This past December, while attending the National Youth Conference for adults, I again was able to attend several workshops that gave me a much needed boost and some new insights.

In one of the workshops the word "fractal" came up. I was somewhat embarrassed that, being a former math teacher, this was a word with which I was unfamiliar. However, there were several people in the group who knew a little about physics and they knew what a fractal was. They explained it as being "something of the bigger picture."

The example they used was that a leaf taken from a tree, if examined very closely, would actually resemble the tree.

As I thought about this, I began, in my own special little way, to realize that we are all fractals. We were created in the divine image -- in likeness with God. With this then, we are "something of the bigger picture."

As I thought more about this, I began to filter it down even further. Over the past several years Bishop Gilmore has called, challenged and invited us to dig deeper, to look into ourselves and find the deep down spirituality within us. We have all begun to do this through private prayer, reflection, Scripture, Adoration and in many other ways.

Through the "Called and Gifted" program, many of us have come to recognize our Charisms, and we have begun to use them for the betterment of the diocese. Bishop Gilmore has, and continues to challenge and lead us. We truly are on a powerful journey. In a sense, Bishop Gilmore has laid before us a plan and a vision -- a picture -- for the future of the Diocese of Dodge City. As people of Southwest Kansas, we are called to become something of this picture. Yes, we are all fractals of the Diocese of Dodge City.

I remain committed to the challenge that we must work together and help our youth and all people to more clearly realize that they too are part of the bigger picture. Their many gifts and talents, and most of all their presence, are needed in this wonderful Church of ours.

Jesus gave us the Gospel message, and we are called to not only live it, but to proclaim it as well. We are the Body of Christ. We are something of the bigger picture – Christ.