Archbishop Bernard Hebda described the Archdiocesan Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly as a day of hope.
“As I was watching people come in from all parts of our archdiocese, there was a peace that was with them and I think a little bit of an excitement to see where the Holy Spirit would be leading us,” Archbishop Hebda told Patrick Conley, host of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show, for an episode set to air at 9 p.m. June 13 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
“I was amazed at how many people, when they did have the opportunity to speak, spoke about how important their listening was in the course of that day, and even how some of them had changed their priorities that they wanted to share based on what they had heard. In my mind, it was very successful in that way,” Archbishop Hebda said.
The 2025 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly was shorter than the previous one in 2022, which Archbishop Hebda believed helped prepare assembly members to discuss propositions more intently. The format of the day was the same as in 2022, but assembly members expressed to Archbishop Hebda that they were grateful for more time to discuss the propositions.
“The last time we gathered, we did Friday evening, Saturday and then Sunday,” the archbishop said. “(2025) was just a one-day assembly. … We were really based on the work that had been done at the last Synod. It was taking up those same propositions that had been discussed. … The shorter period, I think, would make it distinct. The fact that people already had some experience, I think that was helpful.”
In the next few months, the archbishop will look at the votes and discussion summaries to get a deeper sense of where the Holy Spirit is guiding the Synodal process.
“I know that everybody that participated has a valuable insight and so we want to make sure we look at that carefully,” Archbishop Hebda said. “Then it essentially is continued prayer and discernment as we strive to figure (out) … what are those next steps that are going to be important for us in being the Church that Jesus and his Holy Spirit desire us to be. Even though it was a lot of work for so many leading up to the Synod, the work is just as important now as we really try to reflect on what the Holy Spirit was speaking to us in the midst of those comments.”
Archbishop Hebda said that he is aware of how the June 7 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly might impact the future of the archdiocese in trying to find a regular rhythm for synodal gatherings.
“We’re not sure what the proper interval or rhythm should be, whether it’s every two years or three years or five years, but we know that it’s something we want to do,” Archbishop Hebda said. “Having seen already on Saturday the value of building on a past experience, we know that we want to be able to continue to build.”
To hear more from Archbishop Hebda about the 2025 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. June 14 and 2 p.m. June 15.
Also on the program, Archdiocesan Synod Assembly members recap their experiences from June 7. Also, Nikelle Morris and Steve Broszko from Missed the Boat Theatre talk about their roles and the company’s vision.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, “Practicing Catholic” can be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
