The sun sets over layers of blue-green mountains and forested hills, casting a golden glow across the sky and landscape, with clouds along the horizon.

This land is home to me

The Spirit is Speaking

The sun sets over a range of forested mountains, casting a golden glow across the sky and landscape. Layers of rolling hills stretch into the distance under a clear, colorful sunset.

This land is home to me

The Sprit is Speaking

The Spirit is Speaking!
MARCH 20, 2026

If you belong to a parish-affiliated group (committee, council, social justice group, small community, etc.), you are encouraged to participate in a synod-style conversation.

Why You’ve Been Invited to participate in this conversation?

  • To reflect on themes from the Appalachian Pastoral Letter This Land is Home to Me (published 50 years ago) and consider their relevance today. Your insights will be consolidated with responses from all 14 participating dioceses to guide the Catholic Committee of Appalachia’s pastoral work.
  • To celebrate the Diocese’s 175th anniversary by joining this conversation among West Virginia Catholics, as Bishop Brennan invited us to do in January.
  • To practice the synodal method of Conversations in the Spirit in communion with the universal Church.

The Catholic Committee of Appalachia (CCA) is gathering input on immigration, idolization of money, domestic violence, listening to those who are poor, addiction, care for creation, competing values, burnout, consumerism, and integral ecology. Your group will choose one topic based on your experience. No preparation is necessary—these conversations are meant to gather your lived experiences.

The Catholic Committee of Appalachia’s website has all the background information and tools you need.
Visit https://www.ccappal.org/conversationsinthespirit

No. The CCA envisions these conversations as ongoing, allowing faith communities and bishops to discover where pastoral responses are needed.

If you have any questions contact Eileen Elliott, the parish coordinator, at eepeachlan@gmail.com. Eileen can answer questions, provide a facilitator if needed, and offer other support.