The Third Synod of the Diocese of Fargo

In April 2024, the Diocese of Fargo will hold its first Synod since 1951. Below are some resources to help you understand what a diocesan synod is and how we are preparing for it.

Synod Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.

With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

The Synod Assembly will take place April 11-13, 2024, at Sts. Anne & Joachim Church, Fargo.

Directory for the Third Synod of the Diocese of Fargo

Among the tasks he is to accomplish in preparation for a Synod Assembly, the “Instruction on Diocesan Synods”, published in 1997 by the Congregation for Bishops and Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (the document is available on the Vatican website), directs the Bishop to provide for the publication of a Synodal Directory. This Directory establishes the number of the members of the Synod Assembly, their election, the procedural norms of the meetings, etc..

On the 17th of August, 2023, Bishop Folda issued the Directory for the Third Synod of the Diocese of Fargo. It is promulgated here. It begins:

The purpose of the diocesan synod is to assist the bishop in the exercise of the office proper to him, namely, that of governing the Christian community.

This purpose determines the particular roles to be ascribed to those priests who partake in the work of the Synod as wise collaborators with the Order of Bishops, their helpers and chosen instruments, and who are called to serve the People of God. The synod also offers the bishop the opportunity of calling to cooperate with him and with his priests some members of the laity as well as some chosen religious. This is a particular form of that responsibility and concerns all of the faithful in building up the Body of Christ.

Directory for the Third Synod
of the Diocese of Fargo

Parish Synod Delegates

To be elected as a parish synodal delegate, “It is an indispensable requisite that these members … be in a canonically regular situation …” (Instruction, II.3). In addition, the individual must 1) be a lay person; 2) have completed his or her eighteenth year of age; 3) be outstanding in firm faith, high moral standards, and prudence; 4) be willing to attend the Synodal Assembly.

The Qualifications, Duties and
Election of Parish Delegates

The names of Synod Delegates may be submitted on the Synod Delegate page.

Hotels Blocks for Synod Assembly

A limited block of rooms have been reserved at the following motels for April 11 and 12, 2024. Use “Diocese of Fargo” for block indentification.

• The Country Inn and Suites
  • 3316 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND
  • Rate: $109/night
  • 701-234-0565
• The Expressway Suites of Fargo
  • 4303 17th Ave S, Fargo, ND
  • Cost: $119.95/night
  • 701-239-4303

Pastoral Leadership Guide

The Pastoral Leadership Guide outlines the Synod process from beginning to end.

Listening Sessions

Bishop Folda and members of the diocesan staff participated in 16 listening sessions throughout the Diocese of Fargo in January, February and March 2023. Because of weather, one final session had to be rescheduled for May 2023. The notes are available on the Synod Listening Sessions page.

Parish Self-Assessment Survey

In the fall of 2022, parishioners were invited to particiapte in a parish self-assessment. Results can be found on the Synod Parish Self-Assessment Survey page.

This timeline is available for download in the following formats:

Color flyer (PDF) Black and White flyer (PDF)

New Earth Articles on the Synod

The following articles appeared in New Earth magazine about the Diocese of Fargo Synod. Click on the title to read the story.

For more information on the Eucharistic Revival, visit the Eucharistic Revival page.