February 2025

By Tink Guthrie

“Acknowledging the value of the synodal journey undertaken, I now hand over to the whole Church all that is contained in the Final Document restoring to the Church what has matured over these years through listening and discernment and as an authoritative orientation for the Church’s life and mission.”

With these words, Pope Francis entrusted to Catholics worldwide the fruits borne of a multi-year journey in synodality. Following the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality, and the Holy Father’s closing letter in late 2024, we are now urged to engrain synodality as a normative practice within the Church.

So, what might this commission look like in our local Catholic communities? The array of synodal practices already embedded across the Archdiocese of Louisville might surprise many readers. In our local churches, existing synodal forums include parish pastoral councils, finance councils, school boards, and other committees. These groups gather with their pastors to discuss and discern how best to move parishes forward on matters of mission and ministries.

Similarly, examples of synodal practices at the archdiocesan level include gatherings of priests’ council, finance council, parish council chairpersons, and development council, to name a few. These consultative bodies gift us with the views and voices of people throughout our Archdiocese; representing women and men of diverse ages, races, and demographics; both large and small parishes; urban and rural.

With these and other synodal forums already in place, should we fittingly conclude, “we’re good”? By no means! The Holy Spirit challenges us to recognize new opportunities wherever they arise. Throughout Church history, the Spirit stirs her people to be restless with the status quo. Today, the Spirit summons us to explore broader learnings and new ways of being Church. Moving into synodal space requires conscious effort and disciplined practice.

Some of the most accomplished people I know seek out healthy encounters with their critics as a means of learning. This is not easy. Twentieth-century American writer, Frank A. Clark, once wrote, “We find comfort among those who agree with us – growth among those who don’t.” Amen, brother! Perhaps it is no coincidence that Pope Francis compels all of us – priests, deacons, religious, and laity – to journey together, to listen and learn from one another, to better understand where Christ is calling His Church.

This is an enduring commission. We are not expected to move mountains overnight. Rather, we begin by turning a single shovel of dirt, then another, and another. Slight changes occur with each shovelful. Neighbors become inspired and pick up their shovels to join the effort. Still others witness progress and seek to be part of it. Together, and with time, the mountain does move!

May the Holy Spirit stir within each of us a restlessness to pick up a shovel and begin moving a mountain! To learn more about the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality and the fruits of the worldwide listening, visit here.

Richard “Tink” Guthrie is the Vice Chancellor for Administration of the Archdiocese of Louisville and served as coordinator for the multi-year Synod on Synodality. He can be reached at tguthrie@archlou.org or 502-585-3291.

Host Dr. Brian Reynolds, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Louisville, welcomes Deacon Stephen Bowling, Director of Family and Life Ministries, and Mistianna Barnes, a Marriage Event Coordinator. They discuss the sacrament of marriage, marriage preparation programs, and marriage enrichment.

New episodes of What's New in ArchLou will be available on the first Tuesday of each month here.

Below is the winning essay in the Catholic Education Foundation’s annual essay contest for high school students. Students are asked to write an essay about a topic related to the our local high schools and the national celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

By Colin Wheatley, sophomore, DeSales High School

In my community, I foster faith by showing others what my faith has personally given me. I live my life by Jesus’ example every day, and by doing so, can show others how faith has changed me and how it can change them if they open themselves up to it. Whether it be a school project or an average day, I lead by example. I show and encourage integrity, respect, and kindness through my everyday actions, as well as an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice and their ideas are heard.

In the past, present, and I guarantee the future, I have always and will continue to perform acts of kindness without much thought towards the negative consequences. Even if this causes a situation to end unfavorably for me, if it helps just one person, I will think of it as a positive. l will never change this way of action because of the trait it gives me: the ability to be bold. Jesus was a man who was outside of the societal norm. Instead of shying away from lepers, He instead embraced them and treated them as humans. He knew that he himself might be infected, but He never let that fact stop him from taking care of them. He treated sinners without a trace of contempt, just as He would treat his neighbors. This meant that some people stuck with Jesus and worshiped him at his feet, while others persecuted him and eventually crucified him. Even if Jesus knew of the consequences that his actions might cause, He decided to do what was right. The boldness that I have obtained from the way I have lived gives me the opportunity to live by Christ’s teachings and call others to as well, something more important to me than anything. 

Jesus’ inclusivity was something of a miracle in and of itself. It was a form of true kindness that not just anyone is able to practice in their life. He included his neighbors, enemies, the sick, the disabled, and anyone else who followed him. Jesus recognized how important the aspect of including others was and acted it out, something that many struggle with. Just including a single person may help them to realize their worth and how they were made in the image of God. I realize that Jesus calls everyone to his table, and as a follower of Christ, I feel that I should enact the same inclusivity that He showed his people. In life, everyone has a purpose no matter how small, and the same holds true for something as tiny as a group science project. I am able to see this and guarantee that everyone around me is able to show their purpose instead of just having one. 

At DeSales, themes such as respect and integrity are heavily emphasized. Through God, integrity has been made easier for me to display to my peers because of His might. God sees everything at all times, and there is no way to hide what you are doing whether it be good or bad. I realize this and try to please God with every action I do in life. There have been so many times I have fallen to where I have lost track, but just knowing that God will forever be there to help me stand again is more than enough motivation for me to keep on trying. I believe that through display and goodwill, others around me will also be more inclined to do the same. Even the slightest act of kindness can have a revolutionary effect.

Everyone’s journey with God is unique. However, what I believe is most important in everyone’s journey is that it’s not only with God, but with the people around them. Not only can support be found, but the influence that they may have on those around them could inspire them to start a journey of their own. Through my walk with God and my faith community, I have been able to lead by example by taking action, including everyone around me, and living as Christ would. Just as Paul says in Philippians 4: 13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”