What a difference a year makes! I write on the eve of my anniversary, after celebrating a beautiful Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. My heart is filled with gratitude for the many graces received in this first year as bishop. I am particularly grateful for the Read more…
The summer before I entered the seminary, 1984, I built a grotto in the backyard. I got the idea from my uncle, Fr. Bernie Voges, who built a shrine for the Blessed Mother in my Grandmother’s backyard. I planted two small evergreens next to the grotto. Today, the trees are Read more…
Today, I began early to make my way over wintry roads to St. Anthony parish in Casper. There were two very important groups waiting for me. The first group, above, is the permanent deacon class of 2012. This group of men meet once a month in Casper for formation. They Read more…
Thursday’s Gospel from Matthew clarifies again for us the common and continual focus of the Christian journey: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. These words of Jesus call us Read more…
Since communication is one of the age-old challenges of the human experience, especially as Church, I wish to speak to the two-fold nature of the present strategic planning efforts currently underway in the diocese. The better known phase of the strategic planning is just that, we are currently working hard Read more…
For the Indiana readership, here is the homily from today’s funeral for Charlie Simon. Mass of Resurrection; Homily for Charles Simon; Death, November 25, 2010; Burial, November 29 We gather today to commend to God a beloved son, father, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew and friend to many. On behalf of Read more…
As we prepare to usher in a new liturgical year, we pray that old familiar phrase…thy Kingdom come! For those of us who live in the northern part of the country, nature itself in this transition from fall to winter is a great teacher. Everything around us goes into a Read more…
As this American holiday sees people traversing the country, and families gathering in many settings, just wanted to express my prayerful gratitude for all of you. Family and friends are among the choicest of gifts in this life. May you enjoy these relationships in the days ahead. May our gatherings Read more…
As I travel once again around the diocese this week, and listen to many people regarding our hopes and dreams for our future, I hear many challenges, and many good things which give me great hope! As the readership of this blog knows, one “theme” very much on my mind Read more…
Today we celebrate the final weekend of Ordinary Time; Christ the King. As the scriptures today tell us, Christ has already won the battle, and His victory is secure. To celebrate this Feast at the end of Ordinary Time is an inspiring reminder of the end goal, where His victory Read more…