An Activated Disciple Seminar May 20 was the latest step in a multi-year Archdiocesan Synod process. More than 1,500 people from parishes across the archdiocese gathered in Minneapolis for Mass, speakers, music, prayer, adoration of the Eucharist and personal testimonies as Synod implementation moves forward.
Many who attended the daylong seminar were members of parish-based Synod Evangelization Teams of about 12 people who had participated in seven weeks of formation through the School of Discipleship offered through The St. Paul Seminary’s Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute in St. Paul and led by Jeff Cavins. The School of Discipleship was followed by a 40-Day Challenge, an opportunity to reflect and act on the virtues illuminated through the School of Discipleship, said Archbishop Bernard Hebda. That process “… opened up our hearts for the graces that God has intended for us in the Activated Disciple Seminar as well,” the archbishop said.
What’s next for those 1,500 people, including members of Synod Evangelization Teams? Through formation of parish-based small groups focused on evangelization, the Eucharist and the Mass and ministry to others, those 12 are expected to help form others and grow from about a dozen people in each parish to 72 people and then to still more activated disciples.
Joe Ruff, editor-in-chief of The Catholic Spirit, recently interviewed Archbishop Hebda about next steps in Synod implementation for an episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show that will debut at 9 p.m. June 2 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
The training and tools provided so far “really also primes us and … the archdiocese so well for moving forward next fall as we are trying to put together people to get training for small group leadership,” Archbishop Hebda said.
The first step is discerning who might be interested in leadership training to help conduct small groups, the archbishop said.
During the interview, Ruff asked Archbishop Hebda for his greatest hope at this point in Synod implementation. To hear his response and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. June 3 and 2 p.m. June 4.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Sam Backman, director of music at Holy Cross in northeast Minneapolis, and Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun of St. Maron in Minneapolis, who describe an upcoming eucharistic procession that includes seven parishes from multiple Catholic rites; and Father Michael Van Sloun, director of clergy personnel for the archdiocese, who describes ways to help prepare couples for marriage.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
