As a layperson at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Amarillo, why am I told, “If you pray, “Lord, we need a greater number of priests“, and pay a pledge to United Catholics Appeal, then there will be a, “curing of every disease and illness.“; but, when I am to told to pray, “Oh Jesus, give us priests, according to your Heart!“, and, “To this end, I…offer…suggestions that can help to inspire the lifestyle and activity of pastors.“, then I am told, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”❓
…all my
A letter from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek to the Faith Community at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo.
brother priests have given their lives for the service of the Gospel and the
mission of Christ as manifested through their ministry in the Church. They
are not seeking wealth or fame and certainly not power or control. They
became priests to serve you and help you to grow spiritually. They are here to
satiate your hunger and to quench your thirst.
Is it not the case that, “When parish priest sow the wind,
their parish shall reap the whirlwind“;…
…subsequently, doesn’t, “The parish that trusts in the Lord.“, also consist of baptized members who are not ordained as clergy;…
…therefore, “Alleluia, alleluia“, since
“…the Lord is the good shepherd, and
He knows His sheep, and His know Him, then,
“Alleluia, alleluia“,…
…then why ,when Jesus tells me, “…so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”, do I quickly assume that I’m just part of the crowd that are, “troubled and abandoned”, that can only pray and pay for a, “…greater number of priests” that will be moved with pity for me; consequently, doesn’t the introduction of this clericalism concentrate the harvest into the hands of a few laborers, and due to “the progressive disappearance of the laity, who, as a consequence of this clericalism, are obliged to withdraw from directly harvesting, will I not then be among the most vulnerable of laborers, and end up moving to spiritually poverty-stricken areas❓