On the third and final day of the Archdiocesan Synod Assembly at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis described “such a deep sense of prayer, joyful prayer in the process.” 

Archbishop Bernard Hebda

Talking with Maria Wiering, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Spirit, he also noted a sense of great accomplishment while acknowledging “there’s still a lot to be done.” “But I can’t help but feel blessed that God has brought together these wonderful people who are willing to share their very diverse views and to really commit this kind of time to discussing what needs to be done so that our Church can be stronger.” 

In addition to Archbishop Hebda, Wiering interviewed Bishop Joseph Williams of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Father Joseph Bambenek, assistant director of the Archdiocesan Synod, for an episode of “Practicing Catholic” debuting 9 p.m. June 10 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. 

Father Bambenek said the purpose of the Synod process was to create greater unity and more vigorously proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Over the past three years, Father Bambenek said, he believes unity has increased and the Synod’s Prayer and Listening Events that began the process brought healing to a number of people.  

Father Bambenek said the Synod process brought people together in discussions who normally wouldn’t have the chance to talk with each other, “which is a beautiful thing.” And he has heard about the work of some parish small groups last fall that led to “beautiful fruit within the parish.” 

The good that has resulted is good in itself, but Father Bambenek said that would be small compared to the renewal of the Church “that we’re hoping will come as a result of this.” 

Bishop Williams recalled the words of humility and boldness that were part of Archbishop Hebda’s homily at the vigil Mass. And “prophetic words” offered by the discernment team that have struck him. “So, you could feel the Spirit,” he said, noting in particular the time for praise after the vigil Mass that he said was “quite powerful.”

Bishop Joseph Williams

“As one person said, ‘the Spirit showed up last night,’ (at the Cathedral of St. Paul),” Bishop Williams said.

To keep the Synod’s momentum, Archbishop Hebda said he’d like people to continue to pray. One of the really positive aspects of the Synod gathering is that “people have prayed so deeply” and recognized how important it is “for our discernment, especially for me as I work with my team to figure out” the best way to move forward with the pastoral letter, he said.  

Father Joseph Bambenek

“We’ve had a prayer team that’s been supporting this work even before the Synod was announced,” Archbishop Hebda said. “And I’m going to put them to work again to help me really process what we’ve heard here, so I think that will be the next step.” 

To hear more comments about the June 3-5 Synod Assembly from Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Williams and Father Bambenek, and an audio except from the archbishop’s homily at the Pentecost Vigil Mass June 4 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which also repeats 1 p.m. June 11 and 2 p.m. June 12.  

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Jen Messing, founder and executive director of Into the Deep, who describes the outdoor adventures she offers that can connect participants with the beauty of God’s creation; and Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, who describes the National Eucharistic Revival that he is leading for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Listen to their interviews after they have aired:

PracticingCatholicShow.com

Practicing Catholic on Spotify