Thanksgiving

There are many options for the Mass readings for Thanksgiving Day. One of the options is the story of the ten lepers who were healed. Only one of them took the time to come back and thank Jesus for the healing.

How many times in our lives do we go along and forget to show our appreciation to God for all that he as done for us?  When things go wrong, many of us are quick to blame God. When things go right, we tend to reflect upon the great things that we have accomplished. 

I wonder if the nine healed lepers who did not return thought to themselves, "look how we've healed ourselves by asking Jesus for mercy"?

I want to challenge you this Thanksgiving to truly reflect upon all that you have. Reflect upon all that you have accomplished. Realize that none of it was done simply by your own efforts. You have accomplished them because of the talents God has given you. 

Let us take time this Thanksgiving to offer real thanks, not for the ability to gather for a nice meal or watch a football game, but for all of the blessing which have been bestowed upon us. 

Happy Thanksgiving and may God continue to bless you. 

Reflection shared with Billings Catholic School system

 Good Day to the Billings Catholic Schools Community.

I am Father Leo McDowell, the pastor of Saint Patrick Co-Cathedral here in Billings. Doctor McDonald and I were speaking the other day about ways for the pastors around town could make a connection with the Catholic schools families. The thought came up for the various pastors to write a reflection each month and I am the lucky guy who gets the first shot at this. 

With the elections just behind us, one of the themes that I hold dear is the need for us to love our neighbor as ourselves. This isn't just a message for election season, but for every day. It is so easy to get caught up in the moment that we see the "other side", whatever that may mean, as an enemy when in reality they are fellow pilgrims with us on a journey that we hope ends with us together in heaven. That should be our wish for everyone in our midst; our coworkers, our family, our neighbors, etc. It comes to making a distinction between loving someone and liking someone. Jesus never told us that we had to like everyone, but he did tell us that we need to love everyone (see Mark 12:28-34).

What does that mean? If we love someone we should wish what is best for everyone, even if we don't like them. We should treat everyone with respect, even in the midst of disagreement. We should pray for and with each other that we may run the race and wear the imperishable crown (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-25). 

On Friday, November 8th, we heard this reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians:

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters,
and observe those who thus conduct themselves
according to the model you have in us.
For many, as I have often told you
and now tell you even in tears,
conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Their end is destruction.
Their God is their stomach;
their glory is in their “shame.”
Their minds are occupied with earthly things.
But our citizenship is in heaven,
and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body
to conform with his glorified Body
by the power that enables him also
to bring all things into subjection to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,
in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

Let us not get distracted with earthly things, but keep ourselves focused on heaven where we will find our true citizenship. Let us do this by loving God with all of our being and loving our neighbor as ourselves. 

May God bless all of you, your families and your loved ones.

Voting Has Started

I had a post a few weeks back concerning CI-128. I spoke about my experience when dealing with women who have had abortions. While abortion is often portrayed as such, it is neither an easy answer, nor a painless answer.

I'd like to speak to a few thing in relationship to CI-128 in particular. (My friends and family in South Dakota may find similar concerns about South Dakota Amendment G.)

• Voting "no" will not end abortion in Montana.
• Voting "yes" will take away a parent's right to be involved in the health care decisions of their children.
• This also opens the door to an increase in child sexual abuse.
• It could also lead to more human trafficking in Montana
• Voting "yes" will introduce vague language into the constitution that will be litigated for many years and will cost taxpayers.
• Voting "yes" will eliminate reasonable protections built into current law to protect women.
• Voting "yes" will open the door for unsavory healthcare professionals to offer services.
• "Healthcare professionals" does not equal Medical Doctors

Listen to the Lawyer's perspective. 

Thoughts for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

 A letter I included in the parish bulletin this weekend. 

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi 2024

 

Dear Members of Saint Patrick Co-Cathedral,

Today we are celebrating the feast day of the great saint, Saint Francis of Assisi. When we look at his life, we see one who had much but gave it all up to the service of God. He heard the call of Christ to “Go, rebuild my church which is falling down.”  Saint Francis thought he was talking about the small church of San Damiano which was in ruins. After rebuilding the small church and a few others he came to the realization that God meant the Church. 

While He is not so blunt with us, Christ wants each of us to “Go, rebuild my church which is falling down.” Christ wants us to do what we can to evangelize the world. God wants us to make a difference in what is happening in our community, in our country and in the world.

As we approach election day, it is important for us to ask ourselves if we are voting in a way that promotes the greater glory of God or are we voting in a way that promotes our own glory. Francis gave up fame and fortune to follow Christ. He realized that when Jesus told his disciples that they would have to pick up their crosses and follow him it would not be an easy task. Sometimes we must take on a little sacrifice for ourselves in order for God’s will to be done. Let us ask Saint Francis to pray for us today as we get ready to make important decisions for our community, state and nation.

Yours in Christ,

 

 

Father Leo McDowell

Pastor

Election Time is Near

With proposed amendments to the state constitutions in Montana and South Dakota dealing with abortion on the ballot, I notice that some people seem to imply that women are in favor of abortion and men want to save the life of the unborn. They say that men must not have a say.  That it is because of men that abortion is not a norm in their states, or in the United States. There are many women who are pro-life. There are many women who have learned that the abortion that they had damaged them spiritual, emotionally and sometimes even physically. 

Being a priest who had spoken to many of these women in the confessional, I can tell you many wish that there were a few more roadblocks in the way. They regret their decision because they were not informed about all of the risks.  They were not informed about the options which included support for them and their baby after birth.

These women are reminded of that pain every year when the projected anniversary of the birth of their child comes around and they see other children and wonder where their child might have been today had they not made the choice to abort them.  They ask themselves, "how would they be celebrating the birthday now?"

I want to encourage you to vote against Montana CI-128 and against South Dakota Constitutional Amendment G. Do it for the life of the child. Do it for the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of the mothers.

There are some who would bring up the health of the mother. The Catholic church allows for treating a problem pregnancy.  There are treatments that do not intend to cause the death of the unborn child, but may put the life of that child at risk.  It is not the intention to kill the child.  I would refer you to the article from the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

Amendments to state constitutions which are not good for women.

With proposed amendments to the state constitutions in Montana and South Dakota dealing with abortion on the ballot, I notice that some people seem to imply that women are in favor of abortion and men want to save the life of the unborn. They say that men must not have a say. That it is because of men that abortion is not a norm in their states, or in the United States. There are many women who are pro-life. There are many women who have learned that the abortion that they had damaged them spiritual, emotionally and sometimes even physically. 

Being a priest who had spoken to many of these women in the confessional, I can tell you many wish that there were a few more roadblocks in the way. They regret their decision because they were not informed about all of the risks. They were not informed about the options which included support for them and their baby after birth. 

These women are reminded of that pain every year when the projected anniversary of the birth of their child comes around and they see other children and wonder where their child might have been today had they not made the choice to abort them. They ask themselves, "how would they be celebrating the birthday now?" 

I want to encourage you to vote against Montana CI-128 and against South Dakota Constitutional Amendment G. Do it for the life of the child. Do it for the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of the mothers. 

There are some who would bring up the health of the mother. The Catholic church allows for treating a problem pregnancy. There are treatments that do not intend to cause the death of the unborn child, but may put the life of that child at risk. It is not the intention to kill the child. I would refer you to the article from the National Catholic Bioethics Center

Sporadic update

It has been a while since I've posted anything to my blog. I want to let everyone know that I am still doing well. Earlier this month, I celebrated my 30th anniversary of my priesthood ordination. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I've been a priest that long. Having returned to Saint Patrick Co-Cathedral as the pastor a few years ago, it is like some thing from my first time here seem almost like yesterday. It has been a wonderful, joy-filled 30 years.

Covid vs Abortion

In the year (12 months) 2018 there were 619,591 abortions in the US. In the 18 months of COVID we have had 664,831 COVID deaths.

In New York State there have been 53,925 deaths from COVID. In 2017 there were 105,380 abortions.


In California there have been 66,247 deaths from COVID and in 2017 California had 132,680 abortions.


When one looks at these numbers we have to ask why we are not putting as much effort into stopping abortion as we are trying to stop COVID? Some in our government seem to think we should even be paying to put the unborn to death. We can see that many of those who want to close down cities and states to save lives that could be lost to COVID are the same ones who want to take the lives of the unborn.

Remembering those who have died in battle

This Memorial Day I'd like to especially remember the following who gave all fighting for their country.  I've been updating this list on Facebook each year as I make new discoveries. 

Sergeant William W. Smith was born about 1825 in Pennsylvania

4th great-grandfather

Died January 18, 1863 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee of wounds received at Stones River, Tennessee on December 31, 1862.

Private James Edward Mackerel was born in 1836 in Cork, Ireland

husband of 3rd great-grandmother

Died on August 3, 1864, in Andersonville, Georgia. He was 28.

Sergeant Washington Lafayette McCollam was born on August 1, 1842 in Middlesex, Pennsylvania 

4th great uncle

Died on May 22, 1864, in Andersonville, Georgia. He was 21.

Private John T Hanlon was born on April 3, 1898 in Hermosa, South Dakota

1st Cousin 2x removed

Died November 7, 1917, in Belgium. He was 19.

He was part of the Canadian Forces

Private 1st Class Charles Crawford Walker was born on March 28, 1918 in Chamberlain, South Dakota

2nd Cousin 2x removed

Died on June 15, 1944, in Manche, France. He was 26

Private 1st Class Donald Dean Peckman was born March 3, 1924 in Kearney, Nebraska

Husband of my 2nd Cousin 1x removed

Died November 3, 1944 in France. He was 20

Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Donald Davis Crawford was born about 1925 in South Dakota

2nd Cousin 2x removed

MIA, declared dead November 25, 1944 in the Pacific Theater. He was 19.

Private Thomas Maynard Black was born on November 11, 1925 in Davenport, Iowa

3rd Cousin 2x removed

Died March 3, 1945, in the Pacific Theater. He was 19.

TSgt Jack Highland Maltsberger was born on September 17, 1928 in Lake Stevens, Washington

Husband of 2nd cousin 2x removed

Died March 18,  1953 Plane crash Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He was 24.

Captain Thomas Edward Nichols was born on April 1, 1938, in Abilene, Texas

3rd cousin 2x removed

Died on February 1, 1969, in Tân An, Long An, Vietnam. He was 30.

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Thomas Edward Brown was born on September 26, 1941 in Davenport, Iowa

4th Cousin 1x removed

MIA, declared dead April 29, 1966 in North Vietnam. He was 24.

New assignment

On the weekend of April 11, 2021 Father Robert Grosch, the parish priest at Saint Patrick Co-Cathedral in Billings announced his upcoming retirement, effective June 30th.   I am excited to announce that I'll be appointed as the new pastor, effective July 1. I am excited to be returning to Saint Patrick. This was my first assignment as a newly ordained priest.  Please pray for Father Bob as he transitions away from active parish ministry.  Please pray for me as I prepare to make the move to return to Saint Patrick. Pray for Deacon John Pankratz who will be ordained to the priesthood on June 24th and will become the parochial vicar at Saint Patrick.  Father Garrett Nelson will assume the role of pastor at our present assignment at Saint Mary in Livingston.