The Diocesan Pastoral Congress: It's for Everyone

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“No, I am not going to attend the Diocesan Pastoral Congress. It’s just for catechists and people who teach in the religious education program at the parish, right?”

“Not quite accurate,” I responded, “Let me explain.”

My friend’s question illustrates a commonly held misunderstanding. The Diocesan Pastoral Congress offers all adults an invitation to gather for times of prayer, learning, discussion and spiritual enrichment. Our Congress welcomes adults to discover more about our beautiful faith. The 2022 theme, “Eucharist: Life, Joy and Thanksgiving,” is right in line with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan’s goal to expand offerings for adult faith formation. Our focus on the Eucharist will bring each of us a deeper awareness of “the source and summit of Christian life.”

Why should adults who are not catechists attend the Congress? Referring to the celebration of Eucharist, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy highlights our need for adult faith formation: “The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ’s faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators.” (SC,48).

A quick review of our history in the Diocese of Salt Lake City reveals a Church constantly responding to the needs of the people of God in Utah. In the 1960s, the Most Rev. Joseph L. Federal, sixth Bishop of Salt Lake City, attended the opening and all sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. From his experience, Bishop Federal concluded that there was a need to gather Utah catechists and religious educators for a yearly meeting. He brought them together offering prayer, educational sessions and opportunities for spiritual guidance. Bishop Federal became the founder of the first religious education Congress in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Offerings and attendance numbers at the annual meeting expanded greatly under Bishop Federal’s successors, Bishop William K. Weigand and Bishop George H. Niederauer. The growing Hispanic community facilitated the expansion of the speakers and offerings to be presented in Spanish. 

In the 2000s, with the opening of Juan Diego Catholic High School and the availability of a new auditorium and classrooms, adults attending the annual Congress grew to a crowd of over 600. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City, in 2007 the Congress emphasized adult faith formation offerings with specialized presentations for attendees interested in marriage enrichment, Scripture, Catholic social teaching, prayer traditions, stewardship, vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, lay ecclesial ministry, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and liturgical ministries.

In 2018, our current bishop, the Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis, unveiled a new Diocesan Pastoral Plan at the Congress, a plan that was initiated by Bishop Wester before his departure to New Mexico. One of the Pastoral Plan’s priorities includes expansion of adult faith formation and what was once a religious education Congress evolved into an event open to all interested laity and clergy.

In March of 2020, the Covid pandemic necessitated many changes. All public Masses and gatherings, including the Diocesan Pastoral Congress, were cancelled. Many people in our communities experienced dramatic changes to their religious routines resulting from the Covid pandemic. As in the past, the Catholic Church in Utah has made effective accommodations during challenging times. Our churches are now open, and we are exploring new methods of adult faith formation.

The Diocesan Pastoral Congress was offered remotely in 2021. This year, all the faithful are invited to gather on Sept. 17 in their parishes or missions to share livestreamed keynote presentations and discussions on the theme of “Eucharist: Life, Joy and Thanksgiving.”

Filled with hope, we continue to build upon the programs our bishops envisioned.

The U.S. Catholic bishops have announced a national Eucharistic Revival over the next three years, and this time of study and prayer will bring refreshment and renewal. As our diocese’s chief catechist and shepherd, Bishop Solis welcomes all adults to reflect on the Eucharist at the upcoming 2022 Congress. Hopefully, we will experience an historic and prophetic message from Vatican II. “From the liturgy, therefore, and especially from the Eucharist, grace is poured forth upon us as from a fountain…” (SC, 10)

Susan Northway is director of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of Faith Formation. Reach her at susan.northway@dioslc.org.

WHAT: 2022 Pastoral Congress

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 17 

WHERE: Individual Parishes

The keynote addresses will be livestreamed, and participants will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Contact your parish for details about time and location.