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SYNOD REPRESENTATIVES
During this past Fall, each parish held an open "Speak Up Session," where all were invited to come and voice their hopes and concerns, their goals and ideas about the Church and how best the Church of Los Angeles can fulfill the Mission of Christ in our modern world. That material has now been digested and categorized. A lot of what was brought-up conflicts with our faith. Many legitimate concerns were raised. Now we must look at what we, as the local Church of Los Angeles, can do to fulfill the Mission of Christ.
Currently according to the Directives from the Holy See regarding Synods, each parish must now consider naming official Regional Synod members. One and all are invited and encouraged to pray about whom should be selected. Those nominated should fit the criteria set forth in the Roman Synod Document:
1) Has demonstrated consistent commitment to Our Lord and to the Church;
2) Manifests a solid spiritual and liturgical foundation;
3) Is at least 16 years of age;
4) Has received the three Sacraments of Initiation;
5) Is regarded by the parish community as one who actively professes our faith;
6) Can commit himself/herself to attend the Regional Synod Assemblies (November 9th and 16th); and, if elected at the Regional Assembly as an Archdiocesan Synod Representative, to the actual Synod Sessions in the spring of 2003.
All Fully-Initiated parishioners are asked to pray and reflect upon whom to nominate. All Pastors are automatically representatives by the Roman Synod Document. In addition, our parish will have four (4) representatives. The four representatives should reflect the age differences, the ethnicity (cultures and languages) and the life-styles (male, female, single, married, widowed, young, old) of the parish community. In addition, diverse expertise and perspectives are important factors in naming parish representatives.
The Roman Synod Document asks pastors to review all nominees before submitting the names to the Pastoral Council or Staff Committee to choose the parish representatives.
At least one alternate representative must be chosen, in case any chosen representative at the last minute cannot attend. All chosen representatives and the alternate must attend training sessions this spring during March.
Please write out the name, address and phone number of the person you wish to nominate. Also, you are asked to please include your reasons for nominating this person. Finally, the nominator is asked to please sign and also print his/her own name and phone number. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 13, 2002.
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