The Diocese of Birmingham is sponsoring four regional evenings of prayer as part of the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality. The synod will focus on “how responsibility and power are lived in the Church as well as the structures by which they are managed, bringing light and trying to convert prejudices and distorted practices that are not rooted in the Gospel.”

Locally, the synod process will begin Oct. 17 with Mass celebrated by Bishop Raica at the Cathedral of St. Paul. This introductory phase, which the Vatican has asked all dioceses to participate, will continue through the end of April 2022. During this period of time, consultations will be held and feedback will be collected on questions posed by synod documents.

Asking God’s blessing on our journey to seek deeper understanding and realization of our communion in Christ as a local Church, Bishop Raica will host times for prayer before our Lord in the Eucharist. The first evening of prayer will be held at St. John the Baptist in Madison on Oct. 20. St. Francis of Assisi in Tuscaloosa will hold the next one on Nov. 2 and the Cathedral of St. Paul will hold another on Nov. 4. The last evening will be held at Our Lady of the Lake in Pell City on Nov. 8. All events will be celebrated from 7-8 p.m. Find out more about the diocesan phase at bhmdiocese.org/synod.