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New Year's Eve--A Time To ______________!

12/31/2020

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I took this photo on December 31, 2018 at 4:17 pm on the dock in the Spanish Wells Plantation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  That is a sweet memory of New Year's Eve just two years ago.

As I endured the single digit temperatures yesterday morning when I headed off to work, and the teens this morning, I truly long for warmer temperatures and peaceful settings.  How do I fill in the blank in my title above?  New Year's Eve--A Time To Grieve What Has been Lost!

We each experience many losses in our lives.  Some are major losses that shake us to the core.  Other losses are less dramatic, but painful, nonetheless.  The cumulative effect of these losses can take a toll even on the strongest of individuals.  In 2020 we even made it more challenging by shutting down the support systems.  Whether you wanted to go to church to pray, visit a grandparent in a nursing home, or even support a spouse who was in the hospital, you were most likely told no.

We have each experienced our personal losses this year, but we have also lost a lot of things we share in common.  We lost much of our freedom.  Some say we relinquished some of our freedom for the safety and well-being of others.  Not everyone shared that philosophy.  Some claimed we were being conditioned to view our freedom as selfish.  In the end, we became less free and less safe.  We all lost.

Fear has divided the country even more than it had been previously divided.  "Mask it or Casket!" was a popular meme on social media.  The response from the other side resembled something like this.  "Just because we don't wear a mask doesn't mean we lack common courtesy or don't respect you.  We believe your fear is your issue."

The end result is that we are divided more than ever.  Trust of major institutions has all but disintegrated.  On January 20, 2021, half of the country will be livid at whatever ceremony takes place at the inauguration.  Half the country spent the last four years not accepting the results of the 2016 election.  Half the country will not accept whoever is inaugurated in three weeks.  If it is true that a nation divided against itself cannot stand, then we can pretty much read the writing on the wall for our country.

"The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions.  The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country."
~ Calvin Coolidge (30th President)

"We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic.  Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity."
~ Franklin Roosevelt (32nd President)

"The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount.  The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul....  If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State!"
~ Harry Truman (33rd President)

"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."
~ Attributed to Patrick Henry (Governor of Virginia)

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure....are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
​~ Charles Carroll (Signer of the Declaration of Independence)

We have lost the ability to debate issues.  Instead, we see coordinated attacks on the personal characteristics of the person being targeted.

Unfortunately, billionaire tech gurus currently serve as the moral compass of society.  That should be sending of shiver of fright down the spines of all citizens, and yet, many people welcome the censorship and lordship of the few.  "Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone's garden."

It could be that 2020 was a year to awaken our spiritual selves.  Churches were closed.  Did we continue to pray, or has our spiritual life crumbled?

You can see my previous blogs on New Year's Eve for a lengthy list of prayer intentions.  This year, I would ask you to specifically pray for all those who died--especially those who died alone and/or lonely.  Pray for the grieving families who are filled with regret at not being able to see their loved ones for months before their deaths.

Pray for those who committed suicide and the families who grieve.

Pray for all who are suffering emotional and mental distress.

Pray for those who lost their employment and means to support themselves and their families.

Pray for those who lost their businesses.

Pray for the future of our country.  It is in desperate need of healing.

Pray for those in Church leadership.  Turbulent waters will be with us for a while.

As we grieve what has been lost, let us take a stand to preserve and regain our Christian heritage.  We cannot stand by idly and watch the collapse of society.  Good people must engage the culture.  We cannot be silent.  Take time to grieve what is lost, but then get up and be an ambassador for Christ.

"Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it seeks to silence good."
~Archbishop Charles Chaput
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Have a Blessed New Year!
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The Best Part Of Waking Up (Finish The Line)

12/29/2020

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The best part of waking up is seeing a fresh blanket of snowfall.  Yeah right!  I woke up to this cold scene this morning and immediately wanted to go back to bed until summer.  My thoughts continue to return to Hilton Head Island each time I go out in the cold and snow.  This is a setting that I miss.
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We are in the final days of the year 2020.  It is easy to list many of the bad things that happened throughout the year.  There were plenty of challenges and struggles.  However, there were many blessings too.  Here is your task.  Make a list of at least ten blessings from this year.
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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

12/27/2020

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Holy Family Catholic Church in Thayne, Wyoming
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It was back in May of 2017 when I had the pleasure of leading a men's retreat at Holy Family Catholic Church in Thayne, Wyoming.  As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family today, I am grateful for my own family.  In the midst of all the struggles of life, it is my family that keeps me pushing forward.  I would have probably quit the fight long ago had it not been for the constant encouragement (or nagging) of my family.

Take some time today to give thanks to God for your family.  Whether your family is big or small, dysfunctional or well-functioning, cruel or loving, what gift can you find in the center of it all?  I have had several people tell me the only gift they see in their family is "how not to do it."  That can still be a gift.

Celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family by praying for your family.  Consider reaching out to an estranged person of the family (if it is safe to do so).  Find healing and hope.

(Thank you to the parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church in Thayne, Wyoming for the memories.  It was beautiful in May 2017.)

www.deaconvernon.com/deacon-vernons-blog/holy-family-church-in-thayne-wyoming-beautiful
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Las Vegas, Nevada
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Remaining photos are from the Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Nebraska
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What's In A Name?

12/26/2020

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The irony of this sign caught my eye when I drove by it.  It was enough to make me turn around and go back to grab a quick photo.
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I sat in the empty parking lot for a few moments thinking about the labor that had made this business possible since 1953.  What happened?  Was it closed due to COVID-19?  Is it permanently closed or is it a temporary closure?  Is the owner ill or deceased?  I don't know anything about the business, nor do I know the answer to any of those questions.  I just know that the "Ever Open Cafe" is closed.

Small business owners always face challenges in running their companies. The year 2020 has added a whole lot more obstacles in the process of owning and running a small business.  I simply want to tip my hat today to all those small business owners.  Your entrepreneurial spirit is an inspiration to me.
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What Are Your Favorite Christmas Memories?

12/25/2020

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Christmas 2014 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming
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Christmas 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne, Wyoming
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Christmas 2016
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With more than 20 years of ordained ministry, I have many fond memories of liturgical celebrations.  However, I have many good memories of Christmas from a social perspective too, especially as a child.  Every year on Christmas Eve my dad would take us to Chain of Rocks to hang out for a while.  Magically, Santa always arrived at our house while we were gone.

Christmas of 2018 (picture above and below) was spent on the beach in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  A white sand beach is the best kind of "White Christmas" in my mind.
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Our family gathered yesterday to celebrate Christmas.  We went to Mass at St. John XXIII in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Fr. Rocco is a true blessing to God's people in the way he shepherds the flock. We then came home, opened presents, and ate dinner.  Christmas is definitely more active with a one year old in our midst now.

I hope you are able to gather together with loved ones today and make new memories.  Merry Christmas!
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Homeless Memorial Day

12/21/2020

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"The National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council encourage communities to host public events on or near December 21 remembering your neighbors who have died homeless in the past year. National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day takes place each year on the longest night of the year, December 21st."
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~National Coalition for the Homeless (website)

I attended a brief prayer service each year in Cheyenne, Wyoming on December 21,  to commemorate Homeless Memorial Day.  I think I only missed it once in the nine years we lived there.  It was held in front of the capitol building until renovations began.  It then moved to the Historic Depot.  Some years the weather was brutal.  That gave us a taste of what the homeless face on a regular basis.

COVID restrictions impact everything, but it is my sincere hope to host an event locally next year in my new locale to honor and pray for those homeless individuals who have died during the previous year.  I encourage you to learn more at:
nationalhomeless.org/about-us/projects/memorial-day/

We are just a few days away from ending our Advent journey and celebrating the great feast of Christmas.  Do the "O Antiphons" impact you in any particular way?

www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/what-are-the.html

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Resources are available in numerous places to learn more.

​www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/the-o-antiphons-of-advent

Symbols and activities:

www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=957

Have a wonderful week as we continue to prepare the way of the Lord!
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After Graduation--What's Next? (Dream Big!)

12/20/2020

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The photo above was taken in August of 2019 when our son moved into his apartment near Northwest Missouri State University.  It is hard to believe that a year and four months have passed since then.  We spent yesterday packing him up and moving him home.  (I did not take any pictures because it was too cold to lollygag.) He is officially a college graduate with a degree in Computer Information Systems.

Moving him from Iowa to Northwest Missouri State University in August of 2019 was a short two hour drive and warm weather.  Moving him this weekend from Missouri to Colorado was a 1,250 mile round trip in two days and very cold weather.  We also got to drive in some snow on the way out just for a little added extra pleasure.

COVID-19 restrictions continue to make life challenging.  I feel so sad for all of the graduates last spring and this fall who have been denied a ceremony to celebrate their achievements.  I realize that it is not the end of the world to miss out on a graduation ceremony, but it is still disheartening nonetheless. 

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I want to offer a word of thanks to the leadership and all of the students connected with the Newman Catholic Center at Northwest Missouri State University.  Your presence was a blessing to our son during his time there.
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I offer a word of congratulations to all of the students who are December graduates.  May you be blessed beyond measure!
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I offer a special word of congratulations to my son, Joseph Dobelmann!  God has blessed you with many gifts.  May your pursuit of excellence truly bring glory to God in all that you do.  Dream big!  Live a life of zeal  and fervor.  Seek holiness in all things!  The grace of our Lord,  Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion, power, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always!
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What Is Your Heart Yearning For Today?

12/17/2020

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Is the child wanting to go outside?  Is the dog wanting to come in from the cold?  Each probably wants what the other has.

My heart always yearns to go to the warmth--preferably with an ocean and a beach.

In all seriousness, does your heart yearn for Christ with zeal and fervor?  There are only eight days until Christmas.  Have you prepared the way of the Lord?

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Knowing History Could Help Prevent Some Missteps

12/16/2020

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I was going to take a walk during lunch.  However, one step outside into the cold and windy air convinced me to walk to the edge of the parking lot and turn around.  The geese seemed to be enjoying themselves, but I did not share their enthusiasm for the weather.  It seemed more conducive to spend my lunchtime indoors with some light reading.

A search on www.brainyhistory.com revealed an interesting tidbit of information from December 16, 1978.  It said, 
  • Ronald Reagan denounces President Jimmy Carter's recognition of China PR  

Based upon what we are hearing about China in the news in regard to connections with the projected incoming administration, it may be good to know what has been taking place over the last 40 years.  Be observant.  Pray for our nation.

www.politico.com/story/2018/12/15/us-recognizes-communist-china-dec-15-1978-1060168

millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-15-1978-speech-establishing-diplomatic-relations


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Gaudete Sunday--Christian Joy--Do You Have It?

12/13/2020

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Did the rose colored vestments make an appearance in your church today?
"REJOICE!"  Do you feel like rejoicing today?  Is it a feeling or a decision?  As I watch the chaos of our culture, I tend to feel more like the  writer of Psalm 90.  "Life is 70 years or 80 for those who are strong.  And most of these are emptiness and pain."  Rejoicing must surely be more of a decision than a feeling.

The divisions in our country, and in the world, run deep.  We can't agree on the election.  Who won?  It depends upon who you ask.  We can't agree about the virus.  We can't agree about protocols to address the virus.  We can't agree about the vaccine.  Is it dangerous?  Is it a plot to affect my DNA?  Is it made from aborted fetuses?  We can't agree about what's worthy of investigating in the federal government and what is not.  On and on it goes.  I watch this chaos and then I am told to "REJOICE!"  It is a good reminder to be rooted in the Lord and not in the world.

I hope we continue to reach out and care for our neighbor as best as we can under the circumstances.  We have many troubling issues in today's society.  I saw the following question asked today on social media:

Who is going to flatten these curves?!
1. Unemployment
2. Bankruptcy
3. Suicide
4. Starvation
5. Overdoses
6. Domestic Abuse
7. Child Abuse
8. Depression
9. The destruction and permanent closure of small businesses

Stay strong in the Lord.  "REJOICE!"

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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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