The invitation to prayer continues with today’s Sunday readings. First, we see Abraham in conversation (prayer) with God, interceding on behalf of the population of that sinful city, Sodom. (Genesis 18:20-32) Abraham is quite comfortable in this dialogue with God, imploring God to reveal His justice through restraining his wrath on behalf of the few innocent people who may reside in Sodom. Of course, as one reads on further from today’s portion of Genesis, we see that God provides for the exit of the innocent prior to the destruction of the city and all within.

Perhaps the prayer of the innocent is found best expressed in the Psalm of today, Psalm 138: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. 

The brief excerpt from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians expresses God’s answer to our prayer for help.   

Even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.  (Colossians 2:12-14)

Finally, we are given the great prayer of Jesus, the Lord’s Prayer, in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 11:1-13).  It is not coincidental that Jesus teaches us to pray, not only by giving us the words, but especially, by his example.  Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” 

Often in the Gospels we see Jesus at prayer.  His prayer is an intimate communion with His Father, whom He teaches us to call Our Father.  After giving us the words of prayer, Jesus teaches us concerning the attitude of prayer:  And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Our attitude is to be one of great trust and confidence.  Our stance of prayer is to be one of constant perseverance. 

Finally, we learn what is most important to ask for in prayer; The Holy Spirit!  If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Here we learn the fruit of prayer is communion with God the Father, through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit.  Thus, the fruit of prayer is love.  The fruit of prayer is service.  The fruit of prayer is right relationship with God!  Such is the life God has created for us; the life of holiness, love, and generous service!

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Today’s Gospel antiphon quotes the Letter of St. James, (1:21) :  ” Humbly welcome the WORD that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.”

This reminds me of the recent words of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI when he spoke last Sunday during the Angelus from his balcony at  Castelgandolfo: 

“The words of Christ are very clear: they show no disdain for an active life, or for generous hospitality, but contain an evident reference to the fact that what is truly necessary is something else: to listen to the Word of the Lord.   And in that moment the Lord is there, present in the Person of Jesus.   All the rest will pass and be taken away from us, but the Word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily activities”.

   “This Gospel episode is highly appropriate for the holiday season because it recalls the fact that, although human beings must work and dedicate themselves to domestic and professional duties, above all they need God, Who is the inner light of Love and Truth.   Without love, even the most important activities become valueless and bring no joy. Without profound meaning, all our actions are reduced to sterile and disordered activism.

   “And who gives Love and Truth if not Jesus Christ?”  the Holy Father asked.   “Let us learn then, brothers and sisters, to help one another, to collaborate, but first and foremost together to chose the ‘better part’, which is and will always be our greatest good”.  (end of quote)

As the Holy Father teaches, Jesus Christ is the Word which we are to welcome into our hearts.  Jesus Christ is the Word who has the power to save us.  Let us not just be inspired by these words, these truths, but take the time as encouraged by our Holy Father to spend time in prayer that this WORD of GOD might dwell richly within us.

It may be helpful to spend some time reading the Fourth Pillar of the Catechism on Prayer.  It is very well written, and may help to inspire you in beginning a commitment to prayer, or in enriching your present practice of prayer.  And please, do not forget, that our highest form of prayer is the Eucharist; our regular attendance at Sunday Mass with the People of God.

I pray all of you are finding rest from your labors during these summer days.  I pray especially that all of you are growing ever closer to Jesus Christ, and through Him, with Him and in Him, growing in holiness!

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The people of Powell, Wyoming are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their parish, St. Barbara. There is quite a bit of excitement on such an occasion.  Fr. Glenn Szczechowski, the present pastor is a gracious host to this bishop when he shows up, and is doing a fine job of continuing to nourish the faith of this Catholic community.  He is also known as a skilled fly fisherman!  I hope on Thursday to learn some of his tricks on a fly fishing trip on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.

As with many other such parishes, they got their start in a family home (Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Robinson) with the few local Catholics gathering for Mass whenever the priest (Rev. N.J. Endres) was in Powell.  These Masses actually began in 1908.  It was only later, 1910 that the parish was formally established, and the first church erected.  Fr. Endres covered quite a bit of territory in those days.  He typically made it to Powell only once a month, and a weekday at that.  He was based in Cody, and covered the Wyoming territory between the Big Horn mountains and Yellow Stone Park, otherwise generally known as the Big Horn Basin.

The present church is their 3rd church, built in 1965.  There are approximately 480 families presently associated with the parish.  This is a beautiful part of the state, with a good amount of agriculture, ranching, and great fishing and hunting.  As with so much of the state, there is a fair amount of oil and gas in the region as well. 

Some of the families have deep roots, and many people have moved in only recently.  Someone told me this evening at the dinner following Mass that it is a great place to retire due to the climate.  There is less precipitation in this part of the state and less wind.  The agriculture relies heavily on irrigation.

As the readings for Mass remind us, the existence of the Church and each of its parishes is all about Christ.  He is our foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).  The Church proclaims Christ (Word), receives Christ (Sacrament) and extends Christ (Charity).  He takes up His dwelling in each of us (1 Corinthians 3:9) that we may make Him present to others.  As St. Peter professed his faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16), so are we to grow in faith in Christ, and profess Him to others.  As Christ made a profound impact in the lives of those He touched in the world, so through the Church, Christ continues to change us, to change lives. 

As Christ came for the conversion and salvation of the world, so is the work of Christ in and through the Church today. 

How well are we cooperating with this eternal plan of God to make us members of His family through Jesus? 

How faithful are we to hearing and acting on God’s Word?

How regularly do we gather with the People of God to celebrate and receive the Sacraments of the Church that we may continue to grow into the fullness of God’s family?

How generous are we in living our life in a manner that distributes the generosity of God shared with us through His Son?

Thanks, St. Barbara for your 100 years of faith!  Ad Multos Annos!

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This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me  and every living creature with you:  I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.  As the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and recall the everlasting covenant that I have established between God and all living beings…

(Genesis 9:  12-16)

For the second Sunday in a row, I’ve witnessed a rainbow in the late evening.  This one appeared right outside my front porch!  Rainbows are a reminder of God’s fidelity.  No matter how bad we feel, no matter how serious the sins we commit, God always stands ready to “wash away our sins” in the blood of His Son, through the sacrament of reconciliation.  How often do we feel unworthy of God’s love?  How often does our troubled conscience make us wonder if God still loves us?  if God can ever forgive us?

I am mindful of one of the greatest Kings of Israel; King David.  God loved David deeply.  David loved God and served God well…yet he, too, sinned greatly on occasion against God and God’s commandments.  (see First Book of Samuel 12 where David sins with Bathsheba, or Second Book of Samuel 24, where David numbers the people of Israel.)  Like David, all we need do is turn contritely to the LORD and beg His forgiveness. 

Here are a couple of great Psalms to remember when seeking God’s compassionate, merciful forgiveness:

Psalm 38:  O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;  Do not punish me, Lord, in your rage.  Your arrows have sunk deep in me;  Your hand has come down upon me.  Through your anger all my body is sick: Through my sin, there is no health in my limbs.   My guilt towers higher than my head;  It is a weight too heavy to bear.   My wounds are foul and festering,  The result of my own folly.  I am bowed and brought to my knees.   I go mourning all the day long  All my frame burns with fever,  All my body is sick.  Spent and utterly crushed,  I cry aloud in anguish of heart.   I count on you, O Lord: It is you, Lord God, who will answer.   I confess that I am guilty   And my sin fills me with dismay.   O Lord, do not forsake me!   My God, do not stay afar off!   Make haste and come to my help,   O Lord, my God, my savior!

 Psalm 51:             A humbled contrite heart you will not spurn.

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The Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation may well be the best (unintentionally) kept secret in our Diocese. Chartered in 1994, the WCMF was put together for the “…purpose of supporting the religious, charitable, ministerial and educational programs of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Wyoming….” That was taken from the bylaws of the Foundation, and it is followed by some more jargon that satisfies the lawyers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really tell us much about why this Foundation is so important.
The structure of the WCMF is like many foundations, in that it is run by a Board of Directors and managed on a day-to-day basis by an executive director. But two things separate the WCMF from other foundations:
1. It is a Catholic foundation, and;
2. Its assets come from the people of the Diocese of Cheyenne.
The money is not from the ivory tower of some corporation in a far-off city. Rather, it is the product of labor and generosity and stewardship of individuals and families who have made the commitment to share what God has given them with the intention of helping others.
For example, a fund was established more than 50 years ago by an individual named Fred Ambrose. His wish was to help fund seminarian education, and in spite of the fact that he died quite a while ago, his name lives on in that the income from those invested funds continue to help defray the costs of educating seminarians more than half a century later.
Brother Martin Klietz, CFC, was a champion of Catholic education in Wyoming. Brother Martin was killed in a tragic car wreck outside Rawlins in 1992. His wish was to establish a fund to support Catholic education in Wyoming and, through his estate, that wish was realized. Brother Martin will be remembered forever for his commitment to Catholic education and his farsighted planning.
Brittney Farmer, the daughter of Randy and Cheryl Farmer, was an energetic and vivacious girl who as saddled with epilepsy. She never let that slow her down, however, as she was constantly on the go with her parents and her siblings. Randy and Cheryl were – and still are – supporters of youth ministry in the Diocese, and Brittney was an ever-present and ever-active part of their ministry team. She would brighten the days of everyone around her. The multiple challenges of epilepsy finally proved to be more than even Brittney could overcome, and she was called home to God at age 11.

 A fund in her honor was started by the youth of her parish to help young people throughout the state to attend diocesan youth events. Brittney will always be remembered because of the hard work and generosity of her friends, her parents and her brothers and sisters. Wyoming Catholic Youth whom she never knew, and who never knew her, will be the beneficiaries of the love so many had for Brittney, exemplified by their thoughtfulness in establishing this fund.
These are just a few of the specific endowments managed by the Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation for the benefit of sustaining the ministries of the Diocese. There is also a Seminary Education Endowment, a Diocesan Operations Endowment and several endowments for the assistance of clergy, both active and retired. If you or your parish are looking for potential grant assistance, or if you are looking for a great way to make a charitable contribution, please remember our Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation!
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While visiting Indiana near the end of June, I had a rather distinct privilege.  50 years ago, my uncle, Rev. Bernard Voges married a young couple at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Indianapolis.  This couple was Ron & Lois Kramer.  Ron & Lois have four children, Karen (Sahm), Mike, Dick and Bob.  They also have numerous grandchildren.

My Uncle, Fr. Bernie, died in 1980.  When I was ordained in 1992, my first assignment was St. Barnabas on the south side of Indianapolis.  It was here that I met Karen and her husband, Mike.  I baptised their second child, Brooke.  Their first child is Brian.  Sadly, Mike was soon after diagnosed with Leukemia and died before I left St. Barnabas.  Karen was my introduction into the Kramer family.  Lois, soon figured out the connection with my uncle, and a good friendship has endured through the years with the family.  My uncle, Fr. Bernie, was quite a character, and many stories of his antics still circulate to this day!

Sunday, June 27 (not the actual anniversary), the family gathered at their home for a backyard Mass.  Ron surprised Lois with a set of new rings when they renewed their vows before the children and grandchildren.  It was a marvelous moment, and their life has been a tremendous witness to fidelity and love.  The Church always celebrates these milestones of marital love, and gives thanks for such an embodiment of Christ’s love. 

Marital love is just one of many ways that remind us that our God is not distant.  He is indeed near and very involved in the lives of those who seek Him.  We were reminded of this reality and mystery just this Sunday in the words of Moses from the Book of Deuteronomy: 

The command I enjoin on you today (to love one another with all your strength) is not too mysterious and remote for you.  It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’  Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’  No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.  (Duet. 30:10-14)

Congratulations Ron & Lois!  and Thank you for your fidelity and love!

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Yesterday, we commemorated the 170th anniversary of the first Mass ever (documented) celebrated in the state of Wyoming, and more than likely, in the Rocky Mountain region. That Mass was celebrated July 5, 1840 in conjunction with the Rendezvous celebration of the early mountain men in the Green River Valley.

Fr. Pierre De Smet was a Jesuit priest, missionary. He was born in Belgium and came to the US as a seminarian (1821)  to continue his studies towards priesthood. His father was a ship owner, and was quite wealthy.  The young Pierre De Smet was intrigued by reports of the early explorations of the West.  He had a vivid imagination and an adventurous spirit.  It did not take much to entice this young, adventurous man to come to the US to pursue his dreams.

Fr. Charles Nerinckx was also a Belgian priest, who came to the US as a Jesuit missionary in 1804.  Fr. Nerinckxis a well known name back in my home area.  He was a great missionary to the Kentucky Mission, and helped to establish the faith in that part of the Ohio valley.  Fr. Nerinckx was the individual who recruited Pierre De Smet while he was still a student in the year 1821 to come to the US.

In 1823, Bishop Louis Du Bourg of Upper and Lower Louisiana needed priests for the Louisiana Purchase.  He sent a request to Maryland to bring the Jesuits to Missouri, just over 200 acres of land near St. Louis.   De Smet as a young novice was one of the members who made that journey.  Personally, I find it interesting that his path brought him right along the Ohio River where I grew up.  Who knows, maybe he even spent the night on the banks of what would become (1858) my home town, Tell City, IN?

Fr. De Smet was ordained September 23, 1827.  In 1840, Fr. De Smet was sent by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis to the Flathead Indians in answer to one of the repeated Indian requests for the “blackrobes” to teach them the Catholic faith.  It was on this journey that Fr. De Smet celebrated the first Mass in the Wyoming territory.

For more information on Fr. De Smet there are three very good books: The Life of Father De Smet, S.J.by Fr. E. Laveille, S.J.; Father Peter John De Smet, Jesuit in the Westby Robert C. Carriker, and  “Come, Blackrobe”, by John J. Killoren, S.J.

Sunday started out a bit overcast, but eventually settled into a typically breezy, Wyoming day with clear blue skies and an occasional cloud.  I’m not sure how many people were in attendance, but you can view some of the pictures that follow.  The setting is quite spectacular, as you will see.  It did not take a lot of imagination to fill in the scene from over 170 years ago when it was a marvelous spectacle during the famous mountain man rendezvous, with plenty of mountain men, and native Americans.  When Mass was over, we spotted a beautiful, large, bull moose.  Also, in the distant lower valley meadow we could watch two elk making their way to a stream. 

Following the Mass, all proceeded to town for a cookout.  If you are ever looking for a new tourist spot, keep Pinedale and Daniel, Wyoming in mind.  Of course, while you are there, do not forget to go to Mass!

The night before the Mass I enjoyed Mass with the people from the local parish of Our Lady of Peace.  Their pastor, Fr. Lucas is dearly loved, and is a loving pastor to them.  The people of the parish gathered prior to Mass for a chance to socialize, then we had Mass.  Due to all the otherRendezvous events going on, many of the parishioners were “working”, especially at the booths for the rodeo, raising money for the parish. 

After Mass, I had a great evening gathering with some of the local ranchers for a dinner.  It was marvelous to meet more of the people of this great diocese, and to watch the sunset in the mountains.  On my way home Sunday evening, I also enjoyed a rare rainbow.  Enjoy the pictures!  When I figure out how to do slide shows with this blog, there will be other great shots to share.  All photos (except the rainbow) are courtesy of Matt Potter, Development Director for the Diocese of Cheyenne.

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As you can tell, the blog activity has slacked off recently. Mostly, this is due to this bishop’s summer slow down. I’ll try to be a bit more frequent again soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures from a recent visit to one of my former parishes as “Fr. Paul”.

I was back in Indiana for a week the end of June, and celebrated Mass at St. John the Evangelist in downtown Indianapolis. Ironically, this was the same weekend I said “goodbye” as their pastor one year ago. No one would have guessed then I would return so quickly to celebrate with them as a bishop.

Rev. Steve Giannini, pastor; Rev. Tom Widner, SJ (my former spiritual director) and Cecila Linn

Darryl & Andrea Eskew, friends and parishioners

TA and Larry Hungate; friends, parishioners, dedicated volunteers

Tom Nichols; organist, liturgist, staff and Sally Welch; secretary, sacristan (friends)

+PDE and sister, Sr. Nicolette, OSB

Dinner with friends.

(Photos courtesy of Sally Welch and Therese Holbrook)

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Today, the Church of Cheyenne laid to rest a fine priest, Rev. Msgr. William E. Delaney.  Msgr. was 66 years a priest, and 93 years young.  Up until very recently, he remained alert and fairly active, even though a recent stroke diminished his eye sight some. 

Msgr. Delaney was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1917 and ordained a priest June 3, 1944.  Over and over again today, people referred to him as a humble, holy priest.  High praise indeed!  He was well known for the quality of his preaching and his dedication to prayer.  He was known also as a healer.  He was a man of faith, courage, hope and charity.  He was a scholar and well read.

Most of all, he will be remembered as a pastor.  He loved God, God’s people, and God’s Church, and was selfless in the service of the People of God.  He worked tirelessly for the salvation of souls.  That is a phrase not heard much these days, but in the end, it is a  big part of what the priesthood and the Church is all about.  Msgr. evidently never forgot that.

In my short time here, I was amazed that he always came to gatherings of priests, even though he did have difficulty getting around.  Even though there was a chapel in the residence he shared with other priests, he insisted on making the journey across the parking lot for Mass with the people, despite the time of year or the weather.  Don’t forget, this is Wyoming!  There are many other wonderful things that could be said of him, but in the end, I’m sure he would be quite content to be known as an effective pastor and priest.

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.  As this local church prays for you and your peaceful repose, please remember us, and ask the “Master of the harvest” to send us many other holy, humble priests.

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Recently, I’ve learned that three different young couples I know, two of whom I married, are expecting their first child.  Early Saturday morning, other friends of mine just became grandparents for the first time.  Of course, a big part of this “birthing process” is the awesome responsibility of naming their children.

I’m of the mind that God is actually the one who names each of us, it is just up to the parents to figure out what this “divine handle” is.  A similar discussion took place during the recent confirmation season, when some of the priests and women religious gathered ahead of Mass for dinner.  The group was discussing some of the confirmation names chosen by the young people.  They were wondering why these names were chosen.  I am also of the mind that the saints actually choose the young person, rather than the other way around.

What gives me this thought?  Let’s look at some Sacred Scripture passages: 

Psalm 139:  You, LORD, created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb…When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there – you saw me before I was born.

Luke 1:57-65:  In this passage, we see the dynamic at work in the naming of John the Baptist by his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  After this passage, we see the beautiful proclamation of the identity and mission that John will fulfill, and the promises of God coming to fulfilment in this time.

This all tells us of the power our names carry, precisely because they “speak” to the fundamental relationship we share with the living God.  I have made so many “connections” with this reality of my own name in these last 51 years, and this, too, serves to strengthen my own belief in the role God plays in this very primordial, and foundational part of each person’s life.

Our names carry a profound and significant “meaning’.  Ultimately, there is no greater name than the name of God. “Let me speak the praise of the Lord, let all mankind bless his holy name for ever, for ages unending.”   Psalm 145  “Who would dare refuse you honor, or the glory due your name, O LORD?  Revelation 15:3-4

I mention this because it is imperative that our world re-discover the reality of “God”, and the life giving relationship we are called to live with God through Jesus Christ.  A friend of mine recently told me of a bumper sticker he likes very much.  It simply states:  “I’m for the Constitution”.  In the political reality of our world today, this is a strong statement. 

 In our culture today, it is just as strong a statement for us to say: “I believe in God.  I believe in Jesus Christ.”  “I’m for the Kingdom of God.”

Lord, be near to all who call upon you in truth and increase the dediction of those who revere you.  Hear their prayers and save them that they may always love you and praise your holy name.  (Friday Evening Prayer, Week IV)

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