Buffalo Lake

Being a new pastor, Bishop Steven asked if I’d attend a pastor’s training workshop near the twin cities in Minnesota. Recognizing the goodness of ongoing formation, I gladly agreed.

So early last Sunday morning, White Horse and I hit the trail. Flying was an option. But that would’ve entailed traveling to a close airport, switching planes in Denver and renting a car to finish the trip. Simpler and more reliable to drive. Besides, diving allows you to see the beautiful countryside. 

 

12 hours later we arrived at Christ the King retreat center in Buffalo Lake MN. 

And true to Minnesota’s claim of 10,000 lakes, we sat right on the shore of the lake itself. 

Beautiful, prayerful grounds, with trees changing colors.  

It was a pretty intense five days. We engaged in about six hours of classroom discussion a day. A bit tough, as I’m out of practice. But very relevant information. The program itself was ran by the Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation, which is part of St. Paul’s Seminary. 

There was about 20 of us young pastors there. We’d start the morning off with a Holy Hour and celebrate Mass together around noon. 

Midday Friday is when all the fun came to a close and White Horse and I headed back west. 1600 miles in total. 

The reality is, we are all heading back into the fire. But that doesn’t mean we have to be consumed by it. Whether it’s the spiritual life in general, or pastoral administration in particular, with the right tools we can all remain peaceful and joyful in our relationship with the Father, no matter what our mission in life is or what the circumstances that surround us are. Special thanks to all involved in the IOCF for helping us be happy, holy, and healthy Catholic priests. 

Original Holiness

Childlike docility is how to receive well the tough teachings of Jesus Christ. 

           https://youtu.be/bpekME-5gUw         

Oil Change

Clean air and clean oil will make an engine run for a very long time. Usually I'll have the local Grease Monkey service my truck. But when I have time, I like to do it myself. 

I service White Horse about every 5,000 miles.

Your best bet is to warm the engine up before you dump the oil. That way it picks up any dirt and grime and sends it out with the oil. The oil also drains better when it's warm. 

While the oil is draining is good time to spin off the filter. An oil filter wrench usually comes in handy. 

While the oil is still trickling, I like to get a bit on my finger and lube up the new filter's seal. 

When the oil is down to a drip is when I spin on the new filter. Only go hand tight. There's nothing worse than trying to get off an over tightened oil filter. Such a case has sent more than one Catholic Cowboy running to the confessional!

Same scenario with the pan plug. Wait till dripping and don't over tighten. 

My 6.0 gasser takes six quarts of oil. I carefully dump in the first quart. Then cut the bottom off of it, turning it into a funnel for the rest of the oil. Usually I'll use 5W-30 semi-synthetic. But when available for cheap, I'll run full synthetic. 

Then fire the engine up and check the oil pressure and for any leaks.

While it's running is a good time to check the tranny fluid level, which can only be checked when the engine is running. 

After a few minutes of running, kill the engine and let the oil settle for an accurate dipstick check. In the meantime, is a good time to check the air filter. This era of Chevy's are notorious for stripping out the air filter boxes bolts. After mine spun out, I just ran in 1/4" lag bolts. Works for now. 

The filter looked pretty good. 

So I just blew it out with a little compressed air. When doing so, blow from the clean side back. This sends the debris heading in the right direction. 

By then, the engine oil is settled in the pan and you can get a good check on it. Looks topped off to me. 

On the road again. With a trip to Minnesota ahead of me, for some continuing education, the time was ripe to service White Horse. Clean air and oil are cheap vehicle maintenance that goes a long ways! Doing it yourself may not save much money, but it does give you the opportunity to look over your truck. The more eyes you have under the hood and under the chassis the more confidence you can have with your rig. White Horse is ready to run once again! Let us ranch. 

Dry Time

Fall is time to get ready for the winter months to come. Back in the old days that involved canning, which many folks still do today. I prefer drying. Not that I'm looking to preserve food for the winter, but I do like to take advantage of savoring fresh fruit. 

I was looking for this year's crop of apples at the Circle J Ranch in Tensleep Canyon, but they weren't ready yet. However, their pears were. If you can dry an apple, why not a pear? We first had to let them ripen a bit. 

Then we just sliced them and threw them on the ole dehy. 

While we were at it, I had a few oranges that we tried out. 

Why not?

About 36 hrs later they were moisture free. Kind of a fun taste. Definitely different. 

They pears dried up real nice. Much more fleshy than an orange. 

That works. 

Good stuff. I enjoy dried fruit. Particularly in the fall. It just has a close of summer and getting ready for winter feel. It's been a hot, dry, smoky summer. But in the midst of it, God still provides plenty of beauty to behold. And even better, to taste. Dried fruit is just another way to savor the sweetness of the Lord's bounty. 

Vindication

Proclaim the Kingdom of God and let the chips fall where they will.

           https://youtu.be/I7adzpY9Zns         

Angels

Thank God for our guardian angels!

           https://youtu.be/x_DFbsIk2tg         

Office

With the remodeling of the parish office space, we were able to designate a new area for the pastor's office. Office work isn't my favorite task, but it comes with being a parish priest. So I might as well do it in a space that's functional and efficient. 

In small parish life you have to work with what you got. Nothing here is new, only reimagined. 

Originally this area was used for anything involved in parish administration. Once we set up our wall defining parish office and living quarters, we were able to move this desk into old dining room. This enabled us to move the pastor's office into this space, making parish operations much more congruent. 

After I got my desk in position I adorned it with Sleeping St. Joe and my painted portrait of Chief. 

Next we hung up my credentials next to our Blessed Mother, who’s intercession got me through school. 

Should work.

Do drop in. I don't mind pushing a pen when duty calls. What I do enjoy is visiting with people. This is why we are ordained priests, to help our brothers and sisters walk through the good, bad, and ugly moments in life. If you got something on your mind, swing by. We'll have coffee. 

Lectionary

The book of Jeremiah not Jerome. 

           https://youtu.be/n-0hrL4gvSE         

Tug of War

Better to not get sucked in to the tug of war of who's right and who's wrong, and better to curtail sin.

           https://youtu.be/QJ3_9Nabjp8         

Paradise Ranch

I love being a parish priest. It gets you into the lives of so many cool people. Like Clay and Leah Miller, the owner and operators of the Paradise Guest Ranch next to the Big Horn National Forest west of Buffalo. I've known about their operation for a while, and today they invited me out to take a look see. 

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in Wyoming. Especially in the Big Horns, where the turning quaking aspen trees are breathtaking. 

Leah has been part of the ownership of the Paradise Ranch since 1984. The ranch itself was homesteaded as a cow camp operation back in 1905. But by 1907, it was already being ran as a dude ranch. Over the years, the 160 acres of deeded land surrounded by national forest service ground, has gone through many different owners and phases. Today, Leah and Clay do their best to preserve the integrity of the ranch that has been placed in their hands for caretaking. 40 years of ownership makes them the longest standing proprietors in the ranch's history.

Nestled among the ponderosa pine trees are all cabins and outbuildings necessary to make the guest ranch run. Including two buildings from the original homestead. 

Horses and pack trips are one of the main ranch attractions. In full swing, they'll have about 150 horses roaming around. 

As part of the week long adventure package is a rodeo that the guests are able to participate in, minus the rough stock. 

Aside from the horses and trail rides, there is much to do on the ranch itself. This pavilion is a popular hang out on the long summer evenings. 

This wagon wheel style cook stove is often grand central station once the sun goes down. 

The Millers are in the process of closing up for the winter months. Here is the dining room where stories are told and laughter is heard. 

It takes a work force to keep an operation of this magnitude on track. There are full time employees, some of which live up here year round. And summer help, many on college break and others who just like the mountain experience. 

Like Michelle, Leah's sister, and her two golden retrievers. Michelle has been a Godsend to the ranch's operation this summer. 

Over the river and through the woods is Clay and Leah's home. 

Recently completed, this little oasis allows the Catholic cowboy couple to retreat from the wildness of guest ranch living, while still being able to enjoy the beauty of the Big Horns. 

The magnificent stone fireplace was made from rock unearthed in the building of the house.

The personal touchstones around the home are many and varied. Like this rug tapestry made by Michelle for Leah. Lovely. 

The view off the front porch is amazing. This rock formation is what they call Fan Rock. 

Up on the hill is one of the hidden gems of the ranch. This chapel was built in memory of a young man who worked on the ranch, but was tragically killed on a visit back home. May his memory be perpetual. 

A beautiful view of Fan Rock out the front. 

And room for many faithful guests in the pews. 

What a gift from God the Paradise Ranch is. Both for Clay and Leah, and the many guests they are able to share it with. Stewardship is a most honorable virtue. It comes from the knowledge that everything we have has been given to us by God, and the responsibility to ensure that those gifts can be enjoyed by God's people for generations to come. Leah and Clay Miller, and all those involved in the Paradise Ranch, embody the virtue of stewardship. Keep up the Good work, y’all. You make America proud.