In the final week of our Listening Stage, numerous submissions were received from across the Diocese before the submission deadline, July 31. Today is the final day to make a submission towards our first Diocesan Synod. The Synod will not be as rich and diverse without the inclusion of the voices of many. Make a submission today: https://parracatholic.org/synod2023/
Synodality in our Schools, Parishes and Migrant Communities
Several parishes and communities continued to hold local listening consultations over the past couple of weeks. Over the past weekend (29-30 July), the Filipino Chaplaincy and the Sudanese Chaplaincy groups held their own consultations, with numbers between 80-100 at each. A number of schools have also been holding their own listening sessions with staff or students, including the young and vibrant learning community at St Luke’s Marsden Park.
The ‘Synod at Home’ resource has been widely shared with all schools and staff of our Catholic Schools in the Parramatta Diocese, giving families the opportunity to practice synodality within their homes.
Participants at the Western Deanery Consultation on Saturday 24 June at Holy Spirit St Clair Parish. Image: Care Digital.
Participants at the Western Deanery Consultation on Saturday 24 June at Holy Spirit St Clair Parish. Image: Care Digital.
Brother Priests offer stories of their lived experiences
On Wednesday 19 July, almost 100 clergy from around our Diocese gathered with their brother priests to listen to their own experiences of parish ministry. There was an overarching positive response from our clergy toward the invitation to synodality and offering their lived experience.
Update on the Synod Assembly dates
A couple of weeks ago, with Bishop Vincent’s guidance, the Synod Secretariat released additional details on the Diocesan Synod Assembly to be held in Parramatta on Friday afternoon 13 October – Sunday 15 October 2023 at CommBank Stadium Parramatta. A pre-assembly event will be held on Thursday evening, 12 October, at St Patrick’s Cathedral and all are welcome to attend. The Opening Mass of the Synod will be held on the afternoon of Friday, 13 October where only members of the Diocesan Synod will formally begin a process of prayer, listening, and discernment on pastoral matters raised over the listening period of our synodal journey. The Synod will end on the evening of Sunday, 15 October.
Applications for Membership close today
The invitation is open to anyone with a desire to build up and renew our local church, to be a part of our first Diocesan Synod from 13 to 15 October, 2023. Applications close today (31 July). Details of the selection criteria and requirements are available on the Synod website: https://parracatholic.org/synod2023_membership/
A general view of CommBank Stadium. (IOIO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com)
Synod Writing Group
The Synod Writing Group continues to meet regularly, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide them, as they discern and discus the themes that arise from the hundreds of submissions. As a group, they will put together a summary of the submissions and a Working Document, which will form the agenda of Synod assembly and referenced during the Synod process.
FaithLIFE – 3 Night Short Course on Synodal Spirituality: Beginning 22 August
Pope Francis has invited the Church to be more ‘synodal’. But what does that mean as an expression of Christian spirituality? Sign up for the FaithLIFE 3-night short course on synodal spirituality with Sr Patty Andrew, brought to you by the Mission Enhancement Team (MET). 6:30PM to 8:30PM on three Tuesdays: 22 Aug + 29 Aug + 5 Sep. Downstairs @ Bishop Bede Heather Centre: 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown NSW 2148.
Invite others from your parish community and sign up now: https://pfparra.org.au/faithlife/
The listening stage of our Diocesan Synod process is just the beginning of our call to become a more synodal church. Further opportunities for formation on synodality will be offered in the coming months. Watch this space.
https://parracatholic.org/synod2023/
