Articulating Hope
  • Home
  • Deacon Vernon's Blog
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Book Discussion Guide

Blessed By A Beautiful Weekend In The Mountains

10/31/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
Being just a little over an hour away from Rocky Mountain National Park comes in handy for spur of the moment excursions.  After we were awake for a little while on Saturday morning I asked Margaret if she wanted to take a ride to Estes Park.  We packed a picnic lunch and off we went.

Even at elevations above 8,000 feet the temperatures were in the 50's.  On the drive to the park we saw a majestic ram standing on top of the one bluffs overlooking the Big Thompson River.  Then we saw a huge elk lounging in the yard of one of the houses along the river.  Within Rocky Mountain National Park we saw quite a few deer and one coyote.  The main road is already closed for winter just a few miles into the park, but we enjoyed the part we were able to see.

Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Cuculla--Why Does It Have 72 Pleats?

10/24/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I learned a new word today from social media. The Terra Sancta Retreat Center had mentioned a closet where cucullas had been stored.  It also mentioned that cucullas had 72 pleats.  It was time for me to do some homework.  What is a cuculla and why does it have 72 pleats?

This is what I found from the Benedictine Handbook:

"Cuculla is a formal choir robe, which may be worn over the habit or other clothes at liturgical solemnities. The Latin cuculus (hood) originally referred to a Roman hooded outer garment or cowl.  Benedict mentions it in the Rule, Chapter 55, first paragraph.  In recent tradition, it is black with 72 pleats (one for each chapter of the Rule).  It is also the traditional death-shroud in many Benedictine communities."

Now we both know what a cuculla is and why it has 72 pleats.

On another note, I invite you to read an encyclical from Pope Pius XII from October 24, 1948.

"On Prayers for Peace in Palestine"

www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_24101948_in-multiplicibus-curis.html

0 Comments

Happy Anniversary To This Magnificent Couple!

10/22/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I had not looked at our wedding album in a long time.  Margaret broke it out today to reflect upon our 34 years of marriage. (Is that a sign she is wondering if we will make it to 35?)

It has not been an easy journey by any stretch of the imagination.  I have survived two bouts with cancer, open heart surgery, four cardioversions, and numerous other smaller procedures along the way.  I am still kicking--just not as high as I used to do it.

Margaret has now joined me in the ranks of being a cancer survivor.  It is not necessarily a team one looks forward to joining, but it beats the alternative when you receive that diagnosis.  She took it a step further and decided to follow that experience with hip replacement surgery.  I really hope she is not trying to catch up with me in number of medical procedures endured.

Although there have been many struggles, there have also been blessings along the way.  I will admit that there are times I struggle to see the blessings amid all the pain.  Today, as we sit quietly at home doing nothing to celebrate this milestone, it lends itself to quiet reflection. 

As a side note--we do plan to make it to 35. A beach in Florida has a couple of comfortable chairs on it just waiting for us to show up on this date next year.

I invite you to walk down memory lane with us for just a moment.  I can't believe how much our family members have aged since these photos were taken.   Okay, Margaret and I may have aged just a bit as well.

May our parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, and all of our relatives and friends who have died--rest in peace!

Picture
This has been the only time I have been in a Rolls-Royce.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

How Do You Handle Criticism?

10/18/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
On October 18, 1867, the U.S. formally took possession of Alaska after purchasing the territory from Russia for $7.2 million, or less than two cents an acre.

With 155 years of hindsight now, "Seward's Folly" seems to have turned out okay for the country.

Picture
0 Comments

This Day In History

10/17/2022

0 Comments

 
October 17, 1979--President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating the United States Department of Education.

October 17, 1979--Mother Teresa of Calcutta is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica,
RCA was founded as Radio Corporation of America by the General Electric Company on October 17, 1919 to acquire Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America (incorporated in 1899).

REFLECTION QUESTION:

What has been the impact on society from each of these three events?

0 Comments

Ad Caeli Reginam (October 11, 1954)

10/11/2022

0 Comments

 
Enjoy a little history lesson today. Click on the link.

www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_11101954_ad-caeli-reginam.html
0 Comments

Let The Light of Christ Shine In You and Through You

10/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Pray and worship today with fervor.  Open yourself to all the graces and blessings that God is waiting to bestow upon you.

Have an amazing Sunday wrapped in God's love for you!

0 Comments

Cathedral Guild--Great To Be With You Again

10/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I couldn't have picked a better day to be with the ladies of St. Mary's Cathedral Guild. Being with you on the "Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary" seemed quite appropriate. My prayers included all of your intentions once this speaking engagement was added to my calendar.  Being with you on the last day of the "54 Day Rosary Novena" was a blessing indeed.  (August 15--October 7)

I shared some statistics with the group that I had found in the recently released "Community Health Needs Assessment Laramie County 2022" compiled by Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Laramie County Community Partnership, and the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department.  It included these items:

Almost one in 5 people have depression in the Medicare population:
United States:              18.4 %
Wyoming:                       15.0%
Laramie County:          17.3%
 
Children living in single-parent household:
United States:              14.0%
Wyoming:                       18.0%
Laramie County:          23.0%
 
Persons in Poverty:
United States:              12.3%
Wyoming:                       10.1%
Laramie County:          09.5%
 
Children in Poverty:
United States:               18.5%
Wyoming:                        11.6%
Laramie County:          12.5%
 
Individuals Without Health Coverage:
United States:               09.2%
Wyoming:                        12.3%
Laramie County:          07.4%
 
One in ten (11.2%) individuals in Laramie County are food insecure.
43.5% of students in LCSD #1 participated in the free and reduced lunch.
40.0% of students in LCSD #2 participated in the free and reduced lunch.
34% of driving deaths in Laramie County involved alcohol.

 
What observations do I draw from these statistics?  We still have a lot of work to do.
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    This 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

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.