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

  • Archbishop Nelson J. Perez will be principal celebrant and homilist for the closing Mass of the archdiocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality, in the chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. The post Local closing Mass of synod set for June 4 appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • Local Catholic college students participating in campus listening sessions found their concerns were heard not only by the church, but also by peers "who experienced similar struggles." The post Students share joys, concerns about church at synod sessions appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • In the church's current synodal process and the coming eucharistic revival in the U.S., Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles sees a confluence of paths on our earthly journey with the Lord. The post Life of conversion begins with baptism, peaks with Eucharist appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • Meeting with the heads of women's religious orders in Rome, Pope Francis used in a wheelchair for the first time publicly, due to his ailing knee. He called for authority "that does not leave wounds along the way, but growth." The post From wheelchair, pope tells nuns ‘I count on you’ for synod listening appeared […]
  • The synodal process of listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another is drawing hundreds of students and faculty to share their experiences of the church at local Catholic campuses and Newman centers. The post On 14 college campuses, young adults are heard via synod appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • The Chadds Ford, Delaware County parishioners are looking to be "refreshed and renewed in the faith” through the synod's process of encounter and dialogue, which requires honest engagement by lay people and clergy. The post St. Cornelius Parish ready for synod to breathe new life in church appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • A Georgetown discussion explored Pope Francis' vision for the synod underway in the Catholic Church that, although "beset by problems," is "embarking on something new" that calls everyone to live the "mission of loving God and our neighbors." The post Listening is an important part of pope’s ministry, panel says appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • As part of the church's Synod on Synodality, 18 local gatherings will take place March 19-20 and April 2-3 at designated parishes in the region, plus 10 virtual sessions, all designed to enable the people of God to walk together. The post Schedule set for synod listening sessions in archdiocese appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • In-person and online gatherings have been scheduled as part of the universal Synod on Synodality, with a goal of creating a church that "journeys together" more deeply and that hears from "God's people at all levels." The post Archdiocese announces listening sessions for synod appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
  • A comment that "synodality starts with coffee" led a planner with the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa to brew a down-home way to invite people to a synod discussion. The post Diocese’s ‘58,000 Cups of Coffee’ initiative fuels synod conversations appeared first on CatholicPhilly.

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