Commission gathers to begin synod preparations
By Joanne Ward
Special Contributor
In the fall of 1982, then Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick invited a group of individuals to an historic gathering in a meeting room of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral rectory, Metuchen, so that together they might map out the future direction of the newly established diocese.
That meeting place was again the setting for history in the making Oct. 2 when the Synod Preparatory Commission held its first meeting, themed “The Second Founding of the Diocese of Metuchen.”
The synod is the most ambitious project of the diocese since it was established almost 25 years ago. The commission is responsible for developing and implementing the process by which the synod will take place.
Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski opened the meeting with a prayer service. “Through the deliberations of our synod may our focus be based on Gospel values, the teachings of the Church and the example of Mary, our Queen and Mother,” the bishop prayed.
Msgr. William Benwell, vicar general and chairman of the commission, advised its members that their work will have a positive impact on the diocese for many years to come. He said four challenges faced the group: maintaining their commitment, insuring the synod is inclusive, making sure that substance is more important than form and preparing for a Synod that will be an affirming event.
Noting that great hope has been placed in the commission, Msgr. Benwell told the members that the synod should not only produce policies and procedures, but inspire and encourage people to deepen their relationship with God.
Father Robert W. Medley, a member of the commission staff, detailed the tasks the commission will undertake over the next year. The work of the commission, he said, will include creating a Synodical Directory; determining the mechanics of the synod, from a timeline to the identification of topics to be discussed; overseeing the synod sessions and the publication of synod declarations and decrees.
Father Medley also presented different synod models to the commission. “The Tulsa Synod had 150 delegates. Los Angeles had 352. It is your responsibility to determine how many people will serve as delegates and how they will be selected.” He showed the group a comparison of the topics different dioceses chose for the synods. He noted that in the Instruction on Diocesan Synods, a document of the Congregations for Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, which had been distributed to the group, eight topics were mentioned: ecumenism, preaching, catechesis, missionary activity, Catholic education, social communications, liturgical matters and diocesan organization.
Ultimately, it will be the synod delegates who determine the topics to be discussed. Father Medley explained that the synod will formally open Nov. 19, 2005, which begins the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese by Pope John Paul II. It will close Jan. 19, 2007, the day, 26 years earlier, that Theodore E. McCarrick, was installed as the diocese’s first bishop.
The synod will provide the diocese’s bishop with guidance and insight into the direction the diocese should take in the coming years.
Several commission members shared their expectations for the diocese’s first synod.
Father John N. Fell. pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, offered several ideas including exploring new ways to reach and motivate the disenfranchised, putting a greater focus on catechesis, and promoting collaboration between parishes.
Elizabeth Ippolito, youth minister at Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough, said she hoped the synod would “inspire people to be spiritually empowered.”
Two questions, author Meredith Gould of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Skillman, would have the synod consider are: “What does it mean to be Catholic today?” and “How can we create a consecrated life in the world?”
The pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy, Father Francesco Iacona, envisions the synod as bridging relationships, and finding ways “to help people experience God’s active presence in their lives.”
The Synod Preparatory Commission is expected to meet again next month.
Joanne Ward is the diocesan director of communications.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law