One of seven vicars of evangelization appointed by Archbishop Bernard Hebda to help implement the Archdiocesan Synod told “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley that everyone is called to evangelize.
The days of the pastor being the only evangelizer “have been gone for quite some time,” said Father Leonard Andrie, pastor of St. Therese in Deephaven. “Whenever you read St. Paul’s letters, you always have that strong focus that we’re here, (and) we sink or we swim together. We’re in this as a team.”
A team of seven vicars of evangelization, chosen strategically across the archdiocese, is helping the archbishop by listening to and helping pastors and their parish-based Synod Evangelization Teams as needs arise, Father Andrie said.
“We are there to listen, basically, to our area parishes and what’s happening, to the blessings that are there, the challenges that are there. We report back to the archbishop, to say, ‘here are the things that are happening.’”
Some changes might be needed, some promising developments shared with others, Father Andrie said. Archbishop Hebda wants to be in tune with implementing the Synod priorities as much as possible, the priest said.
Those priorities include forming parish-based small groups this year and into 2024, emphasizing the Mass and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist in year two, and in year three, forming parents as the first teachers of the faith to their children.
The priorities, Father Andrie said, come out of desires expressed by people in listening sessions and other avenues across three years of preparation for the June 2022 Synod Assembly and the archbishop’s pastoral letter released in November titled “You Will be My Witnesses: Gathered and Sent from the Upper Room.”
To learn more about implementing the Archdiocesan Synod listen to the interview, which debuts at 9 p.m. April 28 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, where it also repeats at 1 p.m. April 29 and 2 p.m. April 30.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes Archbishop Hebda, who talks about the promise of spring in nature and in the local Church, and Jesuit Brother Matthew Wooters, who discusses the May 1 celebration of Religious Brothers Day.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
