An Introduction to the Archdiocesan Synod
Video Introduction to the Synod from Archbishop Hebda
Message from Archbishop Hebda: Moving Forward Together
View the message in Spanish and Vietnamese.
At this year’s Vigil of Pentecost, I will be formally announcing that our archdiocese will be embarking on a synod, our first since 1939. A synod is a formal representative assembly designed to help a bishop in his shepherding of the local Church. It is my hope that the process outlined in these pages, involving every parish in our archdiocese, will help us over the next two years to draw on the gifts that have bestowed in such abundance on the faithful of this archdiocese to discern and establish clear pastoral priorities in a way that will both promote greater unity and lead us to a more vigorous proclamation of Jesus’ good news.
When St. John Paul II promulgated the new Code of Canon Law in 1983, he recognized that the laws of the Church needed to take into consideration the “new way of thinking” that had emerged from the Second Vatican Council. In particular, he identified a need for new canonical structures to reflect the conciliar teaching that presented the Church as the “People of God” and as a “communion,” as well as the doctrine by which “all members of the People of God share, in a manner proper to each of them, in the threefold priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ.”
One of the structures that took on a new prominence in that purposeful revision of the Code was the diocesan synod, a traditional structure for consultation and governance in the Church. The notion of the Synod was broadened and reconfigured precisely to serve as a tool for the bishop to engage the People of God (laity, clergy, consecrated men and women, and bishops all walking together) in exercising the responsibility that flows from our common baptism, always in the hope of strengthening the communion that is the Church. Since the reboot of this ancient structure, diocesan synods have consistently served as important instruments in effecting conciliar renewal within the local Church.
In the time that I have served in this archdiocese, I have come to believe that our local Church is particularly ripe for a synod. After the listening sessions that were held in 2015 when I was still serving as the temporary administrator, I drew up suggestions for the next archbishop, never thinking it would be me. At the top of that list was the convoking of an archdiocesan synod. We are blessed here with a particularly well-educated and articulate laity with a strong tradition of service to the Church, who along with their clergy and consecrated brothers and sisters, want to be involved in shaping her future, seeing that appropriately as both their right and their responsibility.
After the pastoral pause necessitated by the bankruptcy and related issues, I have sensed that many of you seem to be ready to roll up your sleeves to address some of the pastoral needs that had been placed on the back burner. The enthusiasm surrounding the new Lay Advisory Board would seem to confirm that. Without losing sight of either the critical importance of our Catholic schools or the urgency of creating safe environments and engaging in outreach to those who have in any way been harmed by the Church, we now need to be deliberate in moving forward on other fronts.
It is in that context that I have been hearing Pope Francis’ repeated articulation of the need for us to be a “listening Church.” While stressing that “discernment is a gift of the Spirit to the Church, to which she responds with listening,” he has concretely modeled for us how a more intentional “listening” might work in discerning and establishing pastoral priorities. In the six years of his pontificate, he has held three synods, plus the recent global summit, and at each of them he has opened wide the process of consultation and encouraged even difficult discussion.
The Holy Father has emphasized that he is not talking about listening that is merely “pro forma,” but rather a sincere and respectful “mutual listening” in which everyone has something to learn. Moreover, it is not just listening to one another but to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17), to know what the Spirit “is saying to the Churches” (Rev 2:7).
The pre-synod process that we will be using over the next year has been designed to help us as a local Church to listen to each other and to the Holy Spirit. It reflects not only the excellent organizational work of the executive team headed by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Therese Coons and Father Joseph Bambenek, but also the insights of a prayer team who have been meeting for the last seven months and supporting this effort in their daily prayer. They have wisely made sure that the 31 regional or focused listening opportunities that will shape our future discussion and deliberations will all be grounded in prayer and in God’s Word. As Pope Francis has noted: “Only in the silence of prayer can one learn the voice of God, perceive the traces of his language [and] have access to his truth.”
I am hoping, brothers and sisters, that you will be active participants in this process. Please keep your eye on your parish bulletin, The Catholic Spirit and this Synod webpage, to see how and when you can become involved. The synod will bear fruit only if you, God’s people, are willing to share what is on your heart and what is in your prayer. In the meantime, I would be particularly grateful for your prayers this Pentecost for me and for all those who will be involved in this critical undertaking. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love.
More About the Archdiocesan Synod
What is a Synod? What is the purpose?
- “A Synod is a formal representative assembly designed to help a bishop in his shepherding of the local Church.” (*)
- The purpose is “to discern and establish clear pastoral priorities in a way that will both promote greater unity and lead us to a more vigorous proclamation of Jesus’ good news.”
(*) Quotes from Archbishop Hebda’s June 6 column in The Catholic Spirit. Find the full column here.
What is a Listening Church?
- The pre-Synod process has been designed to engage in a ”sincere and respectful ‘mutual listening’ in which everyone has something to learn.”
- “Moreover, it is not just listening to one another but to the Holy Spirit, the ‘Spirit of Truth’ (Jn 14:17), to know what the Spirit is ‘saying to the Churches’ (Rev. 2:7).”
(*) Quotes from Archbishop Hebda’s June 6 column in The Catholic Spirit. Find the full column here.
What is the Synod process?
- The pre-Synod process began fall 2019 engaging the People of God — laity,
clergy, consecrated men and women and bishops — all walking together at the personal, parish, deanery, and Archdiocesan levels. - The process culminates in the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly to be
held Pentecost weekend, June 3-5, 2022, followed by a Pastoral Letter leading to a Pastoral Plan.
Year 1 (2019-2020): The Church Listens
Prayer and Listening Events
- 30 Prayer & Listening events (19 open and 11 focus) held and attended by Archbishop Hebda.
- Over 8,000 faithful attended providing over 35,000 comments on what is working well in the Archdiocese and challenges and opportunities as we move forward together.
Synod Focus Areas
- Based on this feedback, along with other consultations and discernment,
Archbishop Hebda determined the three focus areas that will shape the Year 3 Consultation process.
1. Forming parishes that are in the service of evangelization,
2. Forming missionary disciples who know Jesus’ love and respond to his call, and
3. Forming youth and young adults in and for a Church that is always young.
Year 2 (2020-2021): The Church Prepares
Praying with Scripture
- Five-part video series on praying with scripture and growing in holiness, including 25 prayer companions with reflections.
Healing and Hope
- Five-part video retreat to encounter Jesus’ love and mercy to bring healing and hope and to provide resources for next steps.
Faith and Culture
- Videos with expert teachers, testimonials, and panel discussion on
four topics:- Sources of Catholic teaching,
- Sexual morality and the family,
- The dignity of women, and
- The priesthood (both baptized and
ordained).
Synod at Home
- Five-part video series to create a faith
plan to live as an intentional disciple
based on four pillars:- Prayer & sacraments,
- Lifelong learning,
- Generosity & service, and
- Traditions & fun.
Year 3 (2021-2022): The Church Engages
Fall 2021: Parish Consultation
with Small Groups
- Small groups meet in every parish to learn, pray, and discuss the focus areas.
- Parish feedback on priorities within each focus area will help inform the Deanery consultation.
February/March 2022: Parish Synod Leadership Team (PSLT) Consultation
- Pastors and parish representatives gather one Saturday to learn, pray, and
discuss the focus areas. - PSLT feedback will help determine the Synod topics.
June 2022: Archdiocesan Synod Assembly (Pentecost Weekend)
- Approximately 500 appointed delegates (including two from each parish) gather
to learn, pray, and discuss the Synod topics and recommend pastoral priorities
to Archbishop Hebda. - After considering the Synod recommendations, Archbishop writes a Pastoral
Letter (November – Feast of Christ the King) leading to a Pastoral Plan to move our Archdiocese into the future.
For updated information on the Synod process, check back regularly and continue to read The Catholic Spirit. Questions/feedback? Email synod@archspm.org.
Please continue to pray for Archbishop Hebda, clergy, religious, and all of the faithful of the Archdiocese as we together embark on this journey, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Meet the Executive Committee
Therese Coons is an accountant and attorney who is a member of the board of trustees of The Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul. She is a member of St. Anne in Hamel. She is director of the archdiocesan synod.
Jill Fink is the coordinator of adult discipleship at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton. She and her husband, David, have three children.
Debbie Keller is a longtime parishioner of St. Pius X in White Bear Lake. She recently completed a two-year term as president of the board of directors for the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. Debbie and her husband, John, have five grown children.
Chris Kostelc is the director of faith formation at Holy Name of Jesus in Medina, where he and his wife, Liz, and their three children are also parishioners. Kostelc is also a speaker and retreat leader.
Pat Millea is the senior high youth director at St. Joseph in West St. Paul, which is also his family’s home parish. He also ministers as a speaker and musician. Millea and his wife, Kenna, have six children.
Sheryl Moran came into the Catholic Church in 1988 and is a member of Our Lady of Grace in Edina. She and her husband, Dan, have two adult children and the two of them have volunteered for various Catholic organizations in the archdiocese. Moran has recently been involved in evangelism initiatives at the parish and archdiocesan levels.
Teresa Edali Mendez Ortega is a member of St. Gabriel the Archangel in Hopkins, where she is coordinator of Latino ministry and Spanish-language faith formation programs. She was part of the regional and diocesan team of the V Encuentro. She and her husband, Jose, have six children.
Patricio Peña is the director of Latino ministry at Assumption in Richfield and has worked for 19 years in Latino ministry in the archdiocese. He was part of the diocesan team of the V Encuentro. He and his wife, Maria Enriqueta, have four children.
Patti Watkins is the director of faith formation at St. Ambrose in Woodbury, where she and her husband are also parishioners. She has served as a faith formation leader in the archdiocese and the Diocese of New Ulm for 29 years.
Executive Committee: Archdiocesan Staff Members
Father Joseph Bambenek joined the Archdiocesan Catholic Center staff as assistant director of the archdiocesan synod July 1, 2019. He also assists the Parish Services Team with parish planning. Prior to this role, he served as pastor of St. Pius X and chaplain of Frassati Catholic Academy, both in White Bear Lake, and also the dean of Deanery 1. A Hastings native, Father Bambenek was ordained in 2010 after working strategic planning with electric utility companies in Michigan.
Yen Fasano serves as Associate Director of Catholic Schools: Drexel Mission Schools Initiative for the archdiocese’s Office for the Mission of Catholic Education. Yen is a parishioner of St. Anne-St. Joseph Hien in Minneapolis. She serves on the executive board of the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation and on the board of directors for the Aim Higher Foundation. A Catholic speaker, she has dedicated two decades to teaching in schools and parishes. She and her husband, Frank, have three children.
Tom Halden joined the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in May 2015 as director of communications. Halden, his wife and their four children attend Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville.
Deacon Steve Maier is the director of parish services for the archdiocese. Ordained in 2009, Deacon Maier is retired from 32 years at Target Corporation in Minneapolis. He is a member of St. Joseph in West St. Paul and ministers at St. Francis de Sales in St. Paul.
Estela Villagrán Manancero is director of the archdiocesan Office of Latino Ministry. She is the president of the national Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry and a consultant for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Hispanic affairs. She held local, regional and national roles in the recent V Encuentro for Latino Catholics in the U.S. She is a member of St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center.
Father Thomas Margevičius is director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship. He is also a professor of liturgy and homiletics at The St. Paul Seminary, where he is also the director of liturgy and a formation director for several seminarians. Before his 1999 ordination, he served with NET Ministries and St. Paul’s Outreach.
Eric Pederson has been with the Archdiocese since 2008 and is currently the Director of the Department of Parish Catechesis. Prior to his time with the Archdiocese, he worked in youth ministry, parish catechesis, college campus ministry, and taught high school religion. He holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville with studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He and his wife, Christina, have three children and are parishioners at Transfiguration in Oakdale.
Jean Stolpestad is director of the archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life. She and her family attend St. Henry in Monticello.
Amy Tadlock, a Chicago-area native, is interim project manager in Clergy Services. Prior to moving to Minnesota, she worked as a director of youth ministry in a suburban Chicago parish and pursued graduate studies in Washington, D.C. She has a master’s degree in theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America. She also is an adjunct professor at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.
