The following is from Bishop William K. Weigand’s homily during the Mass concluding the Second Session of the Third Synod of the Diocese of Sacramento, Jan. 16 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

One year ago, I promulgated the pastoral conclusions of the Third Diocesan Synod. During this intervening year, we have taken first steps in implementing those Synod initiatives and priorities. We have gathered again in Second Session today 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.

At both the diocesan level and in the parishes and deaneries, some important things have been accomplished or initiated. It is fair to say, I believe, that the results are uneven. 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. I am not discouraged even by the slow start in some places. Things are not always what they seem. In all matters human, some take longer than others. What is very clear to me — and I hope encouraging to all of us — is that we have, in fact, moved in the direction of implementing the vision of the Synod, even though there is much to be done yet.

Our very assembly and dynamics of today’s Second Session give witness to our resolve not to allow the Synod to go without implementation. We will continue to work at it and move forward. We will continue to hold one another accountable. We will have to do that with patience and love, with creativity and astuteness. But, we shall do it. The Good Shepherd of the first reading is doing it with us — for us.

We shall learn from one another — between and among parishes — what works and what doesn’t. We will have both the humility and the resolve to try again, and when necessary, to try something different. With the Lord’s help, we will gradually and lovingly pull along with us the slow starters, the complacent, those who need extra help. Ours must be the Lord’s attitude, heard in the first reading from Ezekiel: “The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal....”

We will resist every tendency to be judgmental, to assume bad will or to assign blame. We will make every effort to “be our brother’s keeper.” We will refuse to give up, ever grateful that the Lord has not, and will not, give up on us. We will be the people of hope that we are called to be, trusting fully that, in fact, the “holy temple” which we are, will be, and is being built up — because it is not simply our project, it is the Lord’s. So, we take our lead from the Lord and strive to deepen our union with him. In today’s Gospel of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus says: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:1-8)

However, we, the branches of the vine, must resolve to do our part. Go back to your parishes and do whatever you can with your parish councils and parish leadership, and with the people in general, to reactivate the Synod vision 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 of the Synod — doing so in conscious union with the Lord: “Remain in me, as I remain in you.”

On the diocesan level, Sister Susan McCarthy, RSM, will continue to coordinate and resource the implementation efforts. The diocesan vicars and departments will continue to review how their programs and staff are assisting in implementing all eight Synod initiatives. The Diocesan Pastoral Council, aided by an implementation committee, will monitor overall implementation efforts...

The Deans will be asked to call together leaders from the parishes of the deanery three times this year to facilitate Synod implementation at the deanery level. Synod members should attend those meetings. The leaders will share successes, disappointments, and best practices; they will help one another, learn from on another, encourage one another, gently hold one another accountable....The Diocese will prepare and staff the meetings. Hopefully, such deanery meetings will become ongoing in the future.

In addition, Bishop Garcia and I will be frequently encouraging the diocesan vicars, deans, and pastors regarding Synod implementation — trying to help them and gently holding them accountable, calling them to the Synod vision and its implementation.

In nine months we will meet once again for the third and final session of the Synod — on Columbus Day, Oct. 9, 2006. It will ensure that our efforts at all levels of the Diocese will be ongoing for implementing the conclusions of the Synod.....In the meantime, we will be continuing to work on the draft diocesan statutes, the legislative part of the Synod — and gathering together all of our diocesan policies, sets of guidelines and diverse directives....For the most part, the statutes reflect the law and norms of the universal Church—with some specifications for our Diocese....

We might look on this effort as clarifying and standardizing the rules for the journey. We are a big family, some 600,000 Catholics and we cannot be going at counter purposes. We have to pull together, walk together in this multi-ethnic and diverse Diocese. Ignorance or ambiguity about the rules does not help us. Chaos could destroy us. But the rules have to be seen in the light of the vision of who we are and where we are going. “Remain in my love,” reminds the Lord, “If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love.” Please be patient with this process of formulating statutes. This, too, is important for growing together into that holy temple of the Lord.

May our hearts yearn for the full and final completion of God’s project with us and may we put all our energies at his service. “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you...the temple of God is holy and you are that temple.” (Cor 3:16-17) May we experience God’s presence and loving action as we continue our journey together in Christ, patiently, steadily doing all we can to implement the pastoral initiatives of the Third Diocesan Synod.

Copyright © 2006 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved