verse of Scripture does not apply.
Spending as much time at work as we do, my co-workers sometimes feel like part of my extended family. We work together; we pray together each day before leaving for lunch; we share many of the joys and struggles of life with one another. My co-workers know my good points; they also know my weaknesses. Leading this retreat will be in the context of simply being a pilgrim with them on the journey. We are all in need of God’s grace and mercy, and I will share the joy of experiencing that compassion from God on a daily basis.
Someone asked me today if the bishop attends the retreat. I said he usually does as long as his schedule permits. The person continued, “You work for the bishop, right?” I answered in the affirmative. He continued. “The bishop will be attending the retreat as a participant and you are the speaker leading the retreat. Do I have that right?” Once again, I answered yes. That led to a final question from him. “Won’t that make you nervous knowing the bishop is sitting there evaluating you as you give your talks?” Well, it didn’t until now that you brought it up. Thanks!
Congratulations to the the four young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Wednesday at F. E. Warren Air Force Base. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, J.C.D.
of the Archdiocese of the Military Services presided.
It was a privilege and blessing for me to serve with Archbishop Broglio for this celebration.
Author Harper Lee has died at the age of 89. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author published To Kill A Mockingbird in July of 1960. Although I learned of this script my freshman year in high school in the spring of 1975, I had very little comprehension of the dynamics which surrounded this literary masterpiece. That would take years of life experience to more fully comprehend.
In an attempt to fulfill the fine arts requirements to attain high school graduation, I ventured into the world of speech and drama my freshman year to get that particular requirement “out of the way.” I had no idea what such an adventure would eventually bring. At the age of 14, I qualified for state competition in the arena of speech and debate. Unfortunately, while my school district considered freshman as part of high school, the state viewed freshman as part of junior high. Thus, my invitation was rescinded.
In addition to a variety of speech endeavors, I also attained roles in several school plays during my freshman year. The last of these roles was in the final production of the year, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” I was selected to play the part of Atticus Finch. I don’t believe there has ever been a time since then that I have attempted to memorize such an immense amount of material.
Learning lines, knowing where to move on stage, picking up cues, conveying the right body language, striking a convincing tone when delivering closing arguments to the jury, are all things that still stick in my mind although this play took place in my life over 40 years ago. I definitely learned some things about acting in this process. More importantly, I learned some things about life.
Reflecting back makes me appreciate the opportunities for learning that have come my way through the years. Mr. Ed Schieffer, thank you for all that you taught me in my first year of high school in speech and drama class. You provided a foundation of public speaking skills that I have been building upon ever since. A class that I took to simply fulfill requirements has brought immense benefit to me in a multitude of ways. Your coaching during my formative years was a true blessing.
Harper Lee, thank you for a script that impacted my life at an early age. May you rest in peace!
Vernon Dobelmann as Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird” in the Spring of 1975.Lincoln County R IV High School in Winfield, Missouri
Mr. Ed Schieffer, Director
I had the privilege of being one of the speakers yesterday afternoon at an event for National School Choice Week held at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne it is a pleasure to highlight the benefits of Catholic education.
This morning I switched hats and spoke briefly at a deacon information meeting. We are preparing to begin another formation class and today was the first information session offered in the diocese. It was exciting to see a good number of men and their wives seeking more information. Will they go down this road? I don’t know. That is what discernment is all about. Those who are admitted to the aspirancy year will begin a possible five-year journey toward ordination. As a member of the formation board I will be walking with this group of men and their wives during those years of education and formation.
Wearing multiple hats in my role at the chancery office reminds me of one very important thing. I need to stay rooted in prayer. It is with the grace of God that these good works will be brought to fulfillment.
We are just five weeks away from the Parish Mission at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Casper, Wyoming. I am looking forward to preaching at the weekend Masses and spending three evenings delving into the topics of faith, hope, and mercy. The pastor of Our Lady of Fatima has graciously invited parishioners from all three parishes in Casper to join us for this Lenten experience. I hope to see you there.
I chose not to watch the debates last night. My frustration at the process runs across the board. I am tired of the candidates, the media outlets, the political pundits, the lies, the cover-ups, the conflicts of interest, and the games. A question I heard on the radio this morning affirmed my frustration. A commentator was asked, “Who performed the best in last night’s debate?” Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear the question, “Which candidate laid out the best plan for America’s future?” The content of a debate seems to mean very little. It is simply a performance that deprives the voters of real substance.
Style is a big deal in today’s political climate. Say what you want, but having been a reality TV star seems to have prepared the front runner on the Republican ticket with a solid background to be a politician. He is “performing” well and drawing large audiences. He didn’t even show up at the debate and still commanded an undue amount of attention. That is no accident.
I continue to pray for our nation. We are in desperate need of a solid leader filled with integrity and wisdom to guide us in these complex times. Do any of the candidates currently running fit that description? I don’t know. I need more time to look past the performance and into the substance. I wish we had an objective media to help in that endeavor, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
Time marches on. Today is the 30th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger ripping apart shortly after take-off. Anniversaries such as this remind me of the fragile nature of life. We do not know the day nor the hour. The more alarming part of this self-awareness is recognizing that a significant portion of my life has passed.
I was a young man in my twenties when the Challenger disaster occurred. I was also less than six months away from being diagnosed with cancer the first time. A lot of water has run under the bridge since that time. We will each come to the end of our days on this earth at some point. Hopefully, it will not be tragically as the astronauts experienced. I pray that we are in constant union with God so that we are found ready when we are called home.
On another note, my mom would have been 92 today. It is just under three months ago that she was called home to the Lord. I am grateful to all the ladies who made her 90th birthday a very special day. Each of you were a tremendous blessing to my mom. Even though mom is no longer here on earth, I continue to be grateful for each of you and the loving care you provided to her. God bless you for your kindness and friendship.
The ranchers against the federal government illuminates the tip of the iceberg of confusion, anger, and discontent in this country. The lack of objective reporting makes it difficult to analyze the issues and know who is right and who is wrong. Unfortunately, governmental leaders have created an atmosphere of distrust among the people they have been called to serve. This results in volatile situations which typically do not end well. The case in point looks to be repeating past precedent.
In another example the taking of life is celebrated by many supporters of Planned Parenthood. Instead of being prosecuted for murder and the selling of body parts, Planned Parenthood is exonerated and honored. The individuals connected with exposing the atrocities of Planned Parenthood are instead targeted for indictment. Really? The conflict of interest in the prosecuting attorney’s office is extraordinary if reports by LifeNews.com are accurate. LifeNews.com reports that Lauren Reeder is a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s criminal family law division, and is listed as a non-compensated Director on the 990 Tax Form for 2014 filed by Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. No conflict of interest there, right? Once again, who are the bad guys and who are the good guys in this travesty?
Romans 8: 26 reminds us that we don’t know how to pray as we ought. I am finding that passage more and more relevant in these days of strife and confusion. I am going to trust the “inexpressible groanings” of the Holy Spirit on my behalf. In addition to praying for an increase of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, I sometimes just want to pray for some good-ole common sense for our world.