In the early months of 2022, Church of the Presentation held in-person and online “listening sessions” that enabled almost 1300 people to provide their input to the First Session of the Synodal Assembly that was held in Rome in October 2023. Local churches throughout the world are now being asked once again to provide opportunities for their members to reflect on topics/areas that will be discussed at the Second Session of the Synodal Assembly that will be held in Rome in October 2024. We had 3 parish wide “Conversations in the Spirit in February and March of 24, that were well received. Our full report from these sessions will be posted soon, but our notes were sent the the Archdiocese to be included in their report to Rome.
Here is the report form the Archdiocese of Newark:
Updates: February 2024
What is happening with the Synod on Synodality that began 2021? If you recall, not long after Pope Francis called for this multi-year, multi-phase Synod, our parish began planning! We posed questions for reflection and consideration and held many listening sessions in 2022 as well as online opportunities for feedback. Our committee then reviewed all your feedback and wrote a detailed report. We sent it to the Archdiocese, and it was compiled with reports from other participating parishes in Newark. Ultimately, there were also reports from the state, our region (NJ/PA), and our Continent, and all were sent to Rome.
Acting in a synodal spirit means that we agree to walk with each other as parishioners to lead the
parish and shape how we announce the Good News to others. Here at Presentation, we have done much to address the hopes and needs that came out of our own listening sessions. We published our own report. We began the Alpha program to create a place for people to learn about the faith in small groups and to feel welcome here. We have added Faith Formation programs on the basics of our Catholic Faith, including topics such as the Bible, Prayer, and the Communion of Saints. We have created new programs like Metanoia with small faith sharing groups. The Pastoral Council as has been present after Masses to offer transparency and to answer any questions. We have had parishioners give reflections on Mothers Day and Father’s Day also. Pope Francis said, “A synodal Church is a Church that listens. We realize that listening ‘is more than simply hearing.’ It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn.” We look forward to finding more ways we can practice synodality in our parish life.
In Rome, The Synod of Bishops met this past October 2023, and for the month they met in small groups, discussing the various issues raised by Catholics all over the world! From that gathering, there is a synthesis report that shares information from their discussions and reflections.
What came out of this Synod meeting? What is stressed in the final report? The 364 voting members – 365 with Pope Francis – met in working sessions 6 days a week after a three-day retreat. The report they wrote was voted on paragraph by paragraph. Members discussed the role of women in the Church, the possibility of ordaining women deacons and better pastoral responses to those who feel alienated by the church. The report also acknowledges fears that people have that church teaching may be changed. But overall, members expressed synodality as an expression of the dynamic and living Tradition.
The report is titled “A Synodal Church in Mission” and stresses ‘Co-responsibility” among all believers in the evangelizing mission of the Church and proposes concrete reforms to achieve just that. A comprehensive definition of synodality was also given: “Synodality can be understood as the walk of Christians with Christ and toward the kingdom, together with all humanity; mission-oriented, it involves coming together in assembly at the different ecclesial levels of life, listening to one another, dialogue, communal discernment, consensus-building as an expression of Christ’s making himself present alive in the Spirit, and decision-making in differentiated co-responsibility,” it stated.
The Report, which you can read below, has 3 main parts, each with 6 or 7 sub-sections. Each sub-section has 3 very detailed content areas: Convergences, Matters for Consideration, and Proposals. Part One of the report takes a deep dive into Synodality and the synodal process. Part Two affirms that Church is mission. Part Three looks at how we can build community and become a more listening and accompanying church.
Thomas Reese of the National Catholic Reporter named 15 hidden gems. First is a new stress on lay involvement. The synod itself was structured so lay people could be heard. Second, the document stressed authentic listening to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying – Conversations in the Spirit. Third, the report acknowledges uncertainties, disagreements and plurality of positions voiced at the Synod. Fourth, the report addresses the many concerns of women, and says: “It is urgent to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry.”
Fifth, there is a great emphasis on the poor, and we are called to keep them at the center and to learn from them. Sixth, it calls for the church to combat racism and xenophobia and promote healing and reconciliation. Seventh, it states that the abuse crisis must be dealt with and calls for reformation of priestly formation, and eighth, it calls for creation of a culture of lifelong formation and learning. Ninth, it calls for oversight and review of how Bishops, priests and deacons do their ministry, and tenth, it looks at liturgical language saying it should be more accessible to the faithful and more embodied in diverse cultures.
Eleventh, it offers the possibility of offering Communion to non-Catholics, or what it calls “Eucharistic hospitality.” This is both a pastoral and theological issue, and very important to interfaith couples. Twelfth, the report looks closely at the role of Deacons, and calls for reform of the Roman Curia, which should stand in service of the Pope and the Bishops. Thirteenth, it calls the Curia to listen attentively to churches and calls for a revision of the Code of Canon Law which would emphasize synodality at all levels. Last, the synod wants to promote Small Christian Communities, which by their nature foster a synodal style.
Ultimately, this report is one that will be thrown away and replaced by a new one, after parishes and communities continue to listen to one another and provide feedback to the synod members for them to discuss in October 2024. That synod meeting will produce a new document and perhaps an exhortation from the Pope.
Ultimately, synodality is a spiritual path, one in which we empty ourselves and become dependent on the Holy Spirit to change us. What matters is that we work at building a culture and tradition of prayer, listening, and discernment. This is what we hope to continue to do this year and beyond.
What can you do? Take time to read the documents from the Synod in October and see what resonates with you. What issues are important to you? What thoughts do you have to share? Watch the bulletin and our webpage for more updates and upcoming Conversations in the Spirit in 2024, a year of sacred Listening. Join us!
Here is a visual snapshot of the Synthesis Report from the October 2023 Synod in Rome:
Here is the letter to the People of God, from the Bishops.
And here is the link to the entire Synthesis report from the Synod of Bishops in October 2023.
This coverage by the New York Times, (nor perhaps any media) cannot really do justice to the depth or scope of the conversations that have taken place over the past month. Driven by the interests of those who are most in favor of change or those who are most afraid of it, they will almost all miss the grace and achievement of the Synod, which is a paradigm shift in the Church’s way of proceeding.
From the beginning, it has been about the move from teaching the right answers to listening to the realities of people, from a strictly top down, clerical orientation to one that is balanced by broad, inclusive participation by the People of God as a whole, and from a Western, Northern hemispheric Church that saw itself as largely outside of history to one that is evolving and truly global, with a dizzying cultural diversity quickly shifting toward the South.
Finally, as we’ve said from the beginning, the Synod was not an event, but rather a step toward a new way of being Church, and the journey together continues.
Stay tuned, lean in, and keep the faith that the Holy Spirit is moving, even if it takes a long time to get everyone onboard for the road trip ahead. – David McCallum, SJ
Recent Articles about the Synod
- NCR Article on A New Kind of Conversation
- NCR Article on Pope Francis’ dream of an open Church
- Article: The Editors: 3 lessons from the synod to help Catholics navigate the 2024 elections (America Mag, Nov 13, 2023)
- Article: What Happened at the Synod (America magazine, Oct 2023)
- Article: 15 Hidden Gens in the Synod Report (Am Mag, Nov. 2023)
- Article: Theological Reflection (Vatican)
VIDEOS
The Cardinal Reflects on the First Week at the Synod
Cardinal Tobin reflects on Week 2 of the Synod
Cardinal Tobin reflects on Week 3 of the Synod
Cardinal Tobin Previews the Final Sessions of the Synod of Bishops
June ’23 Update: Synodality in Action
The Church as a whole just finished the “Continental Phase.” In this phase, the United States and Canada held 12 virtual assemblies in several languages through January 2023. Other Continents did the same and each continent put together a report synthesizing all of the thoughts and concerns gathered from all the Dioceses on their Continent. The report was sent to the Vatican, and in October the Bishops will begin the “Universal Phase” where delegates gather in Rome.
As we continue follow through on what we heard in the listening phase of the Synod, we have been implementing some of your ideas and suggestions. Our Family Faith families asked for more service opportunities that they could do together and our Outreach Office sponsored the Haiti Pack-a-thon in conjunction with Holy Name Hospital. This event gathered many families and hundreds of parishioners to pack over 80,000 simple meals for the hungry in Haiti. This was a formational and fun intergenerational event!
We also held a parent only Family Faith session in January so Father Bob could have some time with our parents to share with them about the importance of St Paul in the early Christian Church. It also gave our parents time to be together and to talk with each other.
Also in response to your comments, the Pastoral Council recently held Engagement Sunday, and had receptions after all the Masses so you could get to know them. They have had their pictures and bios in the bulletin (you can find them in the January 2023 bulletin editions on our bulletin page) and will be putting notes about their meetings in the bulletin and online regularly.
The weekend of February 25-26 we held Welcoming Masses and Receptions for over 300 families that registered as parishioners over the past few years. The community at mass prayed over them and then we welcomed them with food and conversation.
We have also listened to Pope Francis’ call to work towards the good of all, and to have Civil Dialogue on difficult issues so we can find common ground. We have held two such workshops and are planning a third soon.
Last, our LGBTQ & Allies Ministry has been growing and sponsoring activities in the parish, one of which was a viewing of the movie ‘The Saint of 9-11” about Fr Mychael Judge. It was very well received, and a lot of parishioners attended! We are having a Pride Mass on June 11th. We had women speak at all of the masses about the Synod, and on Mothers day we had women share their stories about the vocation of motherhood. On Father’s Day we will have dads speak on the vocation of fatherhood.
Oct. ’22: Here is our final Narrative Summary of the findings from our parishioners. We are grateful for all who participated and look forward to continuing our discussion on synodality and putting our thoughts into action.
UPDATES: The Archdiocesan Synod on Synodality Synthesis Report captures the feedback & voices of more than 15,000 people in our faith communities across northern New Jersey. A great number of our parishioners participated in this process. You may also find of interest the Archdiocese site, SYNOD2023 where you can read that report.
ONGOING DIALOGUE: If you read the reports and have any more input, questions, or want to engage in ongoing discussion and listening about various topics, please let us know. You can email us at synod@churchofpresentation.org.
BACKGROUND: Introduction to the Synod
Pope Francis has declared the formation of a world-wide synod to formally open in Rome the beginning of October and the first phase on the parish/diocesan level October 17, which ran through April 2022.
We are excited that we have begun our Synodal journey – “Walking Together” with hope for the Church with Pope Francis. He wants everyone to participate in this unique, historic, local, but worldwide process! All are invited to join in this “once in a generation moment” in an effort to explore, renew, and consider possible change.
A Catholic Synod is typically an assembly of bishops, brought together to discuss and discern Church teachings. This special Synod will be quite different and will start at the grass-roots, parish level, to synthesize thoughts and opinions on how to take the Church forward. It will grow to the diocesan level, then national, continental, and will ultimately culminate in October 2023 at the universal level with the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Pope Francis states that synodality is the path for the entire People of God, to make pastoral decisions that reflect the will of God, grounded in the living voice of the People of God.
In Early 2022, we had numerous additional opportunities to have our voices heard as the parish conducts several group listening sessions, both large and small. We encouraged all to participate, young adults, seniors, those that feel marginalized from the Church, active parishioners and from those whom may have drifted away. The synod documents ask us to speak boldly and honestly and to create space for those who seldom share to do the same. We are asked to be humble in our listening, to be open, to let go of our prejudices and stereotypes, and allow the Holy Spirt to be present among our discussions for the voice of all baptized to be heard. We will reach out to as many parish groups as possible, in person and using our media capabilities. More details will follow in the new year. Let us foster a deeper communion, fuller participation, and a more fruitful mission to renew our Church!
Here are some recent article on the idea of synodality and on the synod process itself.
RESOURCES and ARTICLES:
- Important Documents for the synod: Pentecost Vigil Project
- Article: Francis is betting a synodal church will be a cure for a clerical church (National Catholic Reporter, October 8, 2021)
- Article: What is a Synod? (America magazine, Oct 8 2021)
- Editorial: Let’s give the Holy Spirit a chance at synod on synodality (NCR, Sept 23, 2021)
- Article: ‘There is no need to create another church, but to create a different church,’ Francis says before synod (America magazine, October 9, 2021)
- Article: Cardinal Tobin on The Opportunities and Risks of our Synodal Journey (NJ Catholic Oct 22, 2021)
- Article: Synod plans around the World (America magazine, October 2021)
- Article: SYNOD Outreach Across the State (Jersey Catholic, Dec. 2, 2021)
- Article: Young Adults talk about the Synod (Catholic Review, Dec. 2021)
- Article: Young people and the Synod (Oct 2021)
- Article: Is Pope Francis’ Synod on Synodality bound to disappoint—or will it renew the church? (America Magazine, Jan 2022)
- VIDEO: Why a Synod on Synodality? (Boston College, Jan 2022)
- VIDEO: Synod on Synodality – All you need to know through Sketches
- Article: Women in Church Leadership (America magazine, March 2022)
- PODCAST: The extended Synod on Synodality (America Mag/October 2022)
- Article: The First Global Synod Document (America Magazine/Oct 2022)
- Article: The Synod is a new way of BEING Church (American Mag/March 2023)
- Article: Addressing the Issues of Vatican II (Commonweal Mag/March 23)
- Article: A good look at the Holy Spirit as our riving force (NCR, Feb 23)
- Article: “From Aggiornamento to Synodality” (Commonweal, June 2023.)
- Article: Synod on Synodality’s Working Document Swings Between Two Currents (NCR/July 23)
- Article: Every American going to the Synod on Synodality: Full list and analysis | America Magazine (July 7, 23)
Vatican: Preparatory Document
Prayer for the Synod
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.
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.