Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

LIFECHAIN Is This Sunday

9/29/2017

LIFECHAIN takes place THIS SUNDAY. It takes place on the first Sunday of October each year. There are nine locations across the state of Wyoming. In Cheyenne, we will again gather at 2:00 P.M. at Powderhouse and Dell Range. We had a great turnout last year even though the skies were a bit ominous. I was close to being in the middle of the chain last year. As I quickly snapped the photos it was great to see people lining the sidewalk for such a great distance in both directions.

LifeChain takes place all across the United States. Please find a location near you and join thousands of others in quietly being a prayerful witness of the sanctity of life. Go to LifeChain's website for details about the event. Click on your state on the left hand side of the page to see all the locations and times listed for your area.

www.lifechain.net/

St. Mary's School Foundation Breakfast

9/28/2017

It was an early start to the day as I made my way to St. Mary's School for the annual Foundation Breakfast. Keeping Catholic schools thriving requires a lot of financial resources. The volunteerism and financial generosity of God's people never ceases to amaze me. We continue to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through our Catholic schools because of many dedicated individuals willing to give of themselves so generously.

David Johnson was the honoree this morning. He played an instrumental role in building the new St. Mary's School. He also served as the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools prior to me. Upon the fulfillment of his commitment to the diocese in 2010, I was appointed to fill his role and assume those responsibilities effective August 11, 2010. I am grateful for his leadership and commitment to the Church.

Mr. David Johnson sharing his remarks at the St. Mary's School Foundation Breakfast

The gift of music concluded the breakfast

St. Vincent de Paul--Pray for Us!

9/27/2017

The Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul today. Happy Feast Day to all of the Vincentians and Daughters of Charity. May God bless you abundantly in your ministries.

Patron Saints of Physicians and Surgeons

9/26/2017

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian. According to the ORDO "they were brother physicians known as 'moneyless ones' for their gratuitous care of the sick." They serve as the patron saints of physicians and surgeons as well as others.

I am no stranger to the medical industry complex. Being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25 exposed me to the harsh realities of life at an early age. It wasn't just about surviving the illness. It was also about learning to navigate the waters of insurance, sick leave at work, and coming to understand that no one would ever want to sell me life insurance because of my pre-existing condition. (I surprised them by beating the odds. They lost out on premiums for a lot of years since then.)

As the Affordable Care Act in our country continues to be debated, I am sensitive to the needs, the desires, and the costs that come with quality healthcare. While the partisan bickering gets old pretty quickly, I can relate to the enormity of the project that stands before our legislators. Creating a system of healthcare that is affordable, equitable, just, and of high quality is a tall order. Unfortunately, this would be a monumental task under the best of circumstances. Trying to get something accomplished in the midst of power struggles, political maneuvering, and the toxic culture of Washington, D.C. is almost impossible. Once again, it is the people of this great country that suffer the consequences.

While I have no control of the bureaucratic red tape surrounding healthcare, I do have control of acknowledging all of those who labor in the medical field--doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, radiologists, pharmacists, phlebotomists, administrators, support personnel, office staff, chaplains, gift shop workers, cafeteria workers, security personnel, and any other department I may have missed in our hospitals, medical offices, urgent care centers, nursing homes, etc. Let us not forget the volunteers either.

The Church has been instrumental in caring for the sick for centuries. I want to take just a moment today to say, "THANK YOU" to all who work in the medical field. Your skill, your compassion, and your dedication is appreciated by those of us on the receiving end of your care. Whether you work in a clinic, a hospital, home healthcare, hospice, or as a first responder, I hope you find immense joy and fulfillment in your ministry of healing and hope. May God bless you abundantly!

What Difference Will You Make In Someone's Life?

9/25/2017

Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado is beautiful. It is a long walk up to see the
Sacred Heart of Jesus statue (373 steps to be exact), but well worth the effort.

As we prepare to enter into the month of October--RESPECT LIFE MONTH--are we
willing to put forth the effort to stand up for the sacred dignity and value of each
human being? Can we be people who bring healing to our land through our consistent ethic of life? Here are some ways to get involved.

The next 40 Days for Life campaign begins on Wednesday, September 27 and runs
through November 5. See their website for a location near you.
40daysforlife.com/

LifeChain is this Sunday, October 1, 2017. Here in Cheyenne, Wyoming we will be
meeting in the Sears parking lot at Frontier Mall to make our way to the vigil site on
Dell Range. We will be standing quietly and praying for our nation from 2:00 to
3:00 P.M. this Sunday. If you are one of my local readers I hope you will consider joining us. Everyone can get involved in an area near you.

Check out the website for locations listed by state.
www.lifechain.net/

As always, our gifts and talents are needed on an ongoing basis. How can we add value to other people's lives? When was the last time you helped out at a food pantry, soup
kitchen, or homeless shelter? Have you volunteered at a hospital or nusrsing home?
Do you participate in any community endeavors or church affiliated organizations
which bring people a helping hand--and more importantly--hope?

How do we as Church demonstrate God's love? In a politically charged climate, and a
divided nation, it becomes more complex to be that faithful witness to others.
However, it is vital that we serve as a beacon of light to a people in darkness. Take time today (and every day) to make a positive difference in someone's life. Be an
ambassador for Christ in proclaiming the Good News of Salvation by what you say and do. You may be amazed at the impact you can have on others.

Obviously, Sacred Scripture is always useful for inspiration. However, if you are
struggling with knowing how to make a difference in someone's life, may I suggest an
easy and quick read to get you started? It is Mark Sanborn's book, The Fred Factor. It
reminds us that we can choose to make a difference each and every day.

Time is precious. Mother Cabrini made a difference while she walked upon this earth. How will you walk humbly with your God today?

100 Years Ago Today My Dad Was Born

9/24/2017

Dad talked about living to be 100 years old and I certainly thought he could make it. I could not hardly ever remember him getting sick when I was growing up. However, a cancer diagnosis changed everything pretty quickly. It is difficult to believe that he has been gone from us for nearly 24 years already.

Reflecting upon my dad's life, and his death, has reminded me once again of the fragile nature of life. We are only on this pilgrimage for a short time. A deacon friend of mine died last week. A co-worker was diagnosed with a brain tumor several weeks ago. My own health struggles also remind me of the complete dependence I have upon Almighty God for each breath I take and for every beat of my heart. What are we doing with the precious time God has given us?

Another shooting at a church means more pain, grief, and suffering for many. Natural disasters have caused immense devastation whether it be due to hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires. People are hurting. How can we make a positive difference?

The nonsense in the NFL--regardless of which side of the issue you land on--is a symptom of a much deeper problem in our land. The bottom line is quite simple--a house divided will not stand. At what point will we as a nation wake up and turn back toward God? This isn't just about politics. It is about sin. We reap what we sow. A society that glorifies sin and degradation will suffer the consequences. It is my opinion that we are beginning to see that in a somewhat dramatic fashion.

I can only imagine what the country was like in 1917 when my dad was born. World wars, the depression, and other things I have not experienced in my lifetime, must have created quite a landscape of memories for my dad's generation. They worked hard and provided opportunities for those coming after them. The United States of America has not been a perfect country, but I hope and pray we will exist for generations to come as a place of hope, peace, and prosperity for all. This will only happen if we truly are "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Happy Birthday Dad! Thank you for the example you set for your sons.

September Institute 2017 Is In The Books

9/22/2017

Nearly 200 people from across the state of Wyoming gathered in Casper from Tuesday through Thursday to learn about fruitful discipleship. Sherry Anne Weddell from The Catherine of Siena Institute was the keynote presenter at the Diocese of Cheyenne annual September Institute. These days of education and formation each September help the clergy, religious, and lay leaders of the diocese grow in their own journey of faith. This better equips them to minister faithfully with and to the people entrusted to their care.

LifeChain Is Sunday, October 1, 2017

9/18/2017

LifeChain 2016 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Top photo looking east. Bottom photo looking west.

LIFECHAIN takes place on the first Sunday of October each year. There are nine locations across the state of Wyoming. In Cheyenne, we will again gather at 2:00 P.M. at Powderhouse and Dell Range. We had a great turnout last year even though the skies were a bit ominous. I was close to being in the middle of the chain last year. As I quickly snapped the photos it was great to see people lining the sidewalk for such a great distance in both directions.

LifeChain takes place all across the United States. Please find a location near you and join thousands of others in quietly being a prayerful witness of the sanctity of life. Go to LifeChain's website for details about the event. Click on your state on the left hand side of the page to see all the locations and times listed for your area.

www.lifechain.net/

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

9/15/2017

The piece of art pictured above is located in St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. I was captivated by the expression on our Blessed Mother's face in the sculpture. I can only imagine the pain and sorrow she experienced as she held the lifeless body of her Son.

One of my favorite places to visit while living in Missouri was Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine located in Starkenberg, Missouri. It sat in a very rural area of the state and many times when I visited there was no one else there. The quiet and solitude was beautiful. It is not a large shrine, but if you ever pass through central Missouri it is worth a visit to experience the simple message conveyed there. Take time to appreciate the stillness of the moment.

historicshrine.com/

The sorrows of Mary have been have been prevalent in my prayer life. The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary have frequently been instrumental in helping me cope with my own sufferings and difficulties. When I look at everything our Blessed Mother endured, I realize that my burden of suffering is manageable.

Since the 14th century, the sorrows of Mary have typically been delineated in the number seven.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple must have been astounding. What was it like for Mary to hear the prophecy from Simeon? "A sword of sorrow shall pierce your heart." Mary indeed had much to ponder.

The flight into Egypt must have been frightening. Most parents will go the extra mile to protect their children. Mary was no different. That surely was a sorrowful journey.

When Jesus was lost in Jerusalem I can only imagine the growing anxiety with each passing day. Mary's question was to the point. "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

I cannot even fathom the heartache Mary must have felt when seeing her Son on the way to Calvary. A mother looks at her innocent Son all beaten and battered on the way to His death. The devastation of seeing her Son in such a condition had to be incomprehensible. Simeon's words must have certainly resonated in her mind during this encounter with her Son.

The crucifixion of a human being would be horrendous under any circumstances. Witnessing the crucifixion of one's own flesh and blood, especially one innocent of all wrondoing, must surely have been gut-wrenching. I remember when Mel Gibson's movie was released and the number of people who said they could not watch it because it was too violent. Can you imagine Mary watching her Son being crucified? It was not a movie; it was real life; it was real death.

Taking down the body of Jesus from the cross must have brought a flood of emotions to Mary. His physical pain and suffering was complete. Her sorrow was still very much alive. Caressing His lifeless body renewed that sword of sorrow in her life.

The burial of Jesus brings her suffering to the pinnacle. She had walked the journey of faith and it had been quite the pilgrimage. Since the Angel Gabriel's greeting reached her ears, her quiet trust in God through the years gave her strength. It had certainly not been an easy life, but it was blessed. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." We pray this scriptural prayer frequently. Do we grasp even in a minimal way the beauty of Mary's fiat?

Reflecting on the sorrows of our Blessed Mother invites each of us to consider our own sorrows. What sorrows are due to our following Christ faithfully? What sorrows are due to our own pride and sin? If we follow Christ faithfully we will suffer. However, we will be strengthened by the love of God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. His yoke is easy and His burden light. Let's walk with our Lord just as faithfully as did His Blessed Mother.

Our Lady of Sorrows--pray for us!

The Feast of "The Exaltation of the Holy Cross"

9/14/2017

The Catholic Church celebrates this great feast of "The Exaltation of the Holy Cross" to acknowledge that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. We are blessed indeed.

This day is very meaningful to me personally. In reflecting on the sufferings that Jesus endured at the time of His passion, I am reminded that my own sufferings can be utilized for good as well. While it can be difficult to see God's hand in the midst of our sufferings, we can trust that He is always present. "The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us; He is like us in all things but sin." Jesus understands my pain. I am never going through something that He does not comprehend.

I don't know how many times I have heard the question in one way or another, but the search for meaning in suffering is an age-old philosophical quest. However, it is still tempting to become frustrated during our times of suffering. The question asked usually looks something like this, "Why is this happening to me?" I have asked myself that question on occasion. It may not be a sound theological question, but it is an honest, emotional one.

These are some of the scenarios in which the question arises:

A person is diagnosed with a serious illness and dreams are shattered.
Someone dies in a tragic accident and the grief is immense.
A marriage breaks up and the words exchanged bring deep hurt, guilt, anger, or shame.
A person loses a job and experiences a loss of income, security, and sometimes even their identity.

The list could go on and on but I think you get the picture. We each have a story that contains a certain amount of pain and suffering. Today, we are invited to look intently at the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can't handle when we unite ourselves to the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords".