Synod on Synodality
Communion/Participation/Mission

The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021 with each individual diocese and church celebrating the following week on October 17. The synodal process will conclude in 2023.

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.” This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church’s “renewal” proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her to live communion, to achieve participation, to open Herself to mission.

Learn more about the synodal process by visiting the Vatican Synod website by clicking here.

 

Parish Listening Sessions

We will offer three Parish Listening Sessions which will all take place in the Brown/McCarthy Auditorium

March 20 following the 2:00pm Mass
for our Hispanic Community

March 22 at 7:00pm
For all parishioners with Bishop Burbidge in attendance.

 

Synod Questions For the Listening Session on March 22

To assist parishioners in engaging in the Synod process, here are the questions that will be asked at tonight’s listening sessions:

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together,” by proclaiming, celebrating, and living the Gospel as we make our way to the Promised Land of Heaven.
1. What experiences of “journeying together” in your diocese and parish bring you joy and hope?
2. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered to “journeying together” in your diocese and parish?

THEMATIC QUESTIONS
3. How do we most effectively witness to the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Gospel?
4. How effective are we in our three-fold mission of proclaiming and teaching the faith, of celebrating the liturgy and sacraments, and of service in charity?
5. How do all the members of the Church–laity and clergy–collaborate in their common mission?
6. How well do we dialogue–listen attentively and speak up candidly–within the Church and with the wider community?

Prayer for the Synod

Adsumus, Sancte Spiritus Prayer of invocation to the Holy Spirit for an ecclesial assembly of governance or discernment (thus synodal). Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the Latin original meaning, “We stand before You, Holy Spirit,” which has been historically used at Councils, Synods and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, being attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560 – 4 April 636). As we are called to embrace this synodal path of the Synod 2021-2023, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to operate within us so that we may be a community and a people of grace. For the Synod 2021-2023, we propose to use this simplified version, so that any group or liturgical assembly can pray more easily.

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.