Parishes around the Archdiocese are engaging with the Synod process, and submissions are flowing in. Our Synod Team have been working with parish leadership teams, pastoral councils, and ethnic community leaders, guiding them through the process and enabling them to facilitate Synod groups in their respective communities.
Some parishes are hosting open events for anyone to take part in. Others have started by engaging groups already established within the community, such as stewardship groups, liturgy committees, teaching staff at the local school, prayer groups and youth groups and even the parish book club!
The discernment process is not complicated and can easily be used with family and friends. The key is to remember that it is a spiritual conversation, rather than a discussion, and that prayer and listening are key to the whole process. A simple outline of the process is available here.
Since we are being invited to journey together, the group process is recommended. However, individual submissions are also welcome, and we encourage people to engage in prayerful reflection as part of the process of writing their submission.
For more information go to the Synod page