Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Holy Thursday--Draw Near To The Eucharist

3/29/2018

Final preparations are underway for these days of the Paschal Triduum. The attention to detail in the preparations will allow us to pray well at each of these sacred liturgies.

As we engage in the Mass of the Lord's Supper this evening, I encourage you to reflect deeply upon the meaning of the Eucharist in your own life. Take some time to read, reflect, and pray with chapter 6 of John's Gospel.

I personally appreciate the Eucharistic procession at the end of Mass on Holy Thursday as we make our way to the altar of repose. This is indeed a very solemn celebration which invites us to enter more fully into the mystery of the Eucharist.

I hope your Lenten journey has been a fruitful one. As you enter into the Paschal Triduum please be assured of my prayers. May the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you!

One Last Advertisement Before The Triduum Begins

3/28/2018

I wish to extend my thanks to everyone in the Old Monroe and O'Fallon areas helping to spread the word about my return to Old Monroe for one presentation. I also want to thank Fr. Rich and Deacon Neal at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Monroe for handling all the logistics at the local level. The news of the event on their parish website is greatly appreciated as well. I invite you take a look at the Immaculate Conception Parish website.

www.icomparish.org/events/deacon-vernon-dobelmann-articulating-hope

Please Keep Spreading The Word--Book Signing

3/27/2018

Front Cover on top and Back Cover on bottom.

I want to thank everyone who shared the message yesterday that I am coming to Old Monroe, Missouri for a presentation and book signing event. Through your assistance I was able to reach over 2,000 people in 24 hours.

I would like to clarify a couple of things that came up on social media. Old Monroe is located in Lincoln County. It is NOT the same as Monroe City. You will be a couple of hours away if you go to Monroe City. Immaculate Conception Church is located on Maryknoll Road just a couple of miles from the town of Old Monroe off of Highway C.

The event is free and open to all. No tickets are required. I had been worried that no one will show up. (I really don't want to be there all by myself.) My concerns about no one coming were alleviated yesterday by those of you who said you will be there. Thank you. A couple of people even contacted me to ask how early they would need to arrive to get a seat. If we fill the church to capacity, no one will be more surprised than this individual.

I do anticipate arriving early early so I have time to greet folks as they come in for the gathering. If you would like some time to visit before the event begins, I will probably be on-site at least 45 minutes before starting.

My presentation will focus on the virtue of hope, especially as it relates to suffering. It will be a pertinent presentation for anyone who has experienced suffering in their lives. You do not have to be Catholic to attend.

As a reminder, here are the details of the event.

We will gather at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Monroe, Missouri on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. My presentation on the virtue of hope will be one hour or less, and the book signing will take place immediately afterward. If you have experienced suffering in your life, I encourage you to attend. Through God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit we will be renewed in spirit and in hope.

Please continue to spread the word. I look forward to seeing many of you in just 10 days.

WHAT: Presentation by Deacon Vernon on the Theological Virtue of Hope
Book Signing immediately after the presentation

WHEN: Friday, April 6, 2018 at 7:00 P.M.

WHERE: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
110 Maryknoll Road
Old Monroe, MO 63369

Old Monroe, Missouri--Here I Come--April 6, 7:00 PM

3/25/2018

Since getting my book published last fall, I have been trying to plan a trip back to Missouri. It looks like we finally have an opportunity to make it happen. The pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Old Monroe, Missouri has graciously given me permission to come back to my home parish on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. I will give a one hour presentation on the theological virtue of hope and then have a book signing immediately following.

This gathering means a lot to me because the people of Old Monroe played a vital role in my upbringing as a child and into young adulthood. Being raised in such a wonderful community is a privilege that I do not take for granted. The love and support that I received from the community when I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25 helped me survive.

I received the sacraments of initiation at Immaculate Conception Church. I was an altar server and lector for many years. Celebrating our wedding in the church, assisting as a deacon for the first time after ordination, and so many other memories have filled my life with great joy and appreciation. Coming back now for a book signing event seems like the ideal thing to do. I look forward to seeing many friends from throughout the years.

I have a favor to ask. Since we are planning this event on fairly short notice, I need your help to spread the word. We will gather at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Monroe, Missouri on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. My presentation on the virtue of hope will be one hour or less, and the book signing will take place immediately afterward. If you have experienced suffering in your life, I encourage you to attend. Through God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit we will be renewed in spirit and in hope.

This is truly exciting. I look forward to seeing many of you soon.

Diocese of Cheyenne Young Adult Retreat

3/25/2018

I made the trek to Casper, Wyoming on Saturday to be part of the Diocese of Cheyenne Young Adult Retreat. (Do I get an award for being the oldest person in the room?) It was a fantastic weekend. Although I was tired by the time I returned home on Sunday evening, I truly enjoyed being around a vibrant group of young Catholics who take their faith seriously.

It was a beautiful way to start off our Holy Week experience. Maria Ward kicked off the retreat with a look at Palm Sunday. My presentations included an in-depth look at Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and the Sacraments of Initiation. Maria then wrapped things up with a look at how we can effectively celebrate the Easter season all 50 days.

I am grateful to all of the young folks who gave up their weekend to be part of this retreat experience. The retreat was held at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper, Wyoming. While it is not as good as having the gathering at a retreat center, we made it work out quite well. At the end of the retreat one thing was clear. We need to keep up our endeavors to serve the needs of the young Church.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Palm Sunday--Holy Week Begins

3/25/2018

On Palm Sunday the Church recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery.

I encourage you to live this "Holy Week" well. Allow God's grace to permeate every aspect of your life. A verse in John's Gospel resonates within me during Holy Week, and I share it with you for your own reflection.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in abundance." (John 10:10) Do you truly seek the abundant life that can only be found in Christ Jesus our Lord?

Behold the Lamb of God Who Takes Away Our Sin

3/24/2018

As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, be thankful for the gift of redemption.

On Palm Sunday we hear the Passion proclaimed at Mass. How does the narrative of the arrest, scourging, crowning with thorns, and the crucifixion of Jesus impact you? Have you heard the story so often that it no longer evokes any emotion from you? Or does it motivate you to turn away from sin and strive to be faithful to the Gospel message?

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week provide an opportunity for us to ready ourselves for the Paschal Triduum. Have you made use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation recently?

Many (arch)dioceses have the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning. Due to the geographical distances in the Diocese of Cheyenne we have already had the Chrism Mass. Thus, we will eagerly await the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening. How does the Holy Eucharist impact your life?

Good Friday will find us meditating on the death of our Lord. The emptiness we experience in the barren church is palpable. The tabernacle door is open and empty. The altar is bare. There are no flowers or other adornments. Mass is not celebrated. How does the sacrifice of Calvary impact you?

We maintain a sacred fast during the day on Holy Saturday as we await the Great Easter Vigil. How will the daytime hours of Holy Saturday be different for you compared to the daytime hours of other Saturdays throughout the year?

The Easter Vigil can be a somewhat lengthy liturgy. However, I would encourage you to attend. It is worth every minute as the Light of Christ breaks into the darkness.

Spend this week in prayer and quiet solitude in accordance with your state in life. Allow the grace of God to move in your life. Seek the power and communion of the Holy Spirit. Be transformed by the redeeming love of Jesus Christ!

Young Adult Retreat Is This Weekend

3/23/2018

As the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne I am always looking for ways to improve our proclamation of the Good News of Salvation. A new endeavor this year is to host a young adult retreat on Palm Sunday weekend (this weekend). Holy Week is typically busy enough by itself, but we decided to add a little more to the mix this year. Maria Ward and I will be presenting the young adult retreat this weekend in Casper, Wyoming. It will be a great way to celebrate Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. I am grateful to the young adults who have registered for the gathering. I truly hope this will be the start of your best Holy Week ever.

Chrism Mass 2018 in Cheyenne, Wyoming

3/22/2018

The Chrism Mass is a beautiful liturgy. It has been a tremndous blessing to be part of this Sacred Liturgy each year since moving to Wyoming. The celebration yesterday evening at the Cathedral of St. Mary was Bishop Steven's first Chrism Mass as our bishop. It was wonderful to celebrate with him and with a full church.

The blessing of the oils is a big part of the celebration. These oils will be used throughout the coming year.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. May we each enter into Holy Week with zeal and fervor!

Chrism Mass

3/21/2018

The Diocese of Cheyenne will celebrate the Chrism Mass this evening at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Please pray for our priests as they renew their commitment to the Lord and to the service of all God's people.