SAN DIEGO — More than a third of the parishes in the Diocese of San Diego are now actively participating in a process of “Re-Imagining Parish Life and Leadership in a Synodal Church.”
This effort is helping pastors and parishioners engage in meaningful dialogue, building stronger relationships and sharing perspectives that lead to better decision-making at the parish level.
Currently, 34 “re-imagining” parishes are part of this initiative, a key step in creating a culture of synodality as each develops goals for parish life and leadership.
Convocation set for Aug. 23
Members of each parish’s Re-Imagining Team or Re-Imagining Pastoral Council will gather on Saturday, Aug. 23, for the second annual Convocation of Re-Imagining Parishes at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
The event, themed “Pilgrims of Hope, Guided by the Holy Spirit,” will bring together about 375 participants for a day of prayer, dialogue and inspiration. Speakers include Bishop Michael Pham and Auxiliary Bishops Ramón Bejarano and Felipe Pulido.
“Expanding this initiative is essential,” said Bishop Pulido. It allows parishes to learn from one another, create a culture of collaboration, and involve more voices in decision-making. Above all, the effort seeks to “enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength to our hands for our common mission,” according to the final report on the Synod on Synodality.
What is synodality?
In October 2021, Pope Francis launched the global Synod on Synodality, a three-year process inviting every diocese to consult its members, beginning at the parish level.
“Synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ,” according to the final report of the Synod on Synodality.
The aim was to revitalize the Church for the 21st century. Local consultations led to reports at diocesan, national and continental levels, culminating in two gatherings of delegates in Rome in 2023 and 2024. Proposals from those sessions were submitted to Pope Francis. The Vatican released an implementation plan in July. (See Page 14).
In San Diego, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy moved quickly to foster a synodal culture, launching several initiatives, including pilot parishes. The diocese’s new bishop, Bishop Pham, has affirmed that continuing this work remains a priority.
A new way of being Church
Last summer, the first cohort of 17 pilot parishes identified two key goals — one focused on community life, the other on leadership — and began implementing them using synodal practices.
This spring, those parishes welcomed a second cohort of 17 Re-Imagining Teams or Re-Imagining Pastoral Councils, sharing best practices in their mutual gatherings. Today, 34 parishes are actively engaged, some completing their initial goals, others developing new ones.
Father John Hurley, CSP, is a member of the Diocese’s Re-Imagining Leadership Team and the initiative’s coordinator. Bishop Pulido and Chancellor “Marioly” Galván are the other leadership team members.
Father Hurley noted “the hope and excitement” in all of the gatherings.
“It’s an ongoing journey — transforming culture,” he said. “There is no end point.”
Pilot Parishes
The first pilot parishes include: Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Guadalupe (Chula Vista), Our Lady of Guadalupe (San Diego), Sacred Heart (Brawley), Sacred Heart (Coronado), Our Lady of Grace, St. Therese, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Brigid, St. Didacus, St. Gregory the Great, St. Jude Shrine of the West, St. Luke, St. Mary Star of the Sea (Oceanside), St. Mary (Escondido), St. Thomas More, and The Immaculata.
The second cohort includes: Ascension, Good Shepherd, Holy Trinity, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe (Calexico), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (San Ysidro), Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sacred Heart (Ocean Beach), St. Catherine Laboure, St. Mark, St. Martin of Tours, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Most Precious Blood, Our Lady of Refuge, St. John of the Cross, San Rafael, and St. Thérèse of Carmel.
