Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

There are times in our lives when we participate in an event that we know is greater than we had envisioned. Last Sunday, Sept. 14, the feast of the Exultation of the Cross, during the 8 a.m. radio Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, I issued the decree accepting the work of the Synod. The work of the Synod provides a blueprint for our concentration as a Church for the next 10 to 15 years. The work gives us an opportunity to shape the future of our Church through the implementation of the issues and priorities the delegates offered.

Over the last three months, I have reviewed, prayed and reflected over the recommendations. As I tried to fashion in my mind how we would be challenged by the issues and grow in the faith, I also realized that I will probably not be the Archbishop of Milwaukee when the period of implementation ends. I felt a bit like the workers of the great Cathedrals of Europe during the middle ages who were called to do their part in a structure they would never see complete. However, the only thing that was important was that they were doing God’s work.

I am convinced that the Synod was doing God’s work. Perhaps we were not building the great Cathedrals, but we were building the faith for the entire Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I have asked that our plan for implementation includes all of us, the Pastoral Center, parishes, schools, religious communities, Catholic institutions, health care facilities and individuals. The success of any plan is that everyone is participating in whatever manner that is possible.

I am not an idealist or a utopian – I am a realist. If we can excite just a few more of our faithful in the beauty of the Church, deepen our relationship with God and instill a responsibility for our brothers and sisters, just imagine what a different Church we would be.

The Synod and its work has been one of the most important experiences of Church in which I have ever participated. It was more than an organizational process. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. If we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, we will be led toward holiness, our common vocation, and we will celebrate a Church called to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the September 16, 2014 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.