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Blessed By A Beautiful Weekend In The Mountains

10/31/2022

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.

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Cuculla--Why Does It Have 72 Pleats?

10/24/2022

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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

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Happy Anniversary To This Magnificent Couple!

10/22/2022

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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!

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

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How Do You Handle Criticism?

10/18/2022

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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.

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This Day In History

10/17/2022

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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?

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Ad Caeli Reginam (October 11, 1954)

10/11/2022

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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

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Let The Light of Christ Shine In You and Through You

10/9/2022

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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!

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Cathedral Guild--Great To Be With You Again

10/7/2022

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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.

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