Facts - About the Synod on Synodality

Who? Pope Francis wants to hear from us

Us Who? All People of God — Catholics, the laity, religious, former Catholics, people of other faiths and others who want to speak to the Church.

What?A Synod about “Synodality” “Synodality” is a concept of people journeying together for the purpose of listening to where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church.A Synod is a grace-filled event, a process of healing guided by the Holy Spirit, where people gather to pray, listen carefully to one another and to the Holy Spirit, and discern what this means for the Church.

When? The timeline for the Synod is:

• October 2021-May 2022 Meetings in local dioceses
• September 2022-March 2023 Meetings at national and continental levels
• October 2023 - Synod of Bishops gather in Rome

Where? The first phase of the synod takes place at the local level in dioceses around the world. Summaries of these meetings go to the national and then continental levels and are used to prepare the working documents that will be used at the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023.

Why? Because “the time is ripe for a wider participation of the people of God in a decision-making process that affects the whole Church and everyone in the Church.”
— Cardinal Mario Grech, head of the Vatican’s office of the Synod of Bishops

How? In our diocese people are invited to gather for prayer, reflection, listening and sharing about the Church. Listening sessions will be scheduled around the diocese early in 2022. There will be opportunities for small groups to meet or to submit written responses. Our input will be summarized in a diocesan report to be shared with everyone and also sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), who will prepare a national report


SCHEDULE OF LISTENING SESSIONS
Exact session times pending

• Tue., Jan. 4 |Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Gun Lake
• Wed., Jan. 5 |Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Bridgman
• Sun., Jan. 9 |Holy Maternity of Mary Parish, Dowagiac
• Thu., Jan. 13 |St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph
• Sat., Jan. 15 |St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage
• Mon., Jan. 17|Immaculate Conception Parish, Three Rivers
• Sat., Jan. 22|St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Coldwater
• Mon., Jan. 24|Immaculate Conception Parish, Three Rivers (snow)
• Wed., Jan. 26|Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Gun Lake
• Thu., Jan. 27 |St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Coldwater
• Mon., Jan. 31 |St. Mark Parish, Niles
• Sun., Feb. 6|Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Gun Lake (snow)
• Mon., Feb. 7|St Mark Parish, Niles (snow)
• Thu., Feb. 10|St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage
• Sat., Feb. 12|St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Coldwater (snow)
• Sat., Feb. 19|St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage (snow)

(Snow) = new date only if the original date is cancelled/check the diocesan website for the latest information. Cancellations due to weather will be posted on the diocesan website and Facebook page.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:diokzoo.org/synod

Photo by Victoria Cessna