Synod Questions - March 2024
Dear Parishioners,
On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened a two-year process called “a synod on synodality,” officially known as “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church.”
In brief, Pope Francis wants us, to discuss how we as a Church can be better at journeying together: with people who come to church and those who do not.
We started the first part of this synodal process by answering a number of questions in January 2021. Those answers were sent to Rome and discussed at a Synod meeting composed of clergy, religious and lay people last Autumn.
Their discussion has led to some more questions which we are now encouraged to answer. Unlike January 2021, when we were emerging from the pandemic, we can answer these questions after a weekend Mass in the format of a discussion. Which means, we can listen to what each other has to say about the Church.
The essence of the synodal process is about the Church “listening” and it is hoped by Pope Francis that this will encourage the Church to be more sensitive and to keep listening in the future. Listening to who? To you and me and to those who do not come to church.
The 4 questions are:
Q.1: How do we witness as a Parish and proclaim our faith to:
▷those who have never heard of Christ;
▷those who have ceased walking with Christ;
▷those with whom we worship Christ (those who go to church)?
Q.2: How should we organise ourselves as a Parish to do this more effectively?
Q.3: What concrete steps/formation opportunities would help us begin to witness and proclaim our faith more effectively?
Q.4: What structures may need to change? How might we need to develop the way we are organised currently?
Our answers along with those in other parishes around the world will be presented to a Synod meeting later this year.
At St Mary’s we will share our answers after all Masses on 2rd & 3rd March.
Teach me to listen, O God, to myself.
Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside in the deepest part of me.
Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence.
Teach me, Lord, to listen. Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers.
Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is: “Accept the person I am. Listen to me”.
Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me the whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished.
Amen. Fr John Veltri SJ
This special Synod process is because Pope Francis wants to hear from everyone and especially those who don’t always feel that they have a voice. He wants to hear from you! Let us respond to his invitation.
With every blessing,
Fr Peter.