Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to participate in the 2023 Synod of Bishops. The Synod of Bishops is a relatively new structure in the Church, established by Pope Paul VI in 1965 to maintain and strengthen the ties between bishops which they had experienced during the meetings of Vatican II. There have been 19 Synods of Bishops since then. Pope Francis wants all Catholics, whose Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation have given them gifts of the Holy Spirit, to give input. Bishop Rhoades celebrated Mass on October 15 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne to begin our diocesan participation. We will provide more information about how each of us, religious and lay, can participate in this process in the coming months.