Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, invites you to apply to be a member of our first-ever Diocesan Synod, to be held 13 – 15 October 2023.
Read his full invitation below:
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Dear Friends,
Over the past eight weeks, I have participated in listening consultations across our deaneries and schools, with members of our faith communities and beyond, to my fellow clergy and consecrated, young people and families, and more. I have been heartened and encouraged by your presence and openness to our synodal process. Together, we have sought to humbly listen to the Holy Spirit through one another. I have heard your stories, your concerns, and your hopes for our local Church here in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
As we continue to listen to one another in this preparatory stage towards our Synod, I would now like to officially invite all baptised Catholics, 18 years and over, in the Diocese of Parramatta to consider applying to be a member of our first ever Synod gathering to be held 13-15 October 2023. This event is an opportunity to prayerfully examine, with others, how we respond to the call to deeper communion, participation of all, and effective mission here in our Diocese.
As per the Vatican Instructions on Diocesan Synods, members are to ‘truly reflects the entire portion of the People of God which constitutes the diocese, taking account of the different regions of the diocese, of social conditions and professions, and of the part played in the apostolate by the members, whether individually or in association with others’ Canon 512:2.
I am confident that our diverse community groups will be represented and those who are selected to be members will ensure the integrity of our Synod event and proceedings. A Synod member will have a consultative vote at the Synod on a range of issues raised from the submissions received through the listening stage of our process. The consultative votes will inform the decrees and declarations which I will officially sign and announce in early 2024. The outcomes of our Synod will directly impact our new Diocesan Pastoral Plan to be developed and launched in 2024.
The application portal is now live and available to access on our Diocesan website www.parracatholic.org/synod2023. Here you will find the selection criteria and requirements of a Synod member. This includes commitment to and availability to be present at all sessions of the Synod from 13 -15 October 2023, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, and CommBank Stadium. Applications close 31 July 2023.
Your application will be reviewed by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the council will provide me with recommendations. All successful applicants will receive a formal and personal invitation to the Synod, which will require written acceptance.
Further enquiries can be sent via email synod2023@parracatholic.org
Let us continue to pray and walk together in this time of renewal towards our Synod in October.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
