As readers of these pages will recall from last week’s article on the Synod on Synodality, we are truly blessed in the Diocese of Orange to be fully active participants in the global process of listening and discernment that has been underway in earnest since 2021.
FR. WILLIAM GOLDIN (LEFT) LISTENS AS A SPEAKER ADDRESSES PARTICIPANTS OF THE FINAL SYNODAL LISTENING SESSION FOR THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE HELD ON MARCH 11 AT ST. MARY’S IN FULLERTON. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
In our previous article, we described the first of the two additional Synodal listening sessions mandated by the Holy See and promulgated by Bishop Vann, and in this article, we are delighted to share some of the contributions from that second session, held on March 11 at St. Mary’s Church in Fullerton.
With men and women of various ages and backgrounds in attendance, we experienced a vibrant and spirited discussion, and we learned from each other about the meaning of our “common journey” of faith in the body of Christ, the Church.
Some quotes from the evening:
“The church sometimes seems like a business …the office is only open during office hours.”
“The church needs to go out to the people, not wait for people to come.”
“Baptized Catholics need a strong announcement of the Good News!”
“Through discovering the church as our true mother, we have seen many miracles.”
“When you know the priest, and the priest knows you, we will feel more as if we are being taken care of as sheep by a shepherd.”
“We need more priests.”
“Catechism [should] start in the home to build a foundation for the children.”
“We need to have mercy for each other…”
“It seems like some of today’s priests take their vocation more like a profession, not a sense of giving up their lives for God’s people – a vocation – it’s 24/7.”
“On the other hand, there are also priests that do care about their sheep and are accessible when they’re needed, even late at night…”