With the Synod Synthesis now released, a group of diocesan leaders are now taking the 15-page document on the road to present it and reflect on it with the six vicariates of the Diocese.

Beginning with the San Bernardino Vicariate on Oct. 14, the Diocesan Synod Core Team summarized the key themes of the Synthesis – the Centrality of the Eucharist, and the three pillars of Synodal Community, Back-to-Basics and Rules and Policies. They then invited the parish leadership and staff members present to pray, reflect and share with one another around key questions.

“The solution is at home – with the family,” said Father Jose Reyes-Cedillo, C.O.R.C., parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in San Bernardino. “We have to evangelize the family.”

Discussion turned to the third pillar of the Synthesis document, “Rules and Policies.” Some participants in the Synod listening sessions last year expressed that church ministers were inflexible and insensitive in their application of rules and policies when presented with the lived realities of families. Marina Herrera, of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, said it is important that the reasoning beyond policies and rules are explained in a meaningful and pastoral way. She cited a recent example at her parish, which has begun to require that parents attend catechism classes with their children.

“I tell [parents], ‘It’s in the best interest of the spiritual life of your children,’ and they say ‘OK,’” Herrera said. “We have a lot of parents coming now.”

“There’s going to be a struggle between traditionalist thinking and more open-door thinking,” There’s going to be a struggle said Deacon Glass, who is assigned to Our Lady of the Assumption parish.

Full story at Inland Catholic Byte.