“If you dialogue as young people, then you will be able to do so as citizens and as members of a community.”
– Pope Francis
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has stressed the importance of using one’s youth, a period of courage, to contribute to courageous and meaningful dialogue.
In February, the youngest delegate of the U.S. — college student Wyatt Olivas of Laramie, Wyoming — visits Wichita to share his experience as one of the North American delegates for the worldwide Synod on Synodality.
The presentations, which take place on the Newman University campus, are free to attend and open to the public.
- Sunday, Feb. 23
- “Young Voices at the Table: Hope and Challenges for the Church” at 7 p.m. in the DeMattias Performance Hall
- Monday, Feb. 24
- Mission Talk “Listening to the Spirit: A Journey of Synodality” at noon in the Tarcisia Roths, ASC, Alumni Center in Dugan Library. Bring your own lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided.
- “Young Voices at the Table: Hope and Challenges for the Church” at 7 p.m. in the DeMattias Performance Hall
What is a synod?
According to an article by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, a synod is a “call to pray, listen and discern together what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today — all for the sake of the Church’s evangelizing mission.”
The Synod on Synodality, held in Rome, was a multi-year process initiated by Pope Francis to help all Catholics live out the church’s mission in today’s world.
“I think many still struggle with synodality today because they think it means ‘changing church teachings left and right,’” Olivas wrote in the article, “Bring it Home,” for an international Catholic newspaper. “In reality, it’s about knowing what we have taught and are still learning (always), but living it now.”
Olivas referred to a meme that captured his takeaways from the synod: “Pope John Paul II: We know this. Pope Benedict XVI: Let’s think more on this. Pope Francis: Go do it.”
This imagery resonated with Olivas.
“Synodality is all about walking with one another and knowing who you’re walking with,” Olivas said. “If you can’t trust the person you are walking with, how can they bring you to Christ?”
About the speaker
Olivas is an elementary education student at the University of Wyoming. Raised in Cheyenne’s vibrant Hispanic community, he developed an early interest in Catholic teachings. He is an active parishioner and serves as a youth minister at St. Paul’s Newman Center in Laramie.
“Every day, I’m reminded that the Catholic Church is truly a home for all,” he said.
In addition to serving at the Synod, Olivas is a new member of the International Youth Advisory Board, which advises The Vatican Dicastery (Office) for Laity, Family and Life and serves the pope and the universal church.
Olivas is also a diocesan pastoral council representative for the Diocese of Wyoming and assists the council, Bishop Steven and members in making decisions to unite the church and amplify community voices.
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