Blog Archives

How Many Fish Can You See?

6/30/2020

Where do you find solitude? I enjoy being outside near water. There is something very soothing about gazing out over the water. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time sitting quietly at the water's edge of a small lake. The clear water provided a glimpse into the beauty of nature below.

As I watched the small fish swimming around, Psalm 148 was resonating in my mind. Nature truly gives praise to the Lord. The rocks, the sand, the algae, and the fish all give glory to God by being what they are called to be.

Are we giving glory to God by being what we are called to be?

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?"
Luke 18:8

0 Comments

Do You Keep A Fifth Ace Hidden In Your Boot?

6/25/2020

0 Comments

A recent trip back to Cheyenne had me looking at things through the eye of a tourist rather than as a resident. The boots scattered all across the city are quite interesting when you view them up close to examine the detail. I remember doing that when I first moved to Cheyenne more than a decade ago, but as time went on it became customary to be oblivious to these works of art. Look at the detail on the boot pictured above. Does it make you want to deal the cards or roll the dice?

Cheating at cards was a common scene in many of the wild west movies. A gambler pulling a fifth ace from his sleeve or his boot could cause quite a stir if he got caught. It sometimes had instant consequences with a quick draw of the gun.

How much progress have we made as a society since those days? We have cars instead of horses. We have paved roads rather than dirt paths. We have fancier buildings with running water rather than hitching posts and water troughs for the horses. Do we have any more civility toward one another?

0 Comments

Sometimes It Can Be A Rough Ride

6/23/2020

0 Comments

Cheyenne Frontier Days has been canceled this year. Someone commented on social media that it had never been canceled in 124 years. World wars could not stop "The Daddy of 'Em All," but a virus was able to bring it to a screeching halt.

Whether it is bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, or bull riding, it can be a tough ride at times. Unfortunately, the City of Cheyenne business owners will experience the economic impact of this cancellation. It will be a rough ride for them as the annual $20 + million dollar boost to the local economy skips on by this year.

On my blog post of April 14, I quoted a meme which I had seen on social media. It said,

"I hope they let us out of quarantine by July 4, so we can celebrate our freedom."

I never imagined back in April that we would be this close to the holiday and still experiencing the level of restrictions we have. Can you remember when the experts told us "two weeks to flatten the curve"?

These truly are difficult times on many different levels. Yesterday, someone informed me that their father had been placed under the care of hospice just before the pandemic closures. The family has not been able to physically see him since the day he entered the hospice facility. My heart breaks for all of the families who have been disconnected from their loved ones because of the pandemic. It has definitely been a rough ride.

Please know of my prayers for all who are hurting.

0 Comments

Is The Seed Of God's Word Taking Root In Your Life?

6/16/2020

0 Comments

I encourage you to read a small portion of Luke's Gospel today. Slowly and meditatively read chapter 8 verses 4-15. Then ponder this question. Is the seed of God's Word taking root in your life? Is the seed falling on the path, rocky ground, an area of thorns, or on fertile soil?

Our world is in desperate need. Will you be an ambassador of Christ?

0 Comments

Saint Anthony--Please Help Me Find Myself

6/14/2020

0 Comments

Saint Anthony is known as the saint who helps find lost things. Yesterday, on his feast day, I saw several memes and comics reflecting the strong belief of that tradition. Whether we lose our keys, our phone, or anything else, many Catholics will seek the help of Saint Anthony to find these lost objects.

There was one comic depiction in particular that caught my attention. It simply said, "Please, help me find myself." I spent some time pondering that in a very serious way. How many of us are feeling a bit lost these days? The constant upheaval in our world has certainly created enough stress and anxiety to last a lifetime.

It is not just the world and the social upheaval which has brought stress into our lives. Being unable to participate in the sacramental life of the Church has also brought stress. Being told that the Church is non-essential in the midst of a crisis, real or perceived, has consequences with far-reaching ripple effects. Combine those factors, along with the economic impact of societal shutdown, and I am convinced that we will see major implications for churches and schools for years to come.

People were accustomed to the Church being present in times of joy (Baptism, Confirmation, Wedding, etc.). People were accustomed to grieving together at funerals. Visiting the sick in the hospitals has long been a ministry of the Church. Visiting those in nursing homes, as well as the home-bound, has always been an attempt to keep people connected to the faith community that loves them and cares for them. Almost all of that disappeared in an instant.

How can we ever make reparations for people suffering in hospitals alone, sometimes dying alone, and eventually being buried with only ten people allowed to be in attendance? How do we console family members who were denied the right to be present at the funeral of a loved one? It is easy to understand why we may be feeling lost. We are in desperate need of a lot of healing, emotionally and spiritually.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. After months without the sacraments of the Church, will we be able to find our fervor once again? Let's put this in perspective.

We missed Lent. We missed Holy Week. We missed the Triduum. We not only missed Easter Sunday, we missed the entire Easter Season. Sacraments of Initiation were postponed for all those wanting to come into the Church. We missed Pentecost. We missed Trinity Sunday. We have now reached Corpus Christi and we are still pretty much adrift. Weddings have been impacted. Ordinations have been impacted.

The Sacrament of Confirmation was missed by many young people. I hope most of them will participate when the sacrament is finally offered. However, if they are not confirmed, it will impact them later on down the road. For instance, how many of these young folks will be impacted years from now when they want to be a godparent but aren't fully initiated Catholics. As a former Director of Religious Education, I know what the reaction will be when you tell them they are not "qualified" to be a godparent because they were never confirmed. New issues requiring healing will then be present.

It is my hope and prayer that we will regain our fervor when we are invited back to participate in the sacraments. Praying to God the Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit will re-ignite the fire of faith within us if we have allowed that fire to die down. Seeking the prayerful intercession of our Blessed Mother and the saints is also a powerful aid.

If you are feeling a bit lost, please know that you are not alone. The year 2020 has seemed like perpetual chaos. Perhaps our world is being called back to God, but it has simply taken a lot to get our attention.

The "Anima Christi" is my prayer for each of us today.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Never permit me to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me,
At the hour of death, call me and bid me come to Thee.
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.

0 Comments

Sheryl K. Johnson Child Care Center--Teaching Peace

6/10/2020

2 Comments

Saint Albert is fortunate to have the Sheryl K. Johnson Child Care Center on our campus. We truly are a "cradle to college" institution. This presents some wonderful opportunities to share the Good News of Salvation in a powerful way. In response to the turmoil across our country, we are reinforcing the concept of peace beginning with each one of us. How do we treat one another on a daily basis?

This morning when I visited the center, I was asked to pose for a picture. The photo was texted to me a little while later, and I noticed one thing immediately as I opened the text. I am a little bit taller than the children posing for photos in front of the banner with the globe. Apparently I should have adjusted my position or raised the poster.

During the hustle and bustle of life, we can lose focus. At Saint Albert Catholic Schools and the Sheryl K. Johnson Child Care Center we strive to keep the priorities of life in proper order. I am grateful to all of the administrators, teachers, and support staff who make Sheryl k. Johnson Child Care Center a place of care, compassion, and peace. Your work truly reflects the love of Christ. You are creating an environment of excellence. Thank you for your ministry!

2 Comments

Even The Geese Are Flying Out Of Formation

6/8/2020

2 Comments

These have been some troubling times in recent months. The threat of a pandemic provided empty streets. Civil unrest filled them again. Who could have imagined the course of events over the last few months?

I stood outside yesterday evening along Lake Manawa to watch the sunset. I heard the honking of geese and looked up to see that even they were not flying in a neat and tidy formation. It was somewhat symbolic of how things feel in our world today.

Reflection Questions;
1. How have these days since the middle of March impacted you? (Please consider--physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.)
2. How has your prayer life been impacted by the shutdown?
3. How has your prayer life been impacted by the civil unrest?
4. What commitments have you made to bring healing and hope to your part of the world?
5. How do we (as Church) more effectively proclaim the Good News of Salvation?

2 Comments

Ordination--I Never Imagined This Kind Of Journey

6/5/2020

1 Comment

June 5, 1999

Margaret and I were a bit younger back on my ordination day.

Older and wiser?

I want to thank everyone for the many encouraging messages I have received throughout the day. It was 21 years ago today that I was ordained a deacon at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. The journey since then has been varied, and I am grateful for each new experience along the way.

This has been a difficult year. Leading an institution the size of Saint Albert Catholic Schools automatically brings challenges. However, as my leadership team embarked on this adventure together last summer, we had no idea that we would experience the tragic deaths of two young students, a pandemic that closed the school building for nearly three months, transitioning to online learning in two days, postponement and reconfiguration of our major fundraising event, creating an environment of joy and excitement for our graduates even with all the social distancing guidelines in effect, and so much more.

Diaconate ministry has an emphasis on works of charity. While most of my time is currently dedicated to the administrative responsibilities of Saint Albert, I know I have a responsibility to continue to look for ways to build bridges of trust and healing among the hurting segments of society. There are no simple solutions to the many social problems facing our country. That does not give me permission to simply throw up my hands in despair and do nothing. I must continue to strive to live out the two great commandments: Love God. Love neighbor. There is always room to grow in this endeavor.

Let us all work together to build the Kingdom of God. We do not need to travel to foreign lands to be missionaries. God's love and healing is needed right here in our midst.

Pro-Life March in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming

I am grateful to my diaconate classmates. The years of formation were easier because of all of you.

1 Comment

Getting An Award Without The Fanfare

6/5/2020

0 Comments

Saint Albert was excited to be awarded this honor from Spirit Catholic Radio earlier this year. Unfortunately, the virus shut everything down and we were unable to celebrate together. The award was quietly delivered yesterday.

I want to thank everyone who supports our mission at Saint Albert Catholic Schools. Spirit Catholic Radio recognizes us as a SUPERSTAR. That is because of the dedication and passion of the people of this community for the last fifty years. Saint Albert the Great, pray for us!

0 Comments

Praying While My Heart Is Troubled

6/3/2020

1 Comment

I walked into the chapel at school this morning with a heavy heart. The number of people being injured and killed because of the civil unrest is weighing heavily on me. What is the solution? How can each of us play a part in bringing healing to our broken world?

As I sat quietly in the dark chapel, I focused on the light coming through the two stained glass windows in the back. It gave me a sense of calm to see Jesus as He is depicted in these two scenes. My attention then turned toward the tabernacle on the other side of the chapel, but it was difficult to stay in a meditative mindset. My thoughts rambled all over the place.

In the midst of all the strife surrounding us, people are still having normal life issues as well. A former co-worker of mine died suddenly this week. He was a good man. His daughter was in elementary school while I was principal. I can only imagine her grief at this moment.

Another friend of mine just informed me that his 30 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. I can remember what my parents went through when I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25. These are challenging life events that are still going on all around us in addition to the coronavirus and the civil unrest.

My dear readers, please pray fervently for conversion. Take time to extend love and healing to others. May each of us be an avenue of God's grace!

1 Comment

<<Previous

Archives

Author