SYNODALITY IS JOURNEYING TOGETHER

The Synod Process is now in Phase 2:  Listening Sessions in Parishes Throughout the World.

ST. MICHAEL’S FIRST LISTENING SESSION:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 AT 1 PM IN ST. MICHAEL CHURCH

Send Email TO SIGN UP. WALK-INS ARE WELCOME.

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SYNOD ON SYNODALITY 2021 – 2023  –  PHASE 1 NOW IN PROGRESS

SYNOD PROCESS
Phase 1  2021 – Synod Process Plan and Preparation
Phase 2  January – February 2022 – Listening Sessions in parishes throughout the world
Phase 3  April to September 2022 – Nation Bishops Conference Processing and submission of national reports
Phase 4  October 2022 to June 2023 – Synthesis of the National Reports into Seven Final Document, the Instrumentus Laboris 1
Phase 5  July 2023 to October 2023 – Synthesis of the Seven Documents into the Final Instrumentus Laboris 2 for the Assembly of the Church’s Synod of Bishops
Phase 6  October 2023 – Assembly of the Church’s Synod of Bishops at the Vatican

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WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS SYNOD ON SYNODALITY?  Mainly this:

• It is not about a particular issue, but is about BECOMING who God calls us to be as a Church, all of us together!
• It is not a one-month Synod of Bishops but a continuing PROCESS for the entire People of God!
• It’s not just about filling in a questionnaire, but GATHERING WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING to us here and NOW.
• It’s not just to talk about synodality, but a call to LIVE SYNODALITY, at every level of the Church, to RENEW OUR WAY OF BEING AND WORKING TOGETHER MOVING FORWARD.

WHAT DOES SYNODALITY LOOK LIKE?

Synodality happens when we listen to one another in order to hear what God is saying to all of us through the words and experiences of another. It is listening and speaking from a deep commitment to be a part in this Mystical  Body of which we are equally needed members – the Body whose Head is Christ. Synodality happens when each of us realizes that the Holy Spirit can speak through anyone to help us walk forward together on our journey as the People of God.

SYNODALITY – NOT A PASSING PHASE!

And I hope that you, like me, have been taking advantage of the many opportunities to experience this sacred journeying into God with others. Around twenty of us have been meeting on Tuesdays for Explorations in Faith and Spirituality, Bible Studies and Church History sessions in which we are journeying together and listening to the Spirit speaking through each other. It is a joy for us.  One says, “I do this for myself: I need what happens here.” Others say, “Why didn’t anyone tell us this sooner?”  (They did – many times, but, living in a culture that pushes God aside in favor of what it has to offer, makes it easy for us to hear only what fits that culture.) Another says, “I see my life so differently now.”

PRACTICE SYNODALITY

So practice synodality.

• Have conversations that lead to conversion to Christ and commitment to being “with” others, helping each other become better followers of Jesus.
• Talk with one another and listen to one another, especially, considering questions that matter.
• See each other as having this common mission and common purpose (helping each other become better followers of Jesus), for this common mission grows and spreads through our person-with-person Spirit-motivated “experiences” of communion.

Practice synodality now whenever you can.  Then come to our yet-to-be-announced St. Michael Synod sessions.

One suggestion is the use this link to our latest parish Explorations in Faith and Spirituality material. It may help you ask questions about things that matter.

Sister Loretta