Listening Stage
30 June 2023
That’s a ‘wrap’ for our five Deanery Listening Consultations, which saw over 550 people from the parishes of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains engaged in the opportunity to dialogue, guided by the Holy Spirit. Over 110 group submissions have been collected from these consultations.
Western Deanery Consultation
On Saturday 24 June, over 160 people gathered at the final Deanery Consultation in our Synod listening process. At the end of the night, many said they had been unsure what to expect from the experience, but at the conclusion of the gathering, left feeling hopeful and with a renewed understanding of synodality.
Thanks to everyone who attended, including those from the parishes of Corpus Christi Cranebrook, Padre Pio Glenmore Park, St Joseph’s Kingswood, Sacred Heart Luddenham-Warragamba, Holy Family Mt Druitt, Sacred Heart Mt Druitt South, St Nicholas of Myra Penrith, St Monica’s Richmond, St John the Evangelist Riverstone, Holy Spirit St Clair, Our Lady of the Rosary St Marys and St Matthew’s Windsor.
Interfaith Network Consultation
On Tuesday 27 June, the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations and the Interfaith Commission of the Diocese of Parramatta, held its second listening session facilitated by Fr Patrick McInerney, Director of the Columban Centre. Representatives of the Islamic and Hindu faith gave the group input to reflect upon, followed by two rounds of listening, and a final round of dialogue relating to how the local Church can ‘walk with’ our brothers and sisters from various faith backgrounds. It was insightful and heartwarming to listen to the stories and experiences of those within our community who engage with people of other faiths.
Participants at the Interfaith Consultation for the Diocesan Synod on 27 June 2023 at the Cloister at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Supplied.
The third Interfaith Network Consultation will be held on 12 July at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Guildford.
Register for the consultation here.
Local parish consultations
Over the week, the parishes of St Nicholas of Myra Penrith, St Madeleine’s Kenthurst, St Bernadette’s Castle Hill, Our Lady of the Way Emu Plains and St Margaret Mary’s Merrylands held their own local consultations with their parish groups or ministries.
It is heartening to see so many parishes entering into the synodal listening process as we journey towards our Synod.
New Soul Food podcast – “Synodality, Trinity and the invitation to all baptised in God’s mission”
A new episode of the Soul Food podcast features Qwayne Guevara, the Lead Facilitator for the Parramatta Diocesan Synod. Hear from Qwayne as she explains what the Synod is, how it’s an invitation for all the baptised to participate in; and how it translates to the enrichment, encouragement and empowerment in God’s mission for all the parishes in the Diocese. Find it here.
New Synod formation resources
- What Lies Behind the First Ever Synod of the Diocese? by Fr Paul Marshall (PDF)
- Biblical Resources for Synodality (PDF)
- Towards a Spirituality for Synodality (PDF)
Membership application process finalised
The Preparatory Commission met this week and has finalised the membership application process. Applications to be a member of the Synod will open soon, and all active participants of our Catholic communities are encouraged to apply via the Diocese of Parramatta Synod website.
One month until submissions close
We have one month left until our ‘listening’ stage of the Diocesan Synod concludes, with submissions closing on 31 July 2023. Our Synod calls for all people across our Diocese to share their stories and hopes, which will then be synthesised into the working document that will inform the development of the agenda for the Synod.
To find out more about the Synod go to parracatholic.org/synod2023
Submissions close on July 31 and applications to be a member of the Synod in October will open in the coming week. Have a conversation at your parish, with a friend or with family about how we can walk together to become the Church that Christ calls us to be.
To find out more about the Synod go to parracatholic.org/synod2023
