Synod 2023 | RC Diocese of Prince Albert

“Synodality is the way of
being the Church today
according to the will of God in a dynamic of discerning and listening together to the voice of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis

Resources to Support the Parish 2022 Synod Implementation

Our Diocese of Prince Albert Synod Synthesis offers six potential next steps gleaned after the reading of the parish syntheses. Parishes have been asked to reflect upon and discern which two steps their community is being called by the Holy Spirit to begin to bring to life in their community. The Diocesan Resource Center and Office of Evangelization and Catechesis would like to offer support to parishes in discerning and implementing their next steps.

Some parishes did not take part in the Synodal process; while others took part and began aware that more listening needed to occur as it was realized that there were voices that were not heard. In either case, here are resources to support parishes in their listening sessions.

Here is the link to the resource for running parish listening sessions https://www.padiocese.ca/_files/ugd/e697ad_e932f02238c544829fe9e7e5eaefc2ac.pdf.

Here are two short videos to watch with those who are gathered to understand what is being asked of each of us as we listen to each other and journey as a synodal Church.

(First of ten videos from the Diocese of Galloway in Ireland)

Video on listening to each other

Other resources to support your parish in engaging in the process can be found on the Diocesan Synod page https://www.padiocese.ca/synod2023

When your parish feels ready to discern which of the two next steps from the Diocese of Prince Albert Synod Synthesis they will begin to reflect upon and implement this year, the list of resources generated by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis can provide support and tools for implementation. Other resources and tools are available through the Diocesan Resource Center, please contact Debbie Monday – Thursday for assistance. Below, for each of the six steps, there is…

A descriptive title for each of the six is given to aid in visualizing the focus of the step. These titles are only suggestions, and the parish may have visualized a different direction knowing their context and the people’s gifts who will be bringing to life the step in the community.
A few video suggestions from the ten produced by the Diocese of Galloway and others focused on the focus of each step are provided below.
- These may help in imagining/discerning how to incarnate the step your parish chooses.
- Each short video from the Diocese of Galloway includes questions for reflection to aid in creating clarity of thought around the topic being discussed. These short videos and questions could help a parish discern their path forward. It may be fruitful for those who will be part of the discernment to have access to the videos
- You will note that some of the same video suggestions are offered for multiple steps. The base of all the steps is listening; therefore, the art of listening, the ability to speak out, and the ability to engage in dialogue are key for multiple steps.
- The short videos from the Diocese of Galloway are all under 5 minutes in length. The other video suggestions are longer; the length of time of the video is provided in brackets after the title.
Scripture suggestions with reflections and questions from the Biblical Resources for Synodality, which will support the laying of a foundation of prayer for which every step the parish chooses. The full document with guides for praying with Scripture is available on the Vatican Synod webpage here https://www.synod.va/en/news/biblical-resources-for-synodality.html

(Re)Building Parish Community

Listening to the Holy Spirit

Walking with Others

Responding to the Call to Service

Growing in Faith is for All (Children, Youth, and Adults)

Forming Parish Leadership for Mission

OTHER AREAS WHERE YOUR PARISH MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING A NEXT SYNODAL STEP

ECUMENISM:

Listen to and collaborate with other Christians.

LITURGY:

Are our liturgies places of welcome and hospitality where all feel welcomed to come to hear the Word of God and receive nourishment from the Eucharist?

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PARISH DID NOT TAKE PART IN THE SYNODAL LISTENING PROCESS

Some parishes did not take part in the Synodal process, while others took part and began aware that more listening needed to occur as it was realized that there were voices that were not heard. In either case, here are resources to support parishes at the beginning or in ongoing listening sessions.

Here is the link to the resource for running parish listening sessions https://www.padiocese.ca/_files/ugd/e697ad_e932f02238c544829fe9e7e5eaefc2ac.pdf.
Here are two short videos to watch with those who are gathered to understand what is being asked of each of us as we listen to each other and journey as a synodal Church. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5lAktuejwo&t=1s (6.5 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_tcgEk7oS4&t=16s (First of ten videos from the Diocese of Galloway in Ireland)
Here is a video on listening to each https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97UCeiWCkHU&t=3s
Other resources to support your parish in engaging in the process can be found on the Diocesan Synod page https://www.padiocese.ca/synod2023