The Fourth Diocesan Synod is now consigned to history as an event that was of great significance for the future of the Canadian Diocese. The Synod focused on a Mission and Evangelism, Parish Organizations and Church Finances. St. Mary’s Parish from Winnipeg was represented by two delegates, Father Tadeusz Czelen and Ted Maciurzynski.
During a day of lively and active deliberation by the delegates, many excellent ideas and programs were discussed that will now hopefully be implemented in the Parishes of our Diocese.
The twenty two delegates attended the Synod, representing all of the Parishes of the Diocese. The Synod was hosted by Saint John the Baptist Parish, Toronto, Ontario, whose facilities were more than adequate for this assembly. We are grateful to Father Zbigniew Kozar and the Parishioners for their gracious hospitality in making all of the delegates feel at home. The Synod Hall and the beautiful church building in which we attended the Synod Mass lent to an atmosphere of dignity and solemnity for this special diocesan event.
All delegates focused on the important issues, programs and committees that have been established to incorporate ideas and turn them into reality over the next four years. Those who have been elected are capable Christian men and women who have the future growth and expansion of our Diocese in heart and mind. We pray that the Holy Spirit will direct their efforts and plans to make these programs successful.
Much of the success of the Synod can be attributed to the fact that the delegates had been able to study the major issues of the Synod prior to coming to Toronto. This information had been forwarded to them in sufficient time to help them become acquainted with programs that would be discussed. The Synod provided an open forum for the delegates to ask question, to discuss the issues and to become even better prepared in making decisions during the Synod sessions. The participant’s discussions were enthusiastic. They offered some additions and modifications that would make them both acceptable and workable for the next four years. Again, we attribute the acceptance of these programs to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who enlightened the delegates to understand their importance for the needs of the Diocese. We now hope that the rest of the members of the Diocese will see how important it was to send delegates to this Synod, and how important it will be to cooperate with their delegates in implementing these programs in the life of each Parish. The success of this Synod was not just the meetings. The Synod delegates sowed the seeds that now need to be cultivated and nurtured by the local parishes in order to make them develop into the successful programs that they intended to produce. It is now up to every Pastor, every Priest and Deacon, every Parish committee and members of every Congregation in the Diocese to work and pray together to make it all happen.
Let us pray during the next four years that what was accepted by the delegates of the Fourth Diocesan Synod will become a reality. We pray that by the next Synod the Diocese will again both increase in spirituality and growth in membership. Remember all things can happen when we walk with God and allow His will to guide our journey in life.
