The “Synod on Synodality: Communion, Participation, and Mission”
is a two-year process of listening and dialogue beginning in 2021 and concluding in 2023.

Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church’s “renewal” proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through her experience which processes can help her to live communion, to achieve participation, to open herself to mission. (Courtesy of USCCB).

Information for Pastors, Community Leaders and Facilitators

In order to offer as many of the faithful as possible with multiple opportunities to participate and be heard, synodal consultations were held archdiocesan-wide through both in-person regional meetings and virtual meetings utilizing Zoom. In both cases, the meetings were facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute and lasted approximately 2 hours, including breakout sessions for participants.

Additionally, there were local synodal meetings. Each parish was encouraged to hold local meetings best suited to that community. Institutions and communities sponsored and supported by the Archdiocese were also encouraged to offer the opportunity of synodal consultations for their members. To assist parishes, Archdiocesan institutions and communities in holding these local consultations, trained for synod facilitators. This training provided facilitators with the information and materials needed to conduct locally what took place at the Archdiocesan-wide in-person and virtual regional listening sessions.

Virtual meetings were recorded and available for viewing by those unable to attend a scheduled session.

Synod Timeline

Local Facilitators Training (February – March)

February 15th – March 1st (for the training of Archdiocesan parish, institution and community facilitators)

Archdiocesan-wide Listening Sessions (March – April)

In-person Meetings: March 19th/20th & April 2nd/3rd
(facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute)

Virtual Sessions: March 19th through April 9th
(facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute)

Local Sessions (March – May)

Archdiocesan Sponsored Sessions for specific groups and communities
(facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute)

Parish Sponsored Sessions
(facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute)

Non-Formal Opportunities for Consultation (March – May)
Opportunity for anyone to contribute to the Archdiocesan consultation
individually via the Archdiocesan Synod webpage, through means of an electronic submission.

Submission of feedback from all Synodal Consultations (through May)
Module will be provided for local consultations to submit feedback from meetings.

Archdiocesan Pre-Synodal Meeting with Liturgical Celebration (early to mid-June)
Conclusion of the Archdiocesan Synodal Consultation

Submission of Archdiocesan Synodal Report (by June 30th)

Prayer for Synod on Synodality

We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together
to eternal life and not stray
from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.

Amen.

Adsumus Sancte Spiritus

Nos encontramos ante ti, Espíritu Santo,
al reunirnos como familia en tu nombre.
Solo tú eres nuestro guía,
haz de nuestros corazones tu hogar.

Enséñanos el camino que debemos seguir
y la manera en que debemos recorrerlo.
Somos débiles y pecadores;
no nos dejes impulsar el desorden.

No dejes que la ignorancia nos lleve por el camino equivocado,
ni la preferencia influya en nuestras acciones.
Permite que encontremos en ti nuestra unidad,
para que caminemos juntos hacia la vida eterna
y no nos desviemos del camino de la verdad
y de lo que es lo correcto.

Te pedimos todo esto a ti,
que estás presente en todo lugar y en todo tiempo,
en comunión con el Padre y el Hijo,
por los siglos de los siglos.

Amén

Read more about the Synod


Visit the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Facebook page and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page for latest updates and information.