1984   A Pre-Synodal committee recommended a synod be convoked to provide a continuation of spiritual renewal and to serve as a vehicle to develop a vision for the Church of Joliet through the bishop, clergy, religious and laity together.

1986   A Synod was announced in April. Its purpose would be to attain a vision for the Diocese. Bishop Kaffer was appointed as Chair of the Synod Executive Committee. Nineteen persons were named to the Synod Steering Committee.

1987   Informational meetings were held throughout Diocese in May and June. A telephone survey was conducted to assess attitudes & practices of a sample of Catholics in Diocese, and to generate items for a broad base survey instrument. A total of 8085 calls were made. In November a written questionnaire of 138 questions was distributed to Catholics 14 years old and older. Approximately 4,000 questionnaires were distributed in Spanish. Six writing committees were formed for Synod documents. Only about 30% of Catholics responded to the survey. 

1988   Hearings were held for for parishes, high school & college students. The first draft of the Synod documents was sent to 300 persons to review. By December the third draft was begun.

1989   Synod delegates attended a convocation in February at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle to review documents & propose amendments. On May 20 the Synod Activation Day was held at College of St. Francis in Joliet. The next day a Synod Celebration was held at the Cathedral . A Synod Implementation Commission was appointed in December to study the role of a diocesan pastoral council and formulate preliminary by-laws, and to organize by-laws for diocesan conciliation & arbitration board.

1991   The first meeting of the Joliet Diocesan Pastoral Council was held in June. Length of service for DPC members was determined and commissions were formed. In October the Council gathered for an overnight meeting. Council officers and commission chairs were selected. 

1992   The Explorer Task Force of the DPC recommended that an advisory committee be created for the paper. In October, after reviewing the Special Pastoral Policy for Sexual Misconduct, the Council recommended it be revised. 

1993   The Council determined that an Advisory Board should be established for the Explorer. Bishop Imesch asked that members review a draft for the revised Pastoral Policy for Sexual Misconduct and offer recommendations. The Bishop asked members to determine where there is a need in the Diocese for a Women’s Commission.

1994   Members approved a Constitution for the Council. They determined that major concerns for the Diocese were: 1) training of laity for leadership, 2) shortage of priests, 3) religious education of Catholics of all ages. Other concerns: 1) Catholics who leave the Church, 2) quality of preaching & liturgies, 3) addressing social & moral issues in society, 4) reaching consensus among various views, 5) willingness of priests to empower laity, 6) ministering to emerging ethnic populations. The Bishop asked the Council to offer its opinions on girl servers.

1995   The Council began formulating a Mission Statement. It was determined that officers and commission chairs will be selected each June. 

1996   The first diocesan Assembly, Dialogue ’96 – The Journey Continues, was held in March. Members were asked to submit names of candidates for the Conciliation Board. 

1997   The concept of clusters was presented. Bishop Imesch accepted the final draft of the Diocesan Mission Statement. Seven goals for the Diocese, formulated from the input of Assembly ’96, were ratified by the DPC and presented to Bishop Imesch. The Christian Service Commission recommended, “That the Diocese of Joliet recognize racial and multicultural diversity and celebrate the richness of all cultures, traditions and customs.” As a result, the booklet, Racial Justice: What You and Your Parish Can Do to Dismantle Racism was prepared by the Diocesan Racial Justice Task Force. 

1998   Assembly ’98, Envisioning the Church Community in the Third Millennium was held. Small group discussion topics focused on in-depth study of seven diocesan goals. Topics that emerged for further study were clustering, lay ministry and diversity. Bishop Imesch encouraged meetings with parish council presidents in order to establish two-way communication. Members were asked their opinions about moving the celebration of Ascension from Thursday to Sunday. 

1999   The Council discussed Diversity in the Diocese. Assembly 2000, Dancing with the Spirit: Embracing Changes in Parish Life, featured Bishop Robert Morneau as keynote speaker. On October 13, the closing Mass of the 50th Jubilee of the Diocese was held. Council members participated in the celebration.

2000   Bishop Imesch affirmed that the DPC is the primary consultative body in the diocese. The Council focused on Creating a Welcoming Community and on the topic of evangelization to persons who have left the Church. 

2001   Council members decided not to hold an Assembly in 2002. The orientation process for new members was revamped. Members received a Diocesan Pastoral Council Handbook. Community Building was seen as important for the Council.

2002   The Assembly in 2003 will focus on Peace & Justice. Members discussed methods of improving Cluster meetings. Bishop Imesch asked members to consider proposals for June’s meeting of the Bishops’ Conference and to offer comments regarding the Diocesan Pastoral Policy for Allegations of Sexual Misconduct.