Blog Archives

Getting Spring Fever As I Watch Another Snowstorm

3/30/2016

I have been in Wyoming now for my seventh winter, but it still seems like an unending season each year. While I do not miss mowing the lawn in late March and early April and tolerating the flare-up of spring allergies that I experienced in Missouri, I do miss the milder temperatures and the fresh green growth. Since we had snow on Mother's Day in Cheyenne the last two years I know that we are still a long way from being finished with winter. April can bring significant snowfall. I will continue to wait with great expectation for warmer temperatures and signs of new growth.

The virtue of patience can be at play in many different areas of our lives. Patiently waiting for spring is just one example. As I was pondering the arrival of spring I began to think about God's patience with me. How frequently does God wait for me to display new growth? Do I seem to be growing spiritually at a snail's pace--stuck in perpetual winter? I am grateful for God's patience and the constant invitation to go deeper. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit is a gift indeed! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

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Mother Angelica--Rest In Peace!

3/28/2016

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Mother Angelica died yesterday on Easter Sunday. She founded the EWTN organization which now has a global audience. The impact of her ministry has been immense and will continue long after her death.

Yesterday evening I turned on the television to EWTN to see what was being said about Mother Angelica's death. One of Mother's shows from 1996 was being aired at the time. It was a blessing for me to hear her discuss the challenges of her own suffering.

Earlier in the day my wife had asked how I was feeling. (I recently had another bout with atrial fibrillation and was placed on an additional medication.) I told her that I could tell my heart was beating in rhythm but that I was extremely fatigued. I flippantly added that the last time I felt good was almost 30 years ago prior to being diagnosed with cancer the first time.

Obviously, my body has never been the same since chemotherapy treatments, but I have been able to lead a productive and full life. It hasn't always been easy, but it has been blessed. Mother Angelica reminded me of the power of suffering when we unite ourselves to the cross of Christ. I have done a lot of reflecting through the years on the role of suffering in our lives. The attitude with which we approach these challenges and struggles can make a huge difference. Mother Angelica's words from 1996 were pertinent to my mindset yesterday, and I am grateful that I turned her program on at the right time. I needed a reminder of the value that can be present in the midst of our sufferings. Less grumbling and more uniting would be wise.

Mother Angelica was not viewed in a favorable manner from the "liberal" wing of the Church. In many circles she was seen as someone who was blocking progress. It was interesting to watch as she directly addressed her critics in the episode that I saw last night from 1996. She was covering some of the sins listed in Paul's letter to the Galatians. As she covered them one by one she mentioned that some people would think she is being harsh. She said, "I love you too much not to tell you the truth."

The Church is divided; there is no doubt about that. The number of Protestant denominations shows just how divided Christianity is overall, but the division within the ranks of the Roman Catholic Church are just as prevalent and notable. We see the "politics" of the Church being analyzed and discussed each time there is an appointment of a bishop to a particular diocese or office. Mother Angelica may not have had a position of authority at the Vatican or even at the USCCB, but she wielded a great deal of influence anyway. Her detractors were not happy about that fact.

I had the opportunity to visit Alabama in the fall of 2014 with my mom. We were able to see the EWTN campus as well s the monastery. My mom had been an avid fan of EWTN for years and benefited immensely from the programming which included daily Mass and the rosary. During her 90th year I was able to make this "bucket list" item come to fruition. I am so grateful that we made the trip.

I don't know what your views are on Mother Angelica and the EWTN enterprise, but I am grateful for the positive influence that the network has had in my life. Mother Angelica's endeavors have demonstrated the limitless possibilities of proclaiming the Gospel through modern media. Even the detractors would have to admit that there is something to be learned from methodologies employed by Mother Angelica through the years.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

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The 50 Day Celebration Begins! Rejoice! He Is Risen!

3/27/2016

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The Easter Vigil is a beautiful celebration with a rich array of symbolism and ritual. The Light of Christ breaks through the darkness of the night. Water is blessed and baptisms take place. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation "seals" the initiation of the believer. We celebrate for the next 50 days leading us to great Solemnity of Pentecost. Celebrate well!

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The Emptiness Of Holy Saturday

3/26/2016

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Catholic churches have a sanctuary lamp burning near the tabernacle to signify the presence of Christ. That candle is extinguished on Good Friday and Holy Saturday as the tabernacle remains empty. There is an eerie sense of sadness and isolation in my mind as I absorb the church environment with no decorations or flowers adorning the sanctuary. The open tabernacle door reveals the absence of Christ. We await the glorious celebration of the Easter Vigil.

In modern society Holy Saturday is a day like most other Saturdays. That is very unfortunate. There is a process during the Paschal Triduum as we move from Holy Thursday through Good Friday and onto the Easter Vigil which demands our attention. We don't simply commemorate Good Friday with an hour long service and then call it good. We continue to watch and pray, keeping a fast proper for these hours until nightfall on Holy Saturday. The daytime hours of Holy Saturday are not designed for Easter egg hunts and lavish banquets. These hours are filled with anticipation and prayer awaiting the celebration of the Lord's resurrection. We each have a responsibility to adequately prepare ourselves for this sacred celebration. It cannot be done by engaging in secular activities at the expense of ignoring our spiritual pilgrimage. The Church is called to be counter-cultural. That requires us to stand apart from the secularism which has hi-jacked our religious holy days.

The Light of Christ will fill our churches and cathedrals tonight. May this Light penetrate deep within our hearts and fill us with sanctifying grace!

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Good Friday 2016 @ Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne

3/25/2016

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"Behold the wood of the cross on which hung the salvation of the world."

"Come, let us adore."

"My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Answer me!"

"I put in your hand a royal scepter, and you put on my head a crown of thorns."

"I exalted you with great power, and you hung me on the scaffold of the cross."

Good Friday has always been a powerful day for me. Even in my earliest years as a child my parents marked this day with solemnity. Getting to venerate the cross, even though I had not yet made my first communion, was a chance to be like the "adults" in the church. I may not have grasped the significance at five years of age, but I knew there was something different about this day. That sentiment has continued all these years.

It has been a wonderful Lenten season for me. I truly sense that these days of penitence have borne fruit in my life. I am grateful for God's grace that my prayer life has been enhanced through a stricter discipline embraced during these days. I was also touched by the goodness of people all across the state of Wyoming as I presented an RCIA retreat, a women's retreat, and gave two parish missions. Seeing the faith of God's people during these events was a real boost to my spiritual quests.

Finally, as I get older, the reality of my mortality seems to be more prevalent. Losing my mom last October, a brother-in-law last September, another brother-in-law the year before, and a number of friends in recent months, has been a sobering experience. Experiencing repeated health issues of my own reminds me that our time here on earth is limited. We are simply on a pilgrimage. We do not know the day nor the hour when we will be called home. Today's solemn service gives us the clear message to be prepared at all times.

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Holy Thursday 2016 @ The Cathedral of St. Mary

3/25/2016

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The Paschal Triduum is underway and the Holy Thursday celebration last night was magnificent. It is a profound privilege to celebrate these liturgies as a deacon at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I completed my sixth year at the cathedral in November. Thus, this is my seventh Holy Week serving as a deacon at the cathedral.

If you are praying the Divine Mercy Novena please remember that it begins today (Good Friday). These nine days of prayer leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday can bring immense blessing to you as you focus on the abundant mercy of God.

Today we will hear the passion narrative according to St. John. Veneration of the cross is also a significant part of today's liturgy. The solemn intercessions provide an opportunity to pray for a wide range of people. I hope you are able to participate as we commemorate this day with fasting and abstinence.

Assisting Bishop Paul Etienne as he prepares for the washing of feet ritual.

The Holy Thursday tradition of Washing Feet.

Receiving the Holy Oils consecrated last week at the Chrism Mass.

The Eucharistic Procession is always a sacred time on Holy Thursday.

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Holy Thursday--The Institution of the Eucharist

3/24/2016

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The Paschal Triduum serves as a profound reminder of the beautiful gift of our faith. On Holy Thursday night we especially celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. At the end of Mass there is a solemn procession of the Eucharist to an altar of repose. This procession through the church highlights the magnitude of this awesome gift.

Each time I read the various statistics stating how few of Catholics attend Mass on a regular basis I feel a deep sense of sadness. How can we turn our back on the beautiful gift of the Eucharist? In what ways have we in church leadership failed to provide solid catechesis and understanding of what takes place at each and every Mass? If people more fully understood the sacrifice of Calvary made present to us in the liturgy they would come, wouldn't they?

My dear people, I want to encourage you to utilize this night to renew your faith in the Eucharist. We encounter Jesus Christ--body, blood, soul, and divinity--in the Eucharist. Any time you start to doubt or waver in your faith regarding the Eucharist, please read chapter six of John's Gospel. Look closely at the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Let that love permeate every fiber of your being.

May the celebration of Holy Thursday fill you with an abundance of love, joy, hope, and peace!

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Another Terrorist Attack--More Destruction & Grief

3/22/2016

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Words cannot adequately describe the chaos of our world. We are a troubled people. The violence that permeates planet earth is simply a sad state of affairs. The sacred dignity and value of each human life is ignored.

How did we get to a place where bombing buildings, airplanes, and other crowded facilities become almost expected? When did we grow accustomed to mass shootings taking place on a repeated basis? When did we become complacent and complicit with the killing of millions of unborn babies through abortion? How did we become so broken as a people?

Sociologists and psychologists will look at many different angles trying to put the pieces together to give us expert opinions. What circumstances help to create a psychopath or a sociopath? Is this solely a mental health problem? How does religious fanaticism come into play? What are the many other issues at work including socio-economic factors, education, indoctrination, hopelessness, desire to famous on social media, and a laundry list of other possibilities? More importantly, what can we do about it?

As we hear the Gospel of John on Good Friday detailing the passion narrative of Jesus, do we get any clues from the account about why we suffer in modern times with extreme violence? What can we learn from Christ? What can we learn from the Roman soldiers, Judas Iscariot, the crowd, Pontius Pilate, Herod, or the disciples?

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Fishers of Men

3/22/2016

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I can only imagine the roller coaster of emotions that the disciples must have felt beginning with the arrest of Jesus. Hearing the chants "Crucify Him!" must have reverberated deep within their beings. The scourging at the pillar, the mockery with the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross, and finally, the crucifixion must have been too much to witness. What had just happened?

These men who had left their nets to follow Jesus and become "fishers of men" were now experiencing chaos, confusion, and immense grief. What were they going to do? In modern times I hear people speak about the difficulty of discerning God's will in their lives. Can you imagine the lack of clarity the disciples must have been feeling during these hours of the Lord's passion and death?

Holy Week is a good time to ponder. Here are some reflection questions.

1. What is the process you follow in discerning God's will for your life?
2. How does prayer impact your decision-making process on a daily basis?
3. How do you respond when there is a lack of clarity?
4. Are you willing to stand by the Lord when the going gets tough?
5. Are you able to name some specific examples related to question 4?
6. In what ways have you experienced God searching for you?
7. In what ways are you persistent in prayer?
8. How has the Eucharist nourished you for mission?
9. What are the things in your life that you place before God?
10. How do you live out the Beatitudes in a concrete way?

Please don't miss the beauty of these days during Holy Week. God is calling each of us deeper. Let us cast our net into the deep and trust in the Lord's extravagant grace.

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Church Office Workers--Thank You For Your Ministry

3/21/2016

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During these days of Holy Week leading up to the Easter Triduum there is a lot of activity in the Church. Choirs are practicing, rehearsals with other ministers are being held, and the staff and volunteers are cleaning the church. The liturgical environment changes for each of the days and there are key people behind the scenes preparing altar linens, ordering flowers, cleaning vessels, changing candlesticks, preparing an altar of repose, and a multitude of other tasks requiring attention to detail. The liturgies are beautiful experiences of prayer because there are dedicated people behind the scenes making all of these things happen.

Obviously, the bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ministers each have their unique roles in these liturgical celebrations. Lectors, cantors, servers, ushers, greeters, and communion ministers step forward to fulfill their roles with great reverence and skill. We are all blessed when generous people give of their time and talent during these holy days.

There is one group of people that do a lot of work during these days that don’t often hear a lot of praise. It is the people who work in our parish offices as receptionists, secretaries, bulletin editors and office managers. They are the front line people meeting the needs of the parishioners and guests as best as they are able. This is no small task. The number of times the parish telephone rings during this week is astounding. Frequently the person on the other end of the line simply wants to know the times of the services or some other piece of information regarding the Holy Week celebrations. However, there are still many other “business as usual” items that must be addressed in the midst of all these additional queries. Bulletin deadlines change during these weeks because of the holidays, and this disruption to the normal schedule does not always go by without a certain level of difficulty or glitches. Patience is definitely a virtue during these busy days.

“Platform—Get Noticed In a Noisy World” is a book written by Michael Hyatt. He sums it up quite well when he says that the receptionist’s title should be Director of First Impressions. This is true for any organization, but it is especially pertinent for all those in our parish offices who fill the role of receptionist regardless of what their actual title is. At the moment someone comes into the office or calls on the telephone, the receptionist is the face of the Church. That is an awesome privilege, but it is also one with commensurate responsibility. Evangelization happens when the Director of First Impressions fulfills that role of hospitality well.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of those individuals working in the front areas of our parish offices. Your kindness with parishioners and guests during these activity-filled days is sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your ministry!

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