As part of the first diocesan phase of Synod 2021-2023, Bishop Raica conducted four regional evenings of prayer, one in Madison, one is Tuscaloosa, one in Birmingham, and one in Pell City. On the evening of Nov. 8, coincidently Bishop Raica’s birthday, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Pell City hosted the final evening of prayer.

Close to 80 people, including priests and deacons gathered for adoration with the bishop. During the evening, the bishop took time to explain the synodal process and how it pertains to all in the Diocese of Birmingham. Following the evening of prayer, all present gathered in the parish hall to treat Bishop Raica to a birthday celebration.

In the Diocese of Birmingham, the synodal process is being divided into so-called seasons: communion, participation, and mission. The first season, communion, which will last until December. The next season, participation, will begin in January and continue through March of 2022. The season of participation will include dialogue sessions with clergy, religious, and laity. The final season of the diocesan phase is mission. During this season, the feedback from the first two seasons will be gathered and compiled as a “synthesis” document to be sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The USCCB will join all other countries in sending their contributions for use in the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October of 2023. Find out more about the Diocese of Birmingham’s journey to the synod at bhmdiocese.org/synod.