Synodal process seeks to improve the Church

BY TANYA CONNOR 

THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS   

Catholics across the diocese are being asked how to improve the Church. Treasuring the Eucharist, prioritizing a relationship with God and welcoming people were among themes sounded by local groups giving input for the upcoming synod.  

Pope Francis is seeking input from Catholics throughout the world for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. The synod is to examine the topic, “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” 

The Worcester Diocese prepared surveys in its efforts to get feedback. The surveys appear on the website worcesterdiocese.org/synod-2023-home and in the April 1 edition of The Catholic Free Press. 

The surveys ask about people’s experiences of consultative processes, and about the Eucharist and Mass attendance, and evangelization. 

Father Richard F. Reidy, vicar general, who is coordinating local input for the synod, said the Vatican’s preparatory documents allowed for flexibility. 

So some questions in Worcester’s surveys were included because input about the Eucharist was requested by the United States bishops’ committee preparing for the National Eucharistic Revival. Father Reidy said that revival, which is to begin this spring, was scheduled before the synod was announced. 

In addition, the Worcester Diocese, recognizing the ongoing need for evangelization, included questions about that topic.  

Input is to be summarized and sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Synod Committee, which is to synthesize it for a report for Rome. 

Local groups adjusted the diocesan survey for their participants. 

More than two dozen parishioners attending a March 6 gathering at St. Joseph Parish in Charlton were invited to respond aloud to some of the diocese’s questions, to send responses to other questions directly to the diocese and to give further input to St. Joseph’s later. 

Some of the 17 women at the Commission for Women of the Diocese of Worcester session participated in their parishes, said facilitator Megan Fox-Kelly, of St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury and an associate chaplain at the College of the Holy Cross. So at the commission’s March 26 gathering at St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Boylston she asked somewhat different questions: where in the Church they have experienced joy or hope, and challenges, alienation or pain, and what they’d like to tell Pope Francis. 

Timothy Messenger, director of the diocese’s youth and young adult ministry, asked the 15 young adults who gathered March 29 at North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn about reaching their age group. 

 
YOUNG ADULTS’  
GATHERING 

The young adults requested a variety of spiritual and social opportunities, suggesting catechesis, formation, guidance, service opportunities, hikes and sports. 

Kayla Maxwell, of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Worcester, said “an inviting culture” is needed; many young adults she talks with “feel that they wouldn’t necessarily be welcomed” at church. She said she thinks the opposite is true, but, having never left the Church, she hasn’t experienced trying to return.  

Participants noted that there are not many young adults in church groups, and advocated for inviting them to lector, teach, help with social media and join parish councils. If not invited, they should take the initiative to participate. 

Sara Zglobicki, currently switching parishes, called for including members of different ethnic communities.  

Since many young people use social media, the Church’s online presence should be good; they’ll quickly leave outdated, unattractive websites, said Henry Aquino, of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton.   

Some participants sought help to evangelize, saying they wonder when and how to share their faith, not wanting to either turn people off or sugarcoat the truth.  

They mentioned the blessings of the Eucharist, a relationship with God, hope for heaven, having a meaningful life and the challenges of being in the world and remaining faithful to Christ. 

Thomas Szkoda, of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster, said the number of Mass attendees is declining. Perhaps, due to poor catechesis, they don’t understand that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. Mr. Aquino said maybe they are turned off by those left unchanged after attending Mass. Participants advocated for loving others instead of forming divisions between Mass-goers and those not attending, and having adoration, monthly young adult Masses, and multi-cultural Masses prepared by young adults.  

WOMEN’S SESSION 

The Eucharist, supportive people, clergy who fostered dialog, and diversity were among joys women at the commission’s session said they’ve found in the Church. 

Valerie Milosh, administrative assistant at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Dudley, said being in ministries brought her closer to God and made her want to evangelize.  

Special Olympics participant Kimberley Van Atten, of St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury, said “knowing the life that Jesus lived,” going through trials, “taught me to accept things” that were difficult.  

Among things the women described as difficult or negative in the Church were a “marginalization of women” and LGBTQ people, a patriarchal “top-down” structure and the alienation of the next generation. One’s relationship with Jesus was held up as more important than rules. Some women advocated for female priests and deacons. 

Keri LaBella, of St. Mary of the Hills, said sometimes tragedy brings people back to church, and it’s unhelpful to be stared at for sitting in someone else’s pew.  

Broadening a pro-life perspective to include issues besides abortion, understanding sexually abused women’s difficulties and holding men accountable were topics brought up at one table. 

At another table Carolyn Black, of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough, said, “We don’t know where our Church is going; we have to pray.”  

“The Holy Spirit is always at work,” added Annette Shine, of St. Mary’s in Shrewsbury. 

Women said they’d like to thank Pope Francis for trying to create a Church that includes everyone, and tell him not to retire or die and to examine the cumbersome annulment process and expand liturgical readings so more portions of Scripture are used.  

PARISH SESSION 

Members of St. Joseph’s in Charlton offered ways the Church can listen to its people, including a suggestion box, bulletin inserts inviting responses, a gathering with the bishop and more meetings like the synod gathering. 

Suggestions for reaching people included Flocknote emails, Instagram, and giving new parishioners a Catholic Free Press subscription.  

Participants said perhaps people don’t attend Mass because they don’t make it a priority or are lazy or overscheduled. 

Father Robert A. Grattaroti, pastor, responded to a comment that some people say they are spiritual but don’t want to be part of organized religion. He spoke of focusing on joining a meal instead of viewing the Church as an institution, and contrasted the focus on institution with the power of seeing a Eucharistic miracle. 

A similar theme was sounded while discussing evangelization and blessings of being Catholic. Someone spoke of having a relationship with Jesus, not just following rules, and suggested changing the Church’s approach.  

Deacon William Shea, who led the session, said a person can leave an institution, but can have a relationship with Jesus for life. 

Responding to a question about what the parish does well to spread the Gospel, Father Grattaroti said, “The outstanding work that Deacon Bill does” with teenagers. He talked about the importance of community, excitement and attractiveness and called for focusing on Jesus. He said St. Joseph’s just reactivated its evangelization committee, and plans to reach out to religious education students’ parents, who often don’t attend Mass.