Eucharist=Thanksgiving

Well, the Wyoming Catholic Register came out over the weekend... one week ahead of schedule! And since I included a link in the register inviting people in the Diocese of Cheyenne to check out the Vocations blog, I had better update it. It's one of those things that I've been meaning to do as the new guy- but I've also been needing to focus on other, even more important things than the blogosphere.

So I'll put up something about Advent soon, but a reminder that Thanksgiving isn't over. I know, I've eaten enough turkeys for 12 coyotes over the last few days, but seriously- Thanksgiving isn't over. The word Eucharist comes from a Greek word that means "to give thanks." As in, "The night before he died, Jesus gave you (God) thanks."

Every time we gather for Mass, we give thanks. Every time we attempt to model our lives on the sacrifice of Jesus, we give thanks. Every time we make God the center of our lives, we... well, you get the point.

So even though the bird carcass is in the trash and you're already thinking about finding that hideous holiday sweater, take a little time still today to... yup, give thanks.

Peace. Will post another entry tomorrow- maybe about something more timely- like Advent. But then again, I've got 4 weeks...

Adios!

In Spanish the phrase "Adios" literally means "to God" but is commonly translated as "goodbye". Today is my last day as Vocation Director. Hard to believe that seven years have passed. So many memories of the 200,000 miles I've driven in that time, the thousands of miles I've flown, and the hundreds of people I have met along the way. "To God"! Every ministry within the Church ultimately is about the Kingdom of God, about holiness, about service. There were definitely days filled with great joy, just like last Thursday when Brian Hess, Daniel Poelma, and Robert Rodgers were admitted into Candidacy for Holy Orders; they made solemn promises to prepare diligently for priestly ministry four years from now. There have been lots of disappointments too when I really didn't think I was "doing this right" or the "right person for this ministry". Through it all I've experienced God's constancy and have realized ever more clearly that in all things God is the one who calls, nurtures, forms, and missions each person in a particular way. What a blessing for me that today, my last day, is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul! The two greatest apostles who shaped the Church in indelible ways! Each of them matured in their ministry and their keen appreciation of Jesus' unique relationship with them and the ministry He entrusted to them. Each of us is a vocation promoter and the Holy Spirit is really the Director of our personal and corporate vocations. I'm excited for Fr. Bill Hill as he begins this tremendous journey and awesome ministry. I'm blessed to get to be the Pastor of St. Mary Magdalen parish in Worland. When I ponder my own vocation journey I really can't believe I've been loved so very much by God! It's been 15 1/2 years since I was ordained December 12, 1994! I've grown so much as a person, and as a priest! God has placed so many wonderful people and situations in my life that have transformed me and also have enabled me to serve those to whom I've been sent. The last seven years I've been particularly blessed by the people of St. Paul's Newman Center, St. Laurence O'Toole parish, St. Paul's Church in Pine Bluffs and the two missions I served in Albin and Carpenter. I've been edified and humbled by the seminarians who've allowed me to advocate for them and to walk with them as they've discerned God's call. I've had the privilege of working with Permanent Deacon candidates and with those discerning religious life. What a remarkable Church we have! What amazing "living stones" I've encountered in each parish in the Diocese. I'm so proud to have been associated with and encouraged by my fellow Vocation Directors along the way. I've been so gifted to have had the chance to minister with and for Bishop David Ricken and for a short time Bishop Paul Etienne. I really admire and cherish the ministry I shared with the Diocesan Staff and my fellow Directors. My life has truly been so richly blessed by the priesthood. I cannot even begin to imagine what my life would have been had I not answered His call. I can only pray that like St. Paul I am able to say, "I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith." I deeply love the Diocese of Cheyenne and the good people of Wyoming and am encouraged to know that we'll continue to foster a culture of vocations where each person is able to hear God's call and to live it to the full! I'm a huge fan of Star Trek and end this blog by looking to the future and living the motto "To Boldly Go..." enlightened by the adage, "All things in Christ." Adios!

End of Year for Priests

On Friday June 11th, Pope Benedict XVI brought the Year for Priests to an end during the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This has been a year of gratitude for the gift of the priesthood of Jesus Christ that is extended in every baptized person but in particular through the ministerial priesthood conferred by the rite of ordination. Pope Benedict intended this year to be an occasion for priests to grow in holiness by focusing on the person of Jesus Christ the Great High Priest who is the model of priesthood for all of us. It was also to have been an occasion for intercession for our priests on the part of every person. As the Vocation Director I felt a particular urgency about this year. Only deep faith and an appreciation of who Jesus really is, can inspire a young man to open his heart to hear God's call and then to give his life away in loving service through, with, and in Jesus. This is where each of us is constantly invited into silence. We are called to dialogue regularly with God in private prayer and also in the celebration of the mass. It is there that we realize anew the God of the call!

For the Diocese of Cheyenne this has been a year full of unmistakable blessing! In August Fr. Rob Spaulding was ordained to the priesthood, in December Bishop Paul Etienne was ordained as our new bishop, and on May 24th Fr. Tim Martinson was ordained a priest! Two priests and a Bishop! Not bad for the least populated diocese in the contiguous United States! On a personal note, this was my seventh year as Vocation Director so it was my jubilee year! What a terrific year! Lots of amazing successes and cause for encouragement. I honestly believe that Jesus is still calling men to heroic gift of self in the service of the Church and of society. I see this in the quality of seminarians that we have for this diocese and of the men considering the call. We'll have 10 seminarians this year and each one could definitely be successful at other endeavors but has heard God's call and is striving to answer it.

One of the most profound gifts to me is to be a member of the presbyterate, order of priests, who serve the Diocese of Cheyenne. We just returned from our annual priest retreat and I am constantly humbled and inspired by each priest's gift of self. Every story is different but at the heart of each is the experience of God's ineffable love that called them into service as a ministerial priest. Also the unmistakable role of our Blessed Mother has animated and informed each of our lives. I am truly proud to be a priest of this diocese!

This is my last month as Vocation Director. On July 1st, I'll turn over the reigns to Fr. Bill Hill and entrust to him and Bishop Etienne what I have so keenly been aware of: the stewardship of the mystery of God's call! We have so much to be grateful for and so much to do. The future for the Diocese of Cheyenne is one filled with challenge. From 1968-1976 there were no ordinations to the priesthood. The class of '68 is now beginning to retire. So the need for active vocation ministry and open hearts is still very much at hand. The exciting aspect to vocation discernment is captured in Ps 37: "If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant you your heart's desire." God seeks only to give us our fullest joy and true happiness! In nearly 16 years of priesthood and at the conclusion of my 7th year as Vocation Director, I can honestly say that this year has definitely been a wonderful Year for Priests!

Habemus Sacerdotem

On Monday May 24th, the Diocese of Cheyenne received a new priest! Fr. Tim Martinson was ordained at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Worland. Over 40 priests of the Diocese of Cheyenne, 10 deacons, and several of his classmates were also present in addition to a full church and Fr Tim's mother, three brothers, and their families. This was Bishop Paul D. Etienne's first ordination as a bishop. Fr. Tim entered the seminary right out of High School and attended Conception Seminary College for four years. He entered St. John Vianney Theological Seminary for five years and was assigned to St. Patrick's parish in Casper for a Pastoral year. Many of those who ministered with him in Casper made the trip as well.

Fr. Tim celebrated his first mass on Tuesday May 25th the Memorial of St. Bede. Fr. Tim was assisted by two deacons: Deacon Bill Hill of Jackson and Deacon Ken Pitlick of Newcastle. A priest's first mass is truly a remarkable event as he acts "In persona Christi Capitis" for the first time liturgically making present the paschal mystery for the salvation of God's holy people. The Gospel for the mass was from Mk 10:28-31, "Peter began to say to Jesus, 'we have given up everything and followed you.' Jesus said, 'Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." These words accurately capture Fr. Tim's journey, and every man's journey to the priesthood or consecrated life as well as every woman's journey to consecrated life, as well as every baptized person's expectation of discipleship. What hope could be seen as the Holy Spirit acted through Fr. Tim and consecrated bread, wine, and a people into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ!

Now Fr. Tim enters into the life and ministry of the Catholic Priesthood! He has become a "public person" a "man for others" and will be for us all a living witness of the joy of answering God's call! How very precious the love of God truly is, here is a gifted young man willing to persevere through 10 years of formation, in order to answer Jesus' call to the priesthood. What inspiration and hope for us all when the cross seems extraordinarily heavy in our lives, or the road of discipleship seems interminable, when prayer seems dry and inconsequential. What a witness to love! Just as Jesus "laid down his life for his friends" so too has Fr. Tim given his life for the local church, the Diocese of Cheyenne. How can we do any less? How can we give into timidity or selfishness and not answer God's call ourselves, or tarry along the way? The same Holy Spirit that animates and illumined Fr. Tim's journey is part of our faith journey too!

Let us all rejoice in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ! Let us rejoice in the priesthood of Jesus that touches our lives through the priests in our lives! Let us pray for our seminarians and those discerning God's call to priesthood, diaconate, religious life, marriage, and the single life! Let us rejoice in God's particular love for us, and for the call God makes to each of us to holiness!

Transition!

St. Francis of Assisi once said, "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words." From May 9 to 16 I had the honor and gift of traveling with 14 college students and their campus minister to Oklahoma City to work with Habitat for Humanity for five days. Pictured above are Aaron McRee, Ted Cramer, Mike Kline, and Brian Neely. Aaron has been our liaison and guide for this mission work for 15 years. Fr. Carl Gallinger started this mission trip 15 years ago as a vocation trip to offer the opportunity to transition from the academic year into the summer with a view toward the bigger picture through the lens of service. A powerful image of this in my mind is that the first mission trip happened just a month after the Oklahoma City bombing. In the midst of chaos and destruction a group from Wyoming brought love and unity. Now all these years later Habitat for Humanity and many others look forward with great expectation for the Newman Center group from St. Paul's to come! These young people continue to evangelize in powerful way. "What a great joy it has been for me personally and for us at Chaparral Energy to have been a witness to God's hand through each and every one of you!!! To volunteer a week of your time on the Habitat projects before beginning your summer break or your new job is admirable. The positive impact which you have directly provided to each recipient of a new home will be immeasurable. But, I think you know that. Otherwise you would not be here. What you may not realize is the impact you had on us at Chapparal." This was sent by email from Mike Maly the CEO of the Oklahoma City based Chaparral Energy Corporation!

This was also a powerful pilgrimage in faith. Transitioning into the summer from the rigors of the academic year in this way affords a last opportunity to spend time with dear friends with whom God has worked in profound ways. As a priest, and as a Vocation Director, I was so taken with the joy, faithfulness, and maturity of each of the members of the group. Conversations that I had with each one around tenets of faith or living patiently with others or persevering through difficult tasks (we worked in lots of rain and mud, and with lots of different personalities) were a reminder to me of the subtle but powerful way that the Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies us.

Perhaps the most enduring aspect of this mission trip and of the Church herself is the power of community. We priests generally live alone or with one other person, but for 8 days to be part of a 16 member family was a true encounter with Trinitarian life. Thinking of others, relishing particular qualities, hearing each other's stories and aspirations, trials and experiences of resurrection and faith. I am certain that the times we prayed Mass together were a major aspect to this and animated and illuminated the "thanksgiving" that was lived in the moment. This was the first trip I've taken since the announcement that I'll be leaving vocation work July 1st to return to parish ministry. It was a good way for me enter into transition from a way of ministry I've known for 7 years and beginning something new. It is such a grace to remember that God is with us always, that we encounter Him through the sacraments, and live the Good News in community, particularly community in service! "Always preach the Gospel, and if you have to use words!"

Finals Week

This week is Finals week in Laramie! Lots of projects and endeavors coming to conclusion. Last weekend I traveled to Green River and celebrated masses with the parishioners of Immaculate Conception parish. Their pastor is Fr. Tom Sheridan, who is our last active Irish born priest! He has been a priest for 46 years and is currently able to retire. It was a wonderful gift to spend time with this community. I gave the last "Vocation Homily" of the year which brings to conclusion a cycle of travels and homilies in this Year for Priests. For seven years I've had the privilege and responsibility of encouraging men and women to consider giving their lives away in service of the Gospel. While I was in Green River I met Sr. Betty Lorenz, OLVM, who has been in Green River for 17 years! During that time she has been the point person for evangelization efforts of the parish, in 17 years she has been an essential factor in over 80 people entering the Catholic Church! What a legacy!

I returned late Sunday night so that I could prepare the end of semester vocation dinner for Finals Week. I enlisted the help of my cousins Dennis and Petra Fink, my cousin Carrie Brumbaugh, and Teresa Viapondo and we made my signature stuffed enchiladas. We served about 45 students as they took a break from studies. Hard to believe that the semester is coming to a close but what a blessing to see so many fruits of community and faith among the students and residents here at St. Paul's Newman Center. Community is always a constant call to selflessness and attentiveness to others. Particularly since what has brought us together is divine life in the person of Jesus!

It seems to me that the end of the semester, and in this case the academic year, is always a time to be grateful for the hard work that led to this point and an opportunity to recommit to the "mission" entrusted to us as members of the Church. So much planning had to happen in order for me and others to be available for service here in Laramie and in all the parishes I've visited this year. A motto of the Benedictines of Conception Abbey and the seminarians at Conception Seminary "The love of Christ urges us!" serves as an apt description of what motivates everything we do so that others can come to discover their vocations and to live them for the glory of God. May this month dedicated to Our Lady be a joyful time of "doing whatever he tells you."

Discernment Dinner with Bishop Etienne

Last evening Bishop Etienne joined nine young men for mass, prayer, dinner, and to guide them as they consider God's call in their lives. The readings for the mass aptly captured the liberating urgency of God's call, "But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out..." (Jn. 10:1-10) Jesus continues to call each of us by name to the fullness of life through a particular vocation: to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, the diaconate, or the single life. What was particularly amazing was that we were hearing the Gospel from our Good Shepherd, Bishop Etienne! Bishop Etienne earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian university in Rome with a specialty in Spiritual Direction. He offered some very helpful suggestions to the men who attended after he shared his own vocation story.

The Bishop assured us that every time we pray, even if we are not aware of any feelings of God's presence, that God is in fact with us. The challenge and the call is to remain faithful to a personal life of prayer. Basic keys to prayer are a regular time for prayer, a consistent location for prayer, and perseverance in prayer. Also important are reconciliation and mass, especially daily mass as often as possible. These are the regular channels of grace for us. The bishop mentioned that each vocation is unique and a mystery. God calls us to look for the places where His peace is noticeable to us and to be aware in the everyday of the ways that God tugs at our hearts. Adoration can be a very important encounter for us with God.

It was a real blessing to have the Bishop share his discernment journey with us and to offer encouragement for the times when discernment or saying "yes" to God's call can be a real trial. He mentioned that the cross is at the center of every vocation and that the presence of trial, anxiety, difficulty may in fact be a sign that we are on the right track! It was so obvious that the Bishop is truly joyful at being a priest and also at being a bishop. He repeatedly told the young men that the priesthood is absolutely a life of joy and fulfillment! What good news! To hear from Jesus and our bishop that the journey of discernment will ultimately yield the fruit of peace and joy!