RENEW International recently completed its four-year engagement in the Diocese of Amarillo where parishes were engaged in Why Catholic? Journey Through the Catechism and ¿Por qué ser católico?
Over the years, RENEW’s presenters—Sr. Kass Collins, Alma Garcia, Sr. Pat Thomas, Dr. Laura Zane Kolmar, Anne Scanlan, and Manuel Hernandez—travelled to this mission diocese, which is small in number of parishes yet vast in area. There, they were met with enthusiasm by parish teams in both English and Spanish. To support this effort, RENEW partnered with Catholic Extension, an outreach organization that funds pastoral initiatives in less economically-developed areas of the U.S. Catholic Church.
Recently, Bishop Patrick Zurek extended his gratitude to RENEW’s staff in a gracious personal letter of thanks. He described the significant blessings of Why Catholic? for the people of his diocese—increased understanding of the Catholic faith, the desire to speak of faith to family and friends, more integration in parish life, and friendships among those of different ethnic groups.
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Bishop Patrick Zurek of the Diocese of Amarillo praised
RENEW International and Catholic Extension for bringing Why Catholic?/ ¿Por qué ser católico? to his mission diocese. |
“You made a bishop’s dream come true,’’ Bishop Zurek wrote. “You acknowledged the hunger and thirst of the people of a missionary diocese to participate in the same programs as parishes with greater means. You help us to realize that we are not alone, but are part of the beautiful, loving, caring, generous and evangelizing community known as the Universal Catholic Church.â€
You can support RENEW’s work in mission dioceses by making a tax-deductible donation.