Bishop McElroy of San Diego is holding a Diocesan Synod on October 29 and 30 in response to Pope Francis’ document Amoris Laetitia (See September 29 CalCatholic article, San Diego Synod delegates told to ‘think big’ ) The following comes from a post on the Diocese of San Diego website:

On Aug. 20, delegates met at the Pastoral Center. Their topic was to explore the challenges marriages face today and to propose ways the diocese can support them.

The day began with enthronement of the Book of the Gospels. Bernadeane Carr, STL, director of the Diocesan Institute, served as the theologian for the day. She reflected on Psalm 128:1-6, along with quotes from Pope Francis.

Fr. John Hurley, CSP, the synod’s coordinator, led the day, along with Deacon Ralph and Peggy Skiano from the Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Office. They encouraged the delegates to think “outside the box” to develop proposals that were relevant, achievable and measurable.

Bishop McElroy joined the group before lunch and at the end of the day.

“Marriage is foundational and must be transformational. As culture changes, we must adapt so that the beauty of marriage can be transformational in the context of our culture,” he told the group.

The 130 delegates are divided among five Saturdays (through Oct. 1) to answer the Bishop’s five challenges. The remaining ones are to bring spiritual depth to family life; to nurture and form children, to serve divorced Catholics and to invite unmarried couples to the Church. The proposed goals from the Saturdays will be shared at the Diocesan Synod General Assembly on Oct. 29 and 30.

At the synod, the 130 delegates will reflect on the goals submitted by the five working groups and whittle them down to five goals that will be submitted to Bishop McElroy. Afterward, a committee will be formed to implement them.