The archdiocesan Office of Synod Implementation recently launched a new Web site at www.lasynod.org.

"The Synod specifically directed the archdiocese to make greater use of the Internet in its mission," said Deacon David Estrada, executive director of the Office of Synod Implementation. "So what better way to model this pastoral strategy and provide extensive resources to the people of God than with a comprehensive Web site."

The site offers resources for those interested in the Catholic faith and for estranged Catholics wanting to return. It also provides leadership resources and step-by-step direction on forming parish councils to further the Synod initiative on participation and accountability. The site will also provide details on the proceedings of all five Regional Pastoral Councils. In the future it will offer resources on formation and education.

Developed under the direction of the members of the Synod Implementation Commission, the new site provides the full text of all Synod documents as well as Cardinal Roger Mahony's pastoral letters that laid the foundation for the Synod, including "As I Have Done for You" (from Holy Thursday 2000) and "Gather Faithfully Together" (from September 1997). An online archive of past Synod stories in The Tidings is also included.

"The theme of the Synod implementation effort is 'Rebuild My Church,'" said Claudio Ludovisi, parishioner of Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades and a member of the implementation commission.

"This theme happens to be drawn from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, but this call to action is very timely, because the future of the church depends on the active participation of each and every Catholic, not just the ordained. Embracing this call requires a leap of faith from every one of us -- that despite our human flaws, we have all been given the gifts necessary to make a meaningful contribution to our community."

Ludovisi added that the need to put substantial renewal resources in the hands of every Catholic in the archdiocese resulted in the decision to offer a comprehensive Web site.

The new site is the first archdiocesan Internet effort to utilize "blogs," an Internet technology that enables correspondents to post entries directly to the site from any computer anywhere in the world.

Joy Chen, parishioner at Holy Angels Church in Arcadia, is one of the commission members who will serve as a site correspondent.

"By enabling correspondents throughout the archdiocese to post Synod-related happenings directly to the Web site, the people of the archdiocese will be able to have constantly updated information available to them," said Chen. "Do you want to know what's going on in relation to implementation of the Synod? Go to the site and get the latest news, posted after every event."

According to Deacon Eric Stoltz of St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles and developer of the Web site, proceedings of each Regional Pastoral Council will be posted to the site. "Minutes of meetings, documents and contact information are among the easily accessible information we envision for the section of each Regional Pastoral Council," Stoltz explained. "We are taking seriously the Synod mandate for accountability and transparency of all church affairs, even as the archdiocese expands leadership opportunities to lay people."

Estrada said that the scope of the new site will expand as the Synod implementation effort progresses. "This site will be the central point of all Synod implementation efforts," he said. "As we move into a new era in the church, it is only fitting that we coordinate it wit the new media of our age."

Rafael Vega, parishioner at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood, said the site further reflected the multicultural view of the Synod. "We have provided extensive resources, not only in English, but in Spanish," said Vega. "If you want to learn about the Synod initiatives or how to set up a parish council, these are among the resources you can access in both languages. There is no longer any excuse for not having a parish council in this archdiocese."

Estrada agreed: "With this new Web site, we are putting Synod implementation into the hands of the people. The role of the people no longer needs to be filtered through information provided by the clergy. We invite all the people of the archdiocese to go to the site themselves and discern how God is calling them to 'Rebuild My Church.'"