Some 250 delegates of the 2004 Diocesan Synod gathered in Sacramento Jan. 16 for a “reality check” and to discuss progress made toward implementing the eight pastoral initiatives of the synod.

“We’ve gathered again to evaluate what has been achieved, to take note of how much yet needs to be accomplished, and to resolve to keep up the effort,” Bishop William K. Weigand told delegates in his homily at a liturgy concluding the second session of the synod.

The eight pastoral initiatives, promulgated by the bishop in January 2005, focus on evangelization/faith formation, vocations, collaborative ministry/shared responsibility, eucharist and sacraments, formation for lay ministry, youth and young adults, social service and social justice ministry, and cultural diversity.

Each of the initiatives includes a general description of the goals for the diocese followed by objectives for implementation by diocesan staff, regional deaneries, and clusters of parishes or parishes.

The initiatives are the result of the work of more than 400, clergy, religious and laity from all parishes in the diocese who came together in October 2004 for the first synod in the diocese in 75 years.

The bishop noted that at the diocesan level, in the deaneries, and in the parishes “some important things have been accomplished or initiated” in implementing the pastoral initiatives.

“It is fair to say, I believe, that the results are uneven,” he said. “Some parishes got off to a faster or better start than others. Perhaps a few have yet to begin in earnest. Frankly, I am encouraged by the signs of progress.”

The bishop urged synod delegates to “reactivate the synod vision” in their parishes and to assist developing or expanding a parish pastoral plan that will involve “at least one small action in each of the eight pastoral initiatives.”

Mercy Sister Susan McCarthy, director for synod implementation, will continue to coordinate and resource the implementation efforts. Diocesan staff will also review how their programs are moving the pastoral initiatives forward and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, aided by an implementation committee, will monitor overall implementation efforts, he said.

The bishop said that the nine priest deans will call together leaders from the parishes in their deaneries three times this year to facilitate synod implementation at the deanery level.

Most of the second session was devoted to discussing an accountability report (see story, this page) synod delegates received from the 12-member Synod Implementation Commission.

The commission’s work during the past year has focused on accountability and assessment, with a long-term vision of synod implementation occurring over the next five to 10 years, Sister McCarthy told delegates.

The report summarized the results of a questionnaire sent to all parishes to assess the current status of each parish with regard to the eight pastoral initiatives.

The results showed that the majority of parish ministries and programs in place are in the areas of evangelization/faith formation and Eucharist and sacraments. Fewer programs exist in the areas of vocation and multicultural diversity.

The larger parishes, with more financial resources and staff, generally reported more options and programs for their parishioners. Smaller parishes reported less difficulty in creating a welcoming spirit and were more likely to collaborate with other Christian churches and social service agencies in carrying out their social service ministries.

The parishes reporting vibrant ministries in one element of parish life (such as the Sunday liturgy) also tended to report success in several other areas of ministry or programs.

The report noted that the parishes of the diocese reflect a wide range of cultural, geographic and economic diversity. The commission members concluded “these differences call for a variety of responses to the synod initiatives based on the needs and dynamics of each parish.”

Sister McCarthy said commission members “learned that there are many good practices and ministry models in parishes that are carrying forward the vision of the synod and these can be an inspiration to other parishes.”

She told The Herald that implementation of the initiatives “will happen mostly at the parish level. The deaneries will be a way to support collaborative efforts and the diocese will act as the resource for parishes.”

Among the recommendations in the report from the commission are:

• Employ a simple and ongoing annual accountability audit process for parish self-evaluation and reporting.

• Use existing bodies, such as the Diocesan Pastoral Council, to monitor ongoing implementation.

• Have the diocese provide ongoing education and formation for those initiatives where parishes lack resources or models, including use of the diocese’s Web site.

• Include the synod implementation process as an ongoing agenda item for deanery meetings and regional gatherings.

• Have parish pastoral councils include synod implementation as an ongoing agenda item for meetings and communicate with parishioners regularly regarding implementation steps.

Sister McCarthy said two workshops are planned this spring on pastoral planning to help parish pastoral councils integrate the synod initiatives into existing pastoral plans or to help parishes without plans to develop them.

The workshops will be held April 1 at St. Anthony Parish in Sacramento and May 13 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Redding. They will be directed by Mark Fisher, associate professor of theology at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, who has 20 years of experience working with parish and diocesan pastoral councils.

The third and final session of the synod will bring delegates together again on Oct. 9.

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