The Diocese of Crookston, as part of Pope Francis' call for getting parishioners involved in improving operations within the Catholic Church, is conducting an upcoming Synod Listening Session from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Sacred Heart in Roseau.

"You know what's working and what needs work in your parish and the Diocese of Crookston," the diocese said in a Facebook post this week. "This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our local Church! Bishop Andrew Cozzens is seeking your feedback to help discern and establish pastoral priorities for the diocese."

In 2021, Pope Francis announced the "Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church," a release issued on TheConversation.com said. The process will last for two years and involves expanding the existing "Synod of Bishops." Bishops around the world will be consulting with monks, nuns, parishioners and lay people to bring more openness and transparency to the Church. Then the bishops are to get together in 2023 to discuss how to move forward as a church that "journeys together." 

The process is called a "Synod" because the word comes from a Greek word meaning "coming together," The Conversation said. The Synodal tradition for the Church began with ancient Christian leaders who would come together to discuss and pray about issues that affected the whole Church. 

The meetings became rarer by the 16th century, something the Church wanted to correct in more recent times. One of the goals of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was to reemphasize the role of bishops as leaders of their communities and encourage more communication and cooperation between bishops. 

When Pope Francis announced his call for the two-year synod, he noted the importance of parishioner involvement in the event.

"Participating in a #Synod means taking the same path as the Word made flesh: following in his footsteps, listening to his word and the words of others, discovering with amazement that the Holy Spirit always surprises us with fresh paths and new ways of speaking," the pontiff said in an October Twitter post.

The Diocese of Crookston echoed that message.

"We will pray together for the Synod on Synodality and our diocese," the Facebook post said. "We will discuss what's working as well as our challenges and opportunities. All are welcome; no RSVP is necessary. The Church needs your voice!"