On the feast of Corpus Christi in June, we formally closed the local diocesan phase of Pope Francis’ global synodal process.
I’m proud of the many thousands of people in our archdiocese who led, participated and invited others to prayerful dialogue in this historic event. It has been an opportunity for us to learn again how to walk together in faith, in a manner that manifests our communion in Christ as one family and our participation in the life of Christ, and to participate more deeply in his mission.
The synodal process is the way we are to be Church — always seeking the will of God through the work of the Holy Spirit, discerning how to embody Christ.
During the local synodal process, we heard many difficult and painful things. Through this listening and being present to one another, we also heard — in every one of the nearly 1,000 listening sessions — the deep love the people of God have for the Church.
Pain and love. Sounds a lot like Christ. Sounds a lot like the Eucharist. The Church is family and we must learn to live as a loving family if we’re truly going to be Church.
I don’t know what your family looked like or looks like today, but when I was growing up, the life of the family happened in a number of places.
For my dad’s parents, it meant the front porch and the back porch. It’s funny, they don’t build houses with porches anymore. We need porches to be family.
For my mom’s parents, the life of the family took place in the kitchen. I don’t know too many families that even cook meals together anymore. We need kitchens to be Church.
And for my family, well, we used the whole house and the backyard. A lot took place on those porches, in those kitchens, in the yard. When I grew up, there was no internet, no cellphones. In fact, the phone hung on the wall in the kitchen (try and have a private conversation in that circumstance!). If you wanted to visit with somebody, you did so in person: You made a visit, you spoke face to face, you had a relationship.
We need relationships, we need face-to-face conversation, we need to consciously engage one another, not just for the joyful conversations but also for the challenging ones.
During the synodal process, people’s hearts and minds were genuinely shared. I’m grateful that many found these experiences both healing and hopeful, especially for those who shared deeply personal and painful stories.
We will continue to be a listening Church. I encourage you to read our synodal report, reflect on the opportunities to accompany each other as one human family in Western Washington, and invite the guidance of the Holy Spirit into your efforts.
Northwest Catholic — August/September 2022