Why now?

From the beginning of Beacons of Light, it has been important to remind ourselves of WHY the process is necessary. To that end Parishes were grouped into Families, not only to address changing demographics and to ensure the availability of priests, especially pastors, for the foreseeable future. We have often noted that Beacons of Light is a pastoral planning process designed to best arrange all our resources – our people, our physical assets, and our financial resources – to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in our particular time and place.

While many Families of Parishes have made great strides in addressing the early phases of “Beacons,” it is time to take a bolder step in discerning the ways each Family, and all in our archdiocese, will meet the missionary moment of our time.

This is why Archbishop Casey asks every Family of Parishes to participate in a process we are calling Family Unity Discernment.

Through Family Unity Discernment, Families of Parishes will consider, in a synodal way, if they have sufficient resources as well as how best to deploy or reconfigure their resources to foster missionary discipleship and meet the challenge of our apostolic age. Families of Parishes within a deanery will do this at the same time, between April 2026 and June 2027, to explore strengths gained from collaborative relationships within a deanery (geographic region).

Archbishop Casey recently addressed leaders in one deanery in which he explained why Family Unity Discernment is necessary, and why it is so, now.

A Preparatory Commission has been formed to assist Archbishop Casey in the design and implementation of Synod 2027. Archbishop Casey's opening address to that commission is now available online, providing a deeper understanding of the role of the Synod and the importance of it at this time in the life of the archdiocese.

Everyone is invited to gather on June 19, the 205th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, for the formal convening of the Synod. This ritual moment will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville.

Are you ready to learn more about Synod 2027? A special Lunch & Learn web meeting is scheduled June 11 or June 16 at Noon to learn more about Synod 2027 and the ways leaders and parishioners will be invited to pray and participate in the synod in the coming year.

We are called to live our faith in all aspects of our lives, but – when it comes to voting – this can be difficult. During this election season, immerse yourself in the worldwide Church’s life and teaching. Gain a fuller understanding of the Church’s commitment to a consistent ethic of life which guides us to be advocates for a variety of issues related to life and human dignity.

Of course, not every issue is morally equivalent, not every proposal is equally a direct moral threat, nor can commitment to one issue excuse indifference to the rest. The complexities of political process in a diverse society require prudence. We will not be telling you for whom or what to vote. Rather, to inform your vote we encourage prayer, study, shared discernment, listening to those who are most vulnerable, and drawing closer to the sacred heart of Jesus, which burns with love of all humanity.

Stewardship: Shining the Light of Christ for All to See, the 64th annual stewardship conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Council will be held September 20-23. This annual opportunity to learn more about stewardship, including best practices for parish leaders, network with others, and be inspired by the message of stewardship as a grateful and generous way of life is a perfect opportunity for pastors, staff, and parishioner leaders to gather with others from throughout the United States and the world.

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