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Will You Live With a Joy-Filled Heart in 2020?

12/31/2019

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A trip across the river into Omaha last weekend revealed an interesting display atop one of the buildings.  The light mist and fog could not completely conceal the two flags on top of the high rise.  However, it did make me reflect briefly on the topic of joy.  Has my personal joy been shrouded by exterior circumstances beyond my control?  If so, why did I let that happen?

Many years ago I had an individual tell me, "You are responsible for your own joy."  That was a message I needed to hear because I had let my joy be stolen by someone else.  Actually, I had freely given up my joy because of how I responded to a difficult situation and a person involved in the midst of the chaos.  After that experience I made a commitment to myself to never let it happen again.  I decided from that moment onward to respond in a more productive way to the challenges and difficulties of life.  Once in a while, I still need to remind myself of that commitment.  What better time than on New Year's Eve?  We each make choices in how we respond to circumstances confronting us.  As we move into a new year let's make a concentrated effort to respond in ways that help us grow in holiness.

My new readers in Council Bluffs will be unfamiliar with my annual New Year's Eve ritual.  It will be a repeat for the more seasoned readers.  (I can't believe I have been writing on these pages since 2013.  Wow!)  My idea of partying on New Year's Eve has diminished to making a few extra trips to the refrigerator from the couch while watching television.  Okay, even that may be a stretch.  I try to stay awake until 10:00 P.M.  How about that?

In all seriousness, I try to make the entrance into a new year by being in prayer.  I want to close out one year with a prayer of gratitude and usher in the new one by asking for God's bounteous blessings.  My resolutions are few because I know the odds against sticking to them.  However, I always have a few things in mind in regard to future growth from an intellectual, physical, and spiritual perspective.  How about you?

First, let's take a little time to review of where you have been.  Did you make any conscious changes last year to enhance your life?  If so, what were they and how did those decisions impact your life?


"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves."
~Viktor E. Frankl

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game."
~Randy Pausch

"Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots."
~Victor Hugo

"There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles."
~Stephen Covey

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
~Wayne Dyer

The journey on this earth is for a limited time.  The reality of the shortness of this pilgrimage prompts me to take a serious look at how I spend my time.  Is the way that I am living my life truly giving glory to God?  How can I more fully cooperate with God's grace so that I am truly building up the Kingdom?

​Now, let's look ahead.  Catchy quotations may spark the imagination, but the discipline to do something is a moment by moment decision.  Will 2020 be a year of personal growth for you?


Are you making any resolutions for the new year in regard to your spiritual journey?

Are you any closer to God at the end of 2019 than you were at the end of 2018?  If so, how?  What did you do differently to attain this growth?  If you are not closer to God now, why not?  What needs to change?  It comes down to one simple question:


What will make 2020 a year of grace and holiness for you?

"Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed."
~Cavett Robert


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My New Year's Eve tradition is to stay home where it is warm, quiet, and peaceful.  I will be following that same tradition this year.  I especially like to end the year in a spirit of prayer.  

First of all, I give adoration, thanks and praise to God for all the blessings in my life.  I am grateful for the gift of family, friends, faith, and fellowship.  Margaret and I have celebrated more than 31 years together in our journey of wedded life.  We have two wonderful children and now our first grandchild as well.  (I can already see that being a grandparent has less rules than being a parent.) 

I am also grateful for the privilege of ministering as a deacon in the Church for more than 20 years now
.  Serving in my current role as executive director of Saint Albert Catholic Schools is a new and exciting opportunity to use what I have learned all these years and lead a magnificent school to new heights of excellence.  I am blessed to be entrusted with such a wonderful mission.  Part of my prayer this year will be to lift up all of the administration, faculty, staff, volunteers, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, friends and supporters of the school.  This institution is a beacon of light in the community and is only able to keep shining brightly because of all those who support the mission.  We are blessed indeed to have people committed to Catholic education in such a profound way.

It seems like there is never a shortage of people to pray for and concerns to be brought before the foot of the cross.  Here are just a few of my petitions for this New Year’s Eve.
 
It has been another difficult year for the Church due to scandals and a lack of appropriate action in some cases.  Subsequently, I pray for all of the Church leadership—the pope, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and all lay leaders striving to proclaim the Good News of Salvation in their respective roles.  May they be filled with zeal, energy, hope, integrity, courage, perseverance, and a genuine love for God’s people.  


I pray for all who have been harmed by Church leaders and personnel.  May they find healing and hope.

I pray for all who bear the name of Christian, especially in those areas of the world where Christians are persecuted.  May each of us live our lives in such a way that we truly bear witness to Jesus Christ.

 
I pray for all who do not know Jesus Christ—may they come to encounter the living God through the faithful witness of those who believe and follow in the footsteps of Christ.
 
I pray for all government leaders worldwide—may they govern with wisdom, prudence, and integrity as guided by the Holy Spirit.  Specifically, I pray for our president and vice president, the current U.S. Supreme Court Justices and any to be appointed, the U.S. Senators and Representatives, Cabinet Officials, ambassadors, and all appointees who wield power and influence.


I pray for all local government officials as well—the governors, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, treasurers, auditors, representatives, senators, judges, mayors, city administrators, council men and women, sheriffs, and all appointees who wield power and influence in any way.  May each of them carry out their duties with diligence, prudence, wisdom, and integrity.
 
I pray for all families.  May the Domestic Church of the home blossom and grow.

I pray for all who are struggling in any way.  

I pray for those whose hearts are broken due to relationships falling apart. May the shattered hopes and dreams eventually be pieced back together in renewed spirit and vigor.

I pray for the incarcerated and all of their families--may they find strength, hope, healing, and conversion.

I pray for the homeless—may they find shelter in the immediate circumstances and eventually obtain a safe haven that is more permanent.
 
I pray for the unemployed and the underemployed—may all who seek gainful employment be successful in their endeavors.

 
I pray for all those suffering from physical illness—may they experience healing, comfort, and peace through the mercy of the Divine Physician.
 
I pray for all those suffering from mental illness and emotional issues—may they find solace and healing from the support and encouragement of loved ones.  May they also experience beneficial help from the medical community and the healing touch of our Lord.

 
I pray for all who are depressed, especially those contemplating suicide—may they reach out and get the help they need to cope with the current circumstances and be led to healing and wholeness in the love of Jesus Christ through the love of people around them.


I pray for all those who are home-bound, in hospitals, nursing homes, and under the care of hospice—may they experience genuine love from those who care for their needs and find peace and contentment.
 
I pray for the terminally ill—may they find comfort in the love of family and friends and eternal hope in the embrace of Jesus Christ who is Lord forever and ever.
 
I pray for all those suffering from addictions.  Through God's grace, the help of others, and a definitive purpose to be set free, may each of these individuals truly experience the freedom they desire.

I pray for all those family members who care for loved ones who are suffering—may God fill them with patience, fortitude, and strength.
 
I pray for all who are grieving the death of a loved one—may they find comfort and peace in the warm embrace of God’s love and the care and concern of other family members and friends.

 
I pray for the safety of all travelers.

I pray for our law enforcement personnel and other first responders—may they be protected at all times, but especially on this particular night which generally adds to the stress level of their positions.  Give each of them keen insight and awareness, quick reflexes and solid judgments, and bring them safely back to their families at the end of their shift.
 
I pray for all who are coping with natural disasters.  
 
I pray for our culture—may we turn back to God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.

I pray for all couples preparing for marriage.
 
I pray that we may be aware of the sacred dignity and value of each human life from conception through natural death.  May we build a true culture of life in our society.       
 
I pray for all children who will be born today—may they come to know a world which chooses life over death and light over darkness. 

 
I pray for all little children who await the birth of a new sister or brother—may the joyful expectation that shows in their eyes inspire their parents to hope and conviction. 
 
I pray for obstetrical doctors and nurses and all who nurture the life of children in the womb--may God bless them for their faith, compassion, and love. 
 
I pray for all who have been scarred by the tragedy of abortion—may they experience repentance, healing, and peace. 
 
I pray for all people who work in the media—may God move them to a conversion of heart which reverences human life and upholds the dignity of human sexuality.
 
I pray for those who march for life in Washington, D.C. and all across the nation each January—may their voices be heard and the lives of children be saved. 
 
I pray for all those trapped in human trafficking—may they be set free from the bondage they are in and society effectively address the needs of the vulnerable among us.
 
I pray for the refugees and all persecuted Christians—may they find safety and security from those who want to do them harm.

I pray for all who have died this past year.  May they rest in God's eternal dwelling.

I pray for peace throughout the world.

 

Lord, please help me to grow in wisdom and in favor with You in 2020.  Give me Your grace and Your blessing that I may root out sin from my life and join my will more completely to Your Divine Will.  Dear Lord, make me holy as you are holy.


I close with this personal message to each of you.

Dear Readers,

If you have specific prayer requests that you would like included in my list of intentions, please mention them in the comment section below.  If it is a private request that you don't want everyone to see, feel free to e-mail it to me at:

deaconvernon@gmail.com

I trust in the Sacred Scriptures which tell us the power of two or more praying together for a specific intention.  (See Matthew 18:19)  I look forward to joining my prayer with yours.

Have a wonderful end to the year 2019.  May 2020 bring you an abundance of God's grace, mercy, and healing!
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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

12/29/2019

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Holy Family Statue at the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, Nevada

Today's feast is an important one in our modern culture because holy families are a huge benefit for society as a whole.  We cannot find a better model to emulate than the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

It seems that many things in our culture work against us in regard to having happy, healthy, and holy families.  A constant flurry of activities keeping us constantly on the go, screen time taking the place of actual relationships, and a multitude of other challenges hindering our well-being are evident in the social ills present in contemporary society.  Add to that an ever-growing percentage of people abandoning faith in God and we see a picture coming into focus representing more division, violence, and overall dysfunction.

I realize that seems like a pretty cynical assessment.  However, I am of the opinion that it reflects reality.  Think about major institutions that shaped us as a society in the last 100 years.  What role did organized religion play through the past century?  One can look at statistics in the Catholic Church from 1960 and compare it to statistics from today and get a quick glimpse.  How does society view marriage today as compared with 1960 based on those statistics?  How has the sex scandal impacted the influence of the Church in modern society?

What role does the government play in shaping society?  Is there anyone out there thinking our government is a well-functioning institution with the utmost credibility?  How does the constant bombardment of negativity impact us on an emotional level?  How does social media impact us in this regard compared to just having standard network news fifty years ago?

How has media changed overall in the last 100 years?  Does the material that floods our homes via cable television or the internet build us up and strengthen our walk with God?

How has education changed in the last century?  How do universities shape and mold future leaders in the present age?  Is all of that a positive influence on the family?

My encouragement to you is simple.  Pray for your family daily.  Put on the full armor of God around yourself personally and around your whole family.

A tip of the hat today to Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Nebraska for your ministry.

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How Does An Introvert Recover From Christmas?

12/27/2019

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The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can take a toll on the introverts in our midst.  Seeking quiet and solitude after days of social mayhem can be a top priority for the typical introvert.  Thankfully, the Octave of Christmas certainly gives us the space to do that.  The feast days we celebrate this week can help us stay focused on the true meaning of the season.

The hallways here at school are basically quiet with just a few exceptions.  The childcare center is open and active.  Basketball practice is happening in the gymnasium.  The finance office is busy with end-of-year duties and making sure we get paid at the end of the month.  (I checked on them in particular!)  The maintenance crew is busy with changing furnace filters, making minor repairs to a variety of things, and the cafeteria floor is being given a new coat of wax after stripping off the old.  The heavy traffic that takes place in the cafeteria can cause even the most hardened surface to lose its luster.

Being in the school during lengthy breaks always serves as a good reminder for me about the dedication of Catholic school employees.  There is a lot of work behind the scenes that keeps the place running smoothly.  I am grateful to all of those individuals who give so generously of themselves to make our institution a place of excellence.

St. John the Apostle--pray for us! 

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Christmas Is Definitely Not The Same As Last Year

12/25/2019

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As I looked back at my blog post from Christmas last year, I will admit that it stirred a bit of sadness within me.  Spending part of Christmas Day on the beach was definitely a tradition I could envision for myself.  Unfortunately, it was a short lived tradition.  Although the weather is good for this time of year in the Midwest, there is still no ocean and no beach.

We did travel to St. Charles, Missouri to celebrate Christmas (a little early) with Margaret's side of the family.  It is easier to do that from Council Bluffs, Iowa than it is from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Our hotel did provide a view of the Missouri River.  However, the only white stuff I could see was snow and not sand.

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I am grateful for having had the opportunity to minister in a variety of locales across the country.  Each place has had its unique customs and traditions.  Today, I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all who have touched my life in a particular way throughout the years.  This includes, but is not limited to:

Parishioners of Immaculate Conception in Old Monroe, Missouri;
Parishioners of St. Benedict in Florence, Colorado;
Parishioners of Ste. Genevieve in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri;
Administration, faculty, staff, and students at Valle Catholic High School in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri;
Parishioners of Assumption in O'Fallon, Missouri;
Administration, faculty, staff, and students at Assumption School in O'Fallon, Missouri;
Parishioners at all of the parishes across the great state of Wyoming in the Diocese of Cheyenne;
Administration, faculty, staff, and students at all of the Catholic schools across the state of Wyoming in the Diocese of Cheyenne;
Parishioners at St. Francis by the Sea in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina;
Administration, faculty, staff, and students at Saint Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

In each phase of ministry I have had the opportunity to learn and grow from the people who have come into my life.  I am grateful for each of you.

While I am not sitting on the beach this year, enjoy this photo from 2018 at Coligny Beach in Hilton Head Island.  Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Eve 2019

12/24/2019

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Rate your Advent journey on a scale from 1 to 10 in regard to how effective you prepared the way of the Lord. 

1. What did you learn about yourself in the process?
2. How well did you pray?
3. How have you served others?

PREPARE----------ENGAGE----------REFLECT
Advent has been our preparation.
We now engage in the celebration of Christmas.
We will then reflect back to see how we have grown, and to also see where the Lord is calling us to go deeper still.

Merry Christmas!  Celebrate prayerfully!

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Who Is the Happiest About Being on Christmas Break?

12/20/2019

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The excitement was tangible today as the hours passed.  The children were energized and eagerly awaited the 11:30 am dismissal.  Teachers and staff were a little on the exuberant side as well.  Okay.  Maybe this administrator was responsible for leading the charge out the door when the final bell rang.

Seriously, it is good when we get the opportunity to recharge our batteries.  It is my hope that each of my readers will experience a sense of renewal during the holiday season. 

I am looking forward to being at St. Patrick's Parish in Council Bluffs this evening to offer an hour of recollection.  It will be that extra nudge to prepare well for the celebration of Christmas from a spiritual perspective.  I hope my local readers will join us from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

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Congratulations to my team here at school for this honor received.  It has been a learning experience for me to have a child care center connected to the school.  I am grateful to the director of the center, and all of the staff, for running the program so effectively so as to be recognized in this manner.  We are very blessed to have this excellent facility on our campus.
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I took some time to visit folks in the community today.  One independent living facility I visited had Christmas trees scattered throughout the building.  It was a very festive atmosphere, and the beauty was exquisite.  However, the one that captured my attention the most was the one honoring the kitchen staff.  Yes, those are pots, pans, and kitchen utensils you see on that tree.
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Have a great finish to your Advent journey!
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Saint Albert Catholic Schools Annual Appeal 2019

12/18/2019

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MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY!
I want to extend my gratitude to a donor who has offered to match gifts to the annual appeal between now and the end of the year up to a total of $5,000.00 (Five Thousand Dollars).  That's right.  Your gift will double in value.  Please consider making your end of year gift today.
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Council Bluffs Downtown Kiwanis Club--Thank You!

12/17/2019

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I spoke to the Kiwanis Club yesterday in Council Bluffs and forgot to take any photos while I was there.  How could I let that happen?  I was so engaged in conversations with members and learning about the organization that it never entered my mind to take any pictures.  (Thus, the dense fog and low temperatures made for ice covered trees this morning to serve as the photo of the day.)

​My thanks to the Kiwanis for the great work that they are doing in the community.  It was a privilege for me to be with these dedicated individuals for their meeting yesterday.  Thank you for the invitation to be the speaker.

The schedule remains full for the rest of the week.  Good luck to students taking exams. 

As you make your plans for holiday festivities, please know of my prayers for safe travels, joy-filled gatherings, and peaceful family interactions.  I hope these days bring you contentment and happiness. 
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Start and End the Week With a Christmas Concert

12/13/2019

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We started the week on Sunday by having a fantastic Christmas Festival at Saint Albert Catholic Schools.  Our students from preschool through high school demonstrated their musical talents.  It was a beautiful event and generated a positive vibe all week long.

This evening, we welcomed another group into our building to bring the week to a close with another concert.  The Southwest Iowa Homeschool Choir Christmas Concert was held in the Saint Albert auditorium.  Although it has been another 60-hour work week, and I really did not want to go back out into the cold, damp, night air, I wanted to be present to welcome and greet our guests.  I have been greatly impacted by experiencing the Benedictine tradition of hospitality.  I felt it was absolutely necessary for me to extend that kind of hospitality personally this evening.

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This Sunday we will celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent--Gaudete Sunday.  We are called to "rejoice" as we recognize that we are more than half-way through our season of preparation on the way to the great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord.  I want to encourage you to finish Advent well.  This will equip you to be fully prepared and ready to celebrate Christmas in a holy and worthy manner.
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Where Is Your Advent Journey Taking You?

12/10/2019

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It is not uncommon to see airplanes flying low overhead at school as they come in for landing at Eppley Airfield in Omaha.  As I saw the airplane (pictured above) coming down slowly this morning, I could not help but think about the people on board.  Why were they coming to Omaha?  Are they here for work?  To visit family?  Or is this area home?

I then started thinking about getting on a plane and going somewhere warm.  After a cold and snowy start to the day here in Council Bluffs, a warm breeze on a beautiful sand beach somewhere in the Caribbean seemed appealing.  I felt a sense of relief as I walked back indoors from the blustery chill.

Our spiritual journey can have different aspects to it as well.  There are times we will feel like we are on fire with love for the Lord.  Other times we may feel cold and distant.  Worse yet, we may become indifferent.  Complacency and apathy can easily set in if we allow it to do so.  As I have mentioned many times, read Revelation chapter three verses 15 and 16 to be reminded of the consequences of being lukewarm.

Here are a few reflection questions for your consideration and prayer?

1. In what ways have I experienced God searching for me?
2. What does the Eucharistic liturgy mean to me?
3. What treasure is hidden most deep in my heart?
4. How do I understand my call as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

My encouragement to you today is this--finish the Advent season strong!
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    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.

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