The entire Catholic Church is called to take part in the upcoming Synod of Bishops (October 2023). This Synod is entitled: “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 written reports. This Synod is a process of journeying together by listening, talking, 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. The goal of our journeying together is to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to the Lord and His Church.
Parish Participation
Pope Francis wants to hear from the whole Church about what is happening in local parishes. He and the bishops would like to know what individuals think we should all be doing to help make our parishes better. The way he has proposed doing this is a synodal process. Synod means “journeying together” and it involves listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other to discern the path we are called to walk together. By the end of this journeying together process it is hoped to capture everyone’s answers to the basic question:
What is the Holy Spirit saying to our Church today?
In order to ensure the voices of our parishioners are included in the Synod we are issuing 2 questions to all parishioners and all replies will be collated and returned to the Diocese to be included in the Diocesan response.
We have issued postcards for you to write your replies on at the masses on 13th March. A box is provided in the porch of each Church for your completed postcards.
The questions we are posing are:
1. The love of God is for everyone – do you think everyone is welcomed and supported in the Church today? If not who do you think is left out?
2. As the Holy Spirit helped the Apostles to go out and spread the Good News after the Ascension; what steps do you think He is calling us to take today to spread the Good News?
Please above all pray to the Holy Spirit for the success of these Synods
The Special Prayer for the Synod is:
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.
Please bring your completed postcard back by 27th March 2022 at the latest and place it in the designated boxes in each of the church porches. If you would prefer to attend listening evenings in Downpatrick (on dates yet to be announced) you are most welcome to choose this option instead.