Diocese Submits Interim Synod Synthesis to USCCB

By Jennifer Miele
Chief Communications Officer and Managing Director of Evangelization 

The Diocese of Greensburg responded to the call of the USCCB to continuously model a Synodal church, by listening to the faithful and discussing major issues together with a goal of hearing where the Holy Spirit is calling the Church. To read the Interim Synodal Synthesis submitted by the Diocese of Greensburg, visit TheAccentOnline.org.

A Synodal workgroup planned and executed the process with three distinct audiences in early 2024, employing hybrid tactics for information gathering including various in-person listening sessions and an online survey. The workgroup determined the major theme of the Interim Synodal process for the Diocese of Greensburg would focus on faith formation and the following call to action: Rather than accepting the declining participation in the Church, we need to seek new ways of forming disciples that will respond to the needs of our people.

According to Bishop Kulick’s pastoral letter, Donum Veritatis, by working together on innovative and experiential methods of formation and evangelization, we can better meet the needs of our people and change the narrative of shrinking numbers of participants in the life of the Church. Bishop Kulick has proposed a vision for the Diocese of Greensburg over the next three years, which includes the creation of Regional Directors for Faith Formation to assist parishes reach the next level in sharing the faith in our communities, building a culture of all vocations including the establishment of a marriage catechumenate, partnering with parents to strengthen the Domestic Church in our Diocese, forming a renewed understanding of Christian Anthropology including care for the body after death, our commitment to the legal immigration of Ukrainian refugees and others, the promotion of our region for economic prosperity through new and sustainable industries through partnerships with government and businesses, and the development of a Eucharistic culture through increased opportunities for Adoration, Reconciliation, and discipleship formation.

He states, “I know this vision is ambitious, but I am confident that in working together as the clergy, Diocesan and Parish Staff, and, you, the faithful of the Diocese of Greensburg, we will build a more engaging and welcoming Church in each community. This will be a new way of building up the Church and a new idea of being parish. Keeping our parishes active and vibrant requires all of us to embrace a new way of building up the Body of Christ through parish partnerships and removing the silos that isolate one parish from another. We must work together to keep all 78 of our parishes strong and vibrant. We must make strategic use of all our facilities to meet the needs of all our people and provide programs that proclaim our faith clearly and proudly. In building partnerships where all parishes share staff and resources, my vision of keeping all of our parishes open as beacons of hope and the truth to reach future generations can be realized. I am often amazed at the unique identity and charism of each parish community, and I am confident that every parish will work in the spirit of cooperation so that every parish remains a vital part of the one Body of Christ. We are stronger together.”

There were three distinct audiences for the interim stage of the Synodal Process. The first was a group of faith formation leaders who came to meet with Bishop Kulick about his newest initiative. The second and third groups were attendees at both men’s and women’s discipleship events.

Based on the feedback gathered at the aforementioned gatherings, Bishop Kulick recognizes that the structure of the Church must develop and change to meet the needs of the people, particularly our youth.  In working to improve the quality of our faith formation and discipleship programs through partnerships and sharing personnel, resources, and facilities, we can, as a local Church, change the narrative of a declining Catholic population.  However, we must work together beyond parish boundaries to make Regional Directors a reality.

These professionally trained Regional Directors will provide the necessary catechetical and faith formation support to allow our pastors, priests, and permanent deacons to focus on sacramental and parochial ministries. Working together with one another, these Regional Directors can create the best resources and practices to reach both our youth and adults in ways that meet the present needs of the Church while preserving the Truth of the Gospel.

Through sharing resources of staffing and materials between parishes, we are able to reach a greater number of families and offer them transformative Catholic experiences. When parishes align their resources, we are able to provide the youth and young adults with a more comprehensive and complete catechetical experience rather than single parishes working alone.

You can see the Diocese of Greensburg’s Interim Synodal Synthesis here.