Online Participation in the Synod |
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By Tink Guthrie
What do the following people have in common: a 90-year-old widow who watches Mass weekly online, a college freshman living two hours from home, a young married couple busy raising four school-age children, an active-duty member of the military, and a retired educator who is homebound due to health infirmities?
The answer is they all contacted the Archdiocese of Louisville in recent months seeking ways to participate in the Synod on Synodality listening phase, but are unable to attend local in-person consultations. These resolute individuals are just a few of the folks who, despite their logistical challenges, have reached out to the Archdiocese, eager to somehow share their personal input in the Synod.
For those unable to physically be present in this synodal listening phase, an online personal sharing opportunity is available through May 31 here. This option invites participants to share their personal experiences on four Synod reflection questions. All responses are anonymous and will be integrated with Synod feedback received through in-person consultations around the Archdiocese.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of all the baptized sharing their voices in this synodal listening, not just those who are most engaged. If you know individuals who might feel they are on the margins, have been hurt by the Church, have lapsed in their faith, or have left the Catholic faith for any reason, encourage them to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation by confidentially sharing their reflections and experiences here before the end of May. Online feedback will be welcomed and honored along with all input collected in this synodal journey.
Richard “Tink” Guthrie is the vice chancellor for the Archdiocese of Louisville and is the coordinator for the Synod on Synodality process in the Archdiocese of Louisville. He can be reached at tguthrie@archlou.org or 502-585-3291.
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By Dr. Karen Shadle
What does the Eucharist mean to you?
Can I answer that question? Can you? Many Catholics simply don’t know.
In my discussions with other Catholics, especially my peers, I find that many have never truly encountered Jesus in the Eucharist in any kind of transformative or inspiring way. For too many, the Eucharist is a habit learned long ago, with vaguely understood meaning. There is a palpable lack of enthusiasm, a tepidity that plagues our relationship with the sacrament.
Beginning on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi – June 19, 2022 – the Church in the United States will embark on a “Eucharistic Revival,” a dynamic response to data that shows increasing religious disaffiliation and waning understanding of Catholic Eucharistic theology and the doctrine of the Real Presence in particular. This endeavor, initiated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, seeks to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
This, we pray, is not merely another program. It is a permanent refocusing of all our efforts – liturgies, parish activities, parochial schools, catechesis, service work, family life, etc. – on Jesus in His sacrament of love. It is a grassroots movement of Catholics across the country, “healed, converted, formed, and unified” by our collective devotion to and belief in the Eucharist. You will hear much more about opportunities to participate in the Eucharistic Revival in the months and years to come. You can visit the USCCB website here (English) or here (Spanish) to learn more.
So, what does the Eucharist mean to you?
I asked this question to several members of the Archdiocese of Louisville. I invite you to watch and listen to their responses in the video below.
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I also invite you to join us in our local opening event of the Eucharistic Revival: a procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of downtown Louisville following the noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption on June 19.
There is great hope for a Eucharistic Revival that will stir up an intensity that has been somehow lost and give all of us chance to fall in love again – or perhaps for the first time – with Jesus in the sacrament where He gives His very self. Will you join us?
Dr. Karen Shadle is the Director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
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Follow @ArchLouKY on Twitter for more of our tweets.
May 8
@ArchLouKY:
Blessed feast day to Good Shepherd Churches in Louisville & Columbia!
May 3
@ArchLouKY:
Blessed feast day to St. James Church in Louisville!
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5/12/22 3:30 p.m.
(See link for cost/registration)
5/14/22 9:30 a.m.
(See link for cost/registration)
5/20/22 6:00 p.m.
5/21/22 11:00 a.m.
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Resources & Recommendations |
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This month, we're highlighting some helpful and timely resources for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. We encourage you to check out the resources below.
Archbishop Fabre Presides at Regional Welcoming Masses
Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will be presiding at regional welcoming Masses throughout the Archdiocese during the months of May and June. All are welcome to attend and meet our new Archbishop! The schedule of remaining Masses is the following:
- Tuesday, May 10, St. Lawrence Parish (1925 Lewiston Drive, Louisville) at 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 16, St. Rita Parish (8700 Preston Highway, Louisville) at 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 23, St. James Parish (307 West Dixie Highway, Elizabethtown) at 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 26, Holy Spirit Parish (3345 Lexington Road, Louisville) at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 1, St. Gabriel Parish (5505 Bardstown Road, Louisville) at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 2, St. Patrick Parish (1000 North Beckley Station Road, Louisville) at 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 21, St. Stephen Martyr Parish (2931 Pindell Avenue, Louisville) at 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 23, Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral (310 West Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown) at 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 28, Holy Spirit Parish (406 North Main Street, Jamestown) at 6:00 p.m. (Central Time)
- Thursday, June 30, St. Augustine Parish (225 South Spalding Avenue, Lebanon) at 6:00 p.m.
Priesthood Ordination
All are welcome to attend the ordination of Deacon Dustin Hungerford to the priesthood. This will take place on Saturday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Synod on Synodality
Pope Francis has invited Catholics to take part in the preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops. He issued this invitation because he understands that our stories illustrate how faith comes alive in the concrete realities of our daily lives. Guided by the Holy Spirit and informed by Sacred Scripture and the tradition of our Church, we have this opportunity to share our stories, insights, and hopes for our Church and to consider what the Holy Spirit is saying to us through our dialogue. For more information, see this Listening Session Participant Overview.
There are still a number of in-person listening sessions scheduled for May. Please go here for a list of sessions open to the public. In addition, as noted in the article in this issue, an online synodal listening option is available through May 31st for anyone unable to attend an in-person listening session in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Please share your reflections on four Synod reflection questions here. All responses are anonymous and will be integrated with Synod feedback received through in-person consultations around the Archdiocese.
Check the Archdiocesan Calendar for Faith Formation Opportunities
Our summer calendar is filling up with opportunities for faith formation and youth ministry events. Please check the calendar here.
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