When Bishop Zurek saw the Synod crowds, thanks to the gift of the Spirit of the Risen Lord, he guarded the place of Jesus, without replacing him: not putting filters on His presence, but making it easy to encounter Him; he went up the Sanctuary,
and after he had sat down on the Cathedra, the camera zoomed in on him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are those of whatever social rank, who recognize their complete dependence on God,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn over the unborn lost to abortion,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek who face climate change with a renewed sense of shared responsibility,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness to the point of becoming a “pest” in denouncing social, political and economic systems that exclude people and keep many in poverty,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful who realize that Communion is not a prize for the perfect,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart who move beyond political ideologies and vote with an informed conscience,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers who approach, speak, listen, look at, come to know and understand one another, and find common ground,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted out of social or professional circles – whether it be online, on social media, or in person for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when the Church insults you and persecutes you
and utters every kind of evil against you falsely because of Jesus.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
According to the Bishop’s Schedule, the Pastoral Center is closed and Bishop Zurek is not scheduled to be anywhere this All Saints Day. I assume he will be presiding at one of the four Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The Diocese of Amarillo is convoked in Synod! The path entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission” solemnly opened 9 days ago at St. Mary’s Cathedral during the 9:30 Mass.
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: One thing the Holy Father wants us to do is to dream. We all like to dream about maybe getting rich, being younger, or better looking. He wants us to look at the Church. How can the Church improve its evangelization? How can we be more Faithful in the second part of the great commandment? We all know well: Love God above all things. But, the second commandment is the difficult one: “Improve your love of God with your love of your neighbor.”
IV. Synodality in Action: Pathways for Consulting the People of God
Ten Thematic Nuclei to be Explored
V. CO-RESPONSIBLE IN THE MISSION
Synodality is at the service of the Church’s mission, in which all her members are called to participate. Since we are all missionary disciples, how is each Baptized person called to be a protagonist in the mission? How does the community support its members committed to service in society (social and political commitment, in scientific research and teaching, in the promotion of social justice, in the protection of human rights, and in caring for the Common home, etc.)? How do you help them to live out these commitments in a logic of mission? How is discernment about mission-related choices made, and who participates in it? How are the different traditions that constitute the patrimony of many Churches, especially the Oriental ones, integrated and adapted, with respect to the synodal style, in view of an effective Christian witness? How does collaboration work in territories where different sui iuris Churches are present?
