Working in the Vineyard
Beginning soon after his installation and working at a gentle but steady pace, the second Bishop of Lubbock has already made his mark of the character of the diocese. A brief sampling of his accomplishments over the past four years serves to show the extent of his influence as the principal pastor, administrator, and teacher for the Diocese of Lubbock.
He has made it possible to meet one of his earliest stated goals by dramatically increasing -- from three to 11 -- the number of seminarians in formation for pastoral ministry in the diocese.
He has visited every church, consulted with every pastor, and addressed every pastoral council in all 25 counties of the Diocese of Lubbock.
He has promulgated a comprehensive organizational plan for the revitalization of parish pastoral councils throughout the diocese.
He convened a public “town hall” meeting for extensive consultation with the Catholic faithful of southwest Lubbock before directing the creation of a new parish there to better serve the pastoral needs of the area.
He ordained 24 new deacons for service to the people of the diocese and began the process of establishing a new deacon formation class to help our priests provide pastoral ministry in the future.
He appointed a pastoral team to assist him with the administration of the diocese; regularly meeting with the vicar general, the chancellor, and the moderator of the curia in order to oversee the management of diocesan ministries and resources.
He developed a new organizational structure for strategic planning and daily operations of diocesan departments and ministry programs at the Catholic Center.
He reorganized and revitalized the deanery structure and appointed five new deans to assist him by providing many aspects of authoritative pastoral care at the deanery level of operations, closer to the homes of the Catholic faithful.
He created and re-established advisory committees, consultative bodies, and supervisory boards to help him oversee the administration of the diocese. Among other accomplishments, he brought about a renewed interest and participation in the Catholic Foundation, increasing the assets available for investment and enlarging the endowments designed to help support diocesan ministries; he appointed a communications board of professionals with expertise in the media and marketing to develop a comprehensive new diocesan communications pastoral plan, and he strengthened the Christian Renewal Center board, allowing its members to provide a clear vision for and maximum use of the diocesan center.
He worked with the local Methodist bishop to facilitate the merger of Saint Mary of the Plains Hospital and Methodist Hospital, guiding the negotiations between to boards of directors as they worked to create the largest health care system in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
He expanded the Office of Christian Formation, adding the Family Life Office to help diocesan Catholic learn more about marriage and parenting skills.
He re-established and revitalized the Office of Evangelization, providing pastors with opportunities to provide training and resources for parishioners who will then be able bring people back to the church or into the church by effectively proclaiming the Good News to their communities.
He has served as a prominent advocate for social justice, making numerous public appearances during which he clearly displays and, by example, teaches the Roman Catholic “consistent ethic of life.” He challenges all of the people in the diocesan locale to oppose capital punishment and abortion, to embrace cultural diversity and to exercise a “preferential option for the poor.” He teaches his Catholic people to promote justice and repudiate violence at all times in all ways.
He has established a system for teaching and promoting the principles of Christian stewardship throughout the diocese, helping his parishioners learn how to grow in holiness by intentionally giving a planned and proportionate portion of their time, talent, and treasure in service to God and God’s people.
He regularly publishes his “In the Vineyard of the Lord” column in the South Plains Catholic diocesan newspaper, giving all the households to which it is mailed an opportunity to learn authentic church teaching on a wide variety of matters concerning faith and morals.
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Working in the Vineyard
