This is my eighth Christmas in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It has been my privilege to always assist the bishop at Midnight Mass. I decided to keep up the tradition this year even though our diocese is curently without a bishop. The rector of the cathedral was the main celebrant and gave a compassionate message to God’s people. The choir was vibrant, the liturgical environment was beautiful, and it was a prayerful celebration of the Incarnation of the Word of God.
It is a cold and blustery day in Cheyenne today. I am grateful to be at home where it is warm and comfortable. I am always a bit tired on Christmas Day. Going to sleep right after I get home from Midnight Mass is usually not in the cards. Today was no different. As I watched the clock turn 3:00 A.M. and I was still wide awake, I knew a nap would be on the agenda for today. It is strange to see how our bodies react to different circumstances. I could not hardly stay awake waiting for midnight to arrive, but then I was wide awake when it was time to go to sleep after Mass. (I must be geting old!)
Social media has been filled with Christmas greetings, videos, pictures, and warm wishes. Would it not be wonderful if we could embrace such sentiments all year round? That is the grace which we celebrate today for “God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son.”
I am grateful for the many good people who have been part of my life through the years. (I will admit that I am a bit jealous of my friends and relatives living in places like Florida. I could use a litle heat and humidity right now.) I am grateful for the many people with whom I have had the privilege of being a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord during these last eighteen years in Missouri, Colorado, and now Wyoming. I am especially grateful for the group pictured below–the Chancery Staff of the Diocese of Cheyenne.
Near Year’s Eve is a night I like to stay home. The days of going out and partying to bring in the New Year have long since passed. In recent years I have made a commitment to spend more time in prayer on this particular night. There are many things for which I can pray in addition to safety for all of the revelers. Here is a sampling of what I will be bringing before God on New Year’s Eve.
First of all, I will come before God with praise and thanksgiving. Although 2015 has certainly had its moments of struggle there have been numerous blessings as well. Thus, it is time to give thanks for family, friends, shelter, food, clothing, a job, access to healthcare when my heart stopped beating correctly, and a whole list of other material goods that we have the opportunity to enjoy. I thank God for the gift of faith and a beautiful church in which to grow in appreciation of that gift.
There are always particular celebrations that are to be remembered in gratitude when reflecting over the last year. Our daughter getting married in May is one such event. Our son celebrating his 18th birthday would be another one. Wedding anniversaries are something to be thankful for regardless of the year. Margaret and I celebrated 27 years together this year. Anniversaries of other events are also a time for praise and thanksgiving. In 2015 it was 29 years since I was diagnosed with cancer the first time and 14 years since the second time. That means next year it will be two milestones in one year—30 and 15. It has also been 12 years since my open heart surgery. Although that fix seems to be wearing off, I am grateful that my two hospitalizations this year seem to have put me back on the right track again.
There are plenty of intercessions to be offered as well. It seems like there is never a shortage of people to pray for and concerns to be brought before the foot of the cross. Here are some of my petitions for this New Year’s Eve.
I pray for all church leadership—the pope, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and all lay leaders striving to proclaim the Good News of Salvation in their respective roles. Fill them with zeal, energy, hope, integrity, courage, perseverance, and a genuine love for God’s people.
I pray for all who bear the name of Christian—may each of us live our lives in such a way that we truly bear witness to Jesus Christ.
I pray for all who do not know Jesus Christ—may they come to encounter the living God through the faithful witness of those who believe and follow in the footsteps of Christ.
I pray for all government leaders worldwide—may they govern with wisdom, prudence, and integrity as guided by the Holy Spirit. Specifically, I pray for own president, the vice president, the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, the U.S. Senators and Representatives, Cabinet Officials, ambassadors, and all appointees who wield power and influence.
I pray for all local government officials as well—the governors, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, treasurers, auditors, senators, representatives, judges, mayors, city administrators, council men and women, sheriffs, and all appointees who wield power and influence. May each of them carry out their duties with diligence, prudence, wisdom, and integrity.
I pray for who are struggling in any way. I pray for those whose hearts are broken due to relationships falling apart. May the shattered hopes and dreams eventually be pieced back together in renewed spirit and vigor.
I pray for the incarcerated and all of their families–may they find strength, hope, healing, and conversion.
I pray for the homeless—may they find shelter in the immediate circumstances and eventually obtain a safe haven that is more permanent.
I pray for the unemployed and the underemployed—may all who seek gainful employment be successful in their endeavors.
I pray for all those suffering from physical illness—may they experience healing, comfort, and peace through the mercy of the Divine Physician.
I pray for all those suffering from mental illness and emotional issues—may they find solace and healing from the support and encouragement of loved ones as well as beneficial help from the medical community and the healing touch of our Lord.
I pray for all who are depressed, especially those contemplating suicide—may they reach out and get the help they need to cope with the current circumstances and be led to healing and wholeness in the love of Jesus Christ.
I pray for all those who are home-bound, in hospitals, nursing homes, and under the care of hospice—may they experience genuine love from those who care for their needs.
I pray for the terminally ill—may they find comfort in the love of family and friends and eternal hope in the embrace of Jesus Christ who is Lord forever and ever.
I pray for all those suffering from addictions. Through God’s grace, the help of others, and a definitive purpose to be set free, may each of you truly experience the freedom you desire.
I pray for all those family members who care for loved ones who are suffering—may God fill you with patience, fortitude, and strength.
I pray for all who are grieving the death of a loved one—may you find comfort and peace in the warm embrace of God’s love and the care and concern of other family and friends.
I pray for the safety of all travelers.
I pray for our law enforcement personnel and other first responders—may they be protected at all times, but especially on this particular night which generally adds to the stress level of their positions. Give each of them keen insight and awareness, quick reflexes and solid judgments, and bring them safely back to their families at the end of their shift.
I pray for all who are coping with natural disasters. This year I pray especially for my relatives and friends in Missouri coping with the flooding. May each of you be kept safe from harm.
I pray for our culture—may we turn back to God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
I pray that we may be aware of the sacred dignity and value of each human life from conception through natural death. May we build a true culture of life in our society.
I pray for all couples preparing for marriage and those who are newly married—may their future children draw them closer to Christ and to each other.
I pray for all children who will be born today—may they may come to know a world which chooses life over death and light over darkness.
I pray for all little children who await the birth of a new sister or brother—may the joyful expectation that shows in their eyes inspire their parents to hope and conviction.
I pray for obstetrical doctors and nurses and all who nurture the life of children in the womb–may God bless them for their faith, compassion, and love.
I pray for all who have been scarred by the tragedy of abortion—may they experience repentance, healing, and peace.
I pray for all people who work in the media—may God move them to a conversion of heart which reverences human life and upholds the dignity of human sexuality.
I pray for those who march for life in Washington, D.C. and all across the nation each january—may their voices be heard and the lives of children saved.
I pray for all those trapped in human trafficking—may they be set free from the bondage they are in and society effectively address the needs of the vulnerable among us.
I pray for the refugees and all persecuted Christians—may they find safety and security from those who want to do them harm.
I pray for all who have died this past year. May they rest in God’s eternal dwelling.
I pray for peace throughout the world.
Finally, I pray for myself. Lord, please help me to grow in wisdom and in favor with You in 2016. Give me Your grace and Your blessing that I may root out sin from my life and join my will more completely to Your Divine Will. Dear Lord, make me holy as you are holy! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Readers,
If you have specific prayer requests that you would like included in my list of intentions, please mention them in the comment section and I will certainly add your petitions to my list. If it is a private request that you don’t want everyone to see, feel free to e-mail it to me at: deaconvernon@gmail.com
I have posted this blog entry on the 30th to allow time for feedback so I can have the petitions all gathered by the evening of the 31st.
Please know of my gratitude for each of you who hold me up in prayer. Your kindness is truly appreciated.
Midnight Mass is one of my favorite liturgical celebrations. Please enjoy the photos (courtesy of Matthew Potter) from Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming with Bishop Paul Etienne as the main celebrant. (December 25, 2015)
Our house is quiet tonight. The celebration of Christmas has changed through the years as the children have grown. There is a whole different tone and tenor to Christmas when the children are young. Christmas Eve was always a big deal at my mom’s house. Those things changed in recent years as mom’s age and physical condition declined. Her death less than two months ago is a solemn reminder of the ebbs and flows of life. Now I am patiently waiting for Midnight Mass. (Okay, I am trying to figure out whether to take a nap or not.)
The bright moonlight gently glistening through the window gives a hint as to the glory of that night so long ago. Glory to God in the highest! I can almost sense the wonder of the shepherds. The gentle flicker of a candle in our home calls me to prayer and reflection. When my parents and godparents received the candle at my baptism we were instructed to keep the flame of faith burning brightly. When I think at how many times I have failed to do that I am especially grateful for the celebration of Christmas. I know that Jesus came to redeem me. What a blessing we celebrate on this holy night!
What is your favorite part of Christmas? Midnight Mass is a tradition in our family. I will admit that as I get older it seems midnight arrives later and later, but the beauty of the night still beckons and I continue the tradition. Walking into the church from the cold night air and seeing the sacred space adorned for this magnificent celebration brings a renewed sense of energy and vibrancy. The King of Glory is present in our midst.
As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent I realize that my Christmas greetings are a bit premature. However, I know the likelihood of finding time to write another post between now and Christmas is highly unlikely. Thus, I would rather be early than late with my prayerful good wishes to each of you.
I have appreciated sharing this blog space with you over the past year. I am humbled by the fact that there there have been days when the site received over 500 page views in a day. I never imagined it growing beyond a few parishioners from each of the parishes where I have previously served. I started my writing because of a few requests from people who appreciated my homilies when I worked in their respective parishes. It has now become a forum to dialogue with old friends and new, and it gives a place for me to process my thoughts (maybe in too public of a way at times).
Your e-mails regarding my postings have been thought-provoking and engaging. Even when you disagree with what I say we can have an enjoyable discussion. You have touched my life in a positive way by sharing this forum with me. It is always a privilege when we are provided with an opportunity to delve into the depths of our faith. I hope I have given you good food for thought from time to time throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to each of you! I hope and pray that the blessings of God enrich your life in a powerful way during these holy days.
I will be the first to admit that I am not really thrilled about all of the craziness that surrounds this time of year. Through the years my family has referred to me on a number of occasions as “Mr. Bah Humbug” and “Scrooge.” I think there may have been some other terms of endearment from time to time, but these are probably not worthy of putting in print. You probably get the point, “I am not Mr. Christmas.”
Secular society has created an expectation around these days. This includes, but is not limited to, parties, gift giving, more parties, and simply socializing in one setting after another. Did I mention parties? I am not anti-party, but I fully recognize that it takes a toll on introverts to go from one social activity to another. Quite frankly, it is exhausting. This type of frenetic activity may energize the extroverts among us, but those of us on the other end of the spectrum experience this scenario in a completely different manner.
These days can also be difficult for those who are struggling in one way or another. Maybe you are celebrating Christmas this year for the first time without a special someone due to a death in the family or a broken relationship. The sadness can be overwhelming when we focus on the loss, but it can be extremely healing when we focus on the love and compassion of Christ. Some relatives and friends may be out of town, others may be confined to a hospital bed or nursing home. Bottom line, may we experience the presence of Christ in one another even if we are physically unable to be together. My hope is that we are able to find joy, peace, and contentment amid the hurt and pain.
In the midst of the flurry of activity I am grateful for the peace I find in the celebration of the Eucharist on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Midnight Mass is especially conducive to experience this peace, although it gets tougher and tougher as I get older to go out of the house at that time of night for anything. Once in church the sacred beckons. The decorations, the music, and the overall atmosphere lifts our minds and hearts to God. There is heavenly peace–at least for this moment in time. What a tremendous blessing to gather as a community of believers to celebrate Christmas. In that setting I am much closer to feeling like “Mr. Christmas.”
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Merry Christmas!
