 The flag is lowered to honor those who died from the shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  It was the third largest Wednesday crowd in CFD history.      There is a lot of equipment behind the scenes.   Don't forget all of the vendors and the carnival rides.   Pictures are inadequate to convey the atmosphere at Cheyenne Frontier Days, but I tried.
0 Comments
Standing in line to get free pancakes may not seem like the best use of one's time, but it is an event that needs to be experienced at Cheyenne Frontier Days. They will feed nearly 10,000 people in two hours. Efficiency is the name of the game. It took our group a little over half an hour to get through the line and there were already a couple thousand people in front of us when we arrived. I tried to think about the longest line in which I have ever stood. It would probably be standing in line to go to the Mass in St. Louis in 1999 when Pope John Paul II came to town. It took hours to get through security and there were over 100,000 people in attendance. I don't stand in line on Black Friday but I realize that many have made that a tradition in their lives. What is the longest you have stood in line for anything?   
  If the ambulance does not arrive quickly enough, call the undertaker.  It was cloudy and drizzled a few times, but overall it was a great morning for a parade. I hope you enjoy the pictures. It is just a glimpse of what the parade held in store for those in attendance.
It would be interesting to know how many horses are in Cheyenne, Wyoming this week. Last week I told you I was going to bring the fun to you from Cheyenne Frontier Days. I have been a little slow in getting started. I have not yet been to the rodeo, haven't seen a parade, and have not been to the free breakfast. Thus, it makes it difficult for me to bring the fun to you when I have yet to participate. However, that is about to change. In the interim let me share a few pictures of the Depot just hours after thousands of people enjoyed their free breakfast. Serving at the breakfast ends at 9:00 A.M. I walked down to the Depot just after 12:00 noon on my lunch break and was amazed at the cleanliness--and the absence of people.         A few shoppers take advantage of the less hectic time of day at the Cheyenne Depot.
July 19--25, 2015 is Natural Family Planning Week. This is a week set aside to highlight the beauty of God's design for marriage as "an intimate partnership of life and love in an unique union between one man with one woman for the whole of life." The institution of marriage has certainly been under assault for a number of decades now. The contraceptive mentality has led to promiscuity, infidelity, and a laundry list of other negative consequences. This lifestyle of "hooking up" has been celebrated and propelled to the forefront of our minds from an oversexed media and entertainment culture. Something good and holy has been demeaned by those who want no restrictions or limitations in their sexual pursuits. Anytime we start messing with God's natural design for life we reap chaos. Humanae Vitae was ignored or ridiculed immensely back in 1968 when the encyclical was published on July 25. It is time to take a fresh look at the wisdom contained in this document. I would encourage each of you to read it in its entirety to see where our society has gone in the 47 years since its publication. http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html Has adultery decreased in modern times? Has the divorce rate declined? Is the family better off now than it was fifty years ago? Do some reading and research of your own to see why the Church teaches what it does. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/  See the article published today at www.catholic365.com.
http://www.catholic365.com/article/1939/congregational-myopia.html  I had to chuckle at a cartoon I saw on social media today. It said, "I'll have you know I got three hours into my work day and only thought about quitting 47 times." How many of us have had days like that? There are times when retirement seems very appealing. Since I am a long way from that being a reality I continue to forge ahead.
The frustrations of life are present. Watching the news can reveal sadness, heartache, anger, and despair in a short time frame. We see crime, scandal, immorality, and a laundry list of other unpleasant scenarios. It can wear us down especially when we experience struggles and difficulties in our own lives. Peace and contentment can be almost impossible to find. We are midway through the month of July. Have you taken time to enjoy these days of summer? Have you done something to recharge your spiritual battery? We are about to embark on Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) here in the capital city of Wyoming. If you haven't been able to get away for a little rest and relaxation lately, I will try to bring the fun to you. Look for a lot of pictures in the days ahead as we celebrate CFD. During the last two years my blog has received the greatest number of hits during CFD. Apparently, pictures of the "wild west" are more popular than my writing on a regular basis. What is that trying to tell me?  The Little Sisters of the Poor live the message of the Gospel in a very humble way. A few decades ago it would have been almost unimaginable that the United States Government would attack such a noble group of people, but times have definitely changed. There appears to be a systematic approach by the leaders of our government to root out anything related to the Christian faith. Is that a conspiracy theory or is there tangible evidence to support that claim? I'll let you decide.
Coincidences or isolated happenings can be interpreted with a little latitude in regard to the underlying intent of the persons involved. However, as events begin to unfold in a methodical process with a leaning toward a particular outcome in each individual case, it begins to look like something greater is being pursued in an overall agenda. Is that the case in modern day politics? What is the big picture in the realm of politics in regard to our religious freedom? A number of disconcerting things present themselves at the very outset. "Sign the bill and then read it." I will never understand that admonition regarding the Affordable Care Act, and yet, I think that is what many of our lawmakers did. We were told that it wasn't a tax, but then the U.S. Supreme Court said it was a tax. State exchanges not set up--no problem. The U.S. Supreme Court knew what you really meant even though it's not what you said. Words mean what we decide that they mean. On and on the fiasco goes. Bottom line--the government made sure to stay strong against their foes such as The Little Sisters of the Poor. The progressive agenda is hampered by people of faith. Thus, the unenlightened people clinging to their Bibles and their guns need to be dealt with in a manner that squelches their desire or their ability to oppose the enlightened elite of our society. As Mrs. Clinton said, "Religious views must change." There is an assumption that people of faith holding on to traditional values are obviously wrong about almost everything. How did we ever reach such a sad and sorry state of being? What has happened to the value system in our country? How did we get to the point of celebrating immorality? Who would have ever dreamed of seeing the "People's House" lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the defeat of Christian values? How can an organization like Planned Parenthood (just recently exposed for allegedly selling body parts of aborted babies) get taxpayer funding while the Little Sisters of the Poor are forced to pay for inappropriate services? Where is the justice in such a scenario? Where is the religious freedom? My dear people, this is just the beginning of the persecution that is to come. It would be a good idea to put on the armor of God and prepare for the days ahead. Read St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6: 10--18. My latest article was published on www.catholic365.com today entitled, Lifeboat Theology. Please go to their website to read the article.
http://www.catholic365.com Direct link: http://www.catholic365.com/article/1910/lifeboat-theology.html  There is no shortage of pain and struggle among many families today. Take some time to pray for an individual or family specifically by name. Lift them up to God. Do not underestimate the power of prayer.
|
AuthorThis is my personal blog. The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers. This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. |
RSS Feed
