Church leaders from over 40 parishes in the San Fernando Pastoral Region, representing one million Catholics, made history during "Discernment Day" April 17 at St. Euphrasia Church in Granada Hills as they elected lay members to the first Synod-initiated pastoral regional council.

Eight men and eight women, as well as three male and five female alternates, were elected to serve three-year terms on the San Fernando pastoral regional council, which will be an advisory group reporting directly to San Fernando Region Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson. According to the group's charter, the purpose of the newly-formed body is two-fold: to collaborate with the regional bishop in faithfully bringing the vision of the Synod to life on the various local levels within the pastoral region, and to assist the regional bishop in other matters he may choose to bring before them.

"We're breaking new ground here," said Bishop Wilkerson. "We need the wisdom of so many people to be church today," he said, adding that the purpose of the regional pastoral council wasn't to "rubber stamp" episcopal proposals.

"I would not waste your time if I wasn't going to listen to you," said the bishop. He said one of the first items he might bring before the council would be how to cope with the ongoing priest shortage, which may necessitate the operation of parishes without resident priests.

In the next month or two, said the bishop, a priest from each deanery, two permanent deacons and two religious will be added to the council. According to Bishop Wilkerson, each of the other four pastoral regions is supposed to have a council "up and running" by the end of September. While the pastoral council charter suggests quarterly meetings, Bishop Wilkerson said the group would probably meet more often in the beginning.

Council members will establish six standing committees, one for each of the six Synod initiatives. They include: "Evangelization and 'The New Evangelization,'" "Structures for Participation and Accountability," "Ongoing Education and Formation: Adults, Young Adults, Youth," "Ministry and Leadership: Lay, Consecrated Life, Ordained," "Eucharist and Sacramental Living," and "Social Justice: Living at the Service of God's Reign."

The membership of each standing committee will include at least one member of the council as well as non-council members, including non-Catholics as necessary, who have special skills, knowledge and expertise related to the priority topic.

Before the 79 Discernment Day participants voted from the list of eligible candidates who had previously indicated willingness to serve at an April 3 meeting, they discussed in small deanery groups the ramifications of initiatives outlined in the final Synod document, "Gathered and Sent."

Many expressed excitement and a sense of hopefulness about the initiatives, especially in reference to increased collaboration and communication between clergy and laity. Concerns voiced included the challenges of implementing the "New Evangelization" for people in the pews and reaching out to the increasing populations of young adult Catholics, particularly in growth areas such as the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys.

"I marvel at the commonality of themes from the different deanery groups," said Jim Soliz, a delegate from Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Santa Clarita. "The biggest challenge [in implementing the Synod initiatives] will be the laity's acceptance of being empowered."

Willis Veluz-Abraham, a parishioner from Our Lady of Peace in North Hills who was one of the eight men elected to the council after the votes were tallied, said he's excited about the opportunity to work with inspiring people. "It feels wonderful," said the 33-year-old parish youth and summer camp volunteer. "I'm up for the challenge."

Fellow elected council member Kathleen Schwartz, 48, from St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church in North Hollywood, declared: "I feel overwhelmed by the fact that the laity has been given an opportunity to participate and be part of this process."

The council members, by deanery:

Deanery 5: Karen Brown, St. Bernadine of Siena, Woodland Hills; Ben Decenario, St. John Eudes, Chatsworth; Tom O'Malia, St. Mel, Woodland Hills; Cambria Smith, St. Bridget of Sweden, Van Nuys; Jean Brown, St. Catherine of Siena, Reseda (alternate A); and Tim Donahoe, Our Lady of Grace, Encino (alternate B).

Deanery 6: Monchie Allen, Holy Family, Glendale; Candace Beason, St. Bede the Venerable, La Canada; Lito Reyes, Holy Trinity, Los Angeles; Arlene Wilks, St. Bernard, Glassell Park; Willie Castro, St. Bernard (alternate A); and Peter Cheung, St. Dominic, Eagle Rock (alternate B).

Deanery 7: Rosy Hungerford, St. Finbar, Burbank; Frank Luciano, St. Robert Bellarmine, Burbank; Kathleen Schwartz, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, North Hollywood; Willis Veluz-Abraham, Our Lady of Peace, North Hills; Rafael Vega, St. Charles Boromeo, North Hollywood (alternate A); and Exiquio Ruiz, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sun Valley (alternate B).

Deanery 8: Jack Dunn, St. Clare, Canyon Country; Tucker Evans, St. Mary, Palmdale; Sandy Lassila, Blessed Kateri, Santa Clarita; Gary Weeks, Sacred Heart, Lancaster; Nancy Arriaga, St. Clare (alternate A); and Annabelle Farmer, St. Mary (alternate B).