The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! The Synod’s topic is: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” Pope Francis has called the entire People of God to journey together! This Synod is not just another meeting with oral presentations and written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together by listening, dialoguing, praying, discerning, and making decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis is asking each local diocese to gather - clergy, religious and laity together- to listen to each other’s joys and hopes, and griefs and anxieties (c.f. Gaudium et Spes no. 1). The “goal” of this journeying together is not to create a new vision or pastoral plan with objectives. Rather, the goal of our journeying together is to be present with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to God and His Church.
Listen to the Holy Spirit who like the wind “blows where it wills; you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” (John 3:8)
We hope to reclaim our historical New Testament roots of journeying together. This is a unique gift to our Church. A chance to step back and learn from God and each other.
….”we recall that the purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bond up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands…”(Synod Preparatory Document, page 40).
Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” We have until May 1, 2022 to share any Holy Spirit promptings with the Synod. Your voice is needed. Please share anonymously or with your contact information if you desire someone from the Diocese to contact you.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as
we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make
Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us
the way we must go and how we are to
pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us
promote disorder.Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path nor partiality
influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we
may journey together to eternal life and
not stray from the way of truth and what
is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work
in every place and time, in the communion
of the Father and the Son, forever
and ever.
Amen.