Synod implementation is proceeding with the formation of regional councils in each of the five archdiocesan pastoral regions.

The formation of councils is one of the strategies called for in the documents of the Synod under Pastoral Initiative II: Structures for Participation and Accountability.

With the regional councils the infrastructure is created to implement the rest of the archdiocesan strategies and initiatives, said Deacon David Estrada, director of Synod Implementation. "It's an exciting and key component of what we need to do," he said.

Regional councils are mandated to "address common goals, concerns, challenges and the sharing of resources" as stated in the Synod documents. Parish councils will be in dialogue with their regional council, said Estrada.

Each auxiliary bishop and San Pedro episcopal vicar Msgr. Bernard Leheny has established a working group to begin developing requirements for the selection of candidates eligible to sit on its regional council as well as the selection process.

Each regional council will consist of 16 laity (four from each deanery), as well as several priests, deacons and religious. The councils will include 24-26 people, including the bishop and his assistant.

Parishes will have an opportunity to submit an individual's name to be considered for the regional council. The regional councils are to be set up by the fall.

Serving on a regional council is "a new discipleship," said Estrada. "Synod is about awakening that calling of the need for each of us to serve God and our brothers and sisters."

Estrada said he was hopeful that regional councils could assist the church through difficult times.

Simultaneously parishes are encouraged to set up parish councils if they do not have one already.

"We're in the process of assisting parishes in the formation of their parish councils and assisting them in enhancing their parish councils where one already exists to be better prepared for implementation of Synod initiatives," said Estrada.