In recent months, I’ve been prayerfully asking: “What kind of Church is God calling us to be today?” I believe that much of the answer lies in the papacy of Pope Francis. As St. Francis himself was called to ‘Renew my Church” I believe we are being called to a renewal in our time by this Pope. I’m all in! As a new year begins, I wish to share with you some basic components of where we will be directing our energies in the foreseeable future. Already planning is underway to schedule a series of […]
During the June Pilgrimage to Rome, I was aware of many graces, not the least of which is the unity that we share as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. This truth was represented in a small way by the group that travelled with me, from the various places of my life and ministry – Indiana, Wyoming, and Alaska; and in its fullness as the new Archbishops from around the world celebrated Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. The universality of the Church is a beautiful mystery and reality, one that calls us […]
As the Americas celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe today, I have been reflecting upon the synthesis of faith Our Lady reveals in the miraculous image that appeared on the tilma of Blessed Juan Diego many years ago. Despite the efforts of Spanish missionaries prior to this apparition of Our Lady, the faith failed to take root in Mexico. However, within a very short period of time following this apparition, there were many conversions and the faith had a lasting strong-hold. There are many lessons taught within the image of Our Lady of […]
“The crowd was pressing in on Jesus…” In today’s Gospel (Luke 5:1-11), Jesus is seen preaching along the Lake of Gennesaret, or perhaps better known as the Sea of Galilee. Our initial focus is not so much on the crowd as it is upon the person of Jesus. Even though the crowd is coming to Jesus, it is Jesus who has come to them, who makes himself available to them. Jesus as God’s Son has ‘gone out’ from his heavenly home to take on our human flesh; he enters the world to meet us. Jesus who […]
Six years ago, our Good Lord saw fit to install me as the 8th Bishop of Cheyenne. Six years ago today, the good people of the Diocese of Cheyenne saw fit to accept me! Thank you! Nothing like an anniversary to boil things back down to the basics. Life and ministry can get very complicated at times, and those are good moments to be reminded of what is most important. Here is the basic invitation and commission once again: “Come, follow me.” “Go, and preach the Gospel.” “Thank you.” “I love you.” +pde
In the readings for this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary time, Jesus’ healing of a man who is deaf and mute is a clear fulfillment of the words of the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading. On one level, Jesus is telling the people by his actions that he is the promised Messiah. Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue […]
The hits just keep on coming this weekend. Today I had the distinct pleasure of presiding at the wedding ceremony of a beautiful young couple, who tonight are now Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Ward. Maria is the daughter of a permanent deacon who is the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne. Tyler’s parents are active in the Cheyenne. Tyler and Maria are both Catholic, and the faith-filled nature of their ceremony today gives me great hope. Congratulations to Maria and Tyler Ward! Below is the homily for the occasion. Maria and Tyler, […]
After a good night’s sleep and leisurely start, our pilgrims loaded the bus and headed for Mt. Tabor, the sight where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. Mt. Tabor is just a few miles west of the Sea of Galilee and not far from Nazareth. One would think that Jesus could have easily come here on numerous occasions prior to his public ministry. Could this have been a special place for him, and this the reason for selecting it as the site to reveal his glory to his apostles prior to his passion […]
To anyone paying attention during this nearly two years of Pope Francis’ papacy, he or she has learned by now that one of Pope Francis’ favorite documents is an Apostolic Exhortation by Blessed Pope Paul VI known as Evangelii Nuntiandi; On Evangelization in the Modern World. I highly recommend reading this document as a part of your Lenten journey. If you do not own a copy, you can find it on the Vatican website here. I am rereading the document myself, and it is absolutely clear about the mission of the Church. I quote just […]
Today’s readings in many ways pick up where last Sunday’s celebration of the Presentation left off. Last week we heard Simeon proclaim that his eyes have seen the Lord’s promise of salvation … a light to reveal you to the nations. Jesus Christ is this Light of the world, as proclaimed again in today’s Gospel antiphon. Today’s first reading from Isaiah (Chapter 58) calls to mind the manner in which we will be judged on the last day (Matthew 25). We are called to share our bread with the hungry give shelter to the oppressed and […]