An Invitation from Fr. Erich

In 2019, Archbishop Hebda announced our Synod process and started the first phase – prayer and listening sessions. Massive amounts of feedback and insights were collected and distilled into three main priority areas: evangelization, discipleship, and youth. It is clear that for the Catholic faith to grow, we all must re-commit and re-engage. Over this past year, with all the challenges of the COVID pandemic, we have been continuing to reflect on these priority areas via articles in the Catholic Spirit, in online catechetical programs, and in our prayer.

This fall, Archbishop Hebda is asking us to put other parish activities aside and to truly engage in discerning where the Holy Spirit is leading us both as a parish and as an archdiocese. From October through November, St. Odilia will host gatherings with guided small group discussions. We will be asking you to sign up to participate. We will need many to serve as facilitators.

By leading us through this Synod process, Archbishop Hebda is asking us all to perform a sacred task. He is asking us to take an active part in leading our local Church into a new beginning. It is my hope that this process will also help us, here at St. Odilia, to grow in our own vision for the next 5-10 years here at our parish.

I ask that you consider joining us and lending your heart and your voice to this important discernment process. This is a special opportunity for us and I hope that you will be a part of it.

- Fr. Erich

Join those throughout the universal Church in celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph, now through December 8, 2021. In the Archdiocese, Saint Joseph is also celebrated as the patron of the second year of the Synod. Prayer cards are available in the back of Church. We encourage you to pray for the direction of our Church through the intercession of St. Joseph. 

Heavenly Father, who gave St. Joseph to Jesus and Mary as protector and guide,
grant that our Archdiocesan Synod, under his protection and guidance,
may help us discern your direction for our Church. 

May we listen as he listened,
trust as he trusted,
obey as he obeyed,
receive as he received,
love as he loved,
and share in his life of devotion to Jesus and Mary.

Amen.

St. Joseph, pray for us.