Instead of asking “…where did the 1,973 children” and “1,053 volunteers go“, shouldn’t we in the Diocese of Amarillo first welcome the question, “Why did all these sheep scatter from the flock shepherded by Bishop Zurek❓
XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
How to be a missionary synodal Church
Part I – Relations
For the People of God: charisms and ministries
33.
“The journey so far has led to the recognition that a synodal Church is a Church that listens, is capable of welcoming and accompanying, and is perceived as home and family.“; subsequently, although I certainly welcome Deacon Blaine Westlake looking beyond our diocese’s Safe Environment cumulative data to derive some needed questions, but shouldn’t we, before going in search of our lost sheep, determine why those sheep did not perceive “as home and family” the Church which Bishop Zurek has been shepherding since “the high year of 2018“; indeed, did not “a good friend of” Bishop Zurek’s, “St. Augustine of Hippo, also a brother bishop”, tell us in today’s Office of the Readings, “Listen, sheep of God, listen and learn: God will call the bad shepherds to account for his sheep and for their deaths.“❓
“A need emerges in all continents concerning people who, for different reasons, are or feel excluded or on the margins of the ecclesial community or who struggle to find full recognition of their dignity and gifts within it.; consequently, is Bishop Zurek a good shepherd that can welcome any suggestion that even though the Amarillo Diocese is considered a “Safe Environment”, that doesn’t indicate that there are not some who “feel excluded or on the margins of the ecclesial community”; conversely, if God determines that Bishop Zurek is a bad shepherd that does not listen, and is incapable of welcoming and accompanying, should not Bishop Zurek make the necessary changes “God expects of the Church”, “lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.“❓
“This lack of welcome leaves them feeling rejected, hinders their journey of faith and encounter with the Lord, and deprives the Church of their contribution to mission“; furthermore, isn’t it possible that because only “an enlightened or chosen few” feel any welcome from Bishop Zurek that “Of the 49 diocesan parishes, sadly eight parishes reportedly do not have Christian Formation classes for children and youth” who need to learn that, “Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.“❓
Alleluia, alleluia,
“Bishop Zurek wishes to offer a special thanks to all Pastors, Principals, Christian Formation Directors/Coordinators, Youth Directors, Safe Environment Coordinators, Trainers, Teachers, Volunteers and Parents who worked so hard and continue to do so, year after year, to keep our parishes, schools and Catholic institutions a safe place for everyone, and most especially for our children“; nonetheless, since he didn’t make it a priority to attend the recent Diocesan Catechetical Event to welcome and praise volunteers in person for their work and role in the Catholic Church by calling them the “true force of the Church” and its “frontline leaders” as Pope Francis personally did on his recent visit to Indonesia; hence, can I not question whether or not Bishop Zurek cares about where or why the missing children and volunteers are, and if he believes Jesus’s words, “The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel“❓
Alleluia, alleluia
…accordingly, instead of making our Amarillo Diocese solely a place of welcome for: “Consecrated men and women”, “Deacons, Priests and especially for the Bishops”; those whose who want to become “Consecrated men and women”, “Deacons, Priests and especially…Bishops”; and the Pious Faithful who have “an incredible sense of Reverence for” “Consecrated men and women”, “Deacons, Priests and especially for the Bishops”; indeed, shouldn’t, we and especially Bishop Zurek” also show “Reverence” for those children and volunteers who did with their feet what Jesus commanded when he said,…
…”And as for those who do not welcome you,…”❓
