Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Meet and Greet Is One Week From Today

7/31/2019

If you are one of my readers in the Council Bluffs area I hope you will make plans to join us on Wednesday evening August 7. There will be light refreshments and a brief presentation from each of the members of the new leadership team. The presentations will begin at 6:15 P.M. Each member will speak for a few minutes about himself/herself and give an update regarding their area of responsibility at the school. Those short summaries should wrap up about 6:45 P.M. This will allow time for some informal socializing afterward until 7:00 P.M.

It is my desire to share updates about the exciting things happening at the school as well as give everyone a chance to get to know the leadership team a little better. You can feel the energy and enthusiasm growing with each passing day as the start of the new school year approaches. Please consider this my personal invitation to each of you to get involved and be part of something magnificent!

Donations From The Spring Auction Being Put To Use

7/30/2019

Due to the generosity of many people at the auction last spring, the STREAM program is receiving some upgrades. This 3-D Printer is just one example.

The calendar page is about to turn to the month of August. This means that the start of school is drawing near. It is an exciting time to be part of the St. Albert community.

National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers

7/30/2019

There are times I look at life and marvel at the journey that has taken place. I would have never imagined the opportunities, the struggles, the failures, and the victories that would cross my path through the years. It has not always been easy, but it has been blessed.

My wife and I now marvel at the accomplishments of our children. They have already achieved some things in life that we have not. The only reasonable thing we can do is claim credit for everything they achieve due to our awesome parenting. On the flip side, we will quickly distance ourselves if there is a less than a stellar moment that would diminish our successful parenting image.

Our son graduated high school as the salutatorian of his class. My wife nor I can lay claim to such an accomplishment in our own academic pursuits. Now, as I watch his expertise in computer science, I am sure his achievements will be numerous during the course of his career once he graduates college.

Our daughter, pictured above on the right (talking with her hands), was part of an interactive panel discussing "How to Welcome and Keep Young Couples at the Parish" at a national conference in Denver earlier today. It has taken me decades to build up my speaking platform, and here she is early in her career accomplishing things I have not. It has to be our excellent parenting!!!

My prayers continue for all those gathered in Denver. It is my hope that this time of study and formation will bear abundant fruit when you return home to your ministries in your local parishes and dioceses. "May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to fulfillment."

National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers

7/29/2019

Archbishop Aquila was the keynote speaker yesterday evening at the opening of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers Conference in the Archdiocese of Denver.

We seem to be bombarded with negative news on a regular basis. The social ills in society are numerous and the suffering experienced by many is real. Broken families, crime-ridden neighborhoods, addictions, and other horror stories make the evening news repeatedly. However, the part of the equation that doesn't get much news coverage is the positive side of the story.

There are a multitude of efforts to strengthen families, create safer neighborhoods, provide quality healthcare, and initiate educational opportunities for all. The Catholic Church has been at work doing these things for centuries. If one looks at the far-reaching impact of the ministries of the Catholic Church in regard to education, healthcare, and outreach to the poor, it is evident that the lives of many have been enriched by these services. Unfortunately, the failures of Church leadership since 2002 have captured the headlines and will remain the prevalent story for the foreseeable future. That has hindered, and will continue to hinder, our ability to minister as effectively as we might have without these scandals.

With that being said, I still want to highlight the positive components of what the Church is trying to accomplish. Many people are currently gathered in the Archdiocese of Denver attending the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers Conference. These are dedicated people striving to find ways to strengthen the Domestic Church--The Family. How can we better serve the people entrusted to our care?

Please pray for the success of this conference. The lay leaders in our parishes and in our diocesan offices, along with the clergy and the religious, bring hope to a hurting world as they help our families grow in wholeness and holiness. Whether it is marriage preparation, marriage enrichment, help for troubled marriages, Natural Family Planning, marital and family counseling, or services geared toward specific populations within the family unit, we are blessed to have these dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed leaders serving families. May this conference be a source of learning and renewal for all those present.

May The Good Work Begun Be Brought To Fulfillment

7/28/2019

As I sat in the Cathedral of St. Ambrose yesterday before the start of Mass, I could not help but admire the beauty and ponder how connected life truly is. The stained glass window next to me was of St. Vincent DePaul. Since I attended the Vincentian Seminary in Perryville, Missouri many years ago, the appeal of St. Vincent is still strong. The window next to that one featured St. Louis. Since I was ordained a deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Louis I obviously have ties there as well.

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, six men studying for the diaconate were being admitted to the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders. While these men still have years of study and formation before they are ordained, this ritual reminded me of the prayer uttered by the archbishop at my own ordination. "May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to fulfillment." Seeing similar words on the stained glass window of one of my favorite saints made me reflect deeply about how well (or not) I have cooperated with God's grace to bring His good work to fulfillment over the course of these last twenty years of ordained ministry. (The successes belong to God. I will have to accept responsibility for the failures.)

I am a month into my new role as executive director of St. Albert Catholic Schools. As I tackle a variety of challenges currently facing the school, I am grateful for what I have learned in the last quarter of a century. My formation and my years of ministerial experience have prepared me well for the task that is at hand. With the help of a solid leadership team surrounding me, a dedicated faculty, a support staff that goes above and beyond the call of duty, and a multitude of parents, alumni, and avid supporters, I am certain God will bring this good work to fulfillment.

As more people in my new locale are finding my website and blog, I have received a number of questions about my ministry. I do not have a "Frequently Asked Questions" page because in the past I have typically not had questions frequently asked. Subsequently, I will answer a couple of the questions recently posed to me.

1. Yes, I have written a book. It was published in the fall of 2017. Complications (unrelated to me) arose near the end of the process when my book was just about to go to print. Legal action was taken against my original publisher and the company immediately went out of business. There were about 350 authors who had work in progress at that time and were left in a real bind. Yes, I was one of those authors. Why should anything go smoothly? I eventually found another publisher willing to complete my printing, but unfortunately, it was not marketed in the way it would have been if things had gone as planned with my original publisher. Thus, my book is not available on the usual outlets you would expect. If I am able to correct that in the future, I will be sure to publicize that news. Until that happens, contact me if you have a desire to obtain a copy of the book. [email protected]

2. Yes, I still lead retreats, days of recollection, and give parish missions. If you click on the tab at the top of this page "Retreats and Parish Missions" you can see a list of places of where I have spoken in the past. This is an area of ministry that I enjoy immensely, and I would be thrilled to serve your parish or organization in this manner. Obviously, my first responsibility is to fulfill my duties as executive director at St. Albert Catholic Schools. However, I can reasonably accommodate a number of speaking engagements as well. If you are interested in having me lead a day of recollection, retreat, parish mission, or simply give a talk at a workshop, I will do my best to fit it into my schedule. We can tailor the event to meet your specific needs or desires. Once again, feel free to contact me. [email protected]

3. Some of you heard my interview with Bishop Pates on Iowa Catholic Radio in the middle of June prior to my arrival in the diocese. I have been asked if I will be doing more on local Catholic Radio. It is my hope to build a good working relationship with people at Iowa Catholic Radio and Spirit Catholic Radio. This is a valuable means of communication to proclaim the Good News of Salvation. I look forward to being part of that in any way I can.

Finally, I just want to thank everyone for the gracious welcome I have received into the Diocese of Des Moines. I look forward to getting to know more and more of you on a personal level.

Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders--Deacon Formation

7/27/2019

It was my pleasure to attend Mass on Saturday afternoon at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines to witness six men being admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders. Although there are many years of formation in front of these men, they have made this important step in their discernment process toward becoming deacons. Bishop Pates and the congregation gave the men and their wives a lengthy ovation acknowledging their dedication and commitment to Christ and His Church.

It has been more than twenty years since my ordination day, but I vividly remember the years of classes and formation that went into preparing me for that day. Working a full time job, raising a family, and going to classes wasn't always easy. However, the grace of God was present and gave Margaret and I the strength we needed to persevere. I am grateful for all the prayers and support we received from others during those years.

I served as deacon director in the Diocese of Pueblo back in 2002 and 2003. I sat on the diaconate formation board in the Diocese of Cheyenne in 2017 and 2018. I have seen the transformation of individuals and groups as they embarked on this journey toward the diaconate. The power of the Holy Spirit at work in our midst is amazing.

These six men in the Diocese of Des Moines are looking at four more years of intense study. Please keep them in your prayers.

(Deacon candidates in Wyoming--you are a little closer to ordination than these men in Des Moines. Please know that you are still in my prayers. I know the last couple of years can be exhausting. Hang in there.)

Generous Gift to Saint Albert Educational Foundation

7/25/2019

Pictured left to right:
Deacon Vernon Dobelmann (Executive Director of St. Albert Catholic Schools)
Mary Margaret McGinn
Ed Noethe (Outgoing President of Saint Albert Educational Foundation)
Jeff Lenz (Incoming President of Saint Albert Educational Foundation)

Edmund A. McGinn was one of the main organizers in the formation of Saint Albert Catholic Schools. He also was the driving force behind the establishment of the Saint Albert Educational Foundation. Throughout his life, Ed was a staunch supporter of Saint Albert and was very generous with his time and financial resources to Saint Albert and the Foundation. Ed died on March 26, 2019 . However, his support of Saint Albert did not stop at that time. Through his will, Ed left a generous gift to the Saint Albert Educational Foundation. This gift was recently presented by Mary Margaret McGinn.

The Saint Albert Educational Foundation would like to recognize Ed and his family for this gift, and all the other gifts, Ed bestowed upon the Foundation and Saint Albert Catholic Schools.
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As executive director of St. Albert Catholic Schools, I echo the gratitude expressed by the Foundation Board President. In my first month here at St. Albert I have seen the kindness, generosity, and commitment of the avid supporters of this amazing school community. It is going to be an exciting year as we are beginning to see one blessing after another during our preparations. Three pianos donated, new cross country uniforms provided, and now a generous financial donation to the Foundation. The last two weeks have been AWESOME. Thank you!

If you would like to invest in Saint Albert Catholic Schools with your time, talent, or financial resources, please don't hesitate to contact me. Stop by the school and take a look for yourself. Give me a call or send an e-mail to: [email protected]. Your support of the school and the Saint Albert Educational Foundation will help ensure the long-term vitality of the school. The future is bright.

Mary or Martha--How Do You Spend Your Time?

7/22/2019

The Gospel reading on Sunday made me reflect on how I use my time. How much time do I spend in prayer and meditation (sitting at the feet of Jesus just as Mary did)? How much time do I spend working (just as Martha did)? Does it matter if I have a secular job or if I work for the Church? Can I justify skipping prayer if I am actively "doing" ministry? How do I find a balance between being both Mary and Martha in my day-to-day life?

I have been ordained over twenty years now. For some reason I had the misconception that prayer would be easier after ordination. I assumed that years of education and formation would automatically result in a deep and profound prayer life. That has not been the case. I found out that it still requires discipline. With two decades of ordained ministry behind me now, I realize more than ever the necessity of being vigilant in prayer. If ministry is going to bear abundant fruit, it must be wrapped in prayer to be propelled by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

A person obviously has the opportunity to experience grace in the reception of the sacraments. This is very important when we receive the sacraments of service--Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony. We need God's grace to faithfully live up to these commitments. However, let us remember that this grace still demands a response from us. It is not magic. We are invited to cooperate with God's grace to conform our wills more completely to the will of Christ.

As I ponder the Gospel, I am also reflecting upon other passages as well.
"Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26)
"Be doers of the word, not hearers only." (James 1:22)

If we are doing well at sitting at the feet of Jesus, will it not compel us to go out into the world to serve others? A true faith will result in a transformed life. Are we experiencing life to the full? (John 10:10)

My encouragement for you today is simple: let us be people of prayer. Then we are equipped to go out into the world as faithful ambassadors for Christ. Jesus summed it up quite succinctly. Love God. Love your neighbor.

Meditation suggestion:
Look at the photo above and focus on the clock tower.
How many years are behind you?
How many years are in front of you? (No one knows the day or the hour.)
How have you used your time up to this point?
How do you want to use the rest of your time on this earth?
What changes would you like to make?

Summer Activities Bring Great Memories

7/21/2019

What are you celebrating these days? I know my readers in Cheyenne, Wyoming are busy with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Although the parades did not change much from year to year, I did miss not being there yesterday to see the opening parade. It was always a good time. I hope it is a great ten days for the city of Cheyenne and the state of Wyoming.

Here in Council Bluffs, Iowa a huge bicycle ride kicked off. Although I am not a big cyclist myself, the details about Ragbrai 2019 looked fascinating. I hope the riders have a safe and enjoyable experience. Thankfully, the heat appears to be subsiding.

At St. Albert Catholic High School we are celebrating our baseball team as the District Champions. The next game is Tuesday night. A trip to the state tournament would be awesome.

In whatever way you are spending these days of summer, I hope you are finding some fun, relaxation, and peace of mind.

You Are A Beloved Child Of God

7/19/2019

I did not get a chance to write a blog post the last couple of days. It was thirty-three years ago on Wednesday (July 17) that I was diagnosed with cancer. After being diagnosed at the doctor's office, I was instructed to be admitted into the hospital immediately. Subsequently, it was thirty-three years ago yesterday (July 18) that I underwent surgery for cancer. That happened just about 18 hours after being diagnosed. My life literally changed in a heartbeat with that diagnosis.

I could have never imagined the journey that was in store for me at the time of diagnosis. It wasn't just enduring the surgery. It was the months of chemotherapy after the surgery that was the real challenge. The struggle was intense and lengthy. Many times I thought my life was over. The infections were frequent and my strength was minimal, but somehow I managed to beat the odds.

Today, I just want to express a word of gratitude and encouragement. I am grateful for the additional years of life and the amazing journey it has been. It has not always been easy, but it has been blessed. For those of you going through tough times right now, please know of my prayers for you. I know the battle can sometimes be overwhelming. Hang in there. A day at a time, sometimes a moment at a time, may be the limit of what you can handle. Those moments add up to days, weeks, and even months. Somehow you weather the storm. You are strong when you walk in God's grace.

Enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Smell the flowers. Look at the ocean. Look at the mountains. If you are in Iowa, look at the cornfields and the grain bins. Wherever you are, look at the beauty of creation and see the hand of God. That same God holds you in the palm of His hand. You are beloved!