Faith awakening: Delegate intrigued by synod
By Ted Ellis
Special to The Catholic Spirit
Some 40 years ago, the Second Vatican Council opened the doors and called us in to claim our place — our active responsibility in our Church. Pope John XXIII urged all members of our church, clergy, religious and laity to study, to explore and to determine what we must do to enliven our Church.
It is the precepts and proposals of the Second Vatican Council that motivate me to participate, and cause me to recognize the privilege of being a delegate to the First Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Metuchen.
This privilege imposes a commitment of time and a charge to become better informed on the issues facing our diocese today. The synod process intrigues me and has awakened in me a desire to “make the Kingdom of Jesus Christ real” in our very own diocese.
Every member of the Diocese of Metuchen was afforded the opportunity to “Speak Up” during the more than 200 sessions of the General Consultation Phase, to speak frankly about his personal faith and his concerns for the church today. I approached this phase with an eagerness to see how the process would unfold.
The Specific Consultation Phase (Phase II Speak Up Sessions), was a stimulating, thought-provoking experience of joining with members from every deanery of the diocese to exchange ideas, discuss concerns, and formulate recommendations on consensus topics for Bishop Bootkoski’s consideration.
This phase produced healthy, lively dialogue and expanded insight. It identified needs for change and clarified what should be allowed to remain as is in the areas of Education, Parish Life, Personnel in Ministry, Social Justice, Unity, and Worship and Spirituality.
In reflecting on the six sessions, four themes ran through most of our discussions: marketing, communication, education and implementation.
It is not enough to have a good program; we must market it properly, communicate it adequately and provide the educational training to implement it effectively. Also, in learning about the administrative structure of our diocese, I am convinced we should use the deanery structure to implement the ideas and
specific proposals being formulated in these sessions.
Our bishop is asking the diocese to tell him what we are thinking and how we are feeling about the diocesan church. I believe that effective recommendations will come from the synod process to carry our diocese forth into the next 25 years. We must seek “the ways which lead to peace and the ways which we can support one another” (Romans 14:19).
If we do not support one another in our faith and charitable endeavors, we will not come to an understanding of how to better function as a community of faith and love.
We must face issues that are divisive, disconcerting and debilitating. We must develop solutions that are real and workable and follow through with effective implementation. We need to understand one another, respect our diversity, and promote unity.
The delegates’ retreat, the two Speak Up phases and the information sessions have increased our preparedness and anticipation for the synod session this fall, in which initiatives and proposals drawn up by the topical commissions will be discussed and debated.
I do believe there is a depth of spirituality, a desire to know, and an urge “to make it better” that will effect our mission of proclaiming the Gospel within the Diocese of Metuchen. Solid resources and abundant potential are here in Metuchen. This synod in which we are now engaged must call on these resources and challenge this potential.
Our Bishop Bootkoski is listening. We will tell him what we think. We will ask him to consider and promulgate our ideas that “we may be a community of faith steeped in prayer and loving service to all in need.”
Ted Ellis is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville.
*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