Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Congratulations Archbishop Paul D. Etienne

4/29/2019

It was exactly one year ago today that I posted this picture on my blog. Archbishop Etienne had returned to Cheyenne from Anchorage for the funeral of Carol DeLois, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Cheyenne. Before the archbishop departed to go back to Anchorage we had an opportunity to celebrate Mass in the chapel of the bishop's residence with a few of the chancery employees. We subsequently had a picture taken after Mass to commemorate the occasion.

Now, we hear one year later that Archbishop Etienne has been named Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle. You can see the official Vatican announcement regarding the appointment at this link:

press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/04/29/190429b.html

I am sure it is a shock to the people of the Archdiocese of Anchorage to be losing their archbishop after just two and a half years. I know the grief that can accompany these transitions. I especially offer a word of consolation to the chancery staff employees. Experiencing this much upheaval in less than three years is certainly a challenge for those who minister in the pastoral center. Please know of my prayers for all of you.

Congratulations Archbishop Etienne on your new assignment. Please be assured of my prayers as you make yet another transition. I know the emotions that are attached to these major transitions in life. I also understand the burden of leadership responsibility that will accompany this new appointment. Blessings and peace as you say "yes" once again!

~As a side note:
For those of you who have read my book, you know that Archbishop Etienne wrote the foreword to the book. I will always be grateful for his kindness in doing that. He was preparing to depart for Anchorage at the time of writing that foreword. Thus, I am even more appreciative of his willingness to take the time to read the manuscript and craft a foreword while having more than enough already on his plate. I especially appreciate his sentiments expressed in his closing paragraph of the book's introduction:

"I have known Deacon Vernon for seven years and have had the good pleasure of having him as a coworker in the Diocese of Cheyenne as the Director of Pastoral Ministries. It is a wonder he gets any of his own work done given the volume of parishes and organizations making requests of his time and energy as a retreat director, speaker and presenter for days of recollection. He is a gifted preacher, storyteller, and a highly enthusiastic, faith-filled disciple of the Lord. He is driven to make the best use of every minute God gives him and to build the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and this book is his latest effort to do just that."

~The Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne, DD, STL

Divine Mercy Sunday 2019

4/28/2019

The Octave of Easter is a time of great rejoicing. This is especially prevalent on day number eight which is known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Let us celebrate this day well for we have all been touched by God's mercy.

Consider some of what we experienced this past week. What message did we receive from the ritual of the washing of feet on Holy Thursday? Do you see mercy in this act of love? On Good Friday we heard the narrative of the Lord's passion and death. While this horrendous event may chill us to the bone, it also fills us with hope. Consider two people in the story impacted by the Lord's mercy--Peter and the "good thief." Even though Peter denied knowing Jesus, he was eventually reconciled because of mercy. The "good thief" was assured of paradise. Mercy can't get much more evident than that brief exchange as they hung on the cross.

My reflection question for today is simple, but it can have profound implications for your life if you meditate on this reality. How have you experienced God's mercy in your own life? Did this experience of God's mercy truly transform your life?

Have A Great Friday and a Wonderful Weekend

4/26/2019

After living in Wyoming for almost nine years--"a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play"--moving to South Carolina was quite the change. However, I have really enjoyed watching the wildlife here as well. It has not been big game animals such as elk and moose, but the alligators and the birds have been fascinating nonetheless. The little one pictured above kept inching closer and closer to the dock.

Is it dead, or just asleep? I wasn't going any closer to see. I am happy to report that it is alive and well. Once it woke up it came right to the dock. It is the same one that is in the first photo above.

This is a different one on the other side of the dock. I have never seen one come out of the water and onto the dock, but I stand back just to be on the safe side. My knowledge about alligators is minimal, and I don't want to learn any lessons the hard way.

After completing all of the things required for the Holy Week celebrations, I am now working on preparations for First Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation which are back-to-back on May 4, and May 5. I am scheduled to preach on two weekends yet before I leave South Carolina for Iowa. The first of these is on May 11, at the Saturday 5:30 P.M. Mass. The second is on June 1, at the Saturday 5:30 P.M. Mass and then again at the 7:30 A.M. Mass on June 2. I also have a couple of speaking engagements remaining on the calendar. I will be serving as the keynote speaker for the Beaufort Deanery Catechist Appreciation Celebration on May 18, in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Then on May 19, I will be addressing the Knights of Columbus at a breakfast at Port Royal Country Club here on Hilton Head Island.

In the midst of all of this I will continue making preparations to move and transition into my new role in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Based upon what my calendar looks like right now, there is no danger of getting bored any time in the near future. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.

The Beauty of a Pine Cone

4/25/2019

As I went for a walk I noticed this pine cone in the middle of the sidewalk. I picked it up as I walked by and was struck by the simple beauty. I can see why creative people utilize these cones in making wreaths and other holiday decorations. The wonder of God's creation is truly amazing.

I invite you to take some time today to be with God in a simple way. Smell the roses. Admire blossoming trees. Appreciate the drifted snow if you live in one of those areas. Gaze at a mountaintop. Marvel at the vastness of the ocean. Enjoy the serenity of a lake. Ponder the power of a raging river. Look at a blade of grass even if it is still in winter dormancy. Pet your dog or cat. Give your horse an apple. Look for the hand of God in the beauty of creation. Don't be so busy that you miss a chance to experience love.

Men's Retreat

4/24/2019

This picture showed up in my e-mail yesterday and I was given permission to use it. Being with this group of men for three days was a tremendous gift. They have been gathering for an annual retreat for more than a decade, and they are sincerely striving to live their lives in union with God. It was a privilege to be with them for this retreat at the New Ebenezer Retreat and Conference Center in Rincon, Georgia.

This was the first time the group ever had a retreat master that was not a priest. They took a chance with having this deacon as the retreat master and it is my hope that they were spiritually fed during the course of the three days.

We had to find a priest to offer Mass and the Sacrament of Penance. This also turned out to be quite a blessing. We contacted a local priest who was in a parish not far from the location of the retreat center. Fr. Martino--WOW! You touched our lives in a profound way. Thank you for giving of yourself so generously to us.

The goodness of God never ceases to amaze me.

Transitions and Change

4/23/2019

Celebrating the Paschal Triduum is always a high point in the liturgical year. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of these celebrations each year. I hope you experienced the beauty of these days.

Members of the church staff typically get extra time off at Easter. In our diocese we had a half day on Holy Thursday, and then we were off on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. As a member of the clergy I obviously do not get to have all those days off. That is okay. I enjoy these days and I am very happy to come in for rehearsals to prepare for these celebrations. If we each know our roles well, we can help create an environment conducive for prayer. We want people to truly encounter God in a profound way at these liturgies.

In some of the down time that I did have, I was reading a consultant's report about St. Albert Catholic Schools. I studied statistical data regarding test scores in religion, test scores for other academic subjects, demographic trends, and challenges to be met in regard to facility upkeep and other areas of concern. Excitement builds as I prepare for this transition. While we certainly face some obstacles at St. Albert, I am confident we can overcome them and thrive as an institution and a community of faith.

My new role officially begins on June 23. That is exactly two months from today. Please continue to pray for all those impacted by these changes.

Happy Easter 2019

4/21/2019

Celebrating the Paschal Triduum is the highlight of the liturgical year. I am grateful for the privilege to serve at these liturgies as a deacon. Studying the rubrics, practicing the chants, rehearsing with the altar servers, and preparing those to be baptized with the practical details about the ceremony, all lends itself to helping me understand more fully the profound nature of these liturgies. The gestures, the prayers, the music, the symbolism, and the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures detailing salvation history instruct us of the solemnity of what we celebrate.

It was unique this year because I was serving in a different parish. I had been at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the last nine years. It adds another dimension to the preparations for these liturgies when the bishop is the celebrant. This year I did not have to take into consideration the mitre, the crosier, and other episcopal details.

My wife, Margaret, is back in Cheyenne celebrating Easter with our daughter and her husband's family. This had become a tradition while we lived there. I know that I am missing out on a good meal today. Not to worry! I am at home in Hilton Head living the life of a bachelor while she is in Cheyenne. After the Easter Vigil last night I stopped at the grocery store and picked up a fresh loaf of bread, a fresh pack of bologna, and a fresh bag of chips. Easter dinner will be served.

I want to thank the many people in Cheyenne who have extended their greetings to me via my wife while she has been back in town. I miss all of you as well. The winter I do not miss, but the people I do. All of you blessed my life significantly while I served at the cathedral.

Although it was well past midnight when I got to bed, I still woke up this morning long before sunrise. I waited for it to warm up a little and then decided to get some exercise and meditation time. I felt like a tourist, but I went to all the places I usually take visitors. The first stop was the dock right in our neighborhood. The wind was blowing pretty hard and the temperature was only in he 50's. I did not stay in this spot too long.

Next up--Jarvis Creek Park. The mile-long pathway around the lake is always adventurous. The trees surrounding the area provided some shelter from the wind. The alligators and the birds were plentiful today. Two of the alligators were pretty good size and they were drawing a significant amount of attention from the walkers and bicyclists. I only had my phone. I wish I would have had a camera and a zoom lens, but I got as close to the gators as I was going to get. You have to look at them from a distance just as I did.

Next up--Chaplin Community Park and Burke's Beach.

I will certainly miss the beauty of Hilton Head Island and the people of St. Francis by the Sea Parish when we relocate in a couple of months. While my stay here has been short, I am grateful for the experience.

As I prepare for my new venture as executive director of St. Albert Catholic Schools, I am growing more excited by the day. I continue to learn about the school and the area. There are many positive things firmly in place already at the school. This means that we have a tremendous foundation upon which to build even greater accomplishments. I am also learning about areas that could use some improvement. That also excites me, because I have not yet seen any obstacle that seems insurmountable. I am happy to have 20 years of experience behind me in Catholic education. I have seen many of the common challenges that confront Catholic schools up close and personal. I have successfully addressed those challenges on numerous occasions in the past. It is my hope to do the same at St. Albert with the help and collaboration of the teachers, students, parents, parishioners, and all who support the endeavors of the school.

I am also thrilled to know that there are MANY PEOPLE who desire the success of St. Albert Catholic Schools. That was extremely evident in the results of the annual fundraiser. My thanks to all of you who made that event such a huge success. Wow! That was a phenomenal accomplishment.

Although I will not arrive on campus until the end of June to begin my position, I look forward to meeting many of you on May 13, when I am in town for a brief visit. Please know of my daily prayers for all of you as we make these significant transitions in our lives. I ask you to please remember me in your prayers as well.

Finally, I ask all of my readers to keep the people of Sri Lanka in your prayers. The blasts at churches and hotels have killed and harmed many people. Being martyred for the faith is becoming more and more of a reality in our world today. Let us pray for courage and perseverance.

May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Good Friday 2019

4/19/2019

Strong storms were in the forecast for the afternoon so I took a walk in the morning. I thought it would be good to get a little exercise and some meditation time. It was a bit windy but pleasant.

This afternoon was not as peaceful. As I drove to church for the 3:00 P.M. service it became dark as night. Eventually, the sky opened up and poured. It was an eerie sight as the area was placed under a tornado warning and eight other watches and warnings.

The waves were growing this morning before the storm even arrived.

It is a privilege to be part of leading God's people in prayer during these holy days of the Paschal Triduum. I hope you are experiencing an outpouring of God's abundant grace in a multitude of ways.

In my 20 years as a deacon, this was the largest cross I had ever carried in the Good Friday procession. I can't even begin to imagine the agony of our Lord during his carrying of the cross.

It Must Be Holy Week

4/17/2019

How do you know it is Holy Week? You see the maintenance staff hard at work putting fresh yellow paint on the curbs, trimming shrubs, and planting new flowers. Signs are posted showing the Easter Sunday Mass schedule for both the church and the gymnasium.

An altar of repose is being built in the Family Center for Holy Thursday. Chairs are being set up in the gym for the Easter Vigil Mass in Spanish and for three Masses that will be held there on Easter Sunday. This is all in addition to a full schedule of Masses in the church.

It has been a busy day, but it has flown smoothly due to the diligence of the people entrusted with all of these duties. Having notes and diagrams from previous years certainly comes in handy. Very little is left to chance when we follow directions.

A lot of people work behind the scenes in all of our parishes to bring these large celebrations to fruition. I hope you benefit by having an experience of prayer that truly lifts your heart and mind to God.

To all those preparing for full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil, I simply say, "Welcome!" Please know that the Church prays for you and with you during these holy days.

Blessings and peace to all.

Chrism Mass

4/16/2019

The Chrism Mass was celebrated today in the Diocese of Charleston. Although the Chrism Mass is celebrated at different times depending upon which diocese you are in, it is usually within a week of Holy Thursday. The celebration always serves as a good reminder to keep lifting our priests up in prayer.

The images out of Paris following the fire are heartbreaking, but it is good to see people stepping up to offer financial assistance in the rebuilding of Notre Dame.

My word of encouragement to you for today is simple--prepare to celebrate the Triduum well. Holy Thursday is not a day of obligation, but it is a tremendous day of opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist in a way that solemnly connects us with the Last Supper. Good Friday is not an obligation, but it commemorates in a very somber way the passion and death of our Lord. The Easter Vigil on Saturday night is a lengthy celebration, but it is a beautiful service truly walking us through salvation history. Please don't miss the chance to be part of these wonderful liturgies.

Have a blessed Holy Week!