In October 2024, Bishop Dolan wrote the Diocese of Phoenix a Pastoral Letter entitled “TILMA,” inspired by the acronym Testifica, oh Iglesia, a la Luz del Misterio del Amor (Testify, o Church, to the Light of the Mystery of Love). Looking to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix, the bishop has created a seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization, leading up to December 2031, the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in modern day Mexico City. In the Pastoral Plan where he launched the idea of holding a Synod of Young Adults in 2025.
The Synod of Young Adults begins on April 12 with a prayer service and training of young adult Synodal Leaders. These young adult leaders will then facilitate Synodal Listening sessions in parishes and other locations throughout the Diocese of Phoenix from late August to the end of November. Bishop Dolan will then call a Diocesan Synod in early 2026 to receive the results of the input from the young adults and discern action steps that will support the evangelization effort in the diocese.
