Synod 2023
UPDATE ON SYNOD - OCTOBER 12th
(The following summary is taken from two articles from the National Catholic Reporter.) As you may know, the Synod
on Synodality continues this week in Rome with 460 participating bishops and lay members. Delegates are focusing on the theme of “communion” and how the Church might do a better job welcoming all its members. Pope Francis continues to remind us that the Church should be open to “todos, todos, todos” (“everyone, everyone, everyone”). Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, former leader of the Dominican Order, reminds us of the importance of community. “So many people feel excluded or marginalized in our church because we have slapped abstract labels on them...divorced and remarried, gay people, polygamous people, refugees, Africans, Jesuits!”
Pope Francis, on the opening day of the Synod which was also the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, told the delegates that St. Francis “did not criticize or lash out at anyone,” but instead “took up only the weapons of the Gospel: humility and unity, prayer and charity. Let us do the same!”
NEW PARISH PRIORITIES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS
As a result of the inputs we received from the Parish during our Synodal Listening Sessions and survey responses, we are excited to present our new Parish priorities for the next three years. Thank you to all who have contributed to the development of these priorities and action plans. We hope that you will join us in this initiative to make our parish an even stronger community of faith by being part of the implementation process as a member or leader of one of the teams implementing these priorities. Please contact Steve Ramsey (steveramsey35@outlook.com) if you would like to be a part of this important work.
As a result of the inputs we received from the Parish during our Synodal Listening Sessions and survey responses, we are excited to present our new Parish priorities for the next three years. Thank you to all who have contributed to the development of these priorities and action plans. We hope that you will join us in this initiative to make our parish an even stronger community of faith by being part of the implementation process as a member or leader of one of the teams implementing these priorities. Please contact Steve Ramsey (steveramsey35@outlook.com) if you would like to be a part of this important work.
World Wide Synod Update
In early April, 2023 the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod was published by the United States and Canadian bishops. A copy of this document may be accessed at this link:
https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/continental-stage/final_document/North-American-Final-Document_EN.pdf
Recently, the Vatican issued a summary report from the millions of responses via the listening sessions conducted throughout the world. These responses, synthesized and transmitted to each diocese, were sent to the General Secretariat of the Synod. Globally, participation exceeded all expectations. The report cited that not only dioceses, but also religious institutes of consecrated life (like the Augustinians), associations and lay movements of the faithful, and groups and individuals from all continents participated. What resulted is a Document for the Continental Stage (DCS), which was recently released. You can access it at: www.synod.va. The document is entitled: Working Document for the Continental Stage.
Our parish is moving forward, together with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to collaborate in the next steps for the worldwide Synod, which will convene in October 2023 and continue through 2024. Information will be shared with the parish on a regular basis to keep you informed and to invite you further into the process.
In early April, 2023 the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod was published by the United States and Canadian bishops. A copy of this document may be accessed at this link:
https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/continental-stage/final_document/North-American-Final-Document_EN.pdf
Recently, the Vatican issued a summary report from the millions of responses via the listening sessions conducted throughout the world. These responses, synthesized and transmitted to each diocese, were sent to the General Secretariat of the Synod. Globally, participation exceeded all expectations. The report cited that not only dioceses, but also religious institutes of consecrated life (like the Augustinians), associations and lay movements of the faithful, and groups and individuals from all continents participated. What resulted is a Document for the Continental Stage (DCS), which was recently released. You can access it at: www.synod.va. The document is entitled: Working Document for the Continental Stage.
Our parish is moving forward, together with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to collaborate in the next steps for the worldwide Synod, which will convene in October 2023 and continue through 2024. Information will be shared with the parish on a regular basis to keep you informed and to invite you further into the process.
The synthesis of the Listening Sessions for the Synod is in the links below. The information has already been submitted to the Archdiocese and Augustinians Worldwide. Our parish results show that people would like more social interaction, and so our Stewardship and Parish Councils will partner to plan social events for the future, including enhancing our Welcome Committee for new parishioners and the monthly highlighting of parish ministries.