Whether or not you like Donald Trump is not the issue right now. The people who are calling for a disruption to the inauguration really need to think this through. If we cease to have safe and smooth transitions of power following an election our country is doomed. Please spend this week in prayer as we head toward the inauguration on Friday.
There were about two dozen people gathered at the historic Cheyenne Depot Plaza at noon for the brief memorial service honoring all of the homeless people that died over the past year. The first names of seven individuals were read by Pastor Rick Veit, and then he rang a bell after each name was called. Finally, the bell rang an eighth time for any of the deceased homeless of which we were unaware of their passing.
The brief ceremony was a solemn reminder of the dire circumstances that many people experience. It was thirty degrees outside with a 16 mph wind making it feel like nineteen degrees. I have stood out there for this service in much colder conditions. However, by the time I walked back to the office today (six blocks) after attending the service I was quite chilled. I was bundled up and only in the cold for thirty minutes. How would I make it if I had no shelter at all?
I received a beautiful Himalayan Salt Lamp today as a Christmas gift. I was unfamiliar with any potential health benefits from having a lamp such as this, but after reading about it I am fascinated by some of the positive effects that are possible. Will it make me smarter? Even if some of these claims tend to be less than accurate from a scientific vantage point, the lamp still adds an ambiance to my office that it did not have prior to now.
We are a few hours away from being under a “Winter Weather Advisory.” While I have several social functions scheduled for today and tomorrow, I am grateful to be in town and not on the road. If the weather gets really bad I have no commitments which demand my presence. I can stay home where I will be safe and warm. In these days of frigid temperatures and blowing snow, I do not take for granted having warm shelter. It is a blessing to have “shelter from the storm.”
On December 21, we will once again mark “Homeless Memorial Day” here in Cheyenne. This event is held in cities all across the country on this date because it is the longest night of the year. Obviously, the homeless struggle during the long, cold, and snowy nights. It is appropriate that the memorial service is held on the day with the least amount of sunlight. I have attended the “Homeless Memorial Day” service whenever my schedule has permitted. We call to mind all of the homeless people of the city who have died over the past year. A bell is rang once for each of the deceased after his/her name has been called. If you are one of my readers from the Cheyenne area, the service will be held at noon on Wedenesday, December 21, at the Depot Plaza. (Please note the location change from previous years. It is usually held at the capitol steps, but has been changed to the Depot Plaza due to the construction at the capitol.) If you are not from the Cheyenne area you will have to check the National Coalition for the Homeless website to see if there is one being held in your locale.
nationalhomeless.org/about-us/projects/memorial-day/
The cold snap will affect much of the country in the coming days. If you are safe and warm, give thanks and praise to God. Please consider giving a helping hand to those less fortunate.
As we eneter into the final days of Advent, we prepare to celebrate with the “O Antiphons” beginning tomorrow, December 17. If you are unfamiliar with the “O Antiphons” I invite you to do some research and find out why these days are different from December 17 through December 23.
On Tuesday afternoon I had the privilege of attending the Governor’s Symposium on Suicide Prevention. The Honorable Matthew H. Mead. Governor of Wyoming, welcomed all of us for this very important discussion. The rate of suicide in Wyoming is high, and the cross-section of people gathered in Casper, Wyoming for this symposium showed a desire to do something about those disconcerting rates.
The statistical data is alarming, but we were reminded that this is about much more than statistics. This is about people. Our State Auditor, Cynthia Cloud, shared her powerful testimony as to how her family had been impacted just six months ago when her own son committed suicide at the age of seventeen. This put a face to all of the numbers.
Carolyn M. Pepper, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Wyoming, gave an evidence-based presentation that was well-prepared and well-delivered regarding suicide in the Mountain Division of the United States. One area that spoke directly to me was the matter of religiosity. She said that religiosity can be a significant factor in reducing suicides. Unfortunately, religiosity in Wyoming is relatively low. This was a reminder to me that faith in Christ can literally be a matter of life and death–both now and the hereafter.
One session focused solely on our military veterans. We have many military veterans living in Wyoming and the rate of suicide among that particular group is staggering. I am grateful for all of the people that strive to reach out to our military veterans in a variety of ways. In particular, I want to thank the chaplains who are faithful in their continued outreach to bring the love of God to those who are hurting.
After the symposium concluded I headed directly to a 40 Days for Life kick-off rally also being held in Casper, Wyoming. We held a Life Chain which extended from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church all the way to the local Planned Parenthood facility about 2,000 feet away. It was impressive to see pro-life people lining the entire street for that distance. We continue to show that life is precious from conception through natural death.
After the Life Chain we enjoyed dinner and then I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker for the evening. I am extremely grateful when I get to address groups who are filled with faith in the risen Christ. Although I was tired at the end of the evening, and still had a three hour drive to return home, it was a day filled with many blessings. I arrived home just before midnight–exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. God continues to move among His people.
This Sunday is “Respect Life Sunday.” I have the privilege of preaching the homily at four of the six Masses this weekend at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne.
Saturday, October 1,
5:15 P.M.
Sunday, October 2,
7:30 A.M.
10:30 A.M.
12:00 Noon
Please plan to participate in LifeChain this Sunday at 2:00 P.M. In Cheyenne we will be at Dell Range and Powderhouse giving witness to the sacred value and dignity of each human life from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Wherever you live, please get involved. You can see all of the 1,600 locations across the United States at www.lifechain.net.
Every day seems to bring news of another horrendous attack somewhere in the world. The violence is incomprehensible.
As I write this I am listening to the bands “warming up” a couple of blocks up the street preparing for the next parade to begin. The beautiful horses, well-maintained carriages, antique cars, and all the other creative floats bring an atmosphere of joy and celebration to our city. However, these festivities are unable to completely block out the realities of what is going on in our world.
Please continue to pray fervently for our world. Pray for the safety of all the World Youth Day pilgrims in Poland. I read an article this morning that said twenty-thousand police have been assigned to protect the pope while he is there. Let us hope they protect all the pilgrims as well.
Watching the evening news in any major metropolitan city can be quite depressing. There are stories of violence and crime night after night. How do we cope with grief, sadness, and tragedy when it comes to us in such a steady flow? Do we grow numb to it all? What happens when the tragedy hits close to home? How does that change the perspective?
Over thirty years ago I graduated from college and became a police officer with the St. Louis County Police Department. This small town farm boy was introduced to some realities of life that I had not previously known. It was especially true when I worked the evening or midnight shift. There were nights when one call after another was for a “domestic disturbance.” People who had thought enough of one another at some point to date, live together, or even get married were now fighting intensely with one another.
The things I witnessed were shocking. Once in a while there was a little humor to be found in the mess, but most of the time it was just frightening. Once as I approached a house for a domestic disturbance call I could see through the picture window that a woman was heaving potted plants at her husband. No weapons were in sight. As I entered the scene both parties calmed down. As they each looked at the potting soil covering the floor from about ten potted plants being heaved at the man, they just sort of sighed. A little chuckle even came forth as they thought about the mess that needed to be cleaned up following their spat.
Unfortunately, the majority of the domestic disturbance calls were much more serious. Guns and knives were frequently part of the equation. Others were even more creative. One individual boiled a pot of water, added bleach to it, and then threw it on the sleeping companion. The ways we choose to hurt one another can be extreme.
It was seven years ago yesterday that Ashlin (pictured above) experienced the ultimate domestic violence. In my 17 years of ministry as a deacon I have presided at, or assisted with, numerous funeral rituals. Ashlin’s has been the only memorial service that I have done for a victim of homicide. It was the most heart-breaking service that I have ever led. Ashlin wasn’t just a newscast for me. Domestic violence had struck right into the heart of my family.
Two young toddlers lost both their parents on that day. The grief extended throughout the family at the time and still impacts us seven years later. Each milestone that passes with the kids leaves an aching thought. What would Ashlin think about this?
The world turned upside down on that day for many people. However, the resilience by Ashlin’s mom and so many others around her demonstrates the power of love. I have no words for that kind of love except to say, “Thanks.” Hate, anger, and violence have been overcome by your love. You have been a witness for all of us in regard to courage and fortitude. Keep up the good work.
Finally, I close by reminding all of my readers to seek help if you, or someone you love, are living in a volatile situation. Don’t wait until it is too late. There are resources available to assist you regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself. Domestic violence is real and it can shatter lives in a heartbeat. Don’t become part of an evening newscast. Seek help before the situation gets to that point.
Editor’s note: in the process of copying blog posts from the old website over to the new one, we have not been copying comments made on old posts. However, because this post features several comments from friends and family of Ashlin and Daniel, we felt it fitting to preserve the comments here. We continue to pray for Ashlin, Daniel, and all of their loved ones.
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters” may sum up the latest events in regard to the Planned Parenthood scandal. Rather than focusing on the hideous practices of Planned Parenthood, attention is turned instead toward the whistle-blowers from the Center for Medical Progress. Apparently, the U.S. Department of Justice is going to investigate to see if the videos were obtained illegally. Kamala Harris, the California Attorney General who happens to plan on running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is also going to investigate the organization in her state.
All of this made me think of the bridge on The Mississippi River near Louisiana, Missouri. Swing to the side and let Planned Parenthood coast on through, and hopefully, the Center for Medical Progress will fall off the tracks and drown while the bridge is turned in favor of Planned Parenthood. There is a real disconnect in what is happening with this tide of events. Political power and money is having tremendous influence in attempting to cover up the real story. Abortion on demand continues to be the sacred ground of which Nancy Pelosi and so many others trod.
Harvesting body parts to sell is something I never dreamed would happen in our country. I was naively wrong. Watching a scenario like this in a horror film or science fiction theater would be difficult enough, but knowing it is happening in real life is almost more than I can fathom. If the Center for Medical Progress ends up being persecuted for their actions, and Planned Parenthood marches triumphantly forward to continue their destruction of the most vulnerable among us, we are in for some even darker days ahead.
What will it take for America to experience true conversion?
When will the violence end? It seems that we have become accustomed to the reports of extreme violence and senseless killings. The pain and grief for these families in South Carolina must be immense. Indeed, it is a pain reaching all across the country.
The situation is sad enough, but leave it to media commentators and political pundits to make it worse. The motto rings true again, “Don’t let a good crises go to waste.” It is incomprehensible that individuals and groups strive to make gains with their political viewpoints in the midst of such tragedies. I guess this behavior simply reflects the cultural climate of modern times.
My hope and prayer is that some day we will become more aware of the people around us. Do any of our family members or friends exhibit signs of needing help? Do we recognize warning signs that a person in our midst is in danger of hurting themselves or others? Will there come a time when we acknowledge the need for a mental health evaluation utilizing the tools at our disposal including psychological assessments and spiritual direction?
The anxiety and stress in today’s world is evident. Add to that any number of contributing factors and we see a disaster waiting to happen. Broken families, substance abuse, poverty, and a sense of hopelessness can contribute to some horrendous decisions. We may not be able to see these things all coming together to create a scenario for disaster, but once in a while I hope someone observes the warning signs and steps in to intervene before a tragedy happens again.
My dear Christian people, continue to pray. Get involved in your communities. Sitting on the sidelines doesn’t improve the situation. Be the Light of Christ in your home, your church, and your community. The world is in desperate need to see your faithful witness to Jesus Christ.