Related articles

Archbishop Listecki convokes 2014 synod

18-member commission will guide consultation process

Synod is our moment in history – Herald of Hope by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki

Randy Nohl, director of the John Paul II Center and chairman of the Synod Preparation Commission, developed the following timeline for how parishes, clusters and districts are to prepare for the synod.

May 19, 2013

Archdiocesan Synod
announced
Pentecost Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki officially announces the 2014 Archdiocesan Synod for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, to be held June 7-8, 2014.

Spring 2013

Parish leadership reflection sessions
Parishes hold reflection sessions for parish staff and pastoral council members on the Archbishop Listecki’s pastoral letter, “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

What is a synod?

Brian T. Olszewski
Catholic Herald Staff
olszewskib@archmil.org

     In his decree convoking the June 7-8, 2014 Archdiocese of Milwaukee Synod, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki stated a synod “is an assembly of members of Christ’s faithful in a diocese which, for the good of the whole diocesan community, assists the diocesan bishop in his care for the community by proposing direction and priorities.”
     He continued that “a synod not only manifests and actualizes ecclesial communion in a diocese, it also builds up and fosters that same unity. The work of the synod is to promote acceptance of the church’s saving teaching and to encourage the faithful in their following of Christ.”
     Quoting a 1992 letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith regarding diocesan synods, repeated in a 1997 instruction of diocesan synods written by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Archbishop Listecki said “since the church is ‘sent into the world to proclaim and bear witness to that communion by which it is constituted, as well as to actualize it and to spread it,’ a synod can serve as a means of evangelization. Preparation for and celebration of a synod can help the community of the ‘faithful reflect on and celebrate their Catholic identity and the true meaning of what it is to be church.’”

Summer 2013

Prepare for parish/cluster reflection sessions
Parishes prepare for parish/cluster reflection sessions to be held in the fall.

October-November 2013

Parish/cluster reflection sessions
Parishes and clusters hold a session based on the pastoral letter to give input on shaping the future of the archdiocese. Pastoral goals and future initiatives will begin to be identified.

February-March 2014

District gatherings
Each district holds a gathering to pray, dialogue and further discern the goals and initiatives identified at the parish and cluster sessions.

June 7-8, 2014

Synod Pentecost weekend
Delegates representing parishes, priests, deacons, religious communities, lay groups and Catholic high schools, colleges and universities will attend.

Synod will focus on prayer, presentations, discussion and formal approval of pastoral priorities for parishes and the archdiocese.

Synod to close with a Mass to celebrate God’s blessings and seek God’s guidance.

Fall 2014

Archbishop Listecki issues “synodal declaration”
Archbishop Listecki issues a “synodal declaration” identifying goals, priorities and recommendations for implementing the vision of the synod.