Tell us what you think

January 20, 2022

Bishop William Joensen wants to hear from you for both a local strategic visioning process and for the synod process that Pope Francis launched last year.

On pages four and five,  you will find a survey in English and Spanish that asks your opinion on how the Diocese is doing in a variety of pastoral areas. It also asks you to help rank a variety of issues that are most important.

Bishop Joensen is asking for feedback at a time when Pope Francis is calling the Church to listen more. 
Coincidentally, the Diocese of Des Moines is already in a synodal process of listening as it proceeds with a Spirit-led strategic visioning process.

“Synodality will be the way in which parishes, schools and our diocesan offices discern how to implement the diocesan vision and priorities that have emerged from the ground up,” said John Gaffney, diocesan director of Evangelization and Catechesis and coordinator of our local synod response.

Questions in the survey stem from themes which emerged in 35 focus groups and many one-on-one meetings with leaders, both clergy and lay, from across the Diocese. 

It is hoped that the survey will help the steering committee for the strategic visioning process prioritize these emerging themes. This committee of lay persons, two priests and a deacon couple will meet regularly from the end of January through early April to articulate a proposed strategic vision and corresponding priorities for the next several years. 

Your feedback on the survey will be used for both the pope’s synod process and for local planning.
The synodal process of listening helps the Church hear the call for renewal, Gaffney said.  

“By leaning into synodality during this key moment, we hope that it is not seen as a one-time event, but a prayerful process of discerning together so that decisions are for the good of all,” Gaffney said.