Below Archbishop Hebda offers a welcome and introducation to the Archdiocesan Synod process.

A Synod is a canonical (Church) process of consultation to help a bishop focus on the needs of the community. As it is a consultative process and not a single event, all are encouraged to participate in some way. In fact, Canon 212 states the faithful “have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church.” Now is that time.

The Archdiocesan Synod process is expected to last two-and-a-half years and will have four distinct parts.

1. Fall 2019 – Late Winter 2020: Prayer and Listening Events. Prayer and Listening events, hosted throughout the Archdiocese, will provide the broadest opportunity for input from all Catholics. These events will be part prayer and catechesis, and part listening session. They are opportunities to discern together the focus areas that may become topics of discussion for the Synod.
2. Fall 2020: Parish Consultation Process. Each parish in the Archdiocese will be invited to discuss Synod topics in small group settings, in which parishioners are invited to participate.
3. Winter/Spring 2021: Deanery Consultations. Input gathered from the parish small groups will inform a deanery consultation process. Each parish in the Archdiocese is part of a deanery based on geographic area. During this process, representatives from parishes will gather as a deanery to discuss further and discern Synod topics.
4. Approx. Pentecost 2021 (May 23) – Synod Assembly. The Synod Assembly is a multi-day event where representative clergy, religious and laity come together to assist the Archbishop in determining the pastoral priorities of the Archdiocese.

For updated information on the Synod process, check back regularly and continue to read The Catholic Spirit. Questions/feedback? Email synod@archspm.org.

Please continue to pray for Archbishop Hebda, clergy, religious, and all of the faithful of the Archdiocese as we together embark on this journey, guided by the Holy Spirit.