Cheryl Gesik smiles during the St. Alice meeting. (Sean Marie Long/St. Alice Parish)
Cheryl Gesik smiles during the St. Alice meeting. (Sean Marie Long/St. Alice Parish)
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SPRINGFIELD — The Synod on Synodality united St. Alice parishioners at its two bilingual listening sessions on March 17 and 19. In all, more than 80 people participated and shared in small-group discussions.

“I liked hearing what other people in our parish were thinking about what's going on at St. Alice,” said Michelle Rosebrook. “What in the church fills me with life?” was one of the three questions discussed. Attendees listed many answers, but perpetual adoration was the most common.

Participants also cited First Saturday Traditional Latin Mass as both life-giving and community-building in that English and Spanish speakers join together in worship.

“It was encouraging to see people from different backgrounds coming up with similar themes in response to the questions,” said Father Mark Bentz, the pastor. “For St. Alice, we have been focusing on Eucharist revival with perpetual adoration for the last three years, and the fruits are evident: personal conversion, healing, greater community life, and desire to share the faith. I hope that other parishes will heed the call of the archbishop for Eucharistic adoration."