Let Us Ranch

The time we have all been waiting for has arrived: Fr. Bryce Lungren, Pastor of St. John the Baptist in Buffalo and adjoining missions. Giddy up!

For years, White Horse and I have felt that Buffalo would be a good fit for us. So when Bishop Steven suggested this last spring, we were all game. For the past two months we have served as associate under Fr. Jim Heiser until he retired the end of last month.

So today it is official!

I am super thankful to Bishop Steven, Fr. Jim, and the People of God in Buffalo for all the behind the scenes work to make my transition here smooth. I'm excited to serve as pastor of Johnson county. Responsibility and creativity are two virtues that make the human person flourish. It's time to put them into action. Let us ranch!

Hypocrite

Jesus came to lead us into authenticity. 

           https://youtu.be/C9IG9ycBnBM         

Passion of John the Baptist

John had already died, that's why he wasn't afraid to speak the truth.

           https://youtu.be/KYR1FUzdpo8         

St. Monica

 Pray for us!

           https://youtu.be/XNMrt2eHtjM         

New Pasture

With a little pasture being located in Johnson County, it was time to move the horses. Five years the horses have bounced around Campbell County. It was fun to thank God for all the generous folks around Gillette who have homed Chief and Mollie. 

For the past couple of months the horses have been in at Sally Craig's place along Donkey Creek. 

Our first pasture in the spring was always at Mike and Nancy Fulton's.

For many years we would summer them with Bill and Joanne Fields. 

And of course, our many winters at Colleen Chauk's place.

So long to Campbell County, kids. She's been good to us. 

Off to the greener pastures of Johnson County. The Vignaroli's ranch along Clear Creek will be good starters. Got to get them used to the blazed sorrels across the fence first. 

Then introduce them to the catch pen and a little shelter. 

Before kicking them loose!

It's good to have the kids closer to home base. With fall coming on we can be ready to ride if we get the call to help round up. It's also nice to continue to button up things back in Gillette. Special thanks to all the good folks around Campbell County who have housed the horses over the years. We all appreciate it. Now we can explore County 16 in style. 

Ranchin Around

Wanting to scope out some pasture for my horses, I verntured out to the Vignaroli Ranch northeast of Buffalo. The grandson in charge, Jeremy Smith, and I ranched around while we were at it.

The nickname for the ranch is after Grandma Jean's middle name and was given to the place by Grandpa Larry, of happy memory.

The first order of business was to get a couple cows on the right side of the fence. So we jumped in their horse on wheels and hit the trail.

Finding the culprits in the trees by the creek, Jeremy pushed them back across the fence.

Then we jumped on Silver,

...and finished the job.

Once the sun was setting on the meadows,

...we headed back to the ranch for some home grown New York Strips. 

After a little smoke on the grill, Jeremy melted some Amish Butter in a skillet,  

...and threw them on for the final sear.

Precut and added some cooked asparagus,

...and we were ready to ranch!

Fun stuff. Jeremy's a good Catholic kid. We're about the same age and know a lot of the same people. The only problem is, his day job is in Texas. Hopefully we can get him back around here for good. The world needs more Catholic Cowboys!

Dependance

Follow Jesus' example and entrust ourselves to Mary!

           https://youtu.be/z5VVxpj2T6U         

 

Shipping Steers

A few years back, Nathan and Bridget Williams turned their family ranch into a yearling operation. Now, instead of calving cows, they fatten steers and heifers, getting them up to about 1000 lbs on grass before they sale them to a feedlot to be finished. Well, today was shipping day. 

Just northwest of Kaycee WY lies Mayoworth, a little community at the end of Hwy 191. 

Each year they build their bunch up of various cattle from around the country. After backgrounding them in the Worland area, they bring them over to graze the hay meadows and pastures of Johnson County for the summer. 

When Bridget isn't sitting a saddle and chasing yearlings, she's homeschooling her kids and assisting the parish council. 

Once we got them gathered in the corral, the trucks showed up.

The whole family was on deck for this final push. Levi not only rides and ropes, but is a hand on the ground too.  

They'd bring in about 20 at a time and weigh them before loading up. 

1013 lbs average. 

They really look good. Slicked off nice and stocky frame. 

Then it was time to load. 

My job was sorting and keeping the alley full. 

Their oldest son Ben was the sales rep on these steers. It was up to him line the trucks up and make sure all the numbers match. 

18 truck loads in total. These critters are bound for Scott City KS, where they will be finished on a corn ration before heading to the end of the trail in Dodge. 

Job well done. 

This was a fun day to see some new country. Great folks and cool operation. That's the beauty of ranching, there is no one-size-fits-all way of doing things. Each family has to discern what works best for them and the land the Lord has entrusted them with. For the Williams', that's running yearlings. Keep up the Good work, y'all. America depends on you. 

Catholic Cowboy Friends

One of the greatest aspects of being Catholic is already being friends with people you haven’t even met yet. Through our baptism and practice of the Faith, there is an interconnectedness within the People of God around the world that makes already family. Such was the gift behind my hanging out with some Catholic Cowboy friends in upstate Pennsylvania.

 

Paul and Susan Walters, from Sweet Valley PA, reached out to me a couple years ago. They had found my blog and wanted to encourage me in our Catholic Cowboy ministry. Since then we’ve kept in touch, and being this close to them with the recent retreat, I had to stop in.  

We started the day by celebrating Mass at their local parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 

Then, after a good ranch breakfast, we went out exploring. 

Venturing up to Wilkes-Barre, we stopped at a beautiful private shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. 

Then stopped at King’s College Chapel of Christ the King. This guy was originally a Presbyterian church that was later acquired by the Catholic Church. 

The entire church is stunningly beautiful. Especially the Altar made out of coal!

Near by, Jerry and his son were selling Krispy Kreme donuts to help support youth ministry efforts. Good work, boys. 

But my favorite stop was at Paul Scavone’s place. We met at Mass this morning and he shared that he used to hunt in the Big Horns Mountains. Cool. Then he randomly shared that he bought a 1949 Chevy from Dan Miller in Worland! I knew that truck well. So he pulled it out for me to see and drive. Wild!

Providence knows no bounds. What fun connections. No where other than in the Catholic Church can you take off running with friends you’ve never met before. I love it. Special thanks to Paul and Susan for showing me around upstate PA. Your friendship, support, and prayers have more value than we realize. Keep in touch and keep up the Good work!

Malvern Retreat

A year or so ago, Ken Johnston from Philadelphia PA and I did a radio interview about my book. After which, he asked if I’d be interested in leading their annual men’s retreat in Malvern PA. After a bit of prayer I thought, why not?

The city of brotherly love. 

I was here back in 2015 when Pope Francis came to town. The big papal Mass was held by the art museum. 

Once arrived, Ken and I had dinner with Fr. Doug McKay. Good men

Then settled in at the retreat center. Malvern Retreat House is a lay owned retreat center near Philadelphia. Founded in 1921, it is still going strong. 

Technically it’s called St. Joseph’s in the Hills. Beautiful grounds and buildings. 

About 125 men were at the three day retreat. Young and old. 

My goal was to teach the Catholic Cowboy Way. Worked out, I think. Three big talks, Three homilies, and many conversations in between. 

And of course, celebrate Mass each day. The source and summit of the Christian life. 

Thanks Blessed Mother. 

Fun stuff. I’m thankful for this opportunity. I probably received as much on the retreat as I gave. Special thanks to Ken and Fr. McKay. Sometimes a guy needs to get pushed into the deep end. On to the next one