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A soft piano medley echoed inside the walls of Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown. The altar space, still filled with colorful flowers from Easter Sunday, illuminated the packed church as attendees sat in silence, some closing their eyes to soak in the moment of stillness. 

What a contrast to an evening that ended with boisterous discussions about the future of the Catholic Church. 

The Albany Diocese held its first in-person group gathering to discuss Pope Francis’ Synod of Bishops on synodality initiative on Wednesday, April 20, at Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown. After two listening sessions in the Beverwyck and Leatherstocking vicariates were postponed due to bad weather, attendees were eager to learn more about the synod and how their input can help shape the future path of the Catholic Church. These sessions are being held worldwide guided by the theme of the synod — “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” — which was started by the pope in October 2021 and is a two-year process of listening, reflection, dialogue and hope — synodality essentially means “journeying together” — and meant to inspire people at all levels of the Church.

“This is wonderful,” Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger said. “This isn’t a program, it’s a process. It’s a way of being Church.” 

The Johnstown session began with the gathering prayer service and song in the church. Brian Evers, director of Pyramid Life Center, helped lead the service and divided the approximately 85 attendees into smaller groups for table discussions in the parish hall next door where breakout groups shared their hopes, disappointments and thoughts on their Catholic faith. The room boomed with noise, attendees leaning into their seats, nodding their heads and comforting others as they shared what it meant to be Catholic. 

Each group was asked to discuss the three provided questions and recorded their answers to be submitted to the Diocesan Synod Committee for consideration: What have been your experiences of the Church (your joys, hopes and disappointments), and when have you felt connected and disconnected? What might the Church learn from your experiences and what new dreams for the Church might the Holy Spirit be inspiring? And what actions can parishioners take/what actions should be taken by your parish or the Diocese? 

“The joy of the synod is we share our experiences with each other,” Evers said. “Because that’s how we learn about our renewal: (by) listening to the experiences of someone else.” 

Several round tables were quickly filled by attendees as they headed to their spots. Some grabbed refreshments and sweets provided in the back of the church before sitting down, while others pulled out questions and dove right in. The atmosphere in the room was booming and hopeful, a testament to the faith of the people.

Matthew Sigler, parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Amsterdam, talked about his hopes of bringing teens and young adults back into the Church. 

“The Church is growing old,” he said. His comments, which the Church has tried to address for years, were met with nodding heads at his table. Sigler, a young adult, said that Mass is a nice reset for him “after working all week,” but “it does upset me when I sit down in church and the youth is not present.”

Sheila Bleil, parishioner at St. Joseph’s in Schenectady for 47 years, grew up in the faith and raised her children the same way. But it’s been hard, she said, “to find a way to reach them better.”

“I know they all believe but they don’t practice the Catholic faith,” she said.

In the past few years, the Albany Diocese has increased efforts to reach more young adult Catholics in the area. Events like Good News & Cold Brews, Holy Hour & Happy Hour and Real Talk Rosary are all monthly gatherings tailored for young-adult Catholics, which have drawn an average of 50 attendees.

In a larger breakout session, where one representative from each table spoke on their discussions, the room echoed many of the same concerns: the impact of the lack of priests, the ongoing sexual abuse crisis, and the future of a Church growing old. 

At the same time, many attendees also echoed similar hopes: a love for their faith, the stability and support the Church has provided, and a desire to listen to others in their pews and in their communities to help ensure a future where Catholicism is present and alive. 

“Jesus brings us peace, forgiveness and salvation for everything, and I think we want to see the Church that way too,” said Bishop Scharfenberger in his clothing remarks, “one that shows us God’s love and God’s mercy.”
Added the Bishop: “We’re recharging our spiritual batteries as Church, and I have a lot of hope from what I’m hearing tonight.”

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