An invitation from the pope

Not sure what a Synod is? That’s ok!
On Jan. 25, the Albany Diocese held its first webinar on the upcoming Synod on Synodality. The Zoom meeting was offered at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., and pointedly called: “What is the Synod and Why Should I Care?” 

In short: the synod is a meeting or gathering of Church leaders.

This year, Pope Francis is inviting all Catholics to help input what changes or ideas they want to see implemented in the Church. The pope launched the Synod of Synodality initiative in October 2021 and it will conclude in 2023.  

The Diocesan webinars hope to serve as a way for lay people, priests, parish staff - or anyone interested - to discuss the synod process and offer their ideas and hopes for the future. 

Part 1 of the series, titled “A True Season of the Spirit,” drew 100 attendees and was led by David Amico, director of Lay Ministry and Parish Faith Formation, and Dr. Anthony Coleman, director of the St. Bernard’s Albany Campus and assistant professor of Historical Theology. 

“It’s meant to draw us closer together,” Coleman explained, “to recognize our common vocation and how we can bring the Gospel to a broken world.” 

But why should Catholics participate? Amico puts it simply: because the pope is asking.

“The pope has asked you and me to be a part of this historic process,” Amico said. “In a way, this is a personal invitation from the pope. It would be poor manners not to say yes.”

Amico added that participation in the faith is a requirement of our baptismal promise, as well as an opportunity for spiritual growth. 

Christopher Lindsay, parishioner at St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Schenectady, hoped that the synod would bring “more timely responses from diocesan leadership to expressed needs of the congregate.” 

Terri Bouchard, pastoral associate for faith formation for St. Madeleine Sophie/St. Gabriel Church in Schenectady, thought that it was good for the Church to discuss how to bring about change. 

“These are generational changes and those take time,” she said, “but it’s not like we’re reinventing the wheel.” The Church “has a strong foundation” but looking ahead, “what’s the new vision?” 

Lisa McGarvey Davis, another webinar attendee, hoped that the synod could help the Church to be less polarized or political and more joy-filled: “I feel like politics have taken a front seat in our faith. I would like to see us more open and accepting. To listen to other people without making rash judgments.”

Added Davis: “I would like to see more happy moments. I feel like we need more happy moments in the Church.”

The “What is the Synod and Why Should I Care?” webinar series will continue on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m., with “Part 2: Walking & Listening Together, and on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m., with “Part 3: All the Baptized – Co-responsible for Mission.” For further information, please contact the Office of Lay Ministry and Parish Faith Formation by email or phone (518) 453-6670. To register visit: https://webapps.rcda.org/ParishFaithFormation/