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My First Homily at St. Francis by the Sea Parish

6/30/2018

It has been a long week, but I finally arrived on Hilton Head Island early Friday morning. Driving over 1,700 miles isn't as much fun as it used to be. In the past I would have jumped at the opportunity to go on a long road trip. Now I find myself resorting back to childhood and asking the repetitive question, "Are we there yet?"

I had plenty of windshield time to get my homily firmly etched into my mind. Places such as Nashville and Atlanta allowed for additional time as the stop and go traffic added hours onto the trip. Although I am a bit road weary, I was excited to preach my first homily this evening at St. Francis by the Sea. I am looking forward to getting to know the parishioners in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

The high temperature in Cheyenne today only reached the lower 60's. Furthermore, I saw pictures on social media showing snow in the northern part of the state of Wyoming. I can assure you it won't be snowing in Hilton Head any time soon. Getting acclimated to the heat and humidity may take a little time, but I am grateful to know that my next winter will be much milder than what the last nine have been.

The wide open prairie was a beautiful place to live. Things are more congested here, but also very beautiful. The road leading to our residence is significantly different. Hopefully, I can wash our vehicles and they will stay clean for a while since we will no longer be living on a gravel road.

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Reflection Questions--Day Number Five

6/30/2018

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I will be traveling to my new assignment this week. Thus, I have prepared a few posts in advance so that you would not miss me too much. These posts will be brief and will consist of some reflection questions from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 10--
Do you spend more time focused on the problems of life or the blessings of life? Why?

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Reflection Questions--Day Number Four

6/29/2018

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I will be traveling to my new assignment this week. Thus, I have prepared a few posts in advance so that you would not miss me too much. These posts will be brief and will consist of some reflection questions from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 31--
Have you noticed growth in your spiritual journey?
If so, how?
If not, why not?

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Reflection Questions--Day Number Three

6/28/2018

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I will be traveling to my new assignment this week. Thus, I have prepared a few posts in advance so that you would not miss me too much. These posts will be brief and will consist of some reflection questions from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 27--
How do you bring comfort to those in sorrow?

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Reflection Questions--Day Number Two

6/27/2018

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I will be traveling to my new assignment this week. Thus, I have prepared a few posts in advance so that you would not miss me too much. These posts will be brief and will consist of some reflection questions from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 13--
Have you experienced God searching for you in a profound way? Explain.

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Reflection Questions--Day Number One

6/26/2018

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I will be traveling to my new assignment this week. Thus, I have prepared a few posts in advance so that you would not miss me too much. These posts will be brief and will consist of some reflection questions from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 50--
"How does preparation and anticipation enhance your spiritual life?

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Is There a Patron Saint for Packing and Moving?

6/25/2018

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At this point in the moving process, I probably need to turn to St. Jude--the patron saint of hopeless cases. Or maybe I could get a couple of angels lifting things up the way they are in the photo above? I could probably take a lesson from our Blessed Mother when the Holy Family fled. I am guessing they packed a little lighter than what I am trying to do.

Reflection questions from chapter 52 of my book, Articulating Hope--

How do you celebrate milestone moments in your life?
In what ways do achievements and success inspire you to pray?
How are you equipping yourself to run the spiritual race to the finish line?

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I Will Miss The Wide Open Spaces And Majestic Sky

6/25/2018

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I mowed the grass one last time today. I had my 10,000 steps in before 10:00 A.M. When I began early this morning I was wearing a sweatshirt as the temperatures were in the upper 40's. I think I will be able to put those sweatshirts aside for a while when I arrive on Hilton Head Island.

There has been something unique about each place we have lived through the years. In Wyoming, it is definitely the wide open spaces and beautiful sky. I have enjoyed those views immensely. However, now it is time to stand on the beach and enjoy some other wide-open views.

Some of you have asked how to stay in touch with me after I leave Wyoming. I no longer have my Diocese of Cheyenne e-mail address. If you wish to contact me please use my personal e-mail address at:

deaconvernon@gmail.com

To all of my Wyoming followers--thank you for the many gifts, well wishes, and kind words you have showered upon me these last couple of weeks. I am deeply grateful that God allowed me to minister in the beautiful state of Wyoming. The only thing more beautiful than the wide open spaces of Wyoming is the people who live there. May God bless each and every one of you!

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The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

6/24/2018

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Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. I pose the following questions taken from my book, Articulating Hope.

From chapter 43--
Are you diligent in keeping holy the Lord's Day?
If so, describe how the day is significantly different from the other six days of the week.
If not, what changes need to be made in your life to enhance your ability to honor this commandment?

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What Are The Signs In Your Life?

6/23/2018

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The question of discernment has been a frequent topic of discussion since I announced my departure from the Diocese of Cheyenne. There have been numerous people asking about my process of discernment. How did I get to Wyoming from Missouri? How did the idea of going to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina come up? How do you know you are following God's will?

These are all good questions. God has blessed my ministry abundantly through the years. However, uprooting my family multiple times has required sacrifices from each member of my family. This is not something I take for granted. When Margaret and I were first married we had many discussions about how we would serve. Prior to having children, we even discussed being missionaries in a foreign country. Thus, there has always been an openness to the movement of God in our lives. I will admit that I never anticipated where the journey would lead. We didn't go to a foreign country, but we did go to Wyoming. (That is in the U.S. Right?)

As I look back in hindsight, the view is amazing. We initially went from Missouri to Colorado where I had my first position in ministry. This deacon rookie learned much in those early years in regard to the practical components of being in ministry. After three years we went back to the Show Me State where I taught Theology at Valle Catholic High School in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri. I had no idea that this endeavor into the field of education would be the start of building a foundation which would lead me to being a principal and then superintendent. It still boggles my mind to think that I held the position of Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne for these last eight years in addition to being the Director of Pastoral Ministries. Wow! The discernment process of accepting the position as a Theology teacher back in 2003 was the starting point of something much bigger than I could have ever imagined.

The questions about my new adventure are reasonable, but I am unable to give a clear answer as to what I am expecting. All I know is that when I walked onto the campus of St. Francis by the Sea a little over two months ago I felt a deep sense of peace. I have been hired to be the Director of Religious Education for the parish. However, I am waiting with great expectations and prayer to see the powerful ways God will move in my life as I embark on this new adventure. There is something in store for my ministry that is beyond my current understanding. I have no doubt that my family will be abundantly blessed as well. We are walking by faith. All of the signs in the photo above give specific directions. My life is not always that clear cut. Waiting upon the Lord sometimes is an exercise in patience, but the end result is always amazing. I have prayed about this decision, and God has given me peace. I now walk in faith and trust that I am following God's will.

To the parishioners of St. Francis by the Sea, I look forward to joining you exactly one week from today. Fr. Mike has blessed me with the privilege of preaching at all of the weekend Masses on June 30 and July 1. My preaching style is well-known throughout the state of Wyoming, but since it will be new to all of you I will give you one clue. My homiletics instructor in diaconate formation said, "Have a stimulating beginning and a powerful ending, and keep the two close together." I have generally followed that advice and it has served me well.

In all seriousness, I will do my best to faithfully proclaim the Good News of Salvation. Archbishop Paul Etienne has heard me preach numerous times. He graciously wrote the foreword for my book which was published about eight months ago. In that foreword Archbishop Etienne said:

"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."

~The Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne, DD, STL
Archbishop of Anchorage
(Former Bishop of Cheyenne)

By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit I will bring that enthusiasm and zeal to St. Francis by the Sea. To my new parish family on Hilton Head Island, I look forward to seeing all of you next weekend.

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