Scroll Top
5 things to know about the Diocese of Dallas Synod Assembly
November 22, 2024

By Lacy de la Garza
Special to The Texas Catholic

This December, the Diocese of Dallas is preparing to enter an extraordinary phase in its history with a diocesan synod. This four-day assembly, being held Dec. 1-4, is a culmination of years of preparation, input, and discernment that brought together representatives from across the diocese to offer feedback to Bishop Edward J. Burns in his decisions on governance of the diocese. Here are five essential things to know about this historic event.

  1. The delegation represents the breadth and depth of our diocese. At the heart of this synod is the assembly of almost 300 delegates, chosen specifically to represent the richness of the Catholic community within the Diocese of Dallas. These delegates include lay people, clergy, parish staff, and religious representatives who embody the broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that make up the diocese. The makeup of those asked to offer a consultative vote aims to reflect the full community, from those deeply involved in parish life to those engaged in broader Catholic ministries and outreach. The delegates will offer their hopes and concerns through the consultative votes they will place during the assembly.
  2. Nearly 400 items will be presented for consultative votes. During the Synod Assembly, delegates will review and vote on a remarkable 376 proposals, which cover a wide range of topics and priorities reflecting the potential growth of our diocesan community. Each item holds importance as all are rooted in the desire to foster spiritual growth, strengthen Catholic identity, and ensure a thriving future for the Church in Dallas. These topics range from how to strengthen youth and family ministries to supporting priests in their vocations to deepening communities within the Church. Though the specific proposals are varied, each has been carefully crafted and considered with specific potential solutions to be discussed. This work represents months of listening sessions, preparatory meetings, and prayer.
  3. Doctrine remains unchanged. For many Catholics, it’s essential to understand that a diocesan synod, while significant, does not and cannot make changes to core Church doctrines. Instead, a synod is a local, pastoral assembly focused on offering assistance to the bishop while he adapts diocesan practices, priorities, and outreach to meet the unique needs of its community. In other words, the synod will offer perspective to the bishop in how the Diocese of Dallas can live out the timeless truths of the faith in a way that responds to the realities of today. The discussions and decisions made at this synod aim to deepen the commitment of the faithful and encourage active participation without altering foundational beliefs.
  4. Masses and confessions will continue on a limited schedule. As the Synod Assembly convenes, Masses and confessions will still be available across the diocese, though some parishes may offer them on a modified schedule during the four-day assembly. Parishioners are encouraged to check with their local parishes to confirm Mass and confession times during the synod weekend. A full spread is also present in this edition of The Texas Catholic. The diocese acknowledges the importance of these sacraments for daily life and is committed to ensuring they remain accessible, even while the synod is in session.
  5. The journey is rooted in history and heading toward the future. This upcoming Synod Assembly will be the first in Dallas since 1934, marking nearly 90 years since the last assembly of this kind. During that 1934 synod, resolutions were made that shaped parish structures, educational outreach, and early social services, laying a foundation that continues to influence the diocese today. This Synod in 2024 will build on that legacy, seeking to address new challenges and embrace fresh opportunities for Catholic evangelization and community-building.

As this chapter concludes, the work will shift toward a longer-term process. At the end of the year, the Synod Preparatory Commission, which has guided the synod’s development, will dissolve. In its place, a new Synod Implementation Commission will take on the task of offering counsel to the bishop as he governs the diocese through a formal process of implementation that will continue through 2031. However, it is important to recognize that the diocese foresees the renewal sparked by this synod in 2024 will extend well beyond that timeframe, fostering a thriving Catholic community that endures for generations.

Lacy de la Garza is the executive director of the Diocese of Dallas Synod.

Related Posts

Creating a framework for the future of the Diocese of Dallas Synod

The faithful have spoken. And the Church in Dallas is listening. From November to February, about 1,300 people attended a series of four catechetical sessions, which aimed to help the faithful learn more about the synodal process, its goals and ultimately how it will affect the Diocese of Dallas. The sessions, however, offered not only an opportunity to become more educated about the Diocese of Dallas Synod 2024, but also an avenue to present questions to Bishop Edward J. Burns and provide feedback about how the diocese impacts their faith lives.

23 Mar 2022
From synod sessions springs opportunities for our diocese

Having worked in parish ministry for more than a decade, I expected this synod would provide an opportunity to enter into a discussion with my peers, share my perspective and listen to other people’s experiences and hopes for the future of our Church. I had deeply held beliefs, which I felt were fairly formed from years of experiences with the institutional Church. I looked forward to discussing these issues in a safe space with other sons and daughters of the Church, whose point of views principally come from a place of love for the Church and desire to see its functioning in the world improve.

22 Mar 2022
Communication and evangelization play vital role in Church, Bishop Burns says

The role of the laity in the Church in Dallas is vital, Bishop Edward J. Burns told participants in a Diocese of Dallas Synod listening session on Communications and Evangelization on Feb. 25 at John Paul High School. 

03 Mar 2023
Listening session focuses on Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation

The faithful gathered April 15 at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Parish in Irving for a Diocese of Dallas Synod listening session on Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation.

19 Apr 2023
Through invitation, we welcome others to ‘come and see’

A special Diocese of Dallas synod listening session for Young Adults is coming up on Oct. 3. The intention of the synod listening session is to hear the voices of the Church—this one particularly young adults between the ages of 21-35––who are not typically heard, in order to address their needs and invite them to join our community.

27 Sep 2023
Diocese of Dallas Synod: Session engages young adults in conversation

More than 300 young adults gathered under the cozy lights of Community Beer Co. to sip beer and share their perspectives on today’s Church. This Oct. 3 synodal listening session, titled “Conversations Unfiltered: The Church and the Future,” was an opportunity for young adults, ages 21 to 35, to discuss their experience as young people within the Dallas diocese. The session was the 28th of 30.

18 Oct 2023
De la Garza: Lay leadership remains vital to our Church in Dallas

Lay leadership in the Diocese of Dallas is a critical component of our future success.

08 Oct 2023
Final listening session held as work continues for diocesan synod

A pair of decorated cakes added a celebratory spirit, but for those in attendance, a workman-like demeanor fueled discussions Oct. 21 at a Diocese of Dallas synodal listening session at Cristo Rey Dallas College Preparatory School. The gathering marked the final of 30 listening sessions over nearly two-and-a-half years, planned as part of the preparatory phase of the Diocese of Dallas Synod.  

25 Oct 2023
Father Bayer: Lay engagement in the synod and beyond

As a member of the synod preparatory commission, one of the exciting things I have seen is the synergy between clergy and laity in our diocese. Of course, we are still a pilgrim people, and the data we received from the listening sessions shows the need for further growth. Nonetheless, it has been beautiful, as a priest, to work shoulder to shoulder with so many dedicated lay people and priests on the commission and elsewhere, all of us wanting to try our best to give ourselves away for the good of the Church.

02 Nov 2023
Preparations under way for Diocese of Dallas synod assembly

In December, nearly 300 delegates from throughout the Diocese of Dallas will gather to discern a catalogue of resolutions as part of the third diocesan synod. The Diocese of Dallas Synod Assembly will be held Dec. 1-4, signaling the conclusion of the synod’s preparatory process as it transitions into its implementation phase.

22 Jul 2024
Bishop calls on delegates to embrace synodal mission

“My friends, we have work to do.” Those words are how Bishop Edward J. Burns closed a Mass for nearly 300 faithful who gathered Sept. 14 at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a Mass to be commissioned as delegates for the Diocese of Dallas Synod assembly later this year.

30 Sep 2024
Historic diocesan synod assembly stands as a testament to our vibrant faith, community

I saw a need for a Diocesan Synod during the historic pandemic, when our pews were empty, our pulpits silent, and our altars were barren. I knew we needed to do something historic to compensate for this pandemic.

10 Dec 2024