I always enjoy the opportunity to see parish leaders from all across the state gather for the annual September Institute. Although the diocese encompasses the entire state of Wyoming (and Yellowstone Park), it still has a “small town” feel to it in regard to having the opportunity to get to know people from each of the parishes. Typically, we gather in Casper for this event, but this year we are hosting it in Cheyenne.
Keeping in line with our diocesan strategic pastoral plan, the Institute will be focused on youth ministry. Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo from the University of Notre Dame will be the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions with a variety of local presenters will also be part of the day’s activities on Wednesday. Obviously, we will also gather in the Cathedral each day to celebrate the Eucharist. The next three days will be filled with a lot of attention to detail, but I think we are ready.
In case I don’t get back to my blog until the end of the week, please know that I am occupied with work related duties. Each time I miss a few days I get e-mails from a few of my Missouri readers asking: “Are you sick?” One individual consistently asks: “Are you on vacation again?” (Very Funny!) I appreciate that readership of my blog has gone up significantly in the last six months, and I do my best to stay consistent with posting several times a week. Sometimes it is just a little more difficult to keep up with the demands of life. Have a blessed week!
It was a gorgeous day to make our way from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Virginia Dale, Colorado for the women’s retreat at the Abbey of St. Walburga. I have been to the Abbey each year as a retreat participant, but this was my first time to be the retreat leader. It was a privilege to gather with women from all three of the parishes in Cheyenne. We also had a participant from Holy Family Parish located on the F.E. Warren Air Force Base as well as one participant from Colorado.My day begun at 4:30 A.M. as I made final preparations for the retreat. Predominantly, that consisted of praying and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a fruitful day. I believe those prayers were answered very profoundly. I was in the chancery office by 7:00 A.M. gathering up the necessities for the retreat. By 8:15 A.M. we were on our way across the border. We enjoyed the hospitality of the Benedictine Sisters, learned a little of their history, and had the opportunity to join them for mid-day prayer.We returned to Cheyenne just after 5:00 P.M. which gave me the opportunity to make it to the state capitol by 6:00 P.M. to join Bishop Etienne for an ecumenical prayer service with the Greek Orthodox Community. We prayed for the well-being of Christians in the Middle East and implored God for peace in our world. My day finally concluded at 8:30 P.M. before I sat down at my computer to put a few thoughts here. Thus, I will not give a lot of details about the retreat, but I will let the pictures give you a glimpse of the beauty we enjoyed. We not only saw the handiwork of the Creator in our surroundings, but we encountered the glory of God in our midst. It was a “WOW” experience.I offer my sincere gratitude to all of the ladies who attended the retreat. Your kindness and deep spirituality touched me. Thank you for your faithful witness to Jesus Christ.
The prayer vigil at the state capitol with Bishop Paul Etienne and several Greek Orthodox priests.
There was a lot of bloodshed to get to that point, but the Constitution of the United States of America was signed on September 17, 1787 by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It took until June 21, 1788 to get the required 9 out of 13 states to ratify the document. Subsequently, the government did not begin functioning under the new constitution until March 4, 1789. Today, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in operation in the world.
I was not an avid student of history in my younger years. As the years of life add up it is easy to now see the folly of such a dismissive attitude toward past events. The present moment that we have the opportunity to experience has been shaped by these historical events in monumental ways. The gift of freedom is a cherished treasure that did not come without a significant price.
The world in which we live is a complex place. While it is easy to sit in my living room and criticize our governmental leaders while watching the evening news, I also realize that their task of governing the country is no small endeavor. This becomes more and more evident as the polarization of America grows ever deeper and wider. Seeking the common good seems to be a foreign concept in the current political climate. On the other hand, could it be that there is just no majority viewpoint as to what is the common good?
My growing concern for our country is the lack of moral persuasion exuded by the Church. Separation of Church and State has been so twisted through the years that the Church has been pushed more and more into the background so as to have little or no influence in the civil discourse of ideas. If the Church does not have a place at the table in the arena of public life, who or what will be the determining influence that shapes the current thinking in regard to the common good.
Preaching and teaching on Christian values greatly impacted our nation in its early years. There is much written documentation to verify that assertion. Now, preachers are frequently badgered into silence about anything that is related to politics or cultural values. Some want the IRS to strip a church of its tax-exempt status if the preacher mentions anything politically oriented in the sermon. Is that really what was intended from the founders of our country? Historical documents would certainly indicate that it is not.
On the flip-side, there are many people sitting in the pews who do not want to hear anything even remotely related to politics from the pulpit. Since many cultural values are shaped by politics and even mandated into law by legislation and court decisions, how does a preacher avoid wading into politics if the sermon covers the topic of morality? If the preacher talks about any of a vast array of topics regarding morality, it can be assumed that the sermon has entered politics. For instance, how would a preacher address any of these things without potentially being considered political?
Abortion Contraception Same-sex attraction Outreach to the immigrant Death Penalty Persecution of Christians
As fewer and fewer people attend church services on a regular basis it is only a logical progression that the Church will continue to lose its influence in shaping cultural values. Furthermore, as some Christian denominations accept abortion, same-sex unions, and other behaviors once considered taboo, the remaining denominations holding fast to traditional moral values are viewed as obsolete, out of touch, and irrelevant. The end result is that the value system once espoused by churches of most major denominations has been called into question at best, and completely disregarded at worst.
What does this have to do with our country and our constitution? Read the pertinent documents from our country’s early history. Look at the biblical inscriptions etched in stone on many of our government buildings. Look at the role of religion in the shaping of our country and you will clearly see that the founders emphasized the necessity of faith for the republic to effectively function under this type of governance structure. All of this begs the question, “What happens now as our country moves away from the founding Christian principles? How long can we last with this system of government as the Christian foundation becomes more and more despised and is incrementally removed from all of public life? Is the streak of 227 years of functioning under the same constitution drawing to a close?
I passed by St. Anthony’s Church in Guernsey, Wyoming today on my way to the small town of Hartville, Wyoming. (Population 76) I was a conducting a workshop for catechists from two mission parishes–St. Anthony’s in Guernsey and St. Leo in Lusk. We were graciously welcomed to utilize the Hartville Community Center for our workshop. Small town hospitality is still alive and well in Wyoming.I always appreciate the opportunity to get out into the diocese and meet the people who keep catechesis and faith formation thriving in our parishes. The workshop today was unique in that it was only for a couple of mission parishes. I typically get invited to hold a workshop in the main parish and any connected mission churches are invited to join us there. That was not the case today. Although these missions are served by St. Rose of Lima in Torrington, this workshop was tailored specifically for the catechists in Lusk and Guernsey. I was reminded today of what it is to be a “mission diocese.”Before moving to Wyoming I had been working in a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis with over 3,000 households. The attached Catholic school had nearly 500 students and the parish religious education program had over 500 students. First Communion was problematic because the church was too small to accommodate all the people even though the church could hold 1,200 people. The mission churches don’t struggle with such issues. I was informed today that they may have as many as three children make First Communion in a year. Some years there aren’t any.Wyoming is the least populated state in the country, and although Catholicism is the largest denomination in the state (followed closely by the Mormons), there are still only about 60,000 Catholics in the whole state. In metropolitan areas in other states you may find Catholic churches within blocks of each other. In Wyoming you won’t find that kind of close proximity. Harsh weather conditions can make the isolation even more dramatic. If there is a sign on the interstate that says, “Next Services 76 Miles,” you better believe that there is absolutely nothing available for the next 76 miles.Catholic Extension Society has blessed the Diocese of Cheyenne abundantly through the years, and continues to do so yet today. As the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the diocese, I know first-hand the generosity of this wonderful organization. It is through grants received from Catholic Extension Society that enables my office to continue. It costs money to travel the great distances across the state of Wyoming–over 98,000 square miles. However, the ability to connect personally with people, as I did today with the catechists from Lusk and Guernsey, is essential to enhancing the outreach endeavors of our parishes and missions. The faithful people who contribute to the Catholic Extension Society bless people all across this country in mission dioceses in ways that they may never know on this side of heaven. I just want each and every one of those donors to know how much their donation means to the work of proclaiming the Gospel message. Your kindness and generosity is making a difference. Thank you.After the workshop was completed today I took advantage of being in this historical part of Wyoming. I went to Register Cliff and also to see the Oregon Trail Ruts. Traveling across the state can be difficult even with all of the modern roads and vehicles that we have; I can only imagine the hardships of the early settlers. They had to be some rugged individuals and I admire their courage and tenacity.Enjoy the pictures from Hartville, Guernsey, and the historic sites in the area.
Hartville is the oldest incorporated town that is still in existence in Wyoming. The school desks below are in the community center which also serves as a museum. The iron work on the leg of the desk is amazing. The oldest bar is claimed to be in Hartville. Although I did not get a picture of the actual bar, it was made in 1862 and shipped to Wyoming from Europe. Thus, it came by ship and eventually by train to its current location in Wyoming. The woodworking on the bar is fabulous.
Last, but not least, I wanted you to know that I really did conduct a workshop today.
We woke up this morning to a dusting of snow in Cheyenne. The last snowfall of the season happened on Mother’s Day (May 11) and the first snowfall of this season happened on September 11. That makes for a relatively short summer season. I am grateful that we are going back into the 70’s over the weekend, and I am also appreciative that this snowfall required no shoveling.
The snowfall in May required a great deal of shoveling if you recall. Although I don’t miss the heat and humidity of summer in Missouri, the winter season does seem extremely long in Wyoming. I hope this isn’t an indication of how long it is going to be this year.
Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Hartville, Wyoming. It is the oldest incorporated town in Wyoming that is still in existence (according to their website). I am presenting a workshop to the catechists from the mission parishes of Lusk and Guernsey. Although I will miss seeing their churches by having the workshop in an alternate location, I am looking forward to experiencing another piece of Wyoming history.
I will leave you with two last pictures comparing the May 11 snowfall with the September 11 snowfall. Basically, these pictures are sending myself a message.”Stop being lazy and put the mower in the garage instead of on the porch!”
The cold, damp air seemed to set the tone for the day. I was tired and sluggish and the weather seemed to match my mood. I will also admit a certain level of anxiety because of today’s anniversary. Whether an attack is on our native soil or in a place like Benghazi, the anniversary of the 9/11 attack always spikes my apprehension about our citizens taking another hit.
Obviously, as I delineated all of the (terror) attacks on American soil in the last 20 years in my post yesterday, we are vulnerable to attacks at any time and on any day. It isn’t just on this one day. In yesterday’s posting I did not include any school shootings, the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and other events not labeled as terrorist attacks. The pain and loss of life in these crimes is also quite intense.
Reaching the evening hours with no reported attack has brought a sense of relief. At the time I am writing this I still have concern about the folks present for Thursday Night Football. I will be grateful when the stadium is empty and people have returned safely to their homes.
I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker this evening for the first meeting of the Bishop’s Guild in this new season. The topic that was chosen is the theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday which will be celebrated on September 21. The theme is, Teaching About God’s Gift of Forgiveness. Hopefully, all of us are teaching about God’s forgiveness first and foremost through our own forgiving actions. I can only imagine the difficulty of some people in trying to forgive the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack. How do we find the strength to forgive when we have been hurt so tragically?
Thankfully, all things are possible with God. The love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us. That is how we manage to go on through the difficult days of life.
My evening with the ladies of the Bishop’s Guild was a splendid one. I am extremely grateful for each of you individually and as a group. You have blessed, and continue to bless, God’s people through your lives of faithful witness. Thank you for your dedication to Christ and the Church and the many ways you serve. Please know that your sacrifices are genuinely appreciated.
As we left the hotel following the banquet we were greeted with snowfall and 35 degree temperatures. It’s only September 11. I am not ready for winter. Thankfully, it is a short blast and then back into the 70’s over the weekend.
I am watching it snow, but I am still thinking “summer” as I remember how hot it was in Missouri in July.
Have you ever stood on the edge of a mountainside and simply pondered? Have you considered the ease of travel in modern times with paved roadways and engine-driven vehicles? What did the early settlers think as they traversed through the mountains on horseback, in wagons, and on foot? Did they stand at the base of a mountain and get discouraged about climbing the mountain and crossing it?
We all face obstacles in life. How do we typically respond to those obstacles?
At this stage of your life, are you where you are supposed to be?
In a few weeks another birthday will arrive for me. Some of the goals I set as young man have been reached, but others have not yet come to fruition. (One of the goals was to be financially independent by the age of 40. I missed that one by a long shot.) As I was thinking about some of those things this morning I realized that I am not yet where I want to be in many areas of my life. I started to get discouraged by that but then remembered John Maxwell’s line, “When you’re through improving, you’re through.” As long as we are blessed with the gift of life, we continue to move forward in our journey toward God.
I began revisiting my goals this morning and making some adjustments to them. I also began reviewing some material that I have accumulated through the years on leadership. I found several pages of quotes that provided plenty of food for thought. Many of these were in John Maxwell’s book, Leadership 101. A few of them really struck me as being pertinent at this stage in my life.
“The highest purpose for faith is not to change my circumstances but to change me.”“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”“People do not follow programs; rather, they follow leaders who inspire them.”“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”“A leader takes people where they want to go. A GREAT LEADER takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”I have been blessed with some extraordinary people in my life through the years who have helped me grow in faith, in knowledge, and in understanding. They have been an asset in encouraging me to strive for that place where I ought to be. In turn, I have been striving to be that great leader who helps others get to where they ought to be. I know I still have much work to do in my earthly pilgrimage.The key to successful leadership is influence–not position or authority. The question I am asking myself I will also pose to you. Are you exhibiting a positive influence for those around you?
My family has moved quite a few times in the last 15 years. Each time we land in a new place it seems I get more and more disorganized. Boxes go unpacked and things go missing for years. Today, we tackled some of those unpacked boxes and I can’t believe the things I relocated. Some of these items I had actually searched for on numerous occasions, but today was when they were found.
One folder that I found had resources that I used for various talks in my early years as a deacon. Another one had some of my homework in it from when I was in formation and even classes I took following ordination. One class I took after ordination was entitled, “Teaching Religion To Children.” An assignment we received in that class was quite unique. Each student was given a cartoon picture and we had to compose a prayer based upon the picture. I received a picture of Winnie-the Pooh singing and dancing and enjoying the contents of his honey pot. Here is the prayer I composed 15 years ago based upon that picture.
PRAYER OF WINNIE-THE-POOH
I blow on my trumpet a melodius chord And make a joyful noise unto the Lord That is what Scripture tells me to do Hello Lord, it’s me–Winnie-the-Pooh
Oh God, it is with all my heart and soul I pray That I may never find myself going astray But sometimes, as quick as a wink Oops–I guess I didn’t think
Please guide me until the journey’s end And always be my faithful and loving friend Protect Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore too And don’t forget me–Winnie-the-Pooh
I ask you to give me so much grace That I see heaven–not that other place And Lord, I don’t know if this is right or not But for now, I simply pray for a full honey pot
I signed up for something a long time ago that has been a real blessing to me, and it is FREE. Go to www.praymorenovenas.com and subscribe. During each novena the daily prayers come right to your inbox. If you check your e-mail every day there is no chance to accidentally forget your prayers. The prayers are short so they are able to work for any lifestyle.
The next novena begins tomorrow (Saturday) and will be for the intention of strengthening marriage and family life. These nine days of prayer will lead up to Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which we celebrate on September 8). We have seen the decline in our society due to the instability of family life. Let us pray for that trend to reverse itself. I realize that it is a three day weekend and we want to get in that last bit of summer fun, but I encourage you to take time to pray as well.
On this Labor Day weekend please pray also for all those who are seeking work. If you have the blessing of being gainfully employed, take time to give thanks to God for that blessing. If you are unemployed or underemployed and desire fruitful work, sincerely and humbly ask God for that need to be fulfilled.
Today is the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was born on August 28, 1749 and died on March 22, 1832. He has many fantastic quotes but some stand out for me in particular.
“Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.”
“I love those who yearn for the impossible.”
“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.”
“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
These quotes speak profoundly to the Christian journey. If we are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit we should not be dreaming small dreams. Let’s move the hearts of men and women through our faithful witness to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s yearn for the impossible, because we know that with God all things are possible. Let’s be people who encourage others so that they can walk in hope. Finally, let’s put our faith into action. It isn’t enough to just know our faith academically. We must apply it if it is to bear fruit in our lives.
“Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17:20)
