Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Catholic Schools Week

1/28/2015

Catholic Schools Week is in full swing. I had the pleasure of stopping by St. Mary's School in Cheyenne on Monday for the opening prayer service. Although there are only seven Catholic schools in the state of Wyoming, it requires 1,200 miles of driving to see them all. One year I visited all seven schools during Catholic Schools Week, but I tend to spread it out a little more now than before.

This weekend I will travel to Holy Name Parish in Sheridan to preach at all of the weekend Masses and close out Catholic Schools Week. I will also be closing out their year long celebration of marking their school's 100th anniversary. Holy Name School began in 1914 and last year during Catholic Schools Week they began their year long celebration marking this milestone. Now that we have completed the year 2014 and moved into 2015 the anniversary celebration will draw to a close.

Although Catholic Schools Week will be over, I plan to visit St. Anthony's Tri-Parish Catholic School in Casper on Monday as I make my trek from Sheridan back to Cheyenne. Traveling across the state during the winter is always a bit of a gamble. Snow is in the forecast for the weekend, but I am hoping it does not hinder my travel plans.

To all of the pastors, principals, teachers, and support staff at our Catholic schools I simply say, "Thank you."

Cheyenne Pro-Life March

1/26/2015

I want to thank Matthew Potter for providing some pictures from the events this past weekend in Cheyenne.

Bishop Paul Etienne was present for the march. Following him is Dr. Kevin Roberts with his family. Dr. Roberts is the president of Wyoming Catholic College.

I shared the speaking platform at the state capitol with Representative Harlan Edmonds.

Joe Dobelmann was the winner of the senior high essay contest. I share his dilemma of speaking when the microphone is too low.

Dr. Taylor Haynes, former candidate for governor, was on hand for the march.

The Knights of Columbus did a fantastic job as always. See the flags standing straight out. Those guys built their muscles carrying the flags in the gusty winds.

Pro-Life Events

1/25/2015

The sanctity of life was celebrated well this weekend. The Cathedral of St. Mary hosted a holy hour on Friday evening in which Catholics from all over the state gathered to pray for the protection of the unborn. On Saturday morning we gathered for the celebration of the Eucharist, enjoyed breakfast together, and then participated in the march to the capitol at noon.

In the midst of all of the activity, I forgot to take pictures. However, media outlets from across the state covered the story.

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2015/01/25/news/01top_01-25-15.txt#.VMUegv7F_ng

http://www.k2tv.com/newscasts.php?id=6627

The news clip is six minutes long. Go to 2:58 to get to the beginning of the coverage of the march to the capitol.

Roe Versus Wade Anniversary

1/22/2015

For whom does the bell toll? Since January 22, 1973 it has tolled for an estimated 56 million children here in the United States of America. It has been 42 years since that disastrous Supreme Court decision, and our supposedly civil society still allows the slaughter of the innocents unabated. This should be keeping all of us awake at night.

The politicians love to use the line, "I am personally opposed to abortion but I don't want to inflict my views upon others." Hogwash! There is a moral dimension to everything that is legislated. If good people check their morals at the door when they walk into the statehouse, who does that leave to set the agenda, the tone, and the tenor of discussions? We are reaping what we have sown. God have mercy on us all.

Today is a day of penance. Unfortunately, the majority of Christian people will not even see this day as a blip on their radar screen. Where is the awareness? Where is the sorrow? Where is the repentance? How can people of faith stand in complacency with the horror of abortion surrounding them? I beg you--read the statistics from a pro-life website. Millions of babies are being killed and a multitude of women are experiencing the detrimental emotional effects of their decisions. We have over 40 years of empirical evidence which shows the devastating consequences on women who choose to have abortions. If we are pro-woman, we should want to help prevent such suffering.

On Friday morning I will join Gary Freeman on KGAB Radio (650 AM) at 9:10 A.M. to discuss the upcoming pro-life march here in Cheyenne on Saturday at noon. I know that will result in new criticisms with people telling me to mind my own business. I have become accustomed to those comments. What bothers me is when I get those types of comments from people within the Church. How is it possible that with all of the medical technology available to give us a window into the womb, we still don't see a problem with dismembering a baby and terminating his/her life at will? How can we call that health care? When did pregnancy become a disease to be cured rather than a joy to be celebrated?

On Saturday afternoon after the march reaches the state capitol, I will be one of the speakers to address the crowd. Please offer a prayer for me as I prepare my remarks for that day. Although the crowd in attendance will be pro-life, the reporters who will take the story to the wider public may not necessarily share the same perspective. It is important that the speakers convey a message that is clear, concise, and moving. These opportunities to get the pro-life message out beyond the walls of churches into the secular world is something that needs to be grasped with vigor.

Let us continue to strive to build a culture of life!

Prepare for Tomorrow

1/21/2015

On January 22 (tomorrow), the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade (1973), all dioceses of the United States shall observe a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. I want to invite each and every one of you to fast and pray. Our nation needs healing.

Clergy Institute

1/20/2015

The clergy of the Diocese of Cheyenne will be gathered for their annual institute from Tuesday through Thursday. This is a time for business meetings, some professional development and learning, and of course, a time for prayer. We are blessed to have these opportunities to continue our formation and learning, as well as spend time with one another from all across the state. Please keep us in your prayers during these days that we may grow in wisdom and grace. A prayer for safe travel is always welcome as well.

Happy Birthday Dolly Parton

1/19/2015

Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946. A quote attributed to her is this: "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

If you are walking through a stormy and difficult time in your life, I want to encourage you to look for the rainbow. God is present in the midst of our sorrow and pain. The sun will shine again.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

1/17/2015

I had the pleasure of visiting the St. Bernard Abbey Church in Cullman, Alabama this past October. The outside of the building appears to be quite plain, but the inside certainly prompted me to lift my heart and mind to God. Visiting sacred spaces like this is a priority when I travel. I continue to be amazed at the creativity of people who have designed and built so many of our beautiful churches.

How do we take the beauty of what we experience within the church walls out to the wider community? How do we serve as missionaries in our own towns and cities? How do we get along with people of other Christian denominations? How do we embrace the words of Jesus, "that all of them may be one Father?" (John 17:21)

Each year we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 through January 25. Do we take this endeavor seriously? What is the point of having such a week? Does anyone really care?

If we take the Scriptures seriously we will take Christian unity seriously. Jesus never said, "Oh Father, give me 30,000 different denominations so we can experience disunity in all its splendor." He did say that, "there shall be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16)

Let us renew our commitment to pray and work for unity among all Christian believers--not just this week--but each and every day of our lives.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

We Know Not The Day

1/17/2015

It was the second time in three months that our local community experienced the tragic deaths of more than one individual from a family. Last fall a car accident claimed the lives of three individuals in one car. This time it was a father and son killed in a snowmobiling accident. That funeral took place this morning.

As I stood and looked at the two caskets, I couldn't even imagine the level of grief being experienced by the family. Mom and dad lost their young son as well as their 8 year old grandson. In an instant their lives were forever changed.

The precious gift of life is not something to take for granted. Pause for a moment to pray for your loved ones. Then, be sure to tell them how much they mean to you. Don't assume that those close to you know that you love them. Take the time to tell them and to show them just how much you care.

It Is Time To Pray

1/16/2015

The anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe versus Wade is this coming Thursday. The need for prayer and sacrifice remains great. It is my hope that we all get involved in some way to support a culture of life and bring healing to our land.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a plan for prayer in the upcoming days starting tomorrow. Nine Days for Life will be an opportunity for us to pray for a deeper respect for life from conception through natural death. This novena of prayer runs from January 17 through January 25. You can find information and resources on the USCCB website.

http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/9-days-for-life-resources-for-leaders.cfm

I know that many in the St. Louis area make the trek to Washington, D.C. each year. Here in Wyoming we have a significant group from the Wyoming Catholic College making the trek to the West Coast Walk in California. Of course, we have a march to the state capitol right here in Cheyenne as well. Wherever you are, please get involved. Most of all, continue to pray the we as a nation come to understand the dignity and value of each human life. Being made in the image and likeness of God is not to be taken lightly. If we believe that we are "temples of the Holy Spirit," it is time our actions start reflecting that sacred dignity.