Category: Archive

The temperatures have warmed up and the rain has subsided.  The prairie is green due to all of the moisture.  Flowers are in bloom and a sense of calm surrounds my life.  Summer is a welcome guest.  A little tranquility is good to soothe the troubled soul.

The challenges of life will always be around.  Illness, injury, loss of a job, a broken relationship, death of a loved one, or a myriad of other afflictions can enter our lives at any given time.  The troubles of the day are sufficient without looking ahead to tomorrow.  Are we able to grasp the serenity and contentment when opportunities to do so present themselves?  Are we able to rest in the Lord?

The month of July tends to be my time to recuperate, regroup, and refuel for the next eleven months.  I am grateful for the slower pace and I typically try to get away for at least a few days of vacation.  Obviously, Cheyenne Frontier Days brings the party right to our front door at the office near the end of the month.  The parade beckons us to come outside and take a look at the festivities, not just once, but twice during the workweek.  How can we refuse the temptation?

July provides an opportunity to do more reading as well.  I can dive into some of the many books that continue to accumulate in my office and near my nightstand at home.  Preparing for another year of presentations, workshops, and retreats requires diligent study and planning.  This is a task I take seriously and I prefer to utilize slower times to get a jump on these types of preparations.  In the midst of it all I can prayerfully reflect upon the message I feel guided by the Holy Spirit to prepare.  These are blessed moments in my life.

It is my hope that each of you have an opportunity to experience some time for relaxing during these days of summer.  Let God speak to you in the process.  Whether you are going on an exotic vacation, a camping trip in the woods, or simply sitting on your porch enjoying a stay-cation, invite the power and presence of God to join you.  Enter into prayer during these quiet moments. Give thanks for the blessings.  Ask for strength to endure the trials and tribulations.  Most of all, recognize that this is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it!

We are midway through the month of June and I am still looking for a small glimpse of summer.  Will the rain ever decide to take a break longer than a few hours?  It is nice to see everything so green from all of the rain, but it makes it tough to get a tan.

The weather patterns can run in cycles just the way many other things do.  We can see cycles in our own lives.  Sometimes my disposition will demonstrate a sunny side for a considerable amount of time.  Other times it can reflect the darkness and storminess of the clouds waiting to pour forth a thunderstorm or hailstorm.  (Hopefully, my disposition never reflects a tornado or some similar natural disaster.)

Psychologists and motivational speakers have repeatedly shared the positive aspects of living with a good attitude.  There is little doubt that living our day-to-day lives with a positive attitude will bear significant fruit.  If that is the case, why do we so frequently witness negativity in our homes, our workplaces, our politics, in our communities, and even in our churches?  Do we need an old-fashioned high school pep rally?

Our faith journey runs much deeper than a superficial “rah rah” speech.  We are people of hope because of our faith in Jesus Christ.   If we find ourselves a bit on the gloomy side of things, and there is not necessarily a medical condition involved, how do we go about finding rejuvenation and renewal? What does it mean for our faith journey if we become content with a sour disposition?

Maintaining our physical health requires certain things like food and water.  If we neglect these necessities our health quickly declines.  The same can be said of our spiritual health.  If we only pray once a week we are starving ourselves spiritually.  If we never study about the Church, how do we expect to grow in love with the Church?  Finally, do we keep ourselves spiritually fit by putting our faith into action?  When was the last time you did something nice for someone else?

Even if the sun doesn’t shine for an extended period of time during a rainy cycle, we can still radiate and reflect the light of Christ to others.  The way we live impacts the people around us.  Make sure you are letting your light shine!

http://www.catholic365.com/article/1661/fully-equipped-catholics.html

This is a reminder to all those in northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming about the open house this coming Saturday at the Abbey of St. Walburga.  I hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate with the Benedictine Sisters.

I have had the privilege to go to the Abbey each year since moving to Wyoming.  The chancery staff makes an annual retreat at the Abbey.  I have also had the pleasure of leading a few retreats there as well.  I am looking forward to leading a weekend retreat this October sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and open to men in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. The atmosphere at the Abbey is one that certainly draws you into prayer.  The typical Benedictine hospitality is amazing. 

I extend my congratulations and prayerful best wishes to all of the sisters at the Abbey of St. Walburga.  May God continue to bless your ministry abundantly!

I had the opportunity to attend Kindergarten Graduation this morning at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  I am not sure where the biggest smiles could be located.  The graduates were excited; parents of the graduates were beaming; grandparents were filled with joy.  If a person could capture the emotions present at Kindergarten Graduation and bottle it, a great fortune would be in store for that individual.

Each time I attend one of these ceremonies I am amazed at the coordination of everything.  The children move right on cue and there isn’t hardly ever a missed beat in the process.  The patience of kindergarten teachers to accomplish these tasks must be nothing short of miraculous.  A tip of the hat to all teachers who bring so much to our little children at such young ages.

            Congratulations to Kindergarten Graduates everywhere!

I had the pleasure of participating today in the 8th grade Graduation Mass with the St. Mary’s Catholic School community in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was a beautiful celebration.  The graduates were excited to complete this chapter of life while beginning to anticipate the next phase of their academic endeavors.  You could feel the joy and energy among all in attendance. This was a scrapbook moment for the graduates as well as their parents and families.

These types of gatherings remind me of the blessings of God.  The gift of love between a man and a woman which brings forth new life is not something we should take for granted.  As I watched all of the young kindergarten students enter church it was a solemn reminder that these 8th grade graduates were once in their places.  The transformation that takes place in eight years, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually is no small feat.  There are many graces and blessings during these formative years.

The blessing of receiving an education is phenomenal.  While we may consider it with little regard in our country, the reality is that a good education is  a huge factor in our adult lives.  It will make a difference on many different levels–economically, socially, and spiritually–just to name a few.  If the 8th grade graduates don’t understand this now, eventually they will come to see the value and the blessing of their education.

The pastor and other clergy members have been a tremendous blessing to the students through the years.  This is not something I mention lightly. There is a positive impact on the lives of these young people because of the care, concern, and love extended by Church leadership.  The love of Christ has been demonstrated in and through these ministers to the children, their parents, and the teachers and staff as well.  They have helped create some milestone memories.

Teachers–what can I say?  Your commitment, dedication, and professionalism make our world a better place.  Thank you for your ministry. Your hours of lesson planning, grading, meeting with parents, preparing newsletters, compiling report cards, facilitating extracurricular activities, and monitoring recess, lunch, and crosswalks all demonstrate your willingness to give and not count the cost.  All of the little things you do which most of us never see–thank you!  You are frequently the milestone memories of the students. 

Support Staff–what can I say?  You make a lot of things happen on a daily basis and we just assume it happens on its own.  You are the spokes on the wheel that keep things moving efficiently.  You may not hear it very often, but I want to say thank you for the many ways you make our schools better. In the creation of milestone memories your jobs may be made a little more difficult.  Office workers are signing people in and out of the school and the maintenance staff watches as the facility takes a beating from all the “fun” taking place.  I am especially reminded of this when I see the principal and P.E. teacher being taped to the wall.  A little chaotic, but memorable!  In the end, more scrapbook moments have been captured.

Principals– what can I say?  Take a day or two off after school ends and then get back at it to start preparing for this fall.  Just joking!  Your role as the spiritual and academic leader of the school is no small task, and the burden of responsibility which you bear is huge.  Please know of my gratitude for your commitment to Catholic education.  While the students may not frequently remember you as a milestone memory, your role behind the scenes has made it all possible for them.  They may not realize it for a few years yet, but your presence has impacted them immensely.  Thank you for enriching their lives through your administrative expertise.

Finally, I offer a word of gratitude and encouragement to the parents of our students.  Being a parent is no small undertaking and the challenges are real. May God continue to bless each of you as you live out your vocation as the first and primary educator of your child in the faith!

  Have a Blessed Summer!

Another academic year draws to a close, or has already been completed for some.  What has been achieved during the last nine months in our classrooms all across America?  Are we a nation growing in knowledge and understanding?  What are the moral implications in regard to the direction our institutions of learning seem to be leaning?  In 1765, John Adams surmised in his Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”

The shift in American culture in my lifetime has been rapid and a bit unsettling.  The apparent decline in moral and ethical standards is truly disheartening.  It seems that evil is celebrated and righteousness is mocked on a regular basis.  People of faith are ridiculed and the moral guidance of the Church is shunned and ignored.  Where is the general knowledge among the people going to be derived?  Will it only be emanated from atheistic institutions?   

The irrelevance of faith in modern society can simply be described as sad.  This is not just an American problem. Even in Catholic Ireland there is great joy and jubilation today because the backward ways of the Church have been overridden by popular vote.  The shackles of restraint imposed by the Church have been removed. Sexual morality is determined by each individual and there is a complete disregard for any absolute Truth.  Who would have ever dreamed that a Catholic country would completely turn its back on the Faith of our Fathers?

In American society we have seen the deterioration of moral values imposed upon us by the government itself.  God has been systematically removed from our classrooms.  Health classes have embraced sexual exploration as a mainstay of the curriculum.  Organizations such as Planned Parenthood are invited and welcomed onto campus, but any organization holding fast to traditional values and morals is typically not welcome.  There is an agenda being pursued and the success rate of dismantling the family unit through this process has been dramatic.

In a speech to the Virginia Convention in 1788, James Madison said, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”  Does anything come to mind when you read this?  How about all of the federal regulations imposed upon the people through a multitude of agencies.  These regulations are not passed by Congress.  Moreover, they are frequently released quietly before a holiday weekend so there is little press coverage.  It is a gradual and silent encroachment.  James Madison knew what he was talking about back in 1788.  It would behoove us to pay attention to his words of wisdom today.

As I reflect upon all of the Memorial Day celebrations that took place this past weekend, there is a significant question staying etched in my mind.  Are we a virtuous nation?  America has done a lot of good throughout the world.  We have accomplished much both at home and abroad.  Will we continue to be a nation of excellence?  The moral decline has me gravely concerned about our future.  John Adams said, “Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul.”  Will virtue remain in our country?

I want to close by offering a word of gratitude to all of the teachers who strive to fulfill their calling well.  There are a lot of good public school teachers striving to be a positive impact on society.  Unfortunately, you have been handcuffed in many ways to teach the fullness of Truth.  We have wandered far from God since the founding of our country.  The educational system in America is now more concerned about providing transgender bathrooms than teaching eternal Truth. Is it a huge surprise to see society struggling as a result?  Faith-filled individuals teaching in public schools under modern circumstances must surely face some difficulties and conflicts in conscience.  I hope you are able to stay strong in your role.  Even if you aren’t allowed to teach the faith, you can still be a witness to Jesus Christ.  We need that witness.

Teachers in Catholic and other Christian schools need to be diligent.  We need you to provide a solid academic education as well as exemplary faith formation.  Please walk the talk.  Be a model of Christian witness.  Assist your students to grow in wisdom, grace, and holiness.  Teach them the history of our great country.  Let them know the role that faith played in the founding of this great nation.  Equip them to stand against the gates of hell.  Our religious liberty is essential and we can’t surrender it due to ignorance.  Read the early documents of our country and be informed.  Subsequently, pass that knowledge onto your students.

Woodrow Wilson gave a speech in New York on September 9, 1912 in which he stated, “Liberty has never come from the government.  Liberty has always come from the subjects of it.  The history of liberty is the history of resistance.  The history of liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it.”  Take some time to learn about the many federal regulations quietly set forth just before the holiday weekend.  Liberty will only be secure if we are an informed citizenry.

Educators, enjoy the summer break.  Come back in the fall with a renewed vigor to equip your students for the journey of life.  May we realize the ideal of being “one nation under God.”