‘The Big Listen’
Sunday 15th October 2023This weekend we launched the start of the ‘The Big Listen’ stage of the Diocesan Synod.
The listening stage runs from 15th October until the 19th January and during that time we are looking to hear from as many people as we can.
Parishes are encouraged to hold Listening Sessions and there is an opportunity to for individuals to respond directly to the questions themselves.
What does this mean?
The Synod was formally decreed during the 2023 Chrism Mass. In calling the Synod, Bishop John reflected on the considerable changes our Church has witnessed over recent years, remarking that the time has come to envisage a new future for the Church in our diocese. A challenge as to what we need to be now in a changing world. What our people expect of us, and how might we rethink things.
Our diocesan Synod seeks to provide an answer to these questions by calling us to reflect on the needs of our diocesan community today, and to understand more about the opportunities we have to build up the Church in our part of Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
It is a journey by which we, clergy and laity, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, can together set out the future direction and priorities of the life and mission of our Diocese.
This is not just a process for Church leaders but must be a journey we embark on together to ensure each and every voice is represented in this new generation of our diocesan Church. A collaborative journey that we ask you to join as we work together to live out our call to be missionary disciples.
Bishop John has also talked about the importance of hearing from those who are no longer involved in the Church, saying: “It is also important in this process that we engage other Catholics who are not closely associated with their parishes or who might feel distanced from their faith. What would they like the Church to be for them? How might it have failed them in some way? ”
How to get Involved
Attend a Parish Listening Session. As well as making sure your voice is heard, it is important in this synodal process that we listen to the voices of those around us.
Submit your own response. You can do this via https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/synod/
Encourage your friends and family to get involved and make their own response. We really do want to hear from as many people as we can.
Suggest a group that may be interested in holding a focus group. You can do this by emailing synod@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Keep following and praying for our synod journey.
You can follow the synod, submit a response and learn about the different stages via https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/synod/
Prayer for the Synod
Loving Father,
be with us as we seek new ways of being your people in our Diocese.
May each new day bring us closer to your son Jesus, as we follow his teaching and
become disciples of love.
As we continue our Synodal journey, draw us closer to each other.
May the truth of your Spirit enlighten us.
Open our hearts, as we listen to each other and reach out in love to your people.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
Amen
Tagged | Diocesan Synod | Synod
