Articulating Hope

Category: Milestone Events

  • Ordination Anniversary–27 Years

    Ordained a Deacon by Archbishop (now Cardinal) Rigali at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

    Who knew where this journey would lead back on June 5, 1999?

    I certainly never anticipated ministering in six different dioceses, preaching in over 40 different churches, and giving hundreds of talks at retreats, workshops, conventions, pro-life events, days of recollection, and parish missions. (Click on the “Speaking Engagements” link to see a partial listing of these past events.)

    After ordination, I went to school for an additional year to receive my certifications to be an administrator of religious education programs at all age levels: elementary, high school, and adult education. This led to opportunities to be a Parish Director of Religious Education, Intergenerational Faith Formation Coordinator, High School Theology Teacher, Elementary School Principal, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, and Diocesan Director of Pastoral Ministries. Through each of these experiences, I was blessed with opportunities to learn and grow in some profound ways. There were many missteps along the way, but God has been patient in calling me to faithfulness and holiness despite my many flaws and shortcomings.

    Margaret and I were definitely much younger 27 years ago.

    Little did I know that just two years after this photo was taken, I would be diagnosed with cancer a second time (2001). Fifteen years separated the first and second diagnosis. Then two years after that (2003) came open heart surgery to repair damage done by the chemotherapy in 1986. Entry into the diaconate and full-time church ministry was anything but smooth.

    June 5, 1999–Deacon Ordination in St. Louis, Missouri

    I was the second youngest guy in my class of 10, but with all of my health issues, I am a bit surprised to be one of the five still remaining on this earth. Yes, half of our class is now deceased. Bishop Sheridan, who was an auxiliary bishop in St. Louis at the time of my ordination, eventually became Bishop of Colorado Springs Diocese. He is now deceased as well. Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Braxton are both retired.

    Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Fort Collins, Colorado

    The last five years have found me at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins, Colorado. The photo above is from the first Advent Parish mission I presented a few years ago. What a joy it has been to serve this community of faith.

    Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Denver

    I was ordained in St. Louis. After working five years in the Diocese of Cheyenne, I was excardinated from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and incardinated into the Diocese of Cheyenne. I am still incardinated there even though I have now been in the Archdiocese of Denver for five years. I’ll spare you of the details of what all that involves. I belong to the Diocese of Cheyenne, but I am ministering in the Archdiocese of Denver with the blessing and approval of the bishop of Cheyenne and the archbishop of Denver.

    My latest cancer diagnosis on February 17, 2026, has definitely slowed me down. I intended to start “easing” back into ministry in the month of June. However, it is starting to look like I am “jumping” back in unreservedly.

    *Visit Vacation Bible School June 8-11, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS)

    *Baptism on June 13, (SEAS)

    Preach at 5:00 PM Mass on June 13, (SEAS)

    Preach at 8:00 AM Mass on June 14, (SEAS)

    Join Book Study Group on June 17, (SEAS) “Preparation for Death” by St. Alphonsus Ligouri is the awesome book we will be studying.

    I will be on Catholic Radio Network (Colorado stations) on June 18, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Mountain Time. “Change your station. Change your life.”

    Deacon at 5:00 pm Mass on June 20, (SEAS)

    Deacon at 8:00 am Mass on June 21, (SEAS)

    Join Book Study Group on June 24, (SEAS) “Preparation for Death”

    (The remainder of the month of June will be dedicated to medical testing and follow-up visits with the medical team.)

    We shall see what the good Lord has in mind for my future endeavors. Is it time to move from active ministry into a more prayerful, contemplative apostolate? Possibly.

    Will I be granted the strength and resilience to continue on a bit longer sharing in the preaching, teaching, and healing ministry of Christ in an active way? I am not quite sure at this point. We shall see. I pray each day for clarity of purpose and mission. Discernment is an important part of the journey. Unfortunately, it is not always as crystal clear as what I would like it to be.

    Anyway, today I simply give thanks and praise for 27 years of ordained ministry. To each and every person who has crossed my path during this journey of life, thank you for your presence. May the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit be with you always!

    Bishop Arthur Tafoya (Rite of Election) Diocese of Pueblo 2003
    Archbishop Timothy Broglio at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming
    The first time I met Archbishop Charles Chaput. Yes, there is a height difference.
    Bishop Richard Pates (Diocese of Des Moines) at Saint Albert Catholic School in Council Bluffs, Iowa
    Archbishop Samuel Aquila on the occasion of my 25th anniversary as a deacon.
    Archbishop Paul Etienne when he was in the Diocese of Cheyenne

    I spent over eight years in the Diocese of Cheyenne serving as the Diocesan Director of Pastoral Ministries and Superintendent of Catholic Schools. Seven of those years were when Bishop Etienne was our shepherd. Having the opportunity to serve all of the Catholic parishes across the entire state of Wyoming was a true blessing.

    Let the journey continue!

  • Ten Bonus Years

    High School Graduation for our youngest on May 21, 2016!

    My children were four and ten years of age when I was diagnosed with cancer the second time. They were six and twelve when I underwent open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve. My hope and prayer were to live long enough to see both of them graduate from high school. I have now made it ten years past that goal. I have had the blessing to see both of them graduate from college as well.

    To all who are celebrating milestone events this spring, may God bless your efforts abundantly. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

  • Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Kinstetter

    Happy Anniversary!

    The years pass quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was sharing diaconal duties with (now Father) Andrew at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Thank you Fr. Andrew for your ministry to God’s people.

    In the ordination rite of Deacon Andrew Kinstetter to the priesthood I was struck by the immensity of grace poured upon the new priest as he receives the paten and chalice from the bishop.  I accepted these gifts from Fr. Andrew’s parents and family and brought them to the bishop.  He them presented them to Fr. Andrew as part of the ritual.  The signs and symbols in our liturgical celebrations are powerful indeed.

    Fr. Andrew Kinstetter–may God continue to bless you abundantly in your ministry as a priest.​  

  • You Are A Priest Forever–Fr. Andrew Kinstetter

    In each (arch)diocese the cathedral plays an important role in bringing the life of the Church together in unity.  It gives a glimpse into the wider Church beyond our own parochial boundaries.  Having been assigned as a deacon to the Cathedral of St. Mary for these last six and a half years I have seen many diocesan celebrations up close.  It has been a tremendous blessing.

    Liturgies with the bishop as the main celebrant are a little more complex than the usual liturgical celebrations when a priest is the main celebrant.  Knowing when the bishop wears his mitre or holds his crosier during the liturgy is important.  As long as the Master of Ceremony is on top of directing the servers to move at the proper time it all flows smoothly.  This creates an environment conducive to prayer.

    Rehearsal is part of making things flow easily.  This is especially true for larger celebrations that only occur once a year.  Holy Week, the Paschal Triduum, the Chrism Mass, and even smaller celebrations like the Rite of Election can test one’s memory from year to year.  A Mass of Ordination is another example when rehearsal is key.

    Last Friday I joined the Director of Worship, Fr. Rob Spaulding, in preparing for the ordination of Deacon Andrew Kinstetter to the priesthood.  We rehearsed in the morning and the ordination ceremony took place in the afternoon.  Thus, it was all fresh in our minds.

    There are different parts of the liturgy at these types of celebrations that strike me.  In my own ordination as a deacon I was especially struck by the part when the archbishop handed me the Book of the Gospels.  He said, “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are.  Believe what you read.  Teach what you believe.  Practice what you teach.”  That has stuck with me for 17 years.

    In the ordination Friday of Deacon Andrew Kinstetter to the priesthood I was struck by the immensity of grace poured upon the new priest as he receives the paten and chalice from the bishop.  I accepted these gifts from Andrew’s parents and family and brought them to the bishop.  He them presented them to Andrew as part of the ritual.  The signs and symbols in our liturgical celebrations are powerful indeed.

    Fr. Andrew Kinstetter–may God bless you abundantly in your ministry as a priest.​  

    Picture
    Picture

  • A Prayer Answered For Over Two Decades

    A Prayer Answered For Over Two Decades

    Describe a moment when you knew a prayer had been answered.  What were the emotions that you experienced?  I had the experience today of a prayer being answered in a very profound way.  It was over twenty-five years in the making, or more accurately, it was a prayer answered daily for all those years.

    In less than two months it will be thirty years since my first diagnosis with testicular cancer.  The surgery and chemotherapy treatments were extremely harsh and the side effects were immense.  The doctors gave me a fairly good prognosis that I would survive but very little hope for being able to father a child after the treatments.  God apparently had other ideas.

    Margaret and I have been blessed with two wonderful children and the youngest graduated from high school today.  That was the prayer I have had ever since our first child was born.  “Please God let me live to see them graduate high school.”  That prayer came to complete fruition today as I watched our son receive his diploma and enjoy the honor of being the Salutatorian of his class.

    I hope I have many years to live yet.  It would be good to see him graduate from college as well.  It would also be good to know that he was eventually gainfully employed after completing his degree.  However, I can also utter the words of Simeon, “Now Master, you can let your servant go in peace.”

    My kids were four and ten years old when I was diagnosed with cancer the second time.  They were six and twelve when I had to undergo open heart surgery.  This past year has seen my heart repeatedly go into atrial fibrillation.  More than once I wondered whether I would live to see this day.  

    Years ago when I was participating in a support group for families coping with a life-threatening illness someone gave all of us a button to wear.  That button simply said, “Expect a Miracle.”  We walk in faith.  We don’t know what is in store for us each day, and yet, we trust.  Sometimes the miracles come in ways we don’t imagine.  Other times we can’t even see that our prayers have been answered.

    ​Congratulations Joseph on your graduation and the many achievements along the way.  Continue to walk in faith and God’s grace!

    Dobelmann family photo at Joseph's high school graduation
    Dobelmann family photo at Joseph’s high school graduation
    Joe Salutatorian Robe

  • Transitions In Life Seem To Be Plentiful Lately

    Some of my family members traveled from Missouri and Colorado to be present for Maria and Tyler’s wedding on Saturday.  It isn’t very often that a good portion of us are gathered together in one place at the same time. Thankfully, technology allows for an easier process of sharing some of the memories of the day for those that were unable to attend.

    It has been a a whirlwind of activity during the last week.  On Wednesday I served as a deacon for the funeral of Barbara Murray.  Although I didn’t know her well, I know several of her children and grandchildren.  It is obvious through each of them that Barbara was a wonderful woman.  I continue to keep the family in my prayers through this transition in life.

    On Friday I served as a deacon for the ordination of two men to the priesthood.  This was a beautiful celebration.  The huge impact of such a life transition for these two families is monumental.  It was wonderful that Fr. Hiep was able to have family members from Vietnam present for the ordination ceremony.  I extend my congratulations as well as my prayers to both Fr. Hiep and Fr. Augustine.  I look forward to working closely with Fr. Augustine in the months ahead since he has been assigned to the Cathedral Parish.  I pray that God fills you with strength, wisdom and grace during this amazing transition in your lives.

    Finally, Saturday was the wedding of Maria and Tyler.  It was a nice celebration and the rain held off until later in the afternoon.  Quite a number of people were able to enjoy carriage rides at the reception prior to the onset of the rain.  The ceremony was beautiful and it was a privilege to have Bishop Paul Etienne as the celebrant of the wedding Mass.  This will be a tremendous transition for Maria and Tyler.  May God bless you abundantly all the days of your life together!

    Margaret had all of her siblings present from Missouri and a few extended family members as well.
    The Wedding Party is getting ready to do what?????
    The Wedding Party Jump of course!
    Congratulations Maria and Tyler!

  • Maria Dobelmann and Tyler Ward Are Married

    It is hard to believe after months and months of planning that the wedding day of my daughter arrived today and is now complete.  Her mom and I are grateful for the truly marvelous celebration.  I am going to skip posting a lengthy description of the day.  Instead, I am simply going to give you the link to Bishop Etienne’s blog where you can see the homily that was delivered today at the wedding ceremony.  Enjoy!

    http://bishopsblog.dioceseofcheyenne.org/2015/05/23/the-dignity-of-marriage-the-love-of-a-man-and-woman/