Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"These are the voyages..."
















Since Saturday February 27 till yesterday evening I logged 766 miles promoting vocations in Sheridan then attending the first Deanery Mass offered by our new bishop then attending a retreat with the Diocesan Staff in Virginia Dale Colorado. The expression "These are the voyages" I've taken from my favorite program Star Trek. My extended travels began with a discernment dinner for college age women on Friday February 26th. Three members of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles came up from Denver to spend the eveing with a number of young women from St. Paul's Newman Center. The Carmelite Sisters shared their vocation stories and also the charism (gifts/spirituality) of the Carmelite order: prayer, penance, and intercession for priests. Each of the three sisters had very different backgrounds and different experiences of God's call. What was impressive in each sister's life was a definite gentleness and uniqueness of God's action in their lives. God reached out to each one in a particular way. God knows us by name and knows just how to guide us, according to our personalities and sensibilities, into greater union with Him and service to the Church. I then drove on Saturday to Sheridan Wyoming to promote vocations at Holy Name Catholic Community. Holy Name is a parish with 1200 families. I celebrated four masses and met with the youth group while I was there. Our newest priest, Fr. Rob Spaulding, is Parochial Vicar (the technical term for a priest who is not the pastor). It was a joy to see how well Fr. Rob is doing and also to visit with Fr. Tom Ogg and Fr. Ron Stolis. I always am inspired to be able to speak about vocations and to point to the priests and in this case one sister, Sr. Letitia Lenherr SCL, and all that they have contributed to the ministry of Jesus. Frs. Ron and Tom have each been priests for 42 years! That is as long as I have been alive! They serve with joy and genuine love for God's people. Sr. Letitia has been "professed" that is has been a member of her order for 57 years! What a testimony to the power of God's grace and Sr. Letitia's gift of self to so many for so long. I've only been ordained for 15 years! I had a terrific time with members of the youth group. Their questions and desire to know and live God's will really struck me as a sign of the fruits of the ministry happening in their families, through youth ministry, and at the parish. On Monday March 1st I drove over 300 miles to attended mass for the Cheyenne deanery with Bishop Etienne. (each diocese is divided geographicaly into clusters of parishes in close proximity for mutual support and coordination of pastoral efforts. The Diocese of Cheyenne has five deaneries.) The strongest memory of this event was Bishop Etienne's affirmation of his fatherly love for all of us as members of his diocesan family. The image of spouse on the part of a bishop toward his diocese is an ancient concept and is a powerful encouragement to all of us as to God's presence and activity in our lives-we literally are anchored to the Apostolic ministry Jesus gave to the Apostles and is currently exercised by Bishop Paul Etienne. This was further reinforced in me by attending the annual Diocesan Staff retreat with the Bishop and Pastoral staff. We have so many wonderful people in Cheyenne collaborating with the Bishop in the areas of Education, Youth ministry, Vocations, Tribunal, finances, Family life, and media so that the mission of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit might advance. In just 4 days I drove 766 miles, celebrated 8 masses, led one youth gathering, attended one retreat, and participated in one Deanery gathering in Cheyenne! Just a snap shot of the recent "voyages" of the Vocation Director. Consider the wonderful journey that God has you on and the generosity God is asking of you today!