You’re supposed to know that I love you
But it don’t matter anyway
If I can’t be there to control you
On a Sunday Jesus synodality went to a listening session with Bishop Zurek
at the church of one of the leading United Catholic Appeal Quota’d Parishes;
and the faithful and loyal disciples who always did what they were suppose to do were there, observing them carefully.
In front of them there was a man allowing “a few” non-UCA pledgers who were not part of them to join via Facebook.
Jesus spoke to Bishop Zurek in reply, asking,
“Are we suppose to dialogue over social media or not?”
But His Excellency, wanting to stay in control, kept silent; so Jesus took the man and,
after he had listened with an open mind and heart, without prejudices, to those on Facebook, dismissed him.
Then he said to Bishop Zurek
“If one of your brother priests or large pledgers were put in isolation in the hospital,
would you not use Social Media to stay in contact ?”
But he was unable to answer his question.
The Diocese of Amarillo is convoked in Synod! The path entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission” solemnly opened 5 days ago at St. Mary’s Cathedral during the 9:30 Mass.
IV. Synodality in Action: Pathways for Consulting the People of God
Ten Thematic Nuclei to be Explored
II. LISTENING
Listening is the first step, but it requires having an open mind and heart, without prejudices. To whom does our particular Church “need to listen to”? How are the Laity, especially young people and women, listened to? How do we integrate the contribution of Consecrated Men and Women? What space is there for the voice of minorities, the discarded, and the excluded? Do we identify prejudices and stereotypes that hinder our listening? How do we listen to the social and cultural context in which we live?
Bishop’s Conversation: Synod 2021 2023
The West Texas Catholic: We have begun the synod process here in the Diocese of Amarillo. I want to start by asking why the Holy Father is calling this synod.
Bishop Patrick J. Zurek: I think the Holy Father is looking at the situation in which the world finds itself, particularly the last two years, not just the pandemic but the reversal or loss of so many values—whether they are ecclesial church values or values in patriotism in a given country. Our society as a whole in many ways is sick. The Holy Father wants the Church to be a catalyst for personal conversion and the conversion of society, so we can serve each other again.
Is this Synod going to be all about us listening to Bishop Zurek telling us what he thinks the Holy Father is thinking?
