Pope Francis Invites the Catholic Church throughout the World to Participate in Preparations for the Next Synod of Bishops in Rome October 2023 – Find Information and Materials Here
Synod 2021-2023
Pope Francis wants to hear from the parishioners of Saint Ann Church along with Catholics worldwide! Listening sessions in preparation for Synod 2023 will be scheduled. Watch for the bulletin or special flyer for the dates and zoom link. These listening sessions will be in person and virtual (via zoom). Take part in a one-hour session. The below listening sessions are currently scheduled and additional dates will be made available as we proceed. Make your voice heard for the future of our St. Ann faith community and our global Church.
In-Person Listening Sessions
March 27, 2022 (Sunday)
10:15a.m. – Parish Hall
Virtual Listening Sessions
March 29, 2022 (Tuesday)
7:30p.m.-8:30p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://stann.zoom.us/j/97217778340?pwd=K0loQUplYktEUThHUFhUQ2dVaEFXQT09
Meeting ID: 972 1777 8340
Passcode: 197466
Pope Francis has invited the Catholic Church throughout the world to participate in preparations for the next Synod of Bishops in Rome, in October 2023.
A Synod of Bishops, from the Greek word “to journey together,” is a gathering of bishops called by the Holy Father to reflect and to offer counsel on important pastoral matters in the life of the Church.
The 2023 Synod will be on the subject of “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”-that is, on synodality. Synodality concerns the People of God journeying together, and reflecting together on the journey, so as to live communion, to achieve participation, and to be open to mission.
In preparation for the Synod, Pope Francis has asked that every diocese undertake its own Synodal Phase of local consultations: through prayerful listening and discernment rooted in the Holy Spirit, the entire People of God is called to contribute to an undertaking by which the Church deepens in understanding of Her mission and looks toward the future.
Everyone in the Diocese of Arlington is invited to participate in the Diocesan Synodal Phase, which will involve in-person Listening Sessions at the local level: in parishes, at universities and schools, at Catholic Charities, and at other locations. We will also reach out to include those who are no longer active in the faith, and those on the margins of the Church and society, that we may understand what distances them from the Church and how we might accompany them.
The in-person Listening Sessions will take place from February through April, 2022. Specific information on how to participate will be communicated through diocesan and parish media.
The fundamental question to be considered is this: 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. How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take to grow in “journeying together”?
Through the synodal process, the people of the Diocese of Arlington, along with the whole Church throughout the world, will grow in deepening our commitment to proclaiming, celebrating, and living the Gospel.
DIOCESAN SYNODAL PHASE TIMELINE
- October, 2021: Inauguration of Diocesan Synodal Phase, Appointment of Synodal Team
- November-December, 2021: Diocesan Synodal Phase Planning
- January, 2022: Listening Session Preparatory Materials Provided
- February-April, 2022: Listening Sessions
- May-June, 2022: Consolidation of Feedback and Drafting of Diocesan Report
- May 11, 2022: Diocesan Pre-Synod Meeting
- June 30, 2022: Diocesan Report Delivered to USCCB
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