Ten people from our diocese went to the Jubilee of Synodality Groups in Rome

A Jubilee Year is special for every Catholic, but visiting Rome during one is like receiving an abundance of graces. Our Bishop Michael Mulvey and nine members of our diocese, who participated in a Synodality Course offered by the Evangelii Gaudium Center, traveled to the Eternal City. There, they met with fellow Catholics from around the world—and Pope Leo XIV.
 
Besides the bishop, the group consisted of Chancellor Marc Cervantes and his wife, Lisa; Fr. Pete Elizardo; Blanca and Mannti Cummins; Sandra and Matt Ficenec; Maritza Rodriguez from Corpus Christi Cathedral; and Sr. Caritas Sparke, SOLT. Bishop Mulvey said it was “an experience of Church – the Body of Christ is not just Corpus Christi, but it’s extended all over the world.” Every continent was represented, and people shared how they practiced synodality in their dioceses and parishes. “Pope Leo was there, the head teacher of the faith, but humbly in the middle of others that are working hard to make the Church more united and more available for people.” It was a beautiful experience for the bishop that “the hierarchical Church is not only teaching but also listening – and the pope is an incredible listener.”
 
Blanca Cummins, who initially proposed going to Rome for the Jubilee, cherished every moment: “It was such a wonderful, inspiring community-building experience.” Being in the Pope Paul VI Hall at the Vatican already felt special, and she learned a lot from attending workshops on leadership and polarization: “Making space for what the other person is saying is fundamental. We often think in the categories ‘either–or,’ but we need to move to ‘both-and.’” Conflicts can be very productive when approached this way, leading to innovative solutions: “Unity and diversity, hierarchy and participation – we don’t need to give up one for the other, but find the right balance.”
 
Bishop Mulvey, who attended the workshop with Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, described it as a “real listening session, with a consensus: We need to stop talking about it and do it.” He also observed that synodality is a spiritual renewal, “and we need a spirituality that can support that.”

 During a meeting with Pope Leo, one person from each continent shared an experience and asked a question, with Pope Leo responding spontaneously. “He was so animated,” said Blanca, emphasizing that the pope highlighted the importance of relationships over processes.
 
On Sunday, Fr. Pete and Bishop Mulvey had the opportunity to concelebrate Mass with the pope at St. Peter’s, with our bishop ending up seated in one of the front rows. Part of the group then visited the Vatican Gardens and the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, which is now a museum. The group also toured every Holy Door in the major basilicas, praying for our diocese. “It was a spiritual renewal for me, and I think it was just what I needed at this point in my life - having God's grace provided through a simple but very profound act,” said Bishop Mulvey.
 
Besides all the spiritual nourishment, the group enjoyed plenty of pizza and other good food—a central part of the Italian experience.