Preparatory documents for synod process sent to parishes

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As the Diocese of Salt Lake City begins the process for the Synod of Bishops 2023, the Parish Launch Packet were sent at the end of October to all local pastors and deacons to help them launch the process in their individual parish. In addition, Fr. John Evans, who has been appointed the liaison between the diocese and parishes/missions, has met remotely with available priests and deacons this week to provide them with resources to complete the process; those who were unable to participate were sent a link to view later.

The next step in the process is for the pastors to recruit facilitators, note-takers and interpreters (where needed) to help with their local efforts. They will also set up the listening sessions in their parishes and invite parishioners, people who may have fallen away from the Church and those outside the faith to join the process. These sessions, which will vary by parish, will be scheduled over the coming months by the pastors at times that will be most convenient for the participants. Fr. Evans anticipates each parish could hold four to 10 sessions depending on its size and its makeup, because each session will address a single topic.

“The work of the synod in every local territory, every parish, every Catholic institution in the diocese, will begin on Nov. 14 with the kick-off,” Fr. Evans said.

On Nov. 2, the Vatican announced it has extended the deadline for the submissions from the dioceses until August. Utah Catholics should consult their pastor to find out the timetable in their parish.

Once the diocesan process is complete, “The fruit of our work will go then forward toward the USCCB and ultimately to Rome,” Fr. Evans said.

The goal of the synod, he said, “is that we can hear what people value, what is important to them, the hurts they might have had, but also the dreams, goals and aspirations for how the Holy Spirit moves us, to hear what others are saying and move together in the Holy Spirit faithfully forward.”