Do I experience a relationship of love in my prayer?
 How have I experienced prayer as a gift in my life?
 Numerous outlets have extended their congratulations to Archbishop Broglio on being elected the next president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). I am not sure that the word "Congratulations!" is the most appropriate word to use in this context. I am not insinuating that "Accept my Condolences" are in order either. I guess I am looking more toward, "Our prayers go with you as you accept this new position of leadership."
Being the archbishop of the Military Services is a very unique role in and of itself. Adding this additional responsibility to his plate at 70 years of age is probably not exactly what he needed. (He will be 71 on December 22.) I have served with Archbishop Timothy Broglio at the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on a few occasions at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. (If my recollection is correct, the above photo was taken in 2014.) Archbishop Broglio certainly brings a vast array of knowledge and experience to the table. I pray that he can help guide the USCCB to be a beacon of light in a hurting Church and in a hurting world. Our Church is suffering in many ways. Pray for the Church. Pray for the leaders of the Church. Pray that all of us grow in holiness each and every day.  "Do you know what time it is?" It is time for me to get back on the road. When the pandemic came onto the scene in 2020, every speaking engagement on my calendar was canceled. After doing a very limited number of events for these last three years, it is now time to get back into the swing of things.
I am going to start this renewed venture by heading back to my home state of Missouri. I enjoy serving rural communities, and I am thrilled to be going to Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Concord Hill, Missouri for a parish mission. This trip back to Warren County fills me with great joy. (Some of you may be more familiar with the town of Marthasville rather than Concord Hill.) The whole area along the Missouri River is beautiful. I worked for years at the Labadie Power Plant. My wife has family in Augusta. I have family across the river in Washington, Missouri. This parish mission is going to be a fantastic way to bring the Advent journey to a close and move ourselves into the joyous celebration of Christmas. I invite my friends from Lincoln County and St. Charles County to take a little road trip into Warren County. I will be preaching at all of the weekend Masses on December 17 and 18, and then I will give a one-hour presentation each evening on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. St. Ignatius Loyola Parish has been going strong for 165 years. I am happy to be just a small part of it this coming Advent. Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church 19127 Mill Road Marthasville, MO 63357  The diaconate community of the Archdiocese of Denver gathered together on Friday afternoon to kick-off an entire weekend of prayer, learning, and training for mission. It drew to a close late Sunday afternoon. Fr. John Riccardo has a way of framing the Gospel message to truly set hearts on fire. I have had the privilege of receiving an abundance of continuing education and formation since being ordained more than 23 years ago. This weekend definitely set the bar high. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had.  Although we were located in a hotel, the team from the diaconate office did an amazing job of creating a prayerful and uplifting environment.  The attention to detail was evident.  I am grateful to the donor(s) who made this training possible.  This is quite the team!  The diaconate community in the Archdiocese of Denver is strong and vibrant.
 Our daughter had flown in from Wyoming to visit us in Hilton Head. Since we had only lived there a little over four months at that point, there were still many things we had not seen. Daufuskie Island was a place we had not yet visited. It was time for a boat ride and a golf cart.    The sunset ride back to our starting point was quite serene.  We had a few days to enjoy time at the beach while Maria was in town. I think she brought some of the Wyoming wind and and colder temperatures with her, but these memories from 2018 and my time at St. Francis by the Sea on Hilton Head Island will always be treasured.    November 9, 2018 started out early. I left Hilton Head Island just after 5:00 AM to go to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. A few needle sticks and some tests and I was on my way again just after 7:30 AM. I was immediately backtracking and headed to Savannah, Georgia to pick up our daughter at the airport. I arrived in Georgia early so I spent some time at a local mall. Being outside in November with flowers still blooming was quite a treat.     After picking our daughter up and getting back to Hilton Head, the whole family geared up for a trip to the outlet mall in Bluffton. We didn't want any grass growing under our feet. It had been a long day, but a good one--at least once I got past the needle sticks in the morning.   Palm trees as Christmas trees--that image will never grow old in my mind.
 It is about 6:35 am on a Sunday morning. You are stopped at this light waiting to make a left turn. No cars are visible in front of you. There are no cars behind you. Do you wait the 60 seconds for the cycle of the light to turn green, or do you just go while it is still on red?
Today was the first time I realized that Cy was not his real first name. It was a nickname, and shortened version of cyclone, which referenced what his fastball is said to have done to many fences when he threw balls at them. Cy Young pitched the first perfect game in the 20th century on May 5, 1904. He threw three no-hitters in his career. He started 815 games and had 749 complete games. Modern baseball will never see anywhere near that number of complete games. Cy Young also had 76 career shutouts. Reflection Questions: 1. What is your passion in life? 2. How will you make your mark on the world? 3. If there was a nickname to describe you, what would it be? May you find abundant blessings in the path of life you choose!  |
AuthorThis 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. |
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