Emphasizing "the three C's" of communion, culture and communication, Cardinal Roger Mahony laid out his vision for the next four-and-a-half years of his tenure as cardinal of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles during a re-gathering of Synod delegates and archdiocesan leaders. He also commissioned members for the newly formed Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, who will collaborate in dialogue with the archbishop.

Communion, said the cardinal, "means that people need to have a vital, meaningful parish community. Communion means that people sense that they belong to a community that means something to them and that strengthens and nourishes them."

The cardinal said that efforts to prepare lay members, deacons and women religious as pastoral associates and parish life directors would ensure that parishes sustain well-functioning communities in the years to come. He also said the local church needs more ordained priests as the population in Southern California continues to grow.

"We are a Eucharistic Church which gathers faithfully for the celebration of the Eucharist and therefore we need to continue those efforts, as well as to pray for and encourage more women to enter consecrated religious life for the good of the church," he said.

Speaking the morning of Nov. 18 at the parish hall of St. Mel Church in Woodland Hills, the cardinal addressed some 300 Synod delegates, regional council members, archdiocesan council members, auxiliary bishops, priests, religious women, deacons, interfaith observers and archdiocesan leaders.

The archdiocese is planning for the future at a time when the Catholic population continues to grow, largely because of immigration to California, while the median age of active priests is 61. California is a destination of choice for many Catholic immigrants from Mexico and Central America, the Philippines, Korea and elsewhere.

"With respect to our treatment of cultural diversity," said the cardinal, "my vision of our local church so rich in cultural diversity, is expressed in the inscription from the prophet Isaiah on the cornerstone of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels: 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.'"

The need to evangelize such a growing and diverse population necessitates good communication, and archdiocesan leaders are asked to look to the media and emerging technologies to proclaim the Good News, said the cardinal. "We have to be aware of the importance of our technology, and we've got to be there in the front with it and not catching up later," he said.

The Office of Synod Implementation has created a Media Sub-Committee and is seeking people with media experience to assist with an evangelization effort that makes better use of media and technology.

Following the cardinal's talk, Dr. Michael Downey, the cardinal's theologian, reflected on the theological underpinnings of communion, culture and communication and its Trinitarian relational foundation.

The archdiocesan mission to proclaim the reign of God to people with widely different cultures can seem a daunting task, said Downey, but he added there is reason for hope.

"Remember this: in Trinitarian perspective, when you and I reach an impasse, face irreconcilable differences, when we cannot find words of forgiveness and reconciliation, we can take heart in the consolation that from all eternity, and until the consummation of the world the Father and the Son are still managing to talk to one another," said Downey. "And their speech, their saying, their Word is Love poured out, making us a new creation in which there will be no division or separation, higher and lower, but all shall be one, and all manner of things shall be well."

The concrete manifestation of bringing the people of the archdiocese into greater communion has been reflected in the ongoing implementation of the six pastoral initiatives promulgated at the conclusion of the Synod in September 2003. Those priorities include evangelization and the "new evangelization;" structures for participation and accountability; ongoing education and formation for adults, young adults and youth; ministry and leadership --- lay, consecrated, ordained; Eucharist and sacramental living and social justice --- living at the service of God's reign.

Deacon David Estrada, executive director of the Office of Synod Implementation, reviewed the extensive work in each of the five pastoral regions on the Synod initiatives. Chief among them are the establishment of viable, pastoral councils at each parish and the development of regional pastoral councils to advise and consult with auxiliary bishops, marking the first time the archdiocese has ever set up regional councils.

"It just takes time for these councils to develop a life of their own, as they get to know one another and certainly understand the structure of the archdiocese, the needs of the faithful and certainly the needs of individual parishes which are contained in each of our five regions," said Deacon Estrada.

San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar said he found working with his regional council to be an "invaluable" source of consultation.

"How wonderful it is to be able to be in decision making, not alone, but guided by the people that the Spirit has called, empowered and sent, he said. "Collaboration is key for the church today."

Other regional council members echoed the sentiment that the wisdom of the Holy Spirit has guided the formation of more collaborative structures of participation and accountability among clergy, religious and laity.

"The most important thing that has happened," said Cambria Smith, a parishioner of St. Bridget of Sweden Church in Van Nuys, a member of the San Fernando Regional Council and the new Archdiocesan Pastoral Council "is the power of the Holy Spirit, which has been unleashed by this process, and how we've been impacted as a group.

"As a lay person I certainly feel incredibly fortunate to experience this watershed moment when we have actually begun to fulfill that vision and promise of the Second Vatican Council to realize and embrace the indispensable role of the laity in the mission of the church," added Smith.

The Synod gathering concluded with the blessing and commissioning of the newly formed Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. The council will meet directly with Cardinal Mahony several times a year to be in dialogue with him in a consultative role about implementing the vision of the Synod and other significant archdiocesan matters.

Members of the newly formed Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, who will serve staggered three, four and five-year terms, include the following:

San Fernando: Jack Dunn, Cambria Smith, Kathleen Schwartz.

San Pedro: Tom Connolly, Kathy Hambrock, Dave Kennedy.

San Gabriel: Lupita Garza, Anita Ford, Chris Caenepeel.

Our Lady of the Angels: Horetense Bradley, Loraine de Jesus, Caitlin Morais.

Santa Barbara: Cathy Brudnicki, Robert Sanchez, Lauren Burns.

Council of Deacons: Deacons Mario Guerra and Gary Patterson.

Parish Life Directors: Sister Susan Slater, SHCJ.

Council of Priests: Father Albert Bahhuth and Msgr. John Woolway.

Religious Women: Sisters Emilie Ann Palladino, SND, and Carolyn McCormack, OP.

Religious Brothers: Brother William Nick, CSC.

Ex Officio/Non-voting Members: Msgr. Royale Vadakin, moderator of the Curia/Vicar General; Sister Mary Elizabeth Galt, BVM, chancellor; Father Joseph Hernandez, vice-chancellor; Randy Steiner, chief financial officer; Deacon David Estrada, executive director, Office of Synod Implementation.