Starting Anew From the Truth (Part 1)

…and the rich he has sent away empty.

LK 1:53

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #226 in that regard:

CHAPTER SEVEN

PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER

STARTING ANEW FROM THE TRUTH

226. Renewed encounter does not mean returning to a time prior to conflicts.

Director of pontifical missions among El Salvador’s COVID-19 deaths
“He was like an octopus, that Father Estefan. He had a lot do and yet he always seemed to do it all well,” 

All of us change over time.

Churches, NGOs help Mozambicans displaced by Islamist insurgency
“These children have witnessed horrible things in their homes before they fled to the camp, including the deaths of their parents, siblings, friends and neighbors,” 

Pain and conflict transform us.

Memorial Day called a reminder to nation ‘we better protect’ our freedom
“For older people that have lived through wars … there’s a certain respect when it comes to the honor guard or the military service that you recognize the sacrifice that that individual made of their early life to serve and protect our freedoms. Younger people, however, I find that it’s a learning experience — and a good one, at that.”

We no longer have use for empty diplomacy, dissimulation, double-speak, hidden agendas and good manners that mask reality.

Catholic leaders: Biden budget aims to help vulnerable but excludes unborn
“There are aspects to President Biden’s budget proposal that will assist vulnerable people. However, Congress must reject the administration’s proposal to subsidize the deaths of unborn children,”

Those who were fierce enemies have to speak from the stark and clear truth.

There has been a
lot of unrest in the Cathedral parish for the last few months; actually, in
reality, for some decades.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, “A Reflection on Christian Life”

They have to learn how to cultivate a penitential memory, one that can accept the past in order not to cloud the future with their own regrets, problems and plans.

Commentary: Accompaniment and care make the real difference
“That is the reason why, at the end of your earthly existence, in the evangelical perspective, you will be welcomed by the many patients, children, boys and girls, teenagers, you helped when they were in the ward. We will be judged on charity, with the certainty that God’s mercy is greater than our frailties, limitations, sins. This is what the Gospel tells us.”

Only by basing themselves on the historical truth of events will they be able to make a broad and persevering effort to understand one another and to strive for a new synthesis for the good of all.

First person: The irreplaceable friend and pastor COVID-19 claimed
“If something happens to me,” meaning if he died, “will you come?”

Every “peace process requires enduring commitment.

A Quiet Place Part II
With nothing new to reveal about the marauders and their behavior — anyone seeking a parable about the COVID-19 pandemic will be left disappointed — the sequel merely repeats familiar sci-fi tropes.

It is a patient effort to seek truth and justice, to honour the memory of victims and to open the way, step by step, to a shared hope stronger than the desire for vengeance”.[209] 

As the Bishops of the Congo have said with regard to one recurring conflict: “Peace agreements on paper will not be enough. We will have to go further, by respecting the demands of truth regarding the origins of this recurring crisis.

We lose the capacity to realize
“I, as a lay person, do not always have all the knowledge”; while it is quite
probable that the deacon, priest or bishop has a much fuller picture of what is
actually happening.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, “A Reflection on Christian Life”

The people have the right to know what happened”.[210]

“The Glenn” in conjunction with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform has pledged to develop a Laudato Si’ Plan, which we can use to discern and implement our response to Laudato Si’. This part of the blog will update readers on this journey.

What world do we want to leave to our children and our young?
On 25 May, the new Laudato Si Platform for Action was presented in Rome. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will”.
Keeping bees is part of our Laudato Si’ plan
Annual Garage Sale
Amarillo—The St. Faustina Ladies Group at St. Hyacinth Church will conduct its annual Garage Sale over two weekends—Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 and continuing Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7. 

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking our shepherd “under the dome, ” ‘As people of Faith, we know God is far greater than this enduring pandemic; but how does a ‘quota’ teach us how to cultivate a penitential memory, one that can accept the past in order not to cloud the future with our, ‘under the dome’, regrets, problems and plans?”

Eastern Christian fresco of the Visitation in St. George Church in Kurbinovo, North Macedonia

I ask Blessed Mother Mary, St. Elizabeth and her son St. John the Baptist to pray that those of us in the Diocese of Amarillo, but especially those at St. Mary’s Cathedral and “the few” ,  base ourselves on the historical truth of events that have occurred at the cathedral, and that we will be able to make a broad and persevering effort to understand one another and to strive for a new synthesis for the good of all.

A View From the Glenn

Finding Paths of Encounter in the Diocese of Amarillo

Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.

Mk 11:29

Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #225 in that regard:

CHAPTER SEVEN

PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER

225. In many parts of the world, there is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds.

At urging of U.S. bishops, Catholic leaders to meet on immigration
“I think the church needs to have a clear teaching and moral voice (on immigration), just as we do about abortion and other issues,” 

There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.

Pope orders visitation of Archdiocese of Cologne
“We as Catholic laity assume that the discussions with the visitators will of course be conducted with the diocesan leadership, employee representatives and lay representatives,”

“The Glenn” in conjunction with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform has pledged to develop a Laudato Si’ Plan, which we can use to discern and implement our response to Laudato Si’. This part of the blog will update readers on this journey.

The Aji Amarillo is part of our Laudato Si plan
What world do we want to leave to our children and our young?
On 25 May, the new Laudato Si Platform for Action was presented in Rome. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will”.
Paul VI in early 1969

Pope Saint Paul VI, your authority was questioned when you wrote your Encyclical, Humanae vitae, but as you stated on the eve of it’s publication, “Don’t be afraid, in twenty years time they’ll call me a prophet.”[114] On this your Memorial Day, I ask that you pray that we see our current questioning of the encyclical, Laudato si’, as a questioning of God’s moral authority present in all of the social teaching of the Church.

Worship Prayer Movie Night
Panhandle
There is also a simple meal served during a movie chosen for its relativity for Faith and the modern world, 

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking our shepherd “under the dome “, “How can, ‘we stand today
with a profound sense of hope, in the vaccines’, and meet your ‘quota’, when there is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds caused prior to the pandemic?”

I pray that those of us in the Diocese of Amarillo, but especially “the few” , become prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.

A View From the Glenn

Recovering Kindness in the Diocese of Amarillo (Part 2)

When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;

it was not the time for figs.

Mk 11:13

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #224 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

RECOVERING KINDNESS

224. Kindness frees us from the cruelty that at times infects human relationships, from the anxiety that prevents us from thinking of others, from the frantic flurry of activity that forgets that others also have a right to be happy.

Rosary marathon to end with prayers that Mary undo ‘knots’ tied by COVID-19
“The choice of this image represents a special prayer that Our Lady would intercede to untie the sufferings that have bound the world in this time of crisis”

Often nowadays we find neither the time nor the energy to stop and be kind to others, to say “excuse me”, “pardon me”, “thank you”.

Vaccine proof beats full house in poll on post-COVID-19 sports attendance
“Sports fans seem cautiously optimistic, but also seem to favor precautions regardless of the official relaxation of restrictions over the last month.”

Yet every now and then, miraculously, a kind person appears and is willing to set everything else aside in order to show interest, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference.

South Carolina monasteries adjust to life under the pandemic
“Our spirituality is that we see Christ in the other person as we bring Christ to the other person, so we’ve missed that,”

If we make a daily effort to do exactly this, we can create a healthy social atmosphere in which misunderstandings can be overcome and conflict forestalled.

On Memorial Day, trumpeter to mark a year of playing ‘Taps’ daily
“I know some people have heard it. I’ve gotten thank-you’s from some people, but I truly don’t do it for (recognition),”

Kindness ought to be cultivated; it is no superficial bourgeois virtue.

Cruella
Adults who want nothing more than to watch two gifted actresses camp it up will likely be satisfied with director Craig Gillespie’s glossy romp “Cruella” (Disney). Parents on the lookout for safe family fare, not so much.

Precisely because it entails esteem and respect for others, once kindness becomes a culture within society it transforms lifestyles, relationships and the ways ideas are discussed and compared.

Profile
It recounted her effort to infiltrate the online recruitment process by which ISIS drew Europeans to join their campaign of terror in the Middle East. The project eventually proved so perilous that Erelle not only had to change her name but still lives under 24-hour police protection.

Kindness facilitates the quest for consensus; it opens new paths where hostility and conflict would burn all bridges.

“The Glenn” in conjunction with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform has pledged to develop a Laudato Si’ Plan, which we can use to discern and implement our response to Laudato Si’. This part of the blog will update readers on this journey.

Today would have been Dad’s 87th birthday
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Amen.
What world do we want to leave to our children and our young?
On 25 May, the new Laudato Si Platform for Action was presented in Rome. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will”.
Knights Councils Announce Golf Tournaments
Hereford/Amarillo/Canyon—Three Knights of Columbus Councils in the Diocese of Amarillo will conduct golf tournaments this summer.

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking our shepherd “under the dome “, “Don’t you think that during these, ‘extremely challenging times‘, the ‘quotas’ on parishes are, ‘nothing but leaves’ on a barren fig tree?”

Today I pray that Jesus finds the fruit of kindness growing on those of us in the Diocese of Amarillo, but especially on “the few” , who need it to facilitate the quest for consensus and open new paths where hostility and conflict would burn all bridges.

A View From the Glenn

Recovering Kindness in the Diocese of Amarillo (Part 1)

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.

Mk 10:48

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #223 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

RECOVERING KINDNESS

223. Saint Paul describes kindness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).

Darkness does not mean devil has won, pope says at audience
“In prayer, it is God who must convert us, not we who must convert God,”

He uses the Greek word chrestótes, which describes an attitude that is gentle, pleasant and supportive, not rude or coarse.

USCCB president explains how planned discussion on Eucharist was set
“As you will note, the focus of this proposed teaching document is on how best to help people to understand the beauty and mystery of the Eucharist as the center of their Christian lives,” 

Individuals who possess this quality help make other people’s lives more bearable, especially by sharing the weight of their problems, needs and fears.

Commentary: A perfect time to become sanctuary parishes and save lives
We have more than 16,700 Catholic parishes in the country that could become sanctuary communities providing reliable information, hosting vaccination clinics and being safe spaces where vulnerable people’s fears are no more.

This way of treating others can take different forms: an act of kindness, a concern not to offend by word or deed, a readiness to alleviate their burdens.

Church and faith imagery add sparkle to Chicago writer’s diverse canon“
As usual, I’d saved the deadly sins for last: the lies and copied homework, snitching drinks, ditching school, hitchhiking … Before I reached the dirty snapshots of Korean girls, stolen from my war-hero uncle, Uncle Al, and still unrepentantly cached behind the oil shed, Father B knocked and said I was forgiven.

It involves “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement” and not “words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn”.[208]

“The Glenn” in conjunction with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform has pledged to develop a Laudato Si’ Plan, which we can use to discern and implement our response to Laudato Si’. This part of the blog will update readers on this journey.

What world do we want to leave to our children and our young?
On 25 May, the new Laudato Si Platform for Action was presented in Rome. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organizations, and “all men and women of good will”.
Assignments Announced For Three Priests
Two priests have been given new assignments and a third has been granted retirement, according to Bishop Patrick J. Zurek.

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking our shepherd “under the dome “, “Wouldn’t doing away with the “quota” from the United Catholic Appeal make your parishes’ lives more bearable, especially by sharing the weight of their problems, needs and fears?”

Today I ask Saint Augustine of Canterbury to pray that “the few” , who like Bartimaeus were rebuked for not remaining silent, develop the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness so that they can be heard “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement” 

A View From the Glenn

Supporting “Consumerist Individualism” with the “quota”

“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

Mk 10:35

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #222 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

RECOVERING KINDNESS

222. Consumerist individualism has led to great injustice.

Pope asks all Catholics to step up commitment to saving creation
“We can all collaborate, each one with his own culture and experience, each one with her own initiatives and capacities, so that our mother Earth may be restored to her original beauty and creation may once again shine according to God’s plan,”

Other persons come to be viewed simply as obstacles to our own serene existence; we end up treating them as annoyances and we become increasingly aggressive.

Southern Madagascar drought leads to starvation; pandemic complicates aid
“Drought, sandstorms, plant and animal pests and diseases, and the impact of COVID-19 have caused up to three-quarters of the population in the worst-affected Amboasary-Atsimo district to face dire consequences,” 

This is even more the case in times of crisis, catastrophe and hardship, when we are tempted to think in terms of the old saying, “every man for himself”.

Haitians granted reprieve with immigration extension to stay in U.S.
…the decision “acknowledges the serious challenges facing the island nation, including widespread violence, civil unrest, political instability, and food insecurity,” as Haiti is widely recognized as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Yet even then, we can choose to cultivate kindness. Those who do so become stars shining in the midst of darkness.

Prayers for healing, justice mark ‘painful’ anniversary of Floyd’s death
“We need more than reform of the criminal legal system; we need to reimagine public safety in a way that upholds racial equity and human dignity.”

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “Doesn’t your focus on us doing whatever the “quota” asks of us create a situation in which other persons come to be viewed simply as obstacles to your own serene existence?”

Today I ask Saint Philip Neri to pray that instead of becoming increasingly aggressive when we are treated as annoyances, that “the few” are graced with the humor needed to cultivate kindness and thus become stars shining in the midst of darkness.

A View From the Glenn

Renouncing the “quota” for the Common Good

“We have given up everything and followed you.”

Mk 10:28

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #221 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

A NEW CULTURE

The joy of acknowledging others

221. Such a covenant also demands the realization that some things may have to be renounced for the common good.

Draw lessons from St. Ignatius’ cannonball experience, pope says
“discernment does not consist in always succeeding from the beginning, but rather in navigating and having a compass in order to be able to set out on the path — which has many twists and turns — but always allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, who leads us to the encounter with the Lord.”

No one can possess the whole truth or satisfy his or her every desire, since that pretension would lead to nullifying others by denying their rights.

Catholic Palestinian gets kidney transplant from slain Jewish Israeli
 “Here we must all, Christians, Muslims and Jews, strive for peace. I don’t distinguish between Christian, Muslim or Jew — we are all human beings.”

A false notion of tolerance has to give way to a dialogic realism on the part of men and women who remain faithful to their own principles while recognizing that others also have the right to do likewise.

Federal money will help Catholic, other schools narrow online homework gap
“Certainly it’s a huge opportunity for schools to be able to provide for those students and teachers who don’t have effective equipment at home to be able to engage in learning virtually and for the student for the ability to do their homework effectively — even if they go back to school permanently — for many of the students they may be two or three kids trying to share a computer at home,”

This is the genuine acknowledgment of the other that is made possible by love alone.

We have to stand in the place of others, if we are to discover what is genuine, or at least understandable, in their motivations and concerns.

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “Do you believe you possess the whole truth, and that the UCA “quota” can satisfy your every desire?”

Cropped portrait from The Last Chapter by J. Doyle Penrose (c.  1902), showing Bede finishing his translation of the Gospel of John on his deathbed
Gregory VII
17th-century miniature by Josefa de Óbidos (1630-1684).

Today I ask Saints Bede, Gregory VII and Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi to pray that a false notion of love and unity gives way to a dialogic realism on the part of those “under the dome” who remain faithful to their own principles while recognizing that “the few” also have the right to do likewise.

A View From the Glenn

Creating an Earthly Paradise

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Jn 19:27

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #220 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

A NEW CULTURE

The joy of acknowledging others

220. Indigenous peoples, for example, are not opposed to progress, yet theirs is a different notion of progress, often more humanistic than the modern culture of developed peoples.

Say ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit, ‘no’ to divisive ideologies, pope says
“The church is human, but it is not merely a human organization, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” he said. “Jesus brought the fire of the Spirit to the earth, and the church is reformed by the anointing of grace, the gratuity of the anointing of grace, the power of prayer, the joy of mission and the disarming beauty of poverty. Let us put God in first place!”

Theirs is not a culture meant to benefit the powerful, those driven to create for themselves a kind of earthly paradise.

France to mark 150th anniversary of anti-religious Paris Commune
“It sought to erase the Catholic Church from the public domain and view its functionaries as just private citizens, bound by unconditional loyalty to the prevailing power. This is what provoked such conflict.”

Intolerance and lack of respect for indigenous popular cultures is a form of violence grounded in a cold and judgmental way of viewing them.

No authentic, profound and enduring change is possible unless it starts from the different cultures, particularly those of the poor.

A cultural covenant eschews a monolithic understanding of the identity of a particular place; it entails respect for diversity by offering opportunities for advancement and social integration to all.

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “Is not Bishop Zurek’s letter to St. Mary’s Cathedral, “A Reflection on Christian Life”, a form of violence grounded in a cold and judgmental way of viewing “the few”?”

Today I ask Saint Mary, Mother of the Church to pray that, “under the dome” the realization that a cultural covenant eschews a monolithic understanding of the identity of a particular place; it entails respect for diversity by offering opportunities for advancement and social integration to all.

A View From the Glenn

The Consequences of the “quota”

“Master, who is the one who will betray you?”

Jn 21:20

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Mass in the Morning

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #219 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

A NEW CULTURE

The joy of acknowledging others

219. When one part of society exploits all that the world has to offer, acting as if the poor did not exist, there will eventually be consequences.

Vatican revises synod process, beginning with local consultation
“The Second Vatican Council teaches that the people of God participate in the prophetic office of Christ. Therefore, we must listen to the people of God, and this means going out to the local churches.”

Sooner or later, ignoring the existence and rights of others will erupt in some form of violence, often when least expected.

Pope calls for prayers for forgiveness, coexistence in Holy Land
“May every community pray to the Holy Spirit ‘that Israelis and Palestinians may find the path of dialogue and forgiveness, be patient builders of peace and justice, and be open, step by step, to a common hope, to coexistence among brothers and sisters,’” 

Liberty, equality and fraternity can remain lofty ideals unless they apply to everyone.

Byrnes: Faith of Guam’s Catholics has remained resilient through pandemic
“Our people love the Eucharist. They really do. There are so many places that have adoration,” Archbishop Byrnes said, adding that the faithful may not fully understand the theology of Real Presence, but in their hearts, they know.”

Encounter cannot take place only between the holders of economic, political or academic power.

U.S. bishop echoes cardinal’s call for prayers for the people of China
“Let me be clear — it is the Chinese Communist Party that has been responsible, not the people of China, and no one should respond to this crisis with racial hatred toward the Chinese,” 

Genuine social encounter calls for a dialogue that engages the culture shared by the majority of the population.

It often happens that good ideas are not accepted by the poorer sectors of society because they are presented in a cultural garb that is not their own and with which they cannot identify.

A realistic and inclusive social covenant must also be a “cultural covenant”, one that respects and acknowledges the different worldviews, cultures and lifestyles that coexist in society.

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Welcome back home!

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “Are you prepared for the consequences of the “quota”?”

Patron Saint of the Impossible, abused wives and widows

Today I ask Saint Rita of Cascia to pray that, “the dome” learns that encounter cannot take place only between those under “the dome.” Genuine social encounter calls for a dialogue that engages the culture shared by the majority of the diocese.

A View From the Glenn

“Bishop Zurek, do you love me more than these?” “Not!”

“…you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; …”

Jn 21:18

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #218 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

A NEW CULTURE

The joy of acknowledging others

218. All this calls for the ability to recognize other people’s right to be themselves and to be different.

Hearing mulls 2022 Winter Olympic boycott over China human rights record
“All of this has taken place and unfolded in plain sight. No one can claim (they didn’t know) before they set foot on Chinese snow next year” for the Olympics. If these abuses can’t generate a response, he added, “nothing else will, and shame on us.”

This recognition, as it becomes a culture, makes possible the creation of a social covenant.

UPDATE: High Court orders jailed Indian Jesuit to hospital for evaluation
Father Swamy “never complained about his health in the past months, but on May 14, for the first time, he spoke of his deteriorating health.”

Without it, subtle ways can be found to make others insignificant, irrelevant, of no value to society.

Spanish bishops denounce exploitation of migrants amid crisis
“Appealing to the supreme value of life and human dignity, remember that the despair and impoverishment of many families and minors cannot and must not be used by any state to exploit the legitimate aspirations of these people for political purposes,” 

While rejecting certain visible forms of violence, another more insidious kind of violence can take root: the violence of those who despise people who are different, especially when their demands in any way compromise their own particular interests.

Brood X cicadas don’t bug this Ohio Catholic university cicada expert
“We don’t know when the pandemic will end, but we know when Brood X will appear.”
Seminaries begin committing to sexual misconduct policy benchmarks
“Parents of seminarians are very concerned about making sure their sons are being sent to a safe environment. I believe that a good response in light of the McCarrick scandal is that we have basic protocols is place. So the benchmarks are a good start.”
From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Welcome back home!

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “Who shows more Love in the Diocese of Amarillo; the shepherd or the sheep?”

Apparently it is the lambs and sheep who show more love, because with the “quota” in place it is they who stretch out their hands,
and lets someone else dress them
and lead them where they do not want to go.

Today I ask Saint Christopher Magallanes to pray that, “the dome” acquires “the ability to recognize other people’s right to be themselves and to be different…Without it, subtle ways can be found to make others (such as ‘the few’) insignificant, irrelevant, of no value to” the diocese. Instead of a UCA with a “quota” that despises “people who are different, especially when their demands in any way” compromises the “particular interests” of those “under the dome, let’s create an UCA based on “pledges” that “makes possible the creation of a social covenant.”

A View From the Glenn

The “Quota” is the Lazy Way of Shepherding Our Diocese

“that they may be brought to perfection as one,…”

Jn 17:23

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In his Holy Week homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #217 in that regard:

CHAPTER SIX

A NEW CULTURE

Encounter that becomes culture

217. Social peace demands hard work, craftsmanship.

Perseverance is necessary for prayer, pope says
“Walk, walk, walk on and if you are tired, stop a little and then start walking again; but with perseverance.” 

It would be easier to keep freedoms and differences in check with cleverness and a few resources.

Indian priests in Arkansas worry about family as COVID-19 ravages homeland
“You know, we don’t need to just offer up just general prayers for these guys, but really show real empathy for what they’re going through; that they’re away from home, which is hard enough as it is, but they’re away from home right now in the midst of a true national crisis and tragedy that’s going on.”

But such a peace would be superficial and fragile, not the fruit of a culture of encounter that brings enduring stability.

Several U.S. dioceses set Pentecost as time to fully reopen
“Pentecost is the birthday of the church and a time when we should let the Holy Spirit guide our path. It is an appropriate time to take our next step forward to full reopening of our churches.” 

Integrating differences is a much more difficult and slow process, yet it is the guarantee of a genuine and lasting peace.

Mass Schedules For Parishes In The Diocese Of Amarillo
Amarillo—As the dispensation to attend Mass in the Diocese of Amarillo is being lifted by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek (see the tab, Lifting of Dispensation by Bishop Zurek, on the homepage of the diocesan website, amarillodiocese.org), here is the list of Mass Schedules for parishes in the Diocese of Amarillo. All Masses are in English unless otherwise specified.

That peace is not achieved by recourse only to those who are pure and untainted, since “even people who can be considered questionable on account of their errors have something to offer which must not be overlooked”.[206] 

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Nor does it come from ignoring social demands or quelling disturbances, since it is not “a consensus on paper or a transient peace for a contented minority”.[207] 

Catholic college graduations, like the academic year, have made changes
“The sacrifices you made have allowed you to grow as a person in ways that were unexpected. In this way, the pandemic shaped your education as it shaped you as well.”

What is important is to create processes of encounter, processes that build a people that can accept differences.

Kentucky group provides rosary-making supplies locally, globally
“It’s a prayer for a child, it’s a prayer for an adult, it’s a prayer for any and all times. … The rosary is something you can pick up — from under your pillow at night to when you’re driving or while you are walking or sitting,” 

Let us arm our children with the weapons of dialogue!

Deanery Retreats Being Booked NOW
“The Diocesan Youth Office continues to assist parishes that would like to host a deanery retreat with $350 for promotion and general assistance.”

Let us teach them to fight the good fight of the culture of encounter!

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Welcome back home!

From a Memo from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek Sent to All Diocese of Amarillo Priests in the Matters of Lifting the Covid-19 Dispensation

Today this “restless” and formally unrecognized catechist, is asking those “under the dome “, “When will we take on the hard work and craftmanship of building a diocesan budget on pledges instead of using the cleverness of the “quota” as an easy way out?”

Today I ask Saint Bernardino of Siena to pray that, “the dome” takes on the hard work of developing an United Catholic Appeal that promotes a culture of encounter that brings enduring stability instead of keeping freedoms and differences in check with a “Quota”. Although the present UCA is easy on “the dome”, it is superficial and fragile, not the fruit of Integrating differences, which is a much more difficult and slow process, yet it is the guarantee of a genuine and lasting UCA that has the ability to bring us to “perfection as one”.

A View From the Glenn