SYNOD 2027 - A Message from Father Ned Brown

Dear Parishioners of the NW-V pastoral region of parishes,
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has formally begun preparations for Synod 2027. On June 19, marking the 205th anniversary of the Archdiocese’s establishment, Archbishop Robert G. Casey convened the Synod during Evening Prayer. In the presence of the faithful, he signed the decree of convocation together with the Synod officers: Fr. Jan Schmidt, moderator, and Jeremy Helmes, secretary.
A diocesan synod consists of a period of prayer and attentive listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another. It concludes with a general assembly composed of representatives from the clergy, vowed religious, and laity, who assist the bishop in discerning pastoral priorities for the local Church. Synod 2027 engages the entire Archdiocese in considering what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church of Cincinnati at this moment. Its purpose is to identify needs and recommend pastoral directions to Archbishop Casey.
This synodal process is aligned with the emphasis placed by Pope Leo XIV on a more synodal Church and corresponds with the conclusion of the Beacons of Light pastoral planning. It offers the local Church an opportunity for discernment about the direction and pastoral needs of the diocese.  More than fifty years after the previous archdiocesan synod which was last held in 1971.
Opportunities for Participation
Registrations for approximately sixty listening sessions, to be conducted throughout the Archdiocese in the fall, will open in the coming weeks. These sessions will involve prayerful conversations addressing local needs, opportunities, and challenges. Information concerning the Disciple Maker Index will also be made available soon to support parish and school leaders in promoting participation.
Members of the parish are invited to consider serving as facilitators or table hosts for these listening sessions. Descriptions of these roles and registration details will be provided in due course as the diocesan facilitators are still working out the details and final structure. 
Further resources, including slides and a recording of a recent "Lunch & Learn session" was conducted and are now accessible on the official Synod 2027 website: https://catholicaoc.org/synod-2027 
Synod Process
The Synod will proceed in five movements:  
  1. Formation and Preparation (first half of 2026),  
  2. Listening Sessions (second half of 2026),  
  3. Synthesis, Prayer, and Preparation (first half of 2027),  
  4. General Assembly (second half of 2027), and  
  5. Implementation (first half of 2028).  
The General Assembly will gather elected delegates to offer recommendations on pastoral priorities to the Archbishop.  
All clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese are encouraged to take part in this process of communal discernment. Additional information may be found at catholicaoc.org/synod-2027.
    Sincerely in Christ,  Fr. Ned Brown