Rum, Romanism, and Rasberry Ale

Certainly, when a group of Vocation Directors from across the country get together, trouble ensues.  We're just never sure of what kind of trouble.  Alas, let me explain..... (no, there is too much, let me sum up:)

Today found us gathered at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver for our morning of reflection.  I admit, Brad Watkins has an excellent bishop, as his ordinary (Bishop Burbige) gave the morning address and really challenged us to embrace the call that we have received from Christ as Vocation Directors, an even more specialized version of our call as priests.

Well, to prove that no good morning goes unpunished, there was a select group of us that selected for the Red Rock Park/Brewery Tour Excursion this afternoon.  For those from outside the greater Denver area, Red Rock Park is either a state or city park where they have turned a natural ampitheater into a pretty impressive outdoor performance hall, which so was dominate in the national awards for the journal that the award was name for the arena!

Well, after sending a short and pithy email with a pic from the phone to someone back in Ohio who was stuck in work, (this was from my kind and gentle side), we headed back into Denver for a short tour and sampling of 'Great Divide's product sampling.

Great Divide is one of many micro-brews in the area, as our planned trip to Coor's fell through.  (I have so far failed to see the drawback in this plan.....)  Well, let me paint this picture for you:

35 priests walk into a bar  (What is this, some kind of joke?!?!?!)  Great Divide has a wonderful selection of great beers, so we all proceed to sample a few.  (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT!!!)  Their 'St. Brigid Porter' is not to be missed, commemorating St. Brigid's unique and unparalleled ability to turn water into BEER!  I, however, because of my anti-Irish sensibilities (ganz Deutsch, bin ich) turned rather to the Double IPA, WOW, what a nice selection.

The humor of tonight's story, not that there were not already many laughs, came as one of the last of our brothers ordered his selection.  Well, as we were heading on a Brewery Tour, most of us 'went civy' and replaced clerical attire with regular clothes.  Our brother from New Orleans was less fashion conscious, and stayed in clerical attire.  Remember, he was nearly the last of 35 to order his beer selection, and the waitress responds: 'Oh, I couldn't take money from a priest!'

HUH?!?!?!  She had just taken money from 30 some priests!!!!!!  I guess you win some, you lose some.  Bummer

Her story as to why she wouldn't take money from (one who was dress as a) priest was interesting.  She confessed (Theresa being her name) that she had recently finished the pilgrimage to Compestelo in Spain.  And not the short version, either, but rather started somewhere near Paris and walked all the way to the western tip of the Iberian Penisula.  Hmm, never know who you are gonna meet.

Luckily, Father Christman (DoV of Denver) was with us and could direct her to a good parish here in the home office.

The moral of the story, never be afraid to witness to your Catholic faith, even if it requires taking a big leap of faith, 'natch.

One more day of conference tomorrow, with a very early start!

You, Me, Radio

Tomorrow morning, I'll be appearing on Sacred Heart Radio live at 7:30 Cincinnati time, which for those keeping track at home is 5:30 here in the Mile High City!

As always, listen along at www.sacredheartradio.com

New Newsletters Available

The St. Michael Prayer Warriors page has been updated for 'post conference' status after last weekend's wildly successful event.  Find the October Newsletter, plus details from the conference, and assorted prayer materials here.

Updates from Denver

So, it seems like we've all made it to the National Convention for Diocesan Vocation Directors here in Denver, and the enjoyment level is already high.

I arrived on Saturday and crashed dinner with two priests and a layman.  Even though a 35 minute wait turned into 90, we still had a great time.  (Comp'ed appetizers helped!)

Sunday was a presentation on how to implement the new program for priestly formation into our work as vocation directors by the faculty and staff of St. John Vianney Seminary here in Denver.  They seem to have a pretty unique view on things, and really give their guys a challenge to embrace that call from Christ.  The unique nugget that I'll take from it: Don't ask general discernment questions, but ask 'Is Jesus callin you to the priesthood, or not?'  This question hones things in on the real issue, and can prevent the 'fence sitting.'

Last night was an address by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's Nuncio as Permanent Observer to the UN.  He was supposed to give the keynote this morning, but was called before the General Assembly.  Somehow, they ranked higher than a group of 300 vocation directors.  The nerve!  His talk was excellent, but hard to summarize.  It was more along the lines of his personal reflections on being called to the priesthood and the encounter with Christ.  I think he stunned us all into silence, as there were no questions afterwards, a rarity for this group.  His talk reminded me of a story of Archbishop Sheen and Orson Wells being at the same party and both asked to read Psalm 24 (?) (The Lord is my Shepherd).  Wells went first and read it with power and prestige, and upon his finish, loud applause.  Archbishop Sheen read the Psalm with prayer and conviction, inspiring silence among his audience.  The host quipped: 'One knew the Psalm, and one knew the Shepherd.'  Archbishop Migliore knows the Shepherd, and what a privelige to hear him speak.

This morning was business meetings and another inspiring welcome by our president, Fr. Len P of Tampa/St. Pete.  As it seems is common everywhere right now, there was a lengthy discussion about dues, and an increase of dues.  Money makes the world go round, after all.

However, the best asset so far was a new 'Guide for Discernment' which is newly published by NCDVD.  'Formational' rather than 'informational,' it centers on 10 sections for prayer and discernment, and is truly a unique contribution to vocation work.  Fr. Tom Richter of Bismark is the primary author, and centered it around rules 3, 4, & 5 in St. Ignatius of Loyola's Discernment of Spirits.  I look forward to spending time with it, in addition to using it with potential candidates.

There are two potential developments that involve your humble scribe here, both are still in the works, so I'll post developments as I can.

All in all, things are great here.  Although, I did think Denver was in the Mountains, but they are still a good spot away.  I thought they were joking that the airport was in Kansas, but it's out there a ways.  The little part of the city I've seen so far is very beautiful.

Finally, a word about our host.  Fr. Jim is the DoV here in Denver and has been wonderfully gracious.  Well, he claims to be friends with a Kevin Knight of New Advent; if it's true, we'll see....

Keep up the prayers for our little gathering.  Still to come are regional meetings this afternoon before dinner out as a group.  Tomorrow brings a morning of reflection by Bishop Burbige of Raleigh, NC, at St. John Vianney Seminary here in Denver, before afternoon excursions.  (Real cultural ones, too, like a visit to a local brewery!)  (Speaking of Raleigh, Brad Watkins, who is their assitant Vocation Director, is here and we had the chance to have breakfast together.)

Wednesday is another keynote, this by Mr. Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, more business meetings, afternoon workshops, evening Mass with Archbishop Chaput, and our closing banquet.

Thursday morning will see my return to the Queen City of the Midwest for another evening banquet, this with Cardinal Foley in celebration of the 1st anniversary of the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio.

Now we're talking!

Tropical Storm KYLE has formed in the Atlantic.

Inviting many jokes.

Saints and Blesseds, Answered

I have been remiss for not posting the answers.

For more great programs to promote vocations in your parish and home, see the Vocation Awareness Week page.

1. I once stood in front of my church and barred my king from attending Mass after he had ordered innocent men to be killed. St. William

2. At a young age, I convinced the citizens of Paris to stay, fast and pray when Attila the Hun was threatening to invade. He later changed course and I became the Patron Saint of Paris. St. Genevieve

3. I was a Roman soldier who was tortured to death after proclaiming my Christianity to my Emperor. I am often pictured killing a dragon. St. George

4. During the Early Church persecutions, I preached the good news of Christ in the land of Campania. I survived many forms of torture due to the help of angels and a static electric charge I produced when my torturers tried to use fire on my body. St. Erasmus

5. I was a young slave girl who was arrested for being Christian. I was put to death just three days after giving birth to my daughter. St. Felicity

6. I became a lay brother of the Dominican order after studying to become a barber. I had the ability to fly and to bi-locate. St. Martin de Porres

7. I was a pagan who converted to Christianity and took the place of the priest whom I had hid in my house when persecutors came. St. Alban

8. According to legend, I once reversed the flow of a river and saved a child from execution by controlling the winds which carried him to me. St. Agnus MacNisse

9. I was the Empress of Rome when I walked over pieces of red-hot iron without injury. My husband and I lived a celibate marriage. St. Cunegunda

10. I am known as the first bishop of Jerusalem and the author of the first Catholic epistle. I witnessed the Resurrection. St. James the Lesser

11. I was a missionary priest in Hawaii. I volunteered to work in the leper colony on Molokai and gave my life to make theirs better. Bl. Damien de Veuster

12. I participated in the 1st Crusade to the Holy Land after I was ordained a bishop. St. Peter of Anagni

13. I once hid in a cave with wild animals that came to me for cures. The Church has a special throat blessing on my feast day. St. Blase

14. I was beheaded when I refused the advances of a man. My head was later restored and a well sprang up where my head had fallen. St. Winifred

15. I was an acolyte who died while protecting the Eucharist; upon my death the Eucharist disappeared so my attackers could not touch it. St. Tarsicius

16. I suffered from a rare skin disease which disappeared upon my ordination to the priesthood. St. Francis Caracciolo

17. While my brother monks referred to me as “the gaper” due to my often blank stare, I am also known as the flying saint. St. Joseph of Cupertino

18. Though Henry VIII knew me as the “holiest woman in England,” he exiled me from his royal court when I opposed his marriage to Anne Boleyn. He later beheaded me after my son (a Cardinal) denied his Act of Supremacy. Bl. Margaret Pole

19. I founded the Redemptorist Congregation after many struggles. During the later part of my life I suffered greatly from rheumatism. St. Alphonsus Marie Ligouri

20. With the help of my many visions of Jesus, I established the feast of the Sacred Heart despite the opposition of my mother superior. St. Margaret Mary Alocoque

21. I was a Ugandan who converted to Christianity and helped to protect many young men from my chieftain who later killed us for our faith. St. Charles Lwanga

22. I had the ability to see guardian angels and I was known as “one of the most brilliant theological minds of [my] time.” St. Catherine of Siena

23. I lived in the desert and fasted for 80 years. St. Bengamin the Great of Nitra

24. I was a Vietnamese citizen who was arrested for being a Christian. I briefly gave up my faith, but regained it only to be flogged to death. Bl. Thomas Toan

25. I am said to have re-attached a child’s leg which fell off when the child kicked his mother in front of me. I often help people find things. St. Anthony of Padua

26. I was a spoiled rich kid who wanted to become a knight and ended up repairing the Church and living a life of complete simplicity. St. Francis of Assisi

27. I declined an invitation by the Pope to take charge of an order of nursing sisters but later started the Ursulines, a teaching order for girls. St. Angela Merici

28. I was a housekeeper for a wealthy family and used their resources to donate to the poor. I found real joy in my work. St. Zita

29. I married a wealthy man, but gave generously of our resources, even to the point of bathing the sick with my own hands. St. Zedislava of Lemberk

30. My mother taught me how to dedicate my life to God and built a monastery for me. I lived in holiness to be 118 years old. Bl. Gregory of Verucchio

Just a few short days

till Denver for the National Convention for Diocesan Vocation Directors.

Very much looking forward to it.

Thank God for Vestments

From a good idea gone horribly wrong.

Fr. V's gone and done it!

His 'Guest Blogger C' has given priests the 'list of what to preach on' which will take what, I think, 15 years to accomplish!

Basically, it is the list that priests think people know, but in reality most are clueless.

One favor to ask: if he starts hitting these and gets the flack, make sure you support him by writing to the Bishop and saying 'My, it is wonderful how Fr. X is really calling us all to conversion!'

Rest in Peace

Word comes that Fr. David Heinl of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati passed away this morning. He was ordained in 1957. Please keep him in your prayers.

Stunned, Absolutely Stunned!

So, we had our little event last night.

I had heard increasing buzz from different sectors leading up to the Call of the King Conference, and I was getting hopeful. Optimistically, I was thinking around 200 total for the event would be outstanding.

I was wrong. Way Wrong!

Finally tally was around 350-375!

As we started the Holy Hour at 6:00, there were maybe 40 in the Chapel at the Center. Ok, I thought, it is a start, we'll see how it goes.

I was kneeling in front of the Monstrance and leading the rosary, slowly the volume level started to build.

I gave a short reading from Hebrews and a reflection, we were approaching 80 by that point, I would say.

The Litany of Vocations started to build and build. I was starting to get very excited.

Finally, Benediction and replacing the monstrance in the Adoration Chapel. There were fifteen minutes before the event 'started' and the crowd was swelling.

My feet were off the floor!

I saw all of our speakers, made a quick connection with them. I found a few of the team members and they were beaming. The Chant started playing over the sound system, the chapel was mostly quiet.

7:00 hit, and I approached the pulpit and turned. STUNNED! The chapel was FULL!

In my wildest dreams, I expected this size of a crowd in three years, not now. I talked to one team member after the event, she was in full out panic mode (in a good way): more coffee! we're out of folders! SEATS for everyone!

Then the talk started by Fr. Brausch. Engaging, intellectual, solid, and applicable.

Two seminarians followed him up and drove the point home, exactly!

Finally, Anne approached and didn't hit a home run, not even a Grand Slam; she hit a Grand Slam while also pitching a perfect game!

To all those who attended, thank you very much.

For all those who prayed for the event, without you it wouldn't have happened in such a dramatic way.

The conference was recorded, so CDs will be available shortly.

This was all for ourLord, for His priests, and what a wonderful gathering it truly was.

WOW!

As an added bonus...

So, first, how did I miss this yesterday when I knew it was going to be in the paper?

Renewed and refreshed - that is the prayer a group of Cincinnatians are wishing on their priests.

The new group, the St. Michael Prayer Warriors, will begin their prayer movement on Sunday with a "Call of the King" conference from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, 5440 Moeller Ave., Norwood.

"People will be praying for their parish and diocesan priests - for his holiness, for his renewal and for his energy," said the Rev. Kyle Schnippel, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Schnippel said the new ministry chose St. Michael because of his image as the leader of God's army.

"We wanted an identity of people coming together to fight for the faith - in big ways and in small ways," he said. "We believe prayer with intention to support priests and more vocations to the priesthood and religious life can have an impact."

Those interested in participating in this lay ministry can attend the free conference on Sunday. Visitwww.cincinnativocations.org for more information.

I mean, I was interviewed for the article and everything?  D'oh

Thanks to Rich for posting it yesterday.

An the added bonus?  Let's just say you might get the chance to talk to someone (or two) who have known me since before I was born.....

Just in case you're having that kind of week....

What Seminarians are reading

Word from the Dominicans of St. Joseph Province (East) highlights a new popular read among seminarians: The Hidden Enemies of the Priesthood.

You Know You're Catholic when....

My Little Saint has quite the extensive list of 'things that make you go hmmmm' in the Catholic world. Quite enjoyable.