In 2019, Archbishop Hebda initiated a Synod process grounded in parish life and intended to discern and establish clear pastoral priorities to promote greater unity and a more vigorous proclamation of the Good News in the Archdiocese. The Synod process began with Prayer and Listening Events at parishes, including St. Pascal's, during 2019-2020 and Parish Consultation in the fall of 2021. An Archdiocesan Synod Assembly followed in June 2022, at which 40 Synod Propositions coming out of the Listening Events and Consultation were discussed and voted on by members of the Assembly.

In November 2022, Archbishop Hebda published his Post-Synodal Pastoral Letter, "You Will Be My Witnesses," to the Faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In his Pastoral Letter, the Archbishop shared his thoughts about the Synod process and how to begin the work of Synod implementation.

To that end, the Archbishop, among other things, asked pastors to form a Synod Evangelization Team (SET) for each parish to assist the pastors in implementing Synod Priorities for the parish in the future. In December 2022, Fr. John Mitchell formed the SET for the parish of St. Pascal Baylon (composed of Jaci Bush, Julie Moore, Deacon Rich Moore, Kim Roering, John Scanlon, and Mary Weyandt) to assist him in developing and implementing at the parish level the Synod Priorities.

The Archbishop established one Synod Priority at the parish level for each of the next three years. The Synod Priorities for the next three years are:

• Year 1 (July 2023 - June 2024): Small Groups
• Year 2 (July 2024 – June 2025): The Mass
• Year 3 (July 2025 - June 2026): Parents as Primary Educators

If you have questions about the Synod Implementation at St. Pascal's, please contact Fr. John Mitchell, Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation Kim Roering, Jaci Bush, or John Scanlon.