Next steps for the diocesan synod

When I announced last summer that the Diocese of Fargo would hold a diocesan synod, I explained our need to prayerfully reflect on the state of our diocese and how we can carry forward the mission that Jesus has entrusted to his Church, a mission to live the Gospel and to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). This is not a task only for the bishop, or only for priests and religious. It is a calling and a responsibility of all the faithful, and we all have a part to play in the work of the Church in our diocese. Over the last two months, many of you have responded to the parish self-reflection survey that we made available, which gathered information and offered an opportunity to ask: where am I in my faith life, and where should I be?

Now we have arrived at another stage of preparation for our diocesan synod. Regional listening sessions will begin in mid-January and take place at 15 locations throughout the diocese. We will begin each session with a time of Scripture reflection and prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, realizing that Jesus is the head of the Church, and we draw our life from him, especially through the Eucharist. This time of prayer will be followed by time to reflect and discuss as a faith community on a few key questions: What are the top three things that are working well at your parish/diocese? What are the top three challenges to address in your parish/diocese? What is one step I might be called to take to respond? We won’t be putting the tenets of our faith up for a vote, but we will consider how we are living the faith, and how we can live it more fully in our diocese. We will listen to the Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers the Church, and we will listen to each other as well. I intend to be present at each of these listening sessions, and I hope you will make an effort to attend and participate in these gatherings to give input for our synod. Page 2 in this edition of New Earth provides the locations and dates of each session.

After these listening sessions are completed, the preparation for our synod will continue with a time of further reflection and consultation with priests and leaders in our diocese about what you have shared through the parish self-reflections and listening sessions. This will be a period of further discernment to identify and focus on the key issues that are before us. We will not only be looking at problems, but also at the graces and opportunities offered to us by our Lord. Lest we become disheartened by the magnitude of the task, we must turn to our Lord in prayer throughout this process, and trust in his mercy and love for his Church. By abiding in his presence, especially through the Eucharist, we can be sure that we are walking with Jesus and that we will be assisted on our synodal journey of faith. As he sent his disciples forth into the world, he promised, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). That promise was meant for us too.

Based on this consultation process, and with your assistance, I will formulate the significant issues and questions that should guide the rest of our synod. During the months that follow, we will spend time in prayer and further reflection on these key questions at the parish and diocesan levels. We will continue to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us his vision for the Diocese of Fargo and to lead us as we strive together to be a leaven in the world. And finally this preparation will reach its conclusion with the synodal assembly in April 2024. This 3-day gathering will include representation from throughout the diocese and will prayerfully discuss the questions and the mission that lie before us. From the prayer and deliberations of this event I will then prepare a pastoral letter and plan with key priorities for our diocese to move forward, always relying on God’s grace and the Eucharistic presence of his Son.

A synod is an act of the Church, and the word “synod” literally means “walking” or “journeying together.” Our diocesan synod, the first in 70 years, will be an occasion for all of us to listen to the voice of our Lord as we strive to follow him more closely and carry forward the work he has given his Church to do in the Diocese of Fargo. The listening sessions that we are planning will be an opportunity to gather and “walk together” in faith, to pray together before our Eucharistic Lord, and to share the fruits of our reflection with one another. We will listen and discuss how the Holy Spirit is guiding and inspiring the bishop, the clergy, and all the people of our diocese. It is meant to be a communal exercise with Christ at its center, so I hope to see many of you in attendance.

As we continue our synodal journey, let us finally ask the intercession of Mary Immaculate, the Mother of the Church and the patroness of our diocese. Just as she listened and heard the voice of God at the moment of the incarnation, so may we listen to his voice and respond with faith, humility, and courage.