Post-Synodal Pastoral Letters for the Diocese of Dallas
Bishop Edward J. Burns invites the faithful to read his post-synodal pastoral letter series.
Introduction
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Blessed Pentecost to you!
These seven weeks of the Easter season have been a time of abundant grace for the Diocese of Dallas. The word Pentecost, derived from the Greek word pentekonta, meaning “fifty,” marks the fiftieth day after Easter. For the Israelites, it was a celebration fifty days after the Passover; for us, it is the fulfillment of that tradition in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Catechism beautifully proclaims that at Pentecost, “Christ’s Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 731).
When I celebrate Confirmation in our parishes, I remind the confirmandi that they are receiving the same Holy Spirit who descended upon the Apostles in the Upper Room. As the Spirit transformed their lives that day, He continues to transform ours.
Like the Apostles, who were filled with joy even amidst uncertainty, we are invited to place our trust in the Lord—to rely more deeply on His providence to animate our lives with love and mercy.
Our Diocesan Synod:
Rekindling the Zeal of Pentecost
When I initiated our diocesan synod in 2021, I urged us to rediscover the faith and trust of that original apostolic community: to call upon the risen Lord as they did, to beg Him to set our hearts ablaze with the zeal of the Holy Spirit, and to strengthen us to go forth and proclaim Christ crucified and risen—the only hope for the world. As our synodal journey continues, that prayer remains just as vital.
This synod has been, at its heart, a movement of renewal—a call to activate the faithful, rekindle our missionary identity, and restore the Diocese from within. The Church, though holy, is not without fault in her members and leaders. Yet we must never lose sight of the Spirit who guides and sustains her. The Church endures not by human strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit and “Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 766).
Let us not allow the gifts of the Spirit to lie dormant. These are divine graces, given through the sacrifice of Christ, and entrusted to us so that we may faithfully follow Him. As Ad gentes reminds us: “Let everyone know that their first and most important obligation for the spread of the Faith is this: to lead a profoundly Christian life” (Ad gentes, 36).
Disciples for Our Time
The Church and the world need faithful, courageous disciples—those who are bold, dedicated, and rooted in Christ, strengthened through the intercession of His Blessed Mother and encouraged by the lives of saints who have gone before us. Even amid daily responsibilities and worldly concerns, the laity are called to be powerful witnesses of the Gospel. “Even when preoccupied with temporal cares, the laity can and must perform a work of great value for the evangelization of the world” (Lumen Gentium, 35).
As we look ahead to the release of our synod pastoral plan in December, let us prepare ourselves spiritually to receive it with apostolic zeal. This mission is not optional—it was given to us at Pentecost.
On this Pentecost, I encourage you to recall that the Holy Spirit has equipped us for this mission. In Baptism we received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in Confirmation those gifts were strengthened and sealed.
These gifts—Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord—are not abstract. They are gifts meant to shape our lives and animate our Christian witness. When we are open to the Spirit’s movement, we become instruments of renewal, both in our hearts and in the world. Again, we cannot let these gifts lie dormant. It is important that we “fan into flame the gifts of God” that we have received (2 Tim 6).
True evangelization begins with knowing and embracing the Lord and the gifts He has entrusted to us. As Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium: “The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples… An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, He has loved us first” (EG 24).
Our Diocese is taking steps to address the needs surfaced through the synod. Yet real renewal demands more than policies—it requires transformation of hearts. St. Paul urges us: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2). May our diocesan and parish life reflect this inner conversion, rooted in the radical love Christ pours into us.
A Missionary Church, Sent Forth by Christ
Each of us has a unique role in proclaiming Christ. Our mission—rooted in our vocation and circumstances—is to bring the risen Lord to the world.
Clergy are entrusted with sanctifying God’s people through the sacraments and shepherding them through preaching and pastoral care. The laity, too, are charged with spreading the Gospel in daily life—through acts of charity, witness, and joyful fidelity. As Apostolicam actuositatem teaches, the laity should grow in love for their own diocese and parish, ever ready to support and collaborate in its mission.
The Church’s mission cannot succeed without your active participation. Your gifts, when received and cultivated, equip you to serve the Church and build up the Body of Christ: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone for profit” (Lumen gentium, 12).
God often works in unexpected ways. We must remain open to His will and attentive to the Spirit’s promptings. Now is the time to journey forward together—as one Church, one Diocese—guided by the Holy Spirit.
Let us never forget the words of the risen Lord: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Edward J. Burns
Bishop of Dallas
INTRODUCTION
Brothers and sisters, Christ has risen! This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice. Christ has triumphed over death for the salvation of our souls. We emerge from the desert of the last 40 days to accept the joyful promises of a future with our Risen Lord.
“Christ is the Light of nations” (Lumen gentium, 1). His love also enlightens our hearts. Through His resurrection, we set our eyes not on the things of earth but on Christ, and ultimately on life with Him for all eternity. Our Risen Lord has shown us that peace goes beyond conflict, that joy goes beyond sorrow, that courage goes beyond fear. Jesus Christ sustains us, and His love and mercy endure forever (Psalm 118:1).
We have a unique opportunity in this Easter season to reflect on and celebrate the gifts we have been given here in this Diocese. The Diocese of Dallas is filled with wonderful, engaged, and committed people. The vibrancy of faith present here in this Diocese will only continue to grow and flourish with the time, attention, and unified communal effort that our synod has nurtured. Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas are proud to be Catholic, and I want to make you ever prouder to be Catholic.
The fruits of our Synod will grow when we remain close to Our Lord; interior communion with Him is necessary. In light of this, I outline four actions to help us grow as disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ this Easter season, establish a stable community, and lead to continual flourishing as a Diocese.
- Renew your commitment to Jesus Christ.
- Renew your commitment to family life.
- Renew your commitment to the life of your parish.
- Renew your commitment to community.
RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO JESUS CHRIST
The Lord wishes to bring us closer to Him. We are deeply loved and valued by Our Lord. It is important for us to know and trust in God’s presence. He speaks to us always; we must learn how to listen. For this reason, I encourage you to cultivate a specific, daily prayer life that invites conversation with the Lord. Renew your commitment to Him.
Renewing our commitment to Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey of deepening faith, ongoing conversion, and active discipleship. At its heart, this renewal is a response to God’s love revealed in Jesus—a love that continually calls each person into deeper union with Him. Rooted in Baptism, the Christian is invited to continually say “yes” to Christ, not only through formal acts of faith but through daily life—by prayer, reception of the sacraments, moral living, and loving service to others. This renewal is not a one-time event, but a dynamic process shaped by grace and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
The Church teaches that this commitment must be personal and communal. In Christ, the Church finds her purpose and mission. Renewing our commitment means centering our lives on Christ: listening to His Word, encountering Him in the Eucharist, and allowing His love to transform our hearts. It also means recognizing the call to mission—to witness to the Gospel in everyday life and to be agents of Christ’s mercy and peace in the world. Ultimately, this renewal draws us into the heart of God’s plan: to be holy, to live in communion, and to bring others into that same loving relationship with Christ.
Establish a firm foundation of connection to the Word of God, as it will nourish and sustain us in the many seasons of our lives. Set aside time each day, even five to ten minutes if that is all your life allows, and offer to the Lord the sincere concern and hopes held in your heart. Ask the Lord for the grace to know what He wants of you, thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed, ask for forgiveness for the transgressions that separate you from Him, and offer your efforts for His glory.
While I served as the bishop of the Diocese of Juneau, Alaska, I marveled at how captains of vessels or anyone who would take their boat out onto the waters would always make sure that they knew their charted course, their timing, and how it related to the tidal charts. That is to say, they always knew the tides—low tide and high tide. They would never go out without checking all this information. At the same time, every pilot who ventured to take their plane on a trip always checked the weather. While the Inside Passage of Alaska is beautiful, it can be most treacherous. Pilots and captains always knew that before they ventured out, they always had to be prepared for the journey and take time to check in with a higher authority. I believe it is the case for the disciple of Jesus Christ: before venturing out into the world, we too need to prepare ourselves for the journey by establishing a strong relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and to renew our commitment to him. The struggles and the challenges that we face each day should be met with a fortified relationship in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to sustain us on the journey.
RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO FAMILY LIFE
As members of the church, we each serve others appropriate to our vocations. Priests are called to give of themselves to their parishes and pastoral work in a sacrificial way, to be Christ here on earth: “These ministers in the society of the faithful are able by the sacred power of orders to offer sacrifice and to forgive sins, and they perform their priestly office publicly for men in the name of Christ” (Presbyterorum ordinis, 2). The laity too are called to give of themselves to their families and communities in a sacrificial way, so that others may encounter the Lord by knowing them.
We know from our own experiences of growing up that we are shaped by the family and friends that are part of our lives. The people we encounter and are close to are the ones who form and shape us. We also form and shape others around us.
It is necessary to take these roles seriously and uphold our responsibility to those in our own families appropriately and well. The family holds a special role in the stability of our world as the domestic church. “Christian husbands and wives are cooperators in grace and witnesses of faith for each other, their children, and all others in their household” (Apostolicam actuositatem,11). For those who are married, attending to the needs of marriage is a way to grow in holiness and virtue. For those who are not married, participation in family life—supporting and being supported by parents, siblings, relatives, and close friends—is also of fundamental importance.
Our listening sessions and synodal discussions provided difficult reflections on the troubles that face families today, including division among family members who disagree. The Church asks us to respectfully and lovingly engage with those in our family who may think or act differently from us in social, political, or even religious matters: “This love and good will, to be sure, must in no way render us indifferent to truth and goodness. Indeed love itself impels the disciples of Christ to speak the saving truth to all men. But it is necessary to distinguish between error, which always merits repudiation, and the person in error, who never loses the dignity of being a person even when he is flawed by false or inadequate religious notions” (Gaudium et spes, 28). Growing in this skill can begin by deepening connections across divisions especially in our own families.
Love your family members. Strengthen your relationship with them and renew your commitment to them. This can be done simply by visiting them, hosting them, spending time with them. Find shared interests that can foster real connections. Spend time with the older generations within your family, as well as the younger generations. Find opportunities to create shared memories that can serve as a foundation for enduring difficulties together. Together we can begin to attend to the needs of the world by attending to the needs of those closest to us.
Then, invite your family members to pray with you. Take the relationship that you have with your family members to the spiritual level. After having grounded yourself in a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and the right words. When you speak to your family, do so from the heart. Share why prayer matters to you, how it helps you feel closer to God, and how you’d love to share that connection with them—not out of obligation, but out of love.
It helps to begin with something simple and non-intimidating: a short prayer before meals, a decade of the Rosary, or even just a moment of silence together at the end of the day, especially when the family is facing difficult or challenging moments. Don’t be discouraged if the response isn’t immediate or enthusiastic. People’s hearts often soften gradually. Keep praying for them quietly, and be consistent in your own prayer life—it’s often your example, more than your words, that speaks the loudest. Courage in faith is gentle, persistent, and always rooted in love.
RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO PARISH LIFE
The life of the parish can be vibrant and inviting. The parish is the place nearest to you where you can encounter Christ; it exists to bring you closer to God. The priests there have dedicated themselves to prayer, preaching, and the nourishment of the faithful. The faithful receive from their pastors spiritual goods, especially the sacraments, and the Word of God. “The purpose, therefore, which priests pursue in their ministry and by their life is to procure the glory of God the Father in Christ” (Presbyterorum ordinis, 2).
It is important that the faithful participate fully in the spiritual, sacramental, and communal life offered to them at their parishes. “Their activity is so necessary within the Church communities that without it the apostolate of the pastors is often unable to achieve its full effectiveness” (Apostolicam actuositatem, 10). There is a place for everyone in parish life! Priests and deacons need the support of the laity to help them serve their mission well, and the lay faithful rely on clergy for provision of the sacraments and proper leadership of the parish. “Those responsible for the ongoing formation of priests are to be found in the Church as ‘communion’. In this sense, the entire particular church has the responsibility, under the guidance of the bishop, to develop and look after the different aspects of her priests’ permanent formation. Priests are not there to serve themselves but the People of God” (Pastores dabo vobis, 78).
Many discussions in synod listening sessions and in the assembly centered around what parish involvement currently looks like and what it can look like in the future. It is necessary for lay leaders to serve a parish in cooperation with the pastor and clergy and to offer the best of their talents in service of the church and its parishioners. The list of parish service opportunities is long, and includes serving as a catechist, a sacristan, a hospitality greeter, as one who provides funeral meals for grieving families, and many more things. I invite you to prayerfully consider whether you may be called to help in your parish in a new way going forward, whether you have been serving or have never served. There are many opportunities to bring the light of Christ to the world. As we renew our commitment to the parish, hopefully others will want to join us, and our parishes will continue to grow. Then, we will see the fruits of the synod unfold in the coming months and years.
Participation in the parish is a participation in the Diocese. Together, we will continue to grow and thrive not as a collection of active, welcoming parishes, but as one cohesive Diocese made up of many parts, all moving towards the same goal of growing closer to Christ
RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY LIFE
So many people are suffering in today’s world. Loneliness, mental illness, family distress, economic uncertainty, and other concerns are present wherever we turn. Yet while we may know and live sufferings here on this earth, we know the joy of the Risen Lord! It is our responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth and to help those around us who are in need of our assistance. One clear way this is possible is through Christ-like hospitality.
Inviting others into community requires knowledge of ourselves, knowledge of the other, and knowledge of the community to which we are inviting them. Investment in our community requires efforts that pull us out of ourselves, such as extending hospitality towards others. Consider joining a parish ministry to carry out the corporal works of mercy for our neighbors in need. There are concrete ways in which we can show others the love of God.
In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus gives us one of the most powerful teachings in all of Scripture. He tells us that at the end of time, we will be judged not by our status, titles, or even how often we went to church, but by how we loved: “I was hungry and you gave me food… a stranger and you welcomed me… sick and you visited me.” These aren’t just poetic words—they are a call to action. Jesus identifies Himself with the poor, the sick, the prisoner, and the forgotten. He says, “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Through the corporal works of mercy, the Church gives us seven concrete ways to live out this Gospel: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. These aren’t optional—they are essential. They are how we live our faith in the real world and in our community.
But how do we do this well? The best way is to begin where we are. Look around: who in your life is carrying a heavy burden? Who needs encouragement, food, or comfort? Living the Gospel doesn’t always mean going on a mission trip. Sometimes, it looks like bringing soup to a sick neighbor, welcoming someone new at school, or praying for someone in prison. It means forming a habit of mercy—choosing to see others with the eyes of Christ and responding with love.
Jesus isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for compassion. And the beautiful truth is this: when we serve others, we meet Jesus. In their eyes, we see His face. In their needs, we hear His voice. And in loving them, we love Him.
As your shepherd, I ask that we continue to grow in our ability to listen to others and invite them into community. “Now the laity are called in a special way to make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can it become the salt of the earth. Thus every layman, in virtue of the very gifts bestowed upon him, is at the same time a witness and a living instrument of the mission of the Church itself ‘according to the measure of Christ’s bestowal’” (Lumen gentium, 33). It is by how we conduct ourselves in the world that others are brought to know the Christ within us.
DIOCESAN RENEWAL AND WHAT REMAINS
The fruits of the synod will unfold over the remainder of this year as I continue to formulate the Post-Synodal Pastoral Plan that will be released in December of 2025. And yet, there are some things we have already begun! While the full plan will contain more in-depth logistics, timelines, and an outline of future efforts, I would like to share with you some of the things that have already begun as results of the synod:
- We have assembled an Implementation Commission of priests, deacons, and laity to assist in the work that lies ahead.
- Plans are in place to bring together many leaders within the Diocese to continue conversations about how to improve Diocesan operations for the purpose of bringing people to Christ.
There are many more things to come. Truly, we have witnessed the outpouring of grace for the efforts of the Synod in the Diocese of Dallas. We are blessed with a vibrant and engaged people, motivated by love of the Lord and love of one another, who continually strive for holiness in our actions and in our words. The work that lies ahead in continuing to renew and unite our efforts will unfold over the coming years, assisted by our sincere and humble efforts, so that we might “bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church” (Lumen gentium, 1).
The movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts will continue to animate our communities, our parishes, and our Diocese to be a leaven to the world and bring others to Christ. Renewal must begin from within. We are called to strengthen ourselves as disciples and come together as a Diocesan community to grow in humble obedience to Our Lord, who offered Himself for us on the cross, died for our sins, and rose again on the third day.
I ask for your continued prayers for the Diocese, for all of God’s people, and for the continued fruitfulness of our Diocesan Synod.
Blessings to you and your loved ones in this joyous Easter season. He is Risen!
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Edward J. Burns
Bishop of Dallas
Introduction
In my 2021 Ash Wednesday Letter to the Faithful, I called for a Diocesan Synod to help me envision a post-pandemic Church that embraced its apostolic mission and strengthened the Diocese. I knew that the historic pandemic was a time for a historic response. As I wrote in the 2021 letter, a deep renewal must occur: “This is a time of tremendous opportunity. This is not a time for going back to business as usual, but rather forward to fresh initiatives and bold witness to the enduring love of Jesus.”
Having completed four years along this ten-year process for renewal, we have seen that we have a vibrant, growing Diocese that will benefit from this synodal process for decades to come. Now, as you begin your Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving on this Ash Wednesday in 2025, I ask that you keep my discernment and the future work of the Diocese in your intentions.
This is a timely opportunity to identify the present fruits of the Synod in Dallas, the future plans that remain, and the goals of our united prayers, with this first of a small series of letters which will highlight the work and status of the Diocesan Synod in the Diocese of Dallas.
Apostolic Mission
Since 2021, we have asked for the grace of the Holy Spirit and joined together to communicate our experiences, listen in humility, and grow in faith as we prepared for the Synod Assembly. In the thirty listening sessions that preceded the Synod, the nearly 9,000 participants responded with 4,000 pages of comments, listening to one another and sharing their experiences with me. This shared knowledge brought us a more complete understanding of the Lord’s will for us as His people in the Diocese of Dallas, thus beginning this process of spiritual renewal and ecclesial revitalization. It is truly a blessing that so many of the faithful participated in this process.
The Synod Preparatory Commission prayerfully distilled the contributions of listening session attendees into 376 resolutions, which were then organized into the 17 chapters in 5 parts that are listed below. These resolutions served as the subject of the discussions and votes at the Synod Assembly.
Part I – Catechesis and Formation
Chapter 1, Catechesis
Chapter 2, Spiritual Formation
Chapter 3, Schools and Education
Part II – Celebration and Sanctification
Chapter 4, Celebration and Administration of Sacraments and Sacramentals
Chapter 5, Devotions
Chapter 6, Celebration of the Mass and the Eucharist
Part III – Evangelization
Chapter 7, Outreach and Hospitality
Chapter 8, Communications
Part IV – Vocation and Discernment
Chapter 9, Clerical Vocations and Consecrated Life
Chapter 10, Clerical Life, Support, and Formation
Chapter 11, Couples and Marriage
Chapter 12, Employee and Lay Minister Formation
Chapter 13, Community Building and Development
Chapter 14, Accompaniment and Charitable Services
Part V – Administration
Chapter 15, Diocesan Administration
Chapter 16, Parish Administration
Chapter 17, Safe Environment
Each chapter was preceded by a theological introduction that gave a history of the documents and teaching of the Church, as well as insight into how this rose to the level of being discussed by our Assembly. The resolutions were accompanied by a wonderful document that served as a “primer” to help delegates know and understand both the history of the Diocese of Dallas and how we currently operate. I am proud of the work that has gone into these documents and deeply appreciate the gravity, prayerful attitude, and humility with which each of the delegates approached this process.
Assembly
During our Synod Assembly from December 1st through 4th, 2024, the 284 delegates remained sequestered with observers and staff at a hotel in Irving. I treasured this time with the flock. This event offered an opportunity for the people of God, representing all corners of this diocese and all walks of life, to come together to pray and discuss important matters for the future of the Diocese. We are blessed with dedicated priests in this Diocese, and 120 of them were present as voting members in this assembly. 19 permanent deacons and 145 laypersons completed the Synod body. Each of these delegates brought a unique perspective to the discussion. It was an invigorating experience that brought forth a deep, rejuvenating hope for our Diocese.
Our schedule over four days was designed to allow for prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, open comments, voting, and camaraderie. Delegates each cast a vote between 0 and 5 to indicate their degree of recommendation or disapproval for each of the 376 resolutions. Their votes were the fruit of three months of discernment with the exact language of resolutions, and delegates were able to give spoken and written feedback on the resolutions in addition to their votes. The delegates together cast tens of thousands of votes over the course of these days, and each contributed to the conversation by sharing their experiences and hopes for the growth of the Diocese.
Results
Below, I have highlighted some of the results of these four days of comments, voting, and prioritization. For a longer report that specifically discusses the voting results, please visit www.synod.cathdal.org for English and Spanish copies.
Voting
The voting results offer an insight into the complexity of our Church and our need to continue to listen to the experiences of others as we journey closer to Christ.
Many resolutions voted on were strongly recommended. For example, one resolution asks that parishes offer continuing adult faith formation opportunities for parents and newly received Catholics that align appropriately with life and catechetical stages. This is an example of a resolution that would incorporate our responsibility to be continually formed in the faith through catechesis, the role of parishes as a center of catechesis and community activity, and a way to build community through the sharing of faith within a local parish community. Many hands would be involved in bringing this idea to fruition, so that all might participate more deeply in the life of the Church and continue to grow in holiness and closeness to the Lord.
Another strongly recommended resolution expressed the desire to speak compassionately, openly, and in line with the Church’s magisterium to those with same-sex attraction and those who struggle with gender identity. This is one example of the synodal discussions that touched on our collective responsibility as a Church to act and speak compassionately towards our brothers and sisters who face these challenges.
In the discussion and voting, delegates strongly recommended establishing guidelines for parishes to assess and improve the quality of church acoustics, microphones, and speaker systems, and to offer an appropriately reverent space where the faithful also experience the liturgy in places such as the narthex or cry rooms. Improving this across the Diocese would help all to feel more closely connected to the Word of God and to one another in community.
There was deep discussion and prayerful consideration for each of the 376 vote items presented at the Synod Assembly. I rejoice in the Lord that our Diocese was able to come together in this time to consider these serious items with humility and trust in the goodness of the Lord.
Prioritization
As a separate part of this process, I asked the delegates to recommend priorities by which I might focus our efforts to address each of the varying concerns and areas of growth for the Diocese. The top prioritized resolutions have already begun to help the Implementation Commission as I form the direction of our focus for the coming years. It is not an exhaustive list of what we will accomplish over the course of our synodal process, but it is a good way to begin to understand the mind of the Diocese as guided by the Holy Spirit in this process.
These prioritized resolutions ask that we consider embracing such things as (without any particular order) 1) a culture of vocations, 2) emphasizing teachings on life issues, 3) establishing a real estate task force for new parishes and schools, 4) emphasizing compliance with Safe Environment policies, 5) focusing on the formation and support of clergy, 6) speaking faithfully on same-sex attraction and gender issues, 7) auditing the Tribunal for efficiency, 8) cultivating the prayer lives of the faithful, 9) ensuring that Catholic schools uphold Catholic identity, 10) evaluating existing marriage preparation to improve it, 11) establishing a priest support committee, 12) promoting clergy and religious presence in parishes and schools, 13) identifying resources for the faithful regarding sexual morality, and 14) working to build a culture of hospitality.
These results will continue to inform my discernment for the Diocese. I am sincerely grateful for all of the efforts that have gone into the words and votes shared with me through this process.
What Remains
Lent is a time for us to reflect on our sinfulness and reunite our hearts to God. “The Church, embracing in its bosom sinners, at the same time holy and always in need of being purified, always follows the way of penance and renewal” (Lumen Gentium, paragraph 8). How fitting that I am able to write to you at the beginning of our Lenten season about the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that we can unite together for our own purification and, by extension, the purification of our Church. “[Mother Church] exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth” (Lumen Gentium, paragraph 15). We know that the work ahead will be plentiful. There will be a place for all to serve the Lord. To that end, our pastoral and strategic plan for the Diocese should be released in December of 2025, which will outline the practical solutions I intend to pursue for the improvement of our Diocese.
Between now and then, I will continue through a period of intentional, spiritual discernment and collaboration about what is included in this plan. All of the synodal process that has occurred, in particular the proceedings of the Synod Assembly, voting, and prioritization results, will guide me in this discernment process. To assist me with this discernment, I have gathered together an Implementation Commission made up of clerics, laity, and staff who will offer perspective on the development of a plan, so that I can consider the appropriate aspects of what should be accomplished in our diocese and when. I ask you to keep me, this discernment, and the Implementation Commission in your continual prayers.
Spiritual Renewal
Thus, what I ask of you is to remain close to the Lord in His sacraments. Attending to one’s relationship with the Lord is the most important element of our lives and can bear much fruit. Spiritual resiliency can be built through a number of ways, and silence is an integral part of this. The silence we cultivate in our lives can lead to a quieter disposition of the heart, openness to the work of the Lord in our lives, and provide respite from the noise of our busy world. We know through our deposit of faith that the Lord is merciful and abundantly generous. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever” (PS 118:1).
I also invite you to allow your parish family to become a part of your growing spiritual journey. Confession, Mass, and community life all await our acceptance. I encourage you invest yourself as a part of your parish community for the benefit of others but also for the benefit of yourself. It is in the parish community that the Lord has chosen to purify and strengthen us for the trials of our lives. Allow Him and others to be a part of your suffering, your joys, and this growth. As your shepherd, I ask that we continue to pray and grow together as a Diocese over the coming months. Continue to keep this discernment and growth of the Diocese in your prayers.
In this time of Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, it is my greatest hope that, through these efforts, each of the faithful in this great Diocese finds the peace and grace that the Lord wishes to grant us in our spiritual journey with Him to the Pascal mysteries of His suffering, death, and resurrection.
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may the Lord continue to bless you, your loved ones, and the Diocese of Dallas.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Edward J. Burns
Bishop of Dallas