Enjoy these select photos from yesterday’s deacon ordination.
Photos compliments of Mr. Matt Potter. 

Permanent Deacon Class of 2012

Communion

Sign of Peace

Giving the Book of the Gospels

New Deacons

Vesting the New Deacons

New Deacons

Laying on of Hands

I’m not sure what the history is for deaconate ordinations, but we surely hit a ‘hight water’ mark today as we ordained sixteen men for service as permanent deacons! I’m sure photos will follow.  The homily is below.

This class of men for some time now have developed quite a reputation for their great quality.  The many professors and others who have worked with them in their years of formation always have great and positive things to say on their behalf.  I must say, I am in complete agreement.  The Church of the Diocese of Cheyenne was truly blessed today in calling these men to the ‘ministry of charity.’

Equally impressive are the wives of these new deacons.  They have been supportively with them and for them.  It was with no small amount of emotion as these women carried the new deacon vestments down the center aisle of church for the vesting rite in the ordination.  We are truly grateful to these wives and their families for sharing the husbands and fathers with the Church.

After the celebration, and reception that followed, there was one more ‘milestone’ to mark the day.  Today, Father James Doudican, a priest of the Diocese, celebrated his 95th birthday.  He continues to assist the pastor and the people of Holy Trinity parish here in Cheyenne.  It is only recently that he discontinued offering Mass at the local Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Cheyenne.  His eyes still twinkle and he is always ready with a story and or a joke.

Happy Birthday, Fr. Doudican!

Tomorrow, we will ordain Rev. Mr. Louis Shea a priest for the Diocese of Cheyenne.  God is good!

+pde

Deacon Ordinations Homily

As we prepare to reflect upon God’s WORD and the meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Orders as lived by permanent deacons, I wish to first welcome all of you to our Cathedral.  In a special way, we welcome Fr. Julian Peters, O.S.B. from St. Meinrad.  The formation program that formed this class of deacons is just one of the offerings of St. Meinrad Seminary.  Fr. Julian, we are grateful for the work of St. Meinrad, and grateful that you could join us for this celebration today.

We wish in a very special way to welcome the wives and family members of our deacon class.  The wives of permanent deacons play significant roles in both the discernment of this call as well as in the formation process.  It is one more beautiful manifestation of how in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the two truly do become one flesh.  To you, especially, ladies, I wish to express our profound gratitude as the diocese of Cheyenne for sharing your husbands with this local church for the life of service they freely embrace today.  I also wish to thank you and your children in advance for your continued support of these men in their generous service of the Church.

The readings chosen for today’s celebration give clear indications of the life and ministry of permanent deacons.  First, my sons, as with all Christians, your lives are to be built upon the very life of Christ.  This is what Jesus intends when he invites us to ‘Remain in his love.’  For your lives to be fruitful, you must first be open to receive the precious gift of Christ’s redeeming love, and just as open and generous in sharing that love in the midst of your ministry as deacons.  The ministry of the deacon is primarily the ministry of ‘charity’, which has its origins in the very love shared between the Father and the Son and poured out upon the Church in the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In the celebration of every Eucharist, which is the heart and soul of the Church, the deacon has distinct roles to play, and these liturgical duties define the life he is to live outside of the Mass.  Here I wish to make a very clear point.  The life that the Eucharist nourishes in each of us is to be coherently lived in every and all aspects of our daily life.  The life that the Eucharist nourishes in each of us is nothing less than divine life, the life of faith, the life shared between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

There is no ‘compartmentalizing’ this life of faith.  It is either alive and flourishing, or is diminishing and dying. 

So, my brothers, you are to first live a coherent faith life, so as to be able to effectively enflame the faith in the lives of others.  This is a great challenge for the Church today.  This is a great challenge which you as deacons are to embrace, and that is to help the People of God not only know the basic tenants of the faith, but to live it fully and freely in their daily lives.

This is a great gift that you as deacons bring to the Church.  Many of you continue to work and live in the midst of the world.  It is precisely in the midst of your daily life, as husbands and fathers, as co-workers and volunteers that you are to lead others to the Truth of the Gospel.  This Truth has a name, and he is Jesus Christ. 

This is one of the roles of the Deacon during the Eucharist, to carry the Book of the Gospels; to enthrone the Book of the Gospels; to proclaim the Truth of the Gospel.  My dear brothers, our world our Church, needs you in your person to carry the Book of the Gospels, to enthrone the Book of the Gospels, to proclaim the Gospel by lives of charity and service.  As Deacons, your lives are to be a proclamation that the Word of God is alive.  The WORD became flesh in the person of Jesus to take up a dwelling place in the world as the fullest revelation of God in the midst of His people.  Through the Living Word, through the Church, the same Jesus takes up his dwelling place in you and me that we may continue to be His witnesses in the world today.  The WORD of God is our foundation.  We are called to listen to the Word of God personally, and we are to listen to the Word of God together.  This is exactly what the Church does in the Liturgy of Hours and in every Eucharist.  In this manner we accompany the Living Word, the Risen Lord.

Part of the promise that you make today is to faithfully pray with and for the Church in the Liturgy of Hours.  Always know and believe that this is far more than a book with sacred words.  The Liturgy of Hours is a precious compilation of the Living Word of God, and a privileged means by which the Living Word accompanies us, His Church.  This life-breath of prayer is vital to our being able to faithfully accompany the Lord in the pilgrimage of faith through this life.

Another role of the Deacon is to assist the bishop and the priest at the altar.  The altar of God is perhaps the most precious place in this world, because it is the point of access to Him who raises this life to its fullest potential, sustaining us for the life that is yet to come in all its fullness.  Thus the psalmist is able to say: “O send forth your light and your truth; let these by my guide.  Let them bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell.  And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy.  My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.”  (Ps 43:3-4)

This joy referenced by the Psalmist is found in the person of Jesus.  In the Gospel today after Jesus invites us to remain in his love and to keep his commandments, he says: “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”  (John 15:11)

My brothers, part of your task today, in the work of the New Evangelization is to help people realize the Truth that true joy is found only in and through Christ.  There is a direct correlation between remaining in Jesus, and knowing the fullness of life and joy.  Necessarily, this is also a direct correlation between the separation from Jesus and knowing darkness, despair, and death. 

The secular world today falsely believes that only when the human person separates him or herself from God will they be able to experience true freedom.  I believe there is plenty of evidence in the world around us that demonstrates that only chaos and confusion are possible when the human person is restricted to a world open only to what man creates.  A world closed in on ‘self’ can only lead to a dead end and a lack of true joy.

Part of your task in teaching the Gospel and the faith in the Risen Lord is to help people realize that true freedom is discovered only when the human person is in relationship with God.  Only with the One who has conquered death are we capable of experiencing the fullness of life, because only the Risen Christ is capable of helping us transcend our ‘self.’  This is what true love is and entails a giving of self to others.

Finally, my sons and brothers, I invite you to conform your lives to the person of Jesus, whose Body and Blood you are now entrusted to offer from the altar of God.  He is the true servant, who laid down his life for the many that we may live. 

As you have been generous in sharing your life with another in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, so now continue in the same generosity in sharing your life with the People of God who call you to this ministry of charity and service.  Please know and believe, that it is in such charity and service, that your lives will bear much fruit for the glory and honor of God.  Thank you for your faith.  Thank for your love and service of Christ and His Church.

I have the privilege of celebrating this year’s commencement Masses at St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary with the graduates of their seminary and lay ecclesial degree programs. The Mass this evening was for the seminary students, and the morning will be with the lay degree program members.

This mosaic as you will read in the homily below is not from St. Meinrad, but rather from San Clemente in Rome.  It seems an appropriate tool for insight into the readings this week from John’s Gospel, Chapter 15.

St. Meinrad Commencement Masses

May 11 – 12

 Thank you for the invitation to join the St. Meinrad Community for this year’s commencement celebrations.  It is always a joy to be back in Southern Indiana, and particularly, to celebrate Mass with this community.

We gather this evening to celebrate a ‘landmark’ , namely, the completion of this particular track of theological studies, and for many of you, the launch of a new leg in your journey of faith.  This week, the Church is hearing and reflecting on John’s Gospel and Jesus’ proclamation to be the Vine, to which we as ‘branches’ must remain firmly attached if our lives are to be fruitful. 

As a symbol of interpreting today’s readings, I wish to reflect with you upon a powerful mosaic in the apse of Saint Clement Church in Rome.  This beautiful work of art has been a focus for my prayer in recent weeks; not so much by my own choosing, but by the grace of God.

In the center of this mosaic is a depiction of the crucifixion, complete with the Blessed Mother and St. John standing at the foot of the cross.  Above the cross, the Father’s hand is extending the crown of victory to the Son, now that the work of Redemption is accomplished.  Sprouting from the base of the Tree of the Cross is a vine which spreads throughout the mosaic.  This vine represents the Church, and recalls the words of Jesus: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”  (John 15:5) 

The beautiful presence of the vine spreading throughout the mosaic symbolizes the Redeeming work and presence of Jesus in the world, through the Church.  Also at the base of the Cross is a font, which becomes a stream running along the base of the mosaic.  Two stags are depicted drinking from this life-giving stream, recalling the words of Psalm 42:1: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.”

In the Gospel we have just heard this evening, Jesus tells his disciples to go and bear much fruit, fruit that will remain. (John 15:16)  He also clarifies that the one thing that remains, the hallmark of His life within us that we are to share with others, is His love.  This is the great new commandment: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”  (John 15:12) 

This mosaic demonstrates very clearly that life flows from the cross.  The vine, the Church, flows from the Cross.  Obviously, it is not just the cross, but the Son of God crucified upon the cross, who poured out His obedience to the Father in the fullest expression of love for the Father and for us in shedding his Life blood.

St. John in his Gospel makes a clear distinction regarding this word, ‘life.’  He speaks of bios which is the life of the body, the worldly life.  Then, he speaks of zoe the fullness of life, the life shared by the Father and the Son.  This is the life shed and shared from the cross that gives the fullness of life to all of creation and to every human person.  This life of the crucified and Risen Lord is the life Jesus speaks of when he tells us: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  (John 14:6)  This is the life the Christ freely laid down, and freely took up again, that we might have life and have it to the full.  (see John 10:10, 18)  This is the life of the Church; the Church that now calls each of you into service.

As this beautiful mosaic clearly shows life stemming from Christ, who is the Way, the Life, the Vine, it is a positive instruction that we must always remain rooted in Christ.  These too are the words of Christ to the Church this week: “Remain in my love.”  (John 15:9)  Just as any living creature, plant or person withers and dies with a lack of water, so too, our faith and ministry loses vibrancy, loses credibility when it gets distant or cut off from Christ, distant or cut off from the Successor of Peter.  Our life and ministry flow from the Paschal Mystery of Christ and to the degree our life and ministry draw others into this Mystery, we indeed are bearing the ‘fruit that remains.’

This Paschal Mystery, this ‘work of Christ’ restores the relationship of humanity with the Father. The lesson learned in this is that relationships are hard work!  Maintaining unity in the Church also requires hard work, patience, perseverance, and the same trust in the Father demonstrated by the Son.

Pope Benedict insists in much of his preaching and writing that the fundamental question for the human person today is a question of God.  This ‘act of faith’ in God and in Jesus Christ is what changes the life of a person.  We see this ‘encounter’ which individuals have with Jesus over and over again in the Gospels, beginning with the call of his disciples and continuing with many others who are longing for truth, hope, healing, forgiveness, meaning and purpose. 

These are the same fundamental things every human person longs and searches for, and they are ultimately found in Christ.  If one’s faith is not at the heart and center of one’s person and identity, this ‘conversion’, this ‘fullness of life’ is not possible. 

So, my dear friends, ‘stirring’ this fervent and active faith to life is at the heart of the Church’s mission and ministry today.  For many today, including those who consider themselves ‘good Catholics’ faith is merely external; just customs and traditions, it lacks what is fundamental, namely, the living person of Jesus Christ. 

Our Challenge today, your challenge today as you go forth from this ‘holy hill’ as leaders in the Church, particularly as catechists, teachers and preachers, is to help people first and most importantly to have this ‘encounter’ with the living Christ.  Our role, your role, is to provide people not only with the basic tenants of the faith, but to raise these tenants of the faith to the level where it truly influences the life of each person. 

Our challenge is to both personally live the faith and present the faith in a manner that leads others to the fullness of life in the Risen Christ.

The great challenge in our Church today is to help our people live with a strong coherence between faith and every aspect of life.  Part of our task today is to help people formulate the answers to why they believe in Christ and to understand why they are Catholic.  Fundamentally, religion, faith means to live in relationship with the Risen Christ.

In our readings this evening, we hear a clear and strong reference to how important it is for us to ‘remain in Christ’ as Church.  The first line from the Acts of the Apostles this evening says: “The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.” 

All of us who minister in the Church are to act in like manner – to act in communion with the Universal Church.  All of us who minister in the Church are servants of unity.  Christ’s gift of self on the cross tells us that to be at the service of unity will require great generosity on our part – and promises that our lives – in communion with Christ and His Church, will bear much fruit.

One final reference to our passage from the Acts of the Apostles this evening tells us that Paul and Barnabas “dedicated their lives to the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”  My dear friends, this is a great recommendation for each of us.  Let us dedicate our lives to Jesus Christ.  Let us place our lives in the hands of the Father – trusting in His Providential care; hoping and believing as we do so, that our lives will bear much fruit, for the good of the Church and the glory of God.

Admittedly, my camera skills need work. Sorry this one is a bit blurry, but I do not ask people to pose, so the movement is not welcome by my camera.

This month, our Young Adults gathered at Holy Trinity in Cheyenne.  Following adoration, the group moved across the parking lot to a fire pit to enjoy the outdoor weather and some fellowship…of course, pizza just arrived as well!

For the Scripture reflection, we chose this past Sunday’s Gospel from John (15): “I am the vine you are the branches.  Remain in me as I remain in you, for apart from me, you can do nothing.”

For whatever reason, this has been a powerful Gospel for me this past few weeks.  If only more and more people could come to truly understand how totally dependent we are on Christ!  When we “remain in Him,” we are capable of anything, and mostly, fully capable of accomplishing God’s desire for us.

The real origin of this ‘vine’ is the Garden of Eden.  From the beginning of time, by God’s Providence, this ‘vine’ that is Christ, God’s presence in the midst of his people, has continued and grown through creation and history.  Then, in the Incarnation, this ‘vine’ took on its true ‘identity’ in the person of Jesus.  Finally, from cross, the true source of the ‘vine’ reached its greatest means of expansion through the Church.

Many if not most of us are familiar with the term which often today describes our society as a ‘culture of death.’  I believe this phrase when associated with this Gospel from John, helps us understand the nature of this ‘death.’  When we separate ourselves from Christ (apart from me, you can do nothing,) we are by nature going to diminish, wither up, and die.  This Gospel helps us understand why our culture is often called a culture of death, because our society today desires to separate itself more and more from Christ.

So, my friends, remain in Christ.  Everything we consume as food in this life becomes a part of us.  However, when we consume the Eucharist, Christ incorporates us into His Body.  Let us remain in Him, as He remains in us.  May this presence of Christ permeate every fiber of our being.  May our thinking, values, priorities and every action always remain close to Christ, that the entire expression of each of our lives may be a vibrant witness to the Risen Christ.

Once again, I invite all our young adults to join us monthly for Thursday Night Life.  Updated information for time and location can be found on our diocesan website.  I truly appreciate these moments of prayer and fellowship with our young adults…I hope you do to!

+pde

As promised, here is a photo of an audience with Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, May 5. This was taken immediately after the Region XIII Bishops received the Holy Father’s Fourth Discourse to the American Bishops. His topic this time was on the Catholic Identity of our Catholic Schools.

And so ends my first ad limina apostolorum. Much to my surprise and delight, these many meetings were not so much another experience of administration, but they truly focused on the pastoral dimension of our Apostolic Ministry as Bishops.

Almost every one of the Dicastery meetings gave us a reflection and challenge on how our ministry is to be a proclamation of Jesus Christ to those we serve and all we encounter.  We have been inspired and strengthened to help our people and our culture encounter Christ and assimilate the faith into every aspect of human life.  There is much now for me to take to prayer as I continue to preach the Gospel which Christ, through His Church has entrusted to me.

Procession; Mass at tomb of Blessed John Paul II, St. Peter's Basilica. (My, those bishops move fast!)

 The greatest means by which Christ incorporates us into His own risen, new, and eternal life, is through the Sacraments of the Church.  What a grace we have to be able to celebrate the Eucharist every day, every week.  Our Catholic, Christian life is a participation in the Paschal Mystery, the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord.  The Eucharist is a participation in the presence of the Risen Lord in our midst, and a great strength for us to live always in intimate communion with Christ.

 After Mass at St. Peter’s we had an informative meeting with Cardinal Koch at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Cardinal Koch greeting Archbishop Sheehan and other region bishops.

 Once this, and our final Dicastery meeting was complete, we returned to the College for one more wardrobe change to prepare for a second audience with the Holy Father.  The 4th Discourse to the American Bishops delivered this morning was on the topic of Catholic Education.

Bishops in the Consistory Hall in anticipation of audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

 Last, but not least, a crowd pleas-er.  As you know, the Swiss Guard, the oldest, continuously existing ‘military’ are omnipresent throughout the Vatican.  Their Michael Angelo uniform is very distinctive, as is their service to the Holy Father.

Swiss Guard in the Apostolic Palace.

 As I now prepare to enjoy my final hours in Rome, please know of my gratitude for all of your prayers.  These have been grace-filled days, and I’m sure that the Holy Spirit will continue to inflame the faith of our local Church in the State of Wyoming, as well as the Universal Church.

If you have enjoyed these past few blog entries, you may wish to follow the mother of all episcopal blogs in the days ahead.  My friend, Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida landed a few hours ago and will be making his ad limina with Region XIV.  His reflections will no doubt be informative and entertaining. 

Once I have received the official photos of the audiences with the Holy Father, I will post them.  Sunday, I will be ‘off the air’ as I will be ‘in the air’ most of the day.  Peace and blessings to all of you!

+pde

Our Lady of Humility, Mary, Mother of the Church, Pray for us!

Preparing for audience with Holy Father outside his Library.

Well, gang, it is late, and has been a long day! We started early and went late, and to top it all off, we dealt with cross-city meetings in Friday Roman traffic. However, it was another grace-filled day. So, rather than give much commentary, I will simply post a few pictures, and try to follow up with some information later. Tomorrow is our last day of meetings.

We met with the Holy Father today, and are blessed to have another audience with him in the morning. Region XIII bishops will receive the Holy Father’s 4th Discourse, topic yet unknown. Stay tuned!

Awaiting meeting with Archbishop Fisichella, Council for the New Evangelization.

Praying at the Tomb of St. PaulOutside St. Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica.

Our day concluded with Mass at St. John Lateran. This basilica serves as the Cathedral of Rome, and of course, the Holy Father is also the Bishop of Rome. It is interesting that while in Rome, the Eucharistic prayer calls for the mention of “Benedict XVI, our Pope and Bishop.”

Reception with American Priests working in Rome; Villa Stritch

St. Peter's Basilica as seen from Pontifical North American College

It is now past noon on Day five.  Our work for the day is complete.  We met today with the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  After lunch and break, we will depart for Mass at St. John Lateran, followed by another reception this evening with the American priests working at the various Dicasteries here in Rome.

Mt. Carmel Monks meeting with Representatives from the Congregation for Religious.

 Prior to the Regional meetings, our Wyoming ‘Mystic Monks’ and I had a very encouraging meeting with representatives from the Congregation for Religious.  As the monks have now been formally established for nine years, we had a number of important issues to discuss with the Congregation to make sure our plans for the future are ‘on track,’ and that we are building a solid foundation for this monastic community.

 After the meetings with our monks, I joined the Region Bishops for a meeting with the Congregation for Bishops.  The Prefect, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, is also a North American bishop from Canada.  Along with the issues we discussed, Cardinal Ouellet gave a beautiful discourse on the importance of the Word of God.  It was a very inspiring reflection rooting the work of the Bishop and the unity that we strive for in the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion of Region XIII meeting with Archbishop Ladaria and CDF.

+pde 

The day began fairly early today.  A very dense and heavy fog made it difficult to see much in the early hours of day.  That would change towards the end of our early morning Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica.  This basilica was built on the very spot where St. Peter was buried after he was martyred in giving his greatest ‘confession’ of faith in Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe celebrates Mass at the altar of the Tomb for the Region XIII Bishops and guests.

The altar where we celebrated Mass is one floor below the main floor of the basilica, and one floor above the actual tomb of St. Peter.  The area directly behind this altar is often mistaken for the burial place, when if fact, this area is a beautifully adorned space representing the ‘confession’ of St. Peter.  Each year on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, newly appointed Archbishops come to Rome for a special ceremony with the Holy Father to receive a highly symbolic piece of vestiture, known as a palium.  These are kept in this ‘niche’ of the basilica.  The palium represents the unity shared between an Archbishop and the Holy Father. 

After Communion, the sun broke through the fog, and lit the area behind the altar.  The only access for that light are the windows high above in the main dome of St. Peter’s.  It was very strong symbolism of the Light of Christ that always guides the Church, even in moments of darkness.

Region XIII Bishops awaiting the arrival of Cardinal Piacenza at the Congregation for Clergy.

After Mass, we began our round of meetings with three different Dicasteries.  First stop was the Congregation for Clergy.  Cardinal Piacenza warmly greeted us, and gave a very moving presentation regarding the role of the Bishop in relation to his priests, deacons and seminarians.  He was very animated and inspiring.  After his remarks, he listened attentively to our questions, and gave direct and beneficial comments.

Following our visit to the Congregation for Clergy, we made our way across Piazza Pio XII to the twin offices where more of the Congregations are found.  We then met with Cardinal Canizares and his staff from the Congregation of Divine Worship and teh Discipline of the Sacraments.  Present as the Secretary of the Congregation was the American Dominican, Archbishop Augustine Di Noia.  This particular meeting for some reason was conducted mostly in Spanish, short of the English interventions of the American bishops present. 

This may be a good place to interject that the meetings are conducted in various languages, with simultaneous translations provided. 

We concluded the morning with a large contingent from the Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, better known as the Congregation for Religious.  Again, Cardinal Joao Braz De Aviz (from Brazil) and Archbishop Joseph Tobin, CSSR, where quite welcoming. 

Each meeting begins with a bishop from our Region serving as a spokesperson to introduce our group and summarize any of the questions and issues we wish to review.  This format works quite nicely for ‘breaking the ice,’ organizing our thoughts ahead of time, and serving as a starting point for a beneficial dialogue in the short time that we have with each Congregation.

That is all for now.  Our group is preparing to depart for another reception this evening with the Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See.

Peace,

+pde