The point of the synod

By Paul Schratz

Unlike many people, who about this time are abandoning their New Year’s resolutions, the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s resolutions are becoming more concrete.

A number of propositions flowing from the archdiocesan synod have been implemented since Jan. 1, including:

The appointment of an archdiocesan director of liturgy and expansion of the liturgy commission.

The establishment of an office of evangelization and naming of a full-time director.

A new emphasis on adult faith formation by the Office of Religious Education and the development of religious education resources for high school students.

In many quarters of the diocese, there’s real excitement about these changes, which are aimed at moving the local church from maintenance mode to mission mode, in the words of Archbishop Adam Exner.

Truth in advertising also demands acknowledging, however, that for many people the reaction is one of apathy and, in a few cases, resistance.

“What’s the point of it all?” they wonder.

The most concise answer to that question is, you’re the point of it all. In fact, you helped to determine that these new mandates were required.

During the synod process, clergy, religious, and lay people from every parish and every walk of life met to discuss the needs of the diocese. They prayed, surveyed, consulted, discussed, and voted.

The outcome was a document responding to the concerns raised by the synod. Those concerns reflected awareness that the Church is leaving certain areas of responsibility inadequately addressed in Vancouver.

The need for an Office for Evangelization is an obvious example. It became clear during the synod that something like it would be required as more and more delegates addressed the unmet needs they saw around them.

Multitudes in the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley do not know who Jesus is. How do we reach them?

Shocking numbers of Catholic students, graduates of public and of Catholic schools, abandon their faith at the first opportunity, often as soon as they leave their parents’ homes. How do we keep them in the practice of their faith?

Still others are inadequately informed about their faith. A radio interview last week featured a Christian teacher who chatted with a Christian university grad heading out into the business world.

The teacher asked the student how his Christian worldview would affect his outlook in the world of business. Not only did he have no answer for her, but he didn’t understand the question. He had no idea how years of study at a Christian business school would influence his functioning as a Christian businessman.

Many Catholics provide similar responses when asked about their spiritual lives. They know the importance of faith, and it might even bring them to church once a week. Attendance levels and the growth in churches in this diocese suggest getting people to attend Mass isn’t the No. 1 problem we face.

When people are asked what their faith means to their personal lives, however, you’ll often get blank expressions. They’re not entirely sure what their faith teaches about salvation, morality, and truth, or whether there is even such a thing as objective truth.

It’s understandable why, if they’re not sure about truth, they’re not going to feel an obligation to spread the Good News.

Also working against evangelization is the fact that this world is not always tolerant toward a faith that puts itself into action, that speaks to society, that comforts those who need comforting while challenging those who need challenging.

The synod will challenge many of us to move our faith from the pews to the streets, the workplaces, and the homes of our diocese. By addressing evangelization, and by placing renewed emphasis on liturgy and faith formation, we’ll respond to Archbishop Roussin’s call to make our parishes true centers of holiness and to address the many challenges we face: the very challenges that gave rise to the synod.