Father Seth's Bulletin Column for March 13th, 2022

If you haven’t heard of the “Let’s Listen” process going on in our diocese, or if you have, and you are wondering how to take part in this process, please read on as my article this week will be all about this process.  Our diocese is calling the process “Let’s Listen,” but it is part of the larger initiative of the Universal Church, which Pope Francis has asked all dioceses in the world to participate in, which is commonly known as the Synod on Synodality. 

For the purposes of our own diocese, Bishop Felton wants to hear from everyone who would like to be heard.  He believes strongly that the Holy Spirit wants to tell our diocese what the next step toward being a diocese on mission will be, and that the Holy Spirit will show us what that is through all of your voices.

Each deanery had a “kick-off” to this process by having a Mass with Bishop Felton and having the first Let’s Listen session for the deanery after the Mass.  Our deanery had our first Let’s Listen session on Sunday, February 27, at the Cathedral.  I saw several of our parishioners from both of our parishes. 

The questions that are asked are in two categories, which then have three questions for each category.  I will give the questions here so that you can begin to think about them and decide if this is something that you would like to participate in.

What is hurting or in need of healing in your…
-Personal Life
-Parish Life (or Church Experience)
-Local Community

 What is healthy or hopeful in our…
-Personal Life
-Parish Life (or Church Experience)
-Local Community

There will be three other Let’s Listen sessions happening in the city of Duluth this month.  If you would like to take part in one of these sessions here are the locations along with the dates and times:
Thursday, March 24 – 5:30 pm at St. Lawrence
Sunday, March 27 – 2:00 pm at St. Michael
Thursday, March 31 – 6:30 pm at St. James

For those of you who would prefer a less public option you can fill out your answers to the questions on our diocesan website: dioceseduluth.org.  The link is right on the home page.  Alternatively, in the March edition of the Northern Cross, which you should have received by now, there are copies of the questions that you can answer and send back in the mail to the diocesan offices. 

Whether you participate in these sessions in person or participate by sending your answers, or you choose not to participate, I ask that you pray to the Holy Spirit to guide this process. so that the information received from it may truly be from God to guide Bishop Felton as he shepherds our diocese.  God Bless. – Fr. Seth