A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together:” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?
Many thanks to all those who contributed their prayers, time, and insights to forming our parish response to the questions posed for the 2023 Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission in the Universal Church. This past week, we submitted our report to the Archdiocese; our report will be added to those of the parishes across our Archdiocese and, in time, to the responses from across our country and the world for consideration by the Synod of Bishops in 2023. In the coming weeks, we will post a full report of our collected responses here on the parish website, and in the coming months we will all see a final report that reflects the input from all our ADW parishes. This opportunity to reflect on how we journey together as the people of God at Saint Andrew’s coincided with the arrival of Fr. Jack as our new pastor and has provided him with some wonderful insights on his new flock!
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Pope Francis has called for a Synod in the church. The theme of this Synod is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” The solemn opening of the Synod took place in Rome on October 9-10, and an Opening Mass for the Archdiocese of Washington was celebrated by Cardinal Gregory on October 17 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. The Synod will conclude in the Vatican in October of 2023 with the assembly of bishops from around the world.
The Synod calls together all the people of God – clergy, religious and laity – to listen, dialogue, discern and pray. The goal of the Synod is not to create a new pastoral plan, but rather to be present with each other, learn from each other, and grow closer to the Lord and His Church.
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 in order to discern the path we are called to walk together.
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In our Archdiocese, we will pray, listen, and talk with one another through parish listening sessions and Archdiocesan listening sessions.
“This Synod offers us the opportunity to be with each other, to invite our family and friends back to the faith, to listen to each other’s joys and sorrows, and share our hopes and dreams for our parishes.”
Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory
CLICK HERE to read Archbishop Gregory’s letter to the faithful on Synod 2021-2023
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Saint Andrew’s Listening Sessions:
All clergy, parishioners, religious communities near Saint Andrew’s, and any other community members are invited to participate.
(In Person)
Saturday, January 8, 2022
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
OR
Saturday, January 22, 2022
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
OR
(Virtual by Zoom)
Tuesday, February 1 AND Thursday, February 3, 2022
7:00pm – 8:30pm
The virtual Listening Session will be limited to 100 participants.
Instructions will be provided to all who register.
“Just hearing the richness of the conversation at my table makes me see our parish through different eyes. We are a parish of hidden treasures.”
R.F., Saint Andrew’s Listening Session Participant
“I left the Parish listening session inspired by the other participants. Parish-critical topics that I hadn’t considered were addressed by other members of my table, reinforcing the immediate need for dialogue among parishioners as we move forward.”
D.B., Saint Andrew’s Listening Session Participant
The parish listening session summary report to the Archdiocese will be due on February 15, 2022.
If you are unable to participate in a parish listening session, you are also invited to share your thoughts for the 2021-2023 Synod by completing an online survey using the button below.
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Saint John Paul II said that “the secret of the success of the Synod, as of every other ecclesial event and initiative, is in fact prayer.” We ask that you pray for the Synod here and around the world, “so that it might become an authentic event of grace.”
Prayer for the Synod
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.
Resources
Archdiocesan Toolkit for Parishes
Saint Andrew’s Synod 2021-2023 Poster
Saint Andrew’s Synod 2021-2023 Flyer