Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Prepare To Pray For The Deceased During November

10/31/2018

Mount Rushmore was completed on October 31, 1941. Have you ever had the opportunity to visit this monument? If so, how would you describe your experience?

Have a safe Halloween. More importantly, prepare to celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day well. Pray for the deceased through the month of November, especially November 1 through November 8.

www.thoughtco.com/indulgence-visit-to-cemetery-542496

www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1178

The End of Rationing Shoes

10/30/2018

There are some things in life we may take for granted. For instance, do we spend a moment each day expressing gratitude for something as simple as having shoes to wear? If we have always been in a position to be able to afford shoes, we may not give much thought to it. However, if we could not afford shoes, or if no opportunity existed to buy them, would we notice?

On October 30, 1945 the U.S. government announced an end to shoe rationing. The impact of World War II was huge, and the ripple effect of war can obviously be felt in numerous ways. The shortage of rubber, and the high demand for leather in the military, made shoes an object of attention and were subsequently rationed. I can only imagine how good it must have felt for the American people when some of these items were no longer being rationed.

Let us take a few moments today to give thanks and praise for the material goods we enjoy in our lives.

I encourage you to read a little more about this piece of history.
sciencelens.co.nz/2012/10/30/end-of-shoe-rationing/

Pray For The Church--May We Grow In Holiness!

10/27/2018

There is never a shortage of prayer needs. Our Church is suffering in many ways. Our nation continues to grapple with a variety of moral issues in the political arena. Verbal attacks, physical attacks, and threats dominate much of the secular press. All of this noise can distract us from our own path to holiness.

I just watched a skit from the Diocesan Ministry Team as they lead our Confirmation students on a day of retreat. The name of the skit was "The Lazy Catholic." It was a good reminder for all of us to be faithful in our prayer life and to participate fully in the Sacred Liturgy of the Eucharist. Perseverance in prayer must be a priority for each of us if we are to grow in holiness.

What areas of improvement do you see in your life?

Thirty Years--Who Would Have Thought?

10/22/2018

It was a warm October day back in 1988. A gentle rain in the evening brought the celebration to a close in a very fitting manner. Months of preparation resulted in a beautiful wedding day. I am grateful for the day, but even more grateful for the beginning of the journey of our married life.

I don't have immediate access to photos taken on our wedding day. Let it suffice to say that I looked much younger back then. The top photo was taken a few years ago when we were attending a pro-life fundraising banquet. The bottom two photos were taken just a few months ago prior to leaving Cheyenne.

Life has been quite a journey. In my book, Articulating Hope, I hit a few of the highlights. As I reflect back now, the things I cover in the book are a mere snapshot in the midst of a much larger album. There certainly have been good times and bad times, sickness and health. Life has not always been easy, but it has been blessed.

Where do we go from here? We shall see where the journey leads as the story continues to unfold before us. Margaret and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage today by going to work. That is the reality of life. Maybe I'll give her a "Mega-Millions" 1.6 billion dollar lottery ticket as a gift?

Thank you Margaret for 30 years. We have been blessed with two wonderful children and a terrific son-in-law. I give thanks for our children today as well. (Yes, they may eventually pick out my nursing home and I want it to be a good one.) Our family has had its ups and downs through the years like every other family. In the midst of it all, we strive to grow in faith, hope, and love.

Happy Anniversary, Margaret!

When Someone Touches Our Life For A Short Time

10/17/2018

Thirty years ago this gentle soul left us much too soon following an unfortunate accident. Seeing the comments on social media today on the 30th anniversary of Patty's death, it is obvious that an individual can have a powerful impact on people in a very short period of time.

I had the privilege of being a neighbor of Patty's when we were growing up. In a farming community, the idea of being a neighbor is different than when you live in a city or at least in a subdivision. However, when you live in the country, you frequently know your neighbors better than many of the city dwellers do when they basically live right on top of each other.

Patty's death came just five days before Margaret and I were married. I remember the grief that had enveloped our community following her death. How could God allow such a beautiful person to die at such a young age? We sometimes have questions to which no easy answer appears. I will just say that we were all blessed to know her for the time we did.

Little did I know that another death would also occur a few days later - actually on our wedding day. No one informed me of that death until well after our wedding was over. However, a nursing student from Mizzou that I had gotten to know through a support group, lost her battle with cancer on the day of our wedding. Another young person gone much too soon.

I am a 32 year survivor of cancer. Yesterday, was the 17th anniversary of my second cancer surgery. Why have I made it all these years and other young people were not given a second chance? I don't know. However, I am trying to live my best life possible in gratitude for this extra time provided. It isn't always easy, and I frequently don't do it well, but I keep trying. I continue to be inspired by people like Patty.

As I remember Patty today, I am grateful for the blessing of her life. I can only imagine the grief experienced by her mom, dad, and siblings at the time of her death and well beyond. Where do we find the strength to continue on in life under such difficult circumstances? Sometimes we do it a day at a time. Other times we do it a minute at a time.

I will be lifting up the whole family in prayer today on this anniversary of her death. May you find great peace and consolation in knowing that many of us have been enriched because of Patty's life and her wonderful example of kindness and holiness.

(Photo above used with permission.)

President Carter Signs Legislation for Dept. of Ed.

10/17/2018

It was on October 17, 1979 that President Carter signed legislation creating the Department of Education. There is a much longer history under different names, but what really struck me was the growth of the entity from being an Office to a Department. With a budget of $60 BILLION, how is it that we still have failing school systems?

Here is what I found on the U.S. Department of Education website.

"In the 1860s, a budget of $15,000 and four employees handled education fact-finding. By 1965, the Office of Education had more than 2,100 employees and a budget of $1.5 billion. As of mid-2010, the Department has nearly 4,300 employees and a budget of about $60 billion."

What do you think? Are we getting our money's worth?

Women of St. Francis--Advent Day of Recollection

10/15/2018

I am always amazed at the dedication and faithfulness of women's groups at parishes. They strive to proclaim the Good News in their hospitality, their work, and in their prayer. The Women of St. Francis do that profoundly in many different ways, and I am happy to be leading their Day of Recollection on December 15, 2018.

I put this event on my calendar shortly after moving here. Advent seemed like a long way off into the future at the time, but it is quickly drawing near. Today is October 15, so we are exactly two months away from the Day of Recollection on December 15. I extend my personal invitation to the women of the parish to mark this on their calendars. It would be wonderful to have hundreds of you present for this time of prayer and reflection. I encourage you to be watching the bulletin for details as the time gets closer.

St. Teresa of Jesus--Virgin & Doctor of the Church

10/15/2018

Today the Church celebrates the life of St. Teresa of Jesus. You can learn about the saint here:
www.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm

On this day in 1874 a child labor law took twelve year olds out of the workforce.
www.faqs.org/childhood/Ch-Co/Child-Saving.html

Read the article and ponder the abortion issue of today as you do.

Treaty With The Cheyenne and Arapaho

10/14/2018

On October 14, 1865 there was a treaty with the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of the Upper Arkansas River. You can read about that treaty here:

www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Treaties/TreatyWithTheCheyenneAndArapaho1865.html

My question for reflection is this:
How do we work for peace and justice effectively today?

Describe Your Spiritual Life Using Weather Terms

10/14/2018

I looked at the temperatures on my phone last night just before midnight. After a long, hot, and humid summer we have finally been given a reprieve from the heat on Hilton Head Island. It was in the 60's and it felt quite refreshing. I realize that much of our view of the weather is a matter of perspective based upon where we are and to what we are accustomed. As I felt a reprieve from the heat, I also felt grateful for the 45 degree difference between my new home and the old one. The middle of October is way too soon in my opinion to experience wind chills below zero.

In my spiritual journey I sometimes feel a similar type of contrast. Sometimes I feel like I am on fire with love of God. Other times I feel a little less hot. That is why Revelation 3: 15--16 sticks with me so intently. The aspect of being lukewarm is frightening.

If you were asked to describe your spiritual journey right now utilizing weather terminology, what would you say?

Has there been a rise in temperature in regard to your prayer life?
Has the fog cleared so that you are listening to God well?
Has a storm disrupted everything?

I am grateful for a couple of things in my own spiritual journey in recent days. God has placed several people unexpectedly into my consciousness out of the blue. I contacted each of them after praying for them. God had obviously placed them on my heart for a reason and I am glad I paid attention to those inner promptings. I wonder how many times I have missed those opportunities to lift people up in prayer when they were facing difficult circumstances even though God placed them on my heart.

Secondly, I gave a copy of my book to someone a couple of weeks ago because I felt prompted to do so. A few days ago the person told me, "Your book changed my life." The individual then went on to describe specific behavioral changes already implemented. That makes the time, energy, and effort put into the book worth it all by itself.

Finally, I have become aware of the aspect of penance in a renewed manner. Life does not always go as planned. How do we respond to difficulties and challenges in life? Apparently, I am still in need of learning the virtue of patience a little more fully. In good times and in bad--praise the Lord!
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PRAYER INTENTION:
Please pray for the people impacted by Hurricane Michael. The pictures of the destruction are beyond comprehension.