Dear Parishioners,
In our last bulletin, I wrote about the Synod which has been called forth by Pope Francis. I explained what a synod is and is not. The theme of this synod is, oddly enough, synodality. Yes. The way by which we journey and discuss what it means to be Church are front and center. Again, the topic is also the process. It is a synod on synodality. So, the destination is also the journey. In my conversations with Archbishop Sample, he believes that the Holy Father desires to teach us a way to journey, discuss, and be Church through this new Apostolic Age (see previous bulletin letter). A handbook called the Vademecum has set out guidance for us as we do our part in this synodal process. It describes three points or dimensions for us to pray about between now and our coming discernment gatherings in early March: Communion, Participation, and Mission.
COMMUNION By his gracious will, God gathers us together as diverse peoples of one faith, through the covenant that he offers to his people. The communion we share finds its deepest roots in the love and unity of the Trinity. It is Christ who reconciles us to the Father and unites us with each other in the Holy Spirit. Together, we are inspired by listening to the Word of God, through the living Tradition of the Church, and grounded in the sensus fidei that we share. We all have a role to play in discerning and living out God’s call for his people.
PARTICIPATION A call for the involvement of all who belong to the People of God— laity, consecrated and ordained—to engage in the exercise of deep and respectful listening to one another. This listening creates space for us to hear the Holy Spirit together and guides our aspirations for the Church of the Third Millennium. Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualified and are called to serve one another through the gifts they have each received from the Holy Spirit. In a synodal Church the whole community, in the free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyze, dialogue, discern and offer advice on making pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will. Genuine efforts must be made to ensure the inclusion of those at the margins or who feel excluded.
MISSION The Church exists to evangelize. We can never be centered on ourselves. Our mission is to witness the love of God in the midst of the whole human family. This Synodal Process has a deep missionary dimension to it. It is intended to enable the Church to better witness to the Gospel, especially with those who live on the spiritual, social, economic, political, geographical, and existential peripheries of our world. In this way, synodality is a path by which the Church can more fruitfully fulfill her mission of evangelization in the world, as a leaven at the service of the coming of God’s kingdom.
Once again, mark your calendar to participate in one of the two gatherings in March:
Wednesday, March 3 @ 6 PM
Saturday, March 12 @ 8 AM
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor