I could have never imagined where the journey would lead back on June 5, 1999 when I was ordained a deacon, but here we are. I am grateful to everyone who has crossed my path through these many years of ministry. I can in no way capture the magnitude of this pilgrimage, but I would like to share just a few of the highlights. I am grateful to each pastor and bishop who has given me the chance to share my gifts in their parish and/or diocese.
The number 40 is prevalent in Scripture. (It is mentioned 146 times according to www.biblestudy.org.) The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or probation. As I looked at my first two lists, they each totaled 40. Hmmm. What does that mean? That is why I ask the question, "Will I make it to 25 years as a deacon?"
Previous Speaking Engagements
I have had the privilege of preaching at Mass in these 40 different parishes or other venues:
Holy Trinity Rectory Chapel (Staff Retreat)--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Saint Albert Catholic Schools--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Patrick's--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Corpus Christi--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Francis by the Sea--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
St. John the Baptist--Buffalo, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Casper, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Casper, Wyoming
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Mary Queen of Heaven Mission--Chugwater, Wyoming
St. James--Douglas, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Evanston, Wyoming
St. Helen--Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Our Lady of Lourdes--Glendo, Wyoming
Immaculate Conception--Green River, Wyoming
Sacred Heart--Greybull, Wyoming
St. Matthew--Hulett, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains--Jackson, Wyoming
Corpus Christi--Newcastle, Wyoming
St. Joseph--Rawlins, Wyoming
St. Margaret--Riverton, Wyoming
Holy Spirit Catholic Community--Rock Springs, Wyoming
Holy Name Catholic Community--Sheridan, Wyoming
St. Paul--Sundance, Wyoming
Holy Family Catholic Church--Thayne, Wyoming
St. Francis--Thermopolis, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Upton, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Worland, Wyoming
St. Ferdinand Parish--Florissant, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve Parish--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Immaculate Conception Parish--Old Monroe, Missouri
Assumption Parish--O'Fallon, Missouri
Abbey of St. Walburga--Virginia Dale, Colorado
St. Benedict Parish--Florence, Colorado
Christ the King Parish--Pueblo, Colorado
Holy Family Parish--Pueblo, Colorado
St. Columba Parish--Durango, Colorado
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton--Fort Collins, Colorado
I have conducted "Days of Retreat" for these 40 groups:
St. Patrick Parish Day of Recollection--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Francis by the Sea Men's Retreat--Rincon, Georgia
Women of St. Francis Advent Day of Recollection--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Women of St. Francis Lenten Day of Recollection--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Diocese of Cheyenne Young Adult Retreat 2018 in Casper, Wyoming
Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat in Centennial, Wyoming
Western Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat @ Holy Family in Thayne, Wyoming
Catholic Men's Retreat of Northern Colorado in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Catholic Women's Retreat of Northern Colorado in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Wyoming Catholic Women's Retreat in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Women's Retreat at St. Joseph's Parish in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Council of Catholic Women in Lander, Wyoming
Bishop's Guild--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Women's Retreat for the Cathedral Guild and Bishop's Guild--Cheyenne, Wyoming (2022)
St. Anthony's Parish--Casper, Wyoming
Volunteer Ministers @ Immaculate Conception Parish--Green River, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains Parish Retreat--Jackson, Wyoming
Our Lady of Peace Parish Retreat--Pinedale, Wyoming
RCIA Candidates from three parishes annually for eight years--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Diocese of Cheyenne Chancery Staff Retreat--Virginia Dale, Colorado
Cathedral of St. Mary (Cheyenne) Parish Staff Retreat (three times) @ St. Malo--Allenspark, Colorado
Holy Trinity Parish Staff Retreat @ St. John XXIII--Fort Collins, Colorado
Holy Trinity Parish Staff Retreat--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Paul's Newman Center Parish Staff Retreat--Laramie, Wyoming
St. Patrick Parish (Casper) Staff Retreat--Rapid City, South Dakota (2017 & 2021)
St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic School Faculty Retreat--Laramie, Wyoming
Holy Spirit Catholic School Faculty Retreat--Rock Springs, Wyoming
Holy Name Parish Catechists' Retreat--Sheridan, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat @ Holy Family Parish--F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat @ St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat & Workshop @ St. Rose of Lima--Torrington, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat & Workshop @ St. Michael--Canon City, Colorado
Serra Club Retreat--Pueblo, Colorado
Catholic School Principals' Retreat--Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri
Precious Blood Sisters Lenten Retreat--O'Fallon, Missouri
Small Faith Communities Leadership Teams--Assumption Parish--O'Fallon, Missouri
Deacon & Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Cheyenne Diaconate Community--Riverton, Wyoming
Deacon & Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Springfield--Cape Girardeau Diaconate Community (Missouri)
Deacon And Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Des Moines 2020--(Canceled due to COVID-19)
I have conducted "Catechetical Workshops" in these 22 parishes & schools:
St. Joseph--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Our Lady of Peace--Pinedale, Wyoming
St. Paul Mission--Sundance, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains--Jackson, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Evanston, Wyoming
St. Joseph--Rawlins, Wyoming
Holy Name --Sheridan, Wyoming
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming
St. John the Baptist--Buffalo, Wyoming
St. Rose of Lima--Torrington, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Cody, Wyoming
Confirmation Candidates, Parents, & Sponsors St. Patrick Parish--Casper, Wyoming
Assumption Catholic School Faculty--O'Fallon, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve Catholic School Faculty--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
St. Anthony Tri-Parish School Faculty--Casper, Wyoming
Holy Name Catholic School Faculty--Sheridan, Wyoming
John Paul II Catholic School Faculty--Gillette, Wyoming
St. Margaret Catholic School Faculty and Parents--Riverton, Wyoming
St. Mary's Catholic School Faculty and Staff--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic School Faculty and School Commission--Laramie, Wyoming
I have also enjoyed presenting "Parish Missions".
This typically includes preaching at the weekend Masses followed by three nightly presentations.
St. Peter's Parish--Council Bluffs, Iowa (Canceled Due to COVID 19 in March 2020)
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming (Three Times)
St. Margaret--Riverton, Wyoming
St. Matthew's--Gillette, Wyoming
St. Francis--Thermopolis, Wyoming
St. James--Douglas, Wyoming
Immaculate Conception--Green River, Wyoming (Three Times)
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming (Two Times)
Holy Spirit Catholic Community--Rock Springs, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Corpus Christi--Newcastle, Wyoming
Ste. Genevieve--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Assumption--O'Fallon, Missouri
Immaculate Conception--Old Monroe, Missouri
St. Benedict--Florence, Colorado
I have spoken at a variety of "Pro-Life" events:
Laramie County Right to Life Banquet--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Goshen County Right to Life--Torrington, Wyoming
Pro-Life Conference--Casper, Wyoming
Catholics United for Life--Cody, Wyoming
Pro-Life March at the Wyoming State Capitol--Cheyenne, Wyoming
40 Days for Life--Fort Collins, Colorado
40 Days for Life--Casper, Wyoming
I have spoken at a wide-range of "Special Events".
Bishop's Diocesan Fund Keynote Speaker--kickoff dinner in each deanery in the Diocese of Pueblo with Bishop Tafoya
Wyoming Council of Catholic Women State Convention Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Standing Together for Marriage Convention Workshop Speaker--Casper, Wyoming
Northern Colorado Men's Forum--Fort Collins, Colorado
Cheyenne Catholic Vocations Club--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Frontier Lions Club Keynote Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne Keynote Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" Survivor Event--St. Charles, Missouri
Theological Virtue of Hope (Presentation and Book Signing) @ Immaculate Conception--Old Monroe, Missouri
Theological Virtue of Hope (Presentation and Book Signing) @ Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
National School Choice Week--Cheyenne, Wyoming
"Ride for the Brand" Youth Retreat--Casper, Wyoming
Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Theology on Tap--Cheyenne, Wyoming
All Souls Day Remembrance Service--Cheyenne, Wyoming
66th Annual Rocky Mountain Chapter Chorister's Guild Festival Worship Service--Cheyenne, Wyoming (Presider and Homilist)
National Vocation Awareness Week--St. Francis Catholic School--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Beaufort Deanery Catechist Appreciation Celebration--Ridgeland, South Carolina
Knights of Columbus Annual Mass and Breakfast--Port Royal Country Club--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Serra Club--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Serra Club--Pueblo, Colorado
Serra Club--Fort Collins, Colorado
Council Bluffs Downtown Kiwanis keynote speaker--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Guest appearance on KGAB radio to discuss pro-life march at the national and local level--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on "In the Heartland with Bishop Pates" on Iowa Catholic Radio--Recorded in South Carolina
Guest appearance on "Making It Personal With Bishop Joensen" on Iowa Catholic Radio
Guest appearance on "Spirit Mornings" with Jen Brown & Bruce McGregor at Spirit Catholic Radio--Omaha, Nebraska
Guest appearance on The Catholic Radio Network in Denver, Colorado--Main studio in Kansas City, Missouri
Guest appearance on KRAE Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on KFBC Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on KGAB Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
The number 40 is prevalent in Scripture. (It is mentioned 146 times according to www.biblestudy.org.) The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or probation. As I looked at my first two lists, they each totaled 40. Hmmm. What does that mean? That is why I ask the question, "Will I make it to 25 years as a deacon?"
Previous Speaking Engagements
I have had the privilege of preaching at Mass in these 40 different parishes or other venues:
Holy Trinity Rectory Chapel (Staff Retreat)--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Saint Albert Catholic Schools--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Patrick's--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Corpus Christi--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Francis by the Sea--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
St. John the Baptist--Buffalo, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Casper, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Casper, Wyoming
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Mary Queen of Heaven Mission--Chugwater, Wyoming
St. James--Douglas, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Evanston, Wyoming
St. Helen--Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Our Lady of Lourdes--Glendo, Wyoming
Immaculate Conception--Green River, Wyoming
Sacred Heart--Greybull, Wyoming
St. Matthew--Hulett, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains--Jackson, Wyoming
Corpus Christi--Newcastle, Wyoming
St. Joseph--Rawlins, Wyoming
St. Margaret--Riverton, Wyoming
Holy Spirit Catholic Community--Rock Springs, Wyoming
Holy Name Catholic Community--Sheridan, Wyoming
St. Paul--Sundance, Wyoming
Holy Family Catholic Church--Thayne, Wyoming
St. Francis--Thermopolis, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Upton, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Worland, Wyoming
St. Ferdinand Parish--Florissant, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve Parish--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Immaculate Conception Parish--Old Monroe, Missouri
Assumption Parish--O'Fallon, Missouri
Abbey of St. Walburga--Virginia Dale, Colorado
St. Benedict Parish--Florence, Colorado
Christ the King Parish--Pueblo, Colorado
Holy Family Parish--Pueblo, Colorado
St. Columba Parish--Durango, Colorado
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton--Fort Collins, Colorado
I have conducted "Days of Retreat" for these 40 groups:
St. Patrick Parish Day of Recollection--Council Bluffs, Iowa
St. Francis by the Sea Men's Retreat--Rincon, Georgia
Women of St. Francis Advent Day of Recollection--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Women of St. Francis Lenten Day of Recollection--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Diocese of Cheyenne Young Adult Retreat 2018 in Casper, Wyoming
Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat in Centennial, Wyoming
Western Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat @ Holy Family in Thayne, Wyoming
Catholic Men's Retreat of Northern Colorado in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Catholic Women's Retreat of Northern Colorado in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Wyoming Catholic Women's Retreat in Virginia Dale, Colorado
Women's Retreat at St. Joseph's Parish in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Council of Catholic Women in Lander, Wyoming
Bishop's Guild--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Women's Retreat for the Cathedral Guild and Bishop's Guild--Cheyenne, Wyoming (2022)
St. Anthony's Parish--Casper, Wyoming
Volunteer Ministers @ Immaculate Conception Parish--Green River, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains Parish Retreat--Jackson, Wyoming
Our Lady of Peace Parish Retreat--Pinedale, Wyoming
RCIA Candidates from three parishes annually for eight years--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Diocese of Cheyenne Chancery Staff Retreat--Virginia Dale, Colorado
Cathedral of St. Mary (Cheyenne) Parish Staff Retreat (three times) @ St. Malo--Allenspark, Colorado
Holy Trinity Parish Staff Retreat @ St. John XXIII--Fort Collins, Colorado
Holy Trinity Parish Staff Retreat--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Paul's Newman Center Parish Staff Retreat--Laramie, Wyoming
St. Patrick Parish (Casper) Staff Retreat--Rapid City, South Dakota (2017 & 2021)
St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic School Faculty Retreat--Laramie, Wyoming
Holy Spirit Catholic School Faculty Retreat--Rock Springs, Wyoming
Holy Name Parish Catechists' Retreat--Sheridan, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat @ Holy Family Parish--F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat @ St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat & Workshop @ St. Rose of Lima--Torrington, Wyoming
Parish Council Retreat & Workshop @ St. Michael--Canon City, Colorado
Serra Club Retreat--Pueblo, Colorado
Catholic School Principals' Retreat--Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri
Precious Blood Sisters Lenten Retreat--O'Fallon, Missouri
Small Faith Communities Leadership Teams--Assumption Parish--O'Fallon, Missouri
Deacon & Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Cheyenne Diaconate Community--Riverton, Wyoming
Deacon & Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Springfield--Cape Girardeau Diaconate Community (Missouri)
Deacon And Spouse Retreat for the Diocese of Des Moines 2020--(Canceled due to COVID-19)
I have conducted "Catechetical Workshops" in these 22 parishes & schools:
St. Joseph--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Our Lady of Peace--Pinedale, Wyoming
St. Paul Mission--Sundance, Wyoming
Our Lady of the Mountains--Jackson, Wyoming
St. Mary Magdalen--Evanston, Wyoming
St. Joseph--Rawlins, Wyoming
Holy Name --Sheridan, Wyoming
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming
St. John the Baptist--Buffalo, Wyoming
St. Rose of Lima--Torrington, Wyoming
St. Anthony--Cody, Wyoming
Confirmation Candidates, Parents, & Sponsors St. Patrick Parish--Casper, Wyoming
Assumption Catholic School Faculty--O'Fallon, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve Catholic School Faculty--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
St. Anthony Tri-Parish School Faculty--Casper, Wyoming
Holy Name Catholic School Faculty--Sheridan, Wyoming
John Paul II Catholic School Faculty--Gillette, Wyoming
St. Margaret Catholic School Faculty and Parents--Riverton, Wyoming
St. Mary's Catholic School Faculty and Staff--Cheyenne, Wyoming
St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic School Faculty and School Commission--Laramie, Wyoming
I have also enjoyed presenting "Parish Missions".
This typically includes preaching at the weekend Masses followed by three nightly presentations.
St. Peter's Parish--Council Bluffs, Iowa (Canceled Due to COVID 19 in March 2020)
Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming (Three Times)
St. Margaret--Riverton, Wyoming
St. Matthew's--Gillette, Wyoming
St. Francis--Thermopolis, Wyoming
St. James--Douglas, Wyoming
Immaculate Conception--Green River, Wyoming (Three Times)
Our Lady of Fatima--Casper, Wyoming (Two Times)
Holy Spirit Catholic Community--Rock Springs, Wyoming
St. Patrick--Wheatland, Wyoming
Corpus Christi--Newcastle, Wyoming
Ste. Genevieve--Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Assumption--O'Fallon, Missouri
Immaculate Conception--Old Monroe, Missouri
St. Benedict--Florence, Colorado
I have spoken at a variety of "Pro-Life" events:
Laramie County Right to Life Banquet--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Goshen County Right to Life--Torrington, Wyoming
Pro-Life Conference--Casper, Wyoming
Catholics United for Life--Cody, Wyoming
Pro-Life March at the Wyoming State Capitol--Cheyenne, Wyoming
40 Days for Life--Fort Collins, Colorado
40 Days for Life--Casper, Wyoming
I have spoken at a wide-range of "Special Events".
Bishop's Diocesan Fund Keynote Speaker--kickoff dinner in each deanery in the Diocese of Pueblo with Bishop Tafoya
Wyoming Council of Catholic Women State Convention Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Standing Together for Marriage Convention Workshop Speaker--Casper, Wyoming
Northern Colorado Men's Forum--Fort Collins, Colorado
Cheyenne Catholic Vocations Club--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Frontier Lions Club Keynote Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne Keynote Speaker--Cheyenne, Wyoming
American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" Survivor Event--St. Charles, Missouri
Theological Virtue of Hope (Presentation and Book Signing) @ Immaculate Conception--Old Monroe, Missouri
Theological Virtue of Hope (Presentation and Book Signing) @ Cathedral of St. Mary--Cheyenne, Wyoming
National School Choice Week--Cheyenne, Wyoming
"Ride for the Brand" Youth Retreat--Casper, Wyoming
Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Theology on Tap--Cheyenne, Wyoming
All Souls Day Remembrance Service--Cheyenne, Wyoming
66th Annual Rocky Mountain Chapter Chorister's Guild Festival Worship Service--Cheyenne, Wyoming (Presider and Homilist)
National Vocation Awareness Week--St. Francis Catholic School--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Beaufort Deanery Catechist Appreciation Celebration--Ridgeland, South Carolina
Knights of Columbus Annual Mass and Breakfast--Port Royal Country Club--Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Serra Club--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Serra Club--Pueblo, Colorado
Serra Club--Fort Collins, Colorado
Council Bluffs Downtown Kiwanis keynote speaker--Council Bluffs, Iowa
Guest appearance on KGAB radio to discuss pro-life march at the national and local level--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on "In the Heartland with Bishop Pates" on Iowa Catholic Radio--Recorded in South Carolina
Guest appearance on "Making It Personal With Bishop Joensen" on Iowa Catholic Radio
Guest appearance on "Spirit Mornings" with Jen Brown & Bruce McGregor at Spirit Catholic Radio--Omaha, Nebraska
Guest appearance on The Catholic Radio Network in Denver, Colorado--Main studio in Kansas City, Missouri
Guest appearance on KRAE Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on KFBC Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
Guest appearance on KGAB Radio to discuss social problems & community response--Cheyenne, Wyoming
All of the bishops in the photo are now retired, and three of my classmates are deceased. I am grateful to all of these men for what they taught me in the process of formation.
Two aspects of the ordination liturgy still remain firmly etched in my mind.
"Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach."
"May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to fulfillment."
To each of you reading these pages, thank you. Please be assured of my prayers for you. I would humbly ask that you pray for me as well.
Two aspects of the ordination liturgy still remain firmly etched in my mind.
"Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach."
"May the Lord who has begun this good work in you bring it to fulfillment."
To each of you reading these pages, thank you. Please be assured of my prayers for you. I would humbly ask that you pray for me as well.
RSS Feed
