October is Respect Life Month and it is quickly drawing to a close here in 2013. The current 40 Days for Life campaign will be ending a few days into the month of November. Once again, we have seen many blessings come about because of faithful people praying in front of abortion clinics all across the country and around the world.

It is disheartening to see individuals and institutions who claim to be followers of Christ promote abortion on demand. It is especially sad when I see members of my own Catholic denomination falling into that error. Today, I read an article about a Catholic institution that was simply mind-boggling. You can read it here: 
http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/2640/EXCLUSIVE-Georgetown-Law-Class-Required-to-Work-for-Pro-Abortion-Lobby.aspx

Kelli Garcia, a Georgetown University law professor, wrote a love poem to Planned Parenthood back in 2011 entitled, "Planned Parenthood, Why Do I Love Thee?" Are you kidding me? 

I am not a poet, but I don't think Kelli is either. So here is my response to her poem with my own.

"Creator of Life--Thank You!"

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you”

That is an assurance of God’s love solid and true

We are the beloved and precious in His sight

How did our society get to this current plight


Children are viewed as a burden to be discarded

Planned Parenthood is abundantly rewarded

The liberal media calls it “women’s health care”

The reality is a truth too heart-wrenching to bear


“Pro-choice” sounds liberating, sensible, and kind

The deception it promotes is the tie that will bind

“Pro-abortion” is not appealing to the one who hears

Accurate terminology could instill worry and fears


Language matters, and progressives know the drill

Don’t let anyone know that abortion really does kill

“A woman’s right to choose” is now firmly entrenched

Pro-lifers are seen as the radicals who should be benched


“Follow the money” has been an accurate trail in the past

Cut off tax dollars and watch Planned Parenthood move fast

Litigation or legislation—it’s all about abortion on demand

Roe versus Wade and Doe versus Bolton—the law of the land


There have been over 40 years of tragedy since that fateful time

Millions have died—and a civilized society doesn’t see a crime

Is it apathy and complacency—or is it something much deeper

What has caused us to fail in being our brother and sister’s keeper


To the many women (and men) who are experiencing pain

It is not necessary to be isolated and suffering in vain

All of the wounds and painful memories you can freely bring

There is healing and forgiveness from Jesus Christ our King 


For the gift of life, we give thanks and praise to our God!

The political ponderings today are all about the winners and the losers following the deal to re-open the government. The liberal media will obviously tout this as a huge victory for President Obama and the Democrats; the Republicans suffered a miserable defeat and are experiencing discord in the ranks. Conservative talk show hosts will continue to describe the lack of leadership from the White House as being the cause of our country’s downward spiral. On both sides of the aisle questions are being asked of every so-called “expert” to explain the future of the Tea Party, the Republicans, and of individuals like Senator Ted Cruz. The answers are not surprising, but then again, we have come to expect very little—in regard to substance—from the Washington establishment.

Who are the winners? It is plain and simple. The Washington elite are the winners; the American people are the less fortunate. (I refuse to use the term “losers” to describe the American people.) The lust for power remains evident in Washington, and it has no regard for party lines. In a thirst for holding onto power, even some Republicans did okay.  For example, the AP reports:

“One provision would let the government spend $2.9 billion — an increase from the current cap of $775 million — to upgrade the Olmstead lock on the Ohio River.

It gained attention because the two states it straddles are represented by two of the Senate's most powerful members: the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and No. 2 Democratic leader, Richard Durbin of Illinois.”

Even the AP uses the word “powerful” to describe the senators. That’s what it is all about.

Some conservatives experienced a bout of depression when President Obama was re-elected to a second term in office. At that time many people openly asked, “How could this have possibly happened?” All of the latest maneuverings in Washington should bring a little clarity to the picture. The cultural values of today are vastly different than they were fifty years ago. The political debacles we see being played out over and over are simply a symptom of a much larger problem in our society. Let’s admit it. The “ME” culture, looking out for number one, has won. “The land of the free” will continue to experience decline as long as a significant portion of our population operates out of the mindset of looking out for number one. The “entitlement culture” is here to stay for a while. Why? People who get things from the government repeatedly vote for those who gave it to them.

The Founding Fathers understood the need for three branches of government to protect us from tyranny. In recent years it has become quite evident that this methodology is only effective if there are truly people of honor in these positions of leadership. What happens to our country when people of integrity no longer fill these roles? What happens when Christian values no longer guide the people who sit in positions of power?

Religious values and morals may be looked upon as old-fashioned, but the message of the Gospel is still the fabric that holds a society together. We may choose to ignore the fact that our Founding Fathers relied heavily upon people living their lives based upon Christian principles, but we are doing that at our own peril. Having upright, ethical and moral principles are essential for a society to thrive. Without people of faith leading the way to instill these values throughout culture we are doomed to moral decay. We are now reaping what we have sown for the last fifty years.

We removed God from our schools and other public institutions. We even removed manger scenes from public lands during Christmas. The HHS Mandate has effectively stripped us of our religious liberty. We now have freedom of worship instead of freedom of religion. Our faith is being constricted and confined to our church buildings and homes. Based upon all that has transpired, one has to ask how long we will have freedom of worship before that is taken away as well.

Watching our government leaders intentionally inflict as much pain as possible upon the American people during these last two weeks was difficult to watch. They locked out the World War II veterans from the memorial built in their honor. They closed National Parks and even blockaded state roads so people couldn’t take pictures of Mount Rushmore. They kept contract Catholic priests from providing spiritual care and religious services to our military personnel. Each of these, and so many more, were directed to hurt the people. It is painfully obvious that many government leaders are more concerned about power, money, and prestige than they are about the American people.

Does any of this surprise us? It shouldn’t. Look at what we value in society and we can see that our politics simply reflect our overarching cultural values. Power and money has the potential to bring corruption in any sphere of life. Examine the lives of professional athletes. Have you heard how many professional football players have been arrested in the last year? Look at the immoral antics of so many of the entertainers and actors that enjoy the limelight. The political field is just another area of quick-sand that sucks in even those who arrive in Washington with good intentions. If an individual loses a re-election attempt, it is time to become a well-paid lobbyist. Of course, there is also the lucrative public speaking route to pursue. Former President Bill Clinton can attest to the millions that are available in this venue for past presidents especially. Writing a book can also enhance that endeavor immensely as well.

Where is the hope in all of this? Scripture says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) I believe we have affirmation that this Scripture passage is still very relevant today. People of faith—it’s time for us to pray and work like never before. It is time for us to bring Christ to the world.

“Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Today begins the second half of the current 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. What an amazing blessing this movement has been to our country and to the world! The power of prayer is revealed time and time again and the 40 Days for Life website recounts many of these blessings on a daily basis.

How did abortion become a political football rather than a moral outrage? Sacred Scripture tells us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5) Do we believe that? If so, how have we allowed the intentional destruction of millions of infants in their mother’s womb? Do we not believe that each of these individuals was known to God and precious in His sight?

Participants in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil sacrifice a great deal to be present in front of abortion clinics to pray. Some travel great distances to attend and the weather conditions can sometimes be quite brutal.  Furthermore, there are some who do not like to see prayer warriors in front of abortion clinics and hurl vicious verbal attacks against them, and sometimes even physical attacks. So why do people come to pray? The reasons seem to vary. Some have been personally affected by abortion in one way or another and have experienced the harmful consequences.  Others simply recognize the sanctity, dignity, and value of each human life and see a need to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Regardless of the motivation, each participant has made a conscious decision to stand up for life.

It still astounds me to hear the verbal assaults from others while praying in front of an abortion clinic. In almost any other instance of life people will gladly welcome prayer. We even seek people out to pray for us when we are ill, unemployed, or suffering through some type of disaster. However, prayer is not warmly welcomed in front of an abortion clinic. Why is that?

Why is it problematic if I stand outside in a public space and pray for individuals within a building? I am not standing there threatening or even wishing harm on anyone; I am praying for all involved. I pray for the abortionist to experience conversion and start working for the preservation of life. I pray for the nursing and support staff to likewise experience a change of heart. I even lift up in prayer their families at home. I pray that they will encounter the living God in a profound and dramatic way. I pray for all of the other employees and volunteers involved in the administration of the abortion clinic. I ask God to give them clarity of heart and mind in regard to what is happening in their midst.

Next, I pray for the women and men entering the clinic. My heart goes out to them. How did they get to this point where abortion seems to be the only option for the perceived predicament in which they find themselves? How has society failed to instill and nurture values which build up and strengthen families rather than dismantling them in so many circumstances?  How have our churches and other institutions failed to support women and families causing them to feel such extreme isolation, loneliness, and desperation? In what ways have our educational, religious, and government institutions failed to guide young men during their formative years to instill within them the values of integrity, accountability, and dare I say, chastity? What responsibility and accountability do each of us as individuals have to accept in regard to our personal failures in building a culture of life?

Next, I pray for all of the people keeping vigil. We are united with one common purpose—the preservation of human life. It is important that we remain steadfast in our efforts and not grow discouraged. I then pray for all of our churches and other institutions which should be leading the way in our endeavors. Complacency and silence will not help us proclaim the Gospel. It requires courage, persistence, and perseverance. Christians, individuals and churches, are being called to be faithful witnesses. How well are we responding to the call?

Obviously, prayer time wouldn’t be complete without praying for the unborn babies entering the building in which their very lives may come to an abrupt end. This has been an especially difficult component for me to grasp as I stand in front of the abortion clinic—knowing that a life is going to be snuffed out and there isn’t anything I can do to stop it. As a matter of fact, there have been times when a police car is parked right in front of the entrance of the clinic. The quiet and peaceful individuals silently praying on the sidewalk are seen as the threat. The police are there to protect the clinic workers and patrons from us. The idiocy of such a situation is beyond explanation. Legalized killing is protected, while people of prayer are viewed as a threat to the harmony of society.

Each time I visit with someone who has been hurt by abortion, my heart just aches for them. They share the grief, the sadness, the broken heart. The ripple effect of pain is huge, and the mainstream media refuses to honestly look at the reality of what is taking place all around us. Creative words can be used to paint a picture that is significantly distorted from the reality. It doesn’t matter how frequently abortion proponents call it a choice; it is still the death of a baby.

It is important that people of prayer continue to pray in front of abortion clinics. There are a lot of hurting folks who desperately need the touch of God’s healing hand. It is essential that we are present in the very midst of the hurt. Prayer in church is good; prayer in the community where pain and suffering is present is vital. May we all be abundantly blessed during the second half of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil!

Chuck Lawless recently published an article on www.churchleaders.com entitled Hidden, Dangerous, Contagious: 10 Church Diseases You Should Know.  The author devised a number of clever titles to reveal some very serious challenges within church communities.  Although he did not go into much detail on any of the ailments of the church, he certainly “named” things well enough to provide a jump-start for further reflection by the individual reader.  That is what I am going to do today.  I am going to reflect on number 10, Congregational Myopia.

Chuck Lawless said, “The congregation with this condition is nearsighted, focusing on themselves only.  They have no vision for the future, and fail to see that their current direction will likely lead to further disease and decline.”  The diagnosis, as well as the prognosis, seems to be quite harsh.  However, based upon my own experience, I would have to say it is also right on target.  This situation can be quite deadly for the life of any congregation.

I have had the privilege of working with a number of parish pastoral councils through the years to train and assist them in understanding their role in the parish.  One of these gatherings was uniquely enlightening.  This particular event was designed to be a three hour workshop as compared to some gatherings where I conducted the training in the midst of a weekend retreat.  The sole purpose of this workshop was to reflect upon the parish mission statement and brainstorm ideas for better fulfilling it.  As I read the mission statement, it was painfully obvious that it suffered from Congregational Myopia.  The entire mission statement focused on the people already in the pews and had no outreach mentioned at all. 

In a step-by-step process of drawing out the thoughts of the council members, it finally became crystal clear to them that their current mission statement had a definitive shortcoming.  A member finally asked, “How do we correct this?”  We subsequently began to look at the life of the parish from the perspective of where it had been, where it was currently, and where they would like it to be in the future.  Unfortunately, three hours passed quickly and we were far from complete in our endeavor.  I assured the parish council members that they had the tools to finish the project, and they were excited to develop a new mission statement to bring to the rest of the parishioners.  A new fire had been sparked and a myopic view was in the process of being corrected.

The second encounter I had with this particular diagnosis was in a mega-church which boasted a whole booklet full of ministries.  The parish had a state of the art campus with many bells and whistles to enhance the experience of learning and worshiping. It seemed like the epitome of success in regard to church operations.  In many ways it was a successful venture, but a look below the surface revealed some stark realities.  Most of the ministries listed in the booklet were inward focused.  It seemed that they catered to the needs of the existing parishioners and gave little regard to those outside the walls of the church.  I wish I would have coined the term Congregational Myopia at that time to present an accurate diagnosis of the problem. 

Suggesting a wider outreach to build up the Kingdom of God was met with indignation and contempt from some of the parish leadership.  One staff person vehemently asked, “How could you even think that we aren’t doing enough with everything that is going on in the parish?”  In my opinion the answer wasn’t in doing more; it was in realigning priorities and being more intentional in reaching out beyond the church walls.

As I look back at this experience I can see clearly what Chuck Lawless is saying, “…their current direction will likely lead to further disease and decline.”  If our focus is no longer on loving Christ and loving our neighbor, and we are instead centered on ourselves and our success, the only possible outcome is further decline.  Acknowledging our condition is a prerequisite for healing.  If parish leadership fails to recognize that a problem exists, the myopic view continues.  Subsequently, the potential of the parish to transform the world is severely diminished.

It is extremely important that we care for the people in our pews.  They need to be nurtured and nourished with great pastoral care and support.  This helps equip them to be beacons of light out in the world.  We need their faithful witness.  However, it is also essential that we are intentional about reaching out beyond the church walls in our parish-wide endeavors.  How do we care for the poor and marginalized members of society?  How do we bring the love of Christ to our communities through effective outreach and presence?  How do we effectively live up to the mandate to go out to all the world and tell the Good News? 

As individuals, and as congregations, how is our vision?

An early season snowfall created a little difficulty for travel on Saturday, October 5, but eventually Interstate 25 opened and I began my trek from Cheyenne to Thermopolis to preach at the weekend Masses and present a three night parish mission at St. Francis Church. Traveling was treacherous for the first 40 miles with many cars in the ditches and a jack-knifed tractor-trailer in the median. I considered turning around and going back home at one point, but I couldn’t find a safe place to do so.  Thankfully, the blowing snow subsided as I got farther and farther away from Cheyenne. I will readily admit that it was very pleasant driving the last 100 miles on dry pavement.

The homilies and mission talks centered on the topic, “Stir Into Flame the Gift of God.” The Gospel reading for the weekend gave us a great lesson in regard to praying simply. “Lord, increase our faith.” It is a simple and forthright prayer, and one I need to be uttering with some frequency. As Jesus painted a picture of what we could do if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, I became very excited about the great works we would see during the parish mission. I trusted that God was going to move in our midst in a powerful way, and God did not disappoint.

I focused my presentations on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. I put these topics into the context of stirring up the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we could experience the extravagant grace, forgiveness, and healing of Jesus Christ. The parish mission ended on Tuesday evening with an opportunity for the pastor and I to pray individually with parishioners. This is always a profound experience because God touches lives in dramatic ways during these prayer experiences. Once again, the healing touch of Christ was evident and the power of the Holy Spirit moved among us.

Preaching parish missions is a privilege I enjoy immensely. Spending four or five days in a parish gives me a chance to come to know parishioners and pastors in a meaningful way. My life is always enriched by the presence of faith-filled people at these gatherings. Although I am usually physically exhausted when I return home, there is also a renewed sense of inner energy and enthusiasm. The people of Thermopolis certainly gave me that gift this week.

The month of September was jam-packed with activities for my office, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been right in the middle of all of it.  I traveled over 4,000 miles all across the state of Wyoming during the month.  Although I felt extremely tired from time to time, there was also a sense of exhilaration.  In the process of articulating hope to others, I repeatedly found joy.

On Sunday, September 1, I had the privilege of preaching at all of the Masses at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne.  Due to my travel schedule this, was the first time I had the opportunity to preach at the Cathedral in several months.  It was great to see all of the parishioners again and catch up with a quite a number of folks that I had not seen in a while.

On September 3, I traveled to Wheatland for a catechist workshop.  The catechists were ready for another year to begin and it was a pleasure to share in their enthusiasm.

On September 6, I joined the Cathedral Guild ladies for their monthly gathering.  These ladies are some of the most generous and dedicated individuals I have ever met in my life.  In that group of ladies I see the ultimate of ministry in the tradition of Mary and Martha.  These ladies are people of deep faith and prayer, and they are certainly “doers” as well.  The Cathedral community is blessed to have them in so many ways.

On September 8, I traveled to Sundance for an all-day catechist workshop.  The northeast corner of the state is beautiful, and the volunteers from Newcastle, Sundance, Hulett, and Upton made it even brighter.  The fog was extremely thick upon my arrival, but the light of Christ was able to break through nonetheless.  People traveled a good distance to participate in this workshop, and the joy that was present in the group was exciting to see.

On September 9, I attended a meeting of the Laramie County Right to Life.  This group organizes the annual March for Life here at the state capitol in Cheyenne as well as the annual “Celebrate Life” banquet.  I work diligently to get Catholics to participate in these activities, and it has been a blessing to see these events grow year by year.  Two years ago I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the “Celebrate Life” banquet.  Last year the event was moved to a larger venue and the keynote speaker was Pam Tebow.  Yes, that is Tim Tebow’s mom.  Her presentation was excellent.  This year the speaker will be Abby Johnson, author of Unplanned. It will be exciting to hear her testimony.

On September 11, I traveled to Rock Springs and then onto Pinedale.  I visited Holy Spirit Catholic School as well as the parish.  It is always good to stop in and visit with our dedicated Catholic school teachers and principals.  They accomplish some amazing things on very limited budgets.  Serving as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Cheyenne has been a learning (and rewarding) experience.  I made it to Pinedale in time for a catechist workshop that evening.  We were a small group gathered together, but it was powerful just the same.  The excitement and enthusiasm of the catechists, from the rookies to the veterans, was contagious.  Pinedale is blessed to have these selfless volunteers.

I got up early on the morning of September 12, to travel back to Cheyenne from Pinedale.  Inclement weather, a flat tire, and a few obstacles with road construction blockages added to the excitement of returning home, but I made it back in time to gather with the ladies of the Bishop’s Guild at the Holiday Inn.  I was the speaker for the evening and eagerly shared some thoughts about stirring into flame the gift of faith.  These ladies, many of whom also belong to the Cathedral Guild, are pillars of faith.  I often learn a great deal from observing them, so I consider it a huge privilege to be the one who speaks about the gift of faith.

From September 13—15, I went to Aurora, Colorado for the National Catholic Charismatic Leadership Conference.  Please see my previous post for details about that experience.  All I will say here is, WOW!

From September 17—19, we had our annual September Institute in Casper.  This event is a gathering of all the clergy and many of the parish lay leadership.  The focus this year was on the New Evangelization.  It is my responsibility to oversee the logistics of this event, and one of the challenges is finding well-formed speakers who are also energetic and inspirational.  The speakers this year did not disappoint and I was grateful for their presence.  Dr. Michel Therrien and Mr. Jim Beckman from the Augustine Institute served us well. 

I returned home for a day before departing again.  I spent the weekend of September 21 and 22 in Buffalo.  I was invited to preach at the weekend Masses and then conducted a parish-wide workshop on Sunday afternoon on the topic of bringing faith alive in our homes and in our parish.  It was a well-attended event and the Knights of Columbus took good care of us with a bountiful brunch to get us started.

I spent several days in the office trying to catch up on the administrative tasks that continue to pile up while I am traveling.  Then, on September 26, St. Mary’s School in Cheyenne held its first ever Foundation Breakfast.  I will admit that I was not thrilled about being at the school by 6:45 A.M., but it was a great event and gave a good boost to the efforts of those responsible for raising funds for the Foundation.  The generosity of so many people behind the scenes is truly heartwarming.

On September 27, I was back on the road again headed for Jackson.  I couldn’t believe it, but the weather forecast was a concern.  It’s only September.  Come on!  I drove in fog; then it was rain; then it was snow; then it was sleet—and a lot of it.  Finally, the last 50 miles were free of the inclement elements.  This made for a beautiful ride into the picturesque city of Jackson.  The hand of the Creator is clearly evident in the beauty of the Tetons.

We had an all-day workshop for the catechists on Saturday, September 28.  The pastor had told me that I would find an eager and receptive audience.  He wasn’t kidding.  The catechists in Jackson are on fire with the love of the Lord.  Being with all of them fired me up.  What a tremendous gift these people are to their parish.  Simply wonderful!  I returned to Cheyenne after the workshop.  The 8 hour drive went by relatively quickly as I reflected upon the wonderful experience of the day.

On Sunday, September 29, I traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado to pray in front of Planned Parenthood for the first time during this current 40 Days for Life.  I have been determined to make this a priority during the current vigil.  It is so important that we continue to be vigilant in our efforts to remind people of the beauty and sanctity of each human life from conception through natural death.

In my travels, I try to articulate hope in every opportunity that I have to speak to groups of people, or one-on-one for that matter.  What I experienced during this month was nothing short of amazing.  I may have been articulating hope, but people were flooding me with joy in return.  I saw the goodness of God in a multitude of ways and the joy of the Lord filled me in the process.  Am I tired?  Yes, a little.  That is insignificant compared to the excitement I feel.

Thermopolis, here I come.  It is time for a Parish Mission!