-THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY:
The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops. 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 oral presentations and written reports. This synod is a process of journeying together by listening, dialoguing, 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 this journeying together is not to create a new vision or pastoral plan with objectives. Rather, the goal of our journeying together is to be present with one another, to listen and learn with each other, and to grow closer to the Lord and His Church.
Vatican II pointed out that the Church is not the Kingdom but it is the People of God accompanying one another on the pilgrimage to the Kingdom. Synodality is a periodic assessment, not of the progress toward the Kingdom, but of our accompanying one another.
-WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?
-The weekend of October 9/10 ALL MASSES were celebrated to mark the Opening of the Synod in our diocese. I preached at all Masses on the nature and purpose of the Synod.
-We posted information in our bulletin and in the narthex.
-We sent information and an initial preparatory questionnaire to all on our email list.
-We posted the schedule of listening sessions held in the various deaneries of our diocese.
-SS. PETER & PAUL LISTENING SESSION:
We will will have a “LISTENING SESSION” on Tuesday, March 22, 6.30pm-8.15pm, UNDERCROFT. This will take the place of the usual Adult Education Session.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND!!!!
-THE LISTENING SESSION QUESTIONS:
1) One thing our parish does really well is…
2) One thing I think we could do a better job with is…
3) One thing that is a source of joy or sustenance for me, spiritually, is…
4) One thing that is a struggle for me, personally, in the faith is…
5) When I show up to church, the one thing I am most looking for is…
6) One gift that I, personally, bring to the church is…
7) One thing that breaks my heart about things going on in the church is…
8) One specific hope I have for the church moving forward is.
OTHER QUESTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED AND WELCOME