Synod

Additional Listening Guides for reflection. Please click on the link to print off the appropriate guide:

Youth, Young Adult, Our Children Listening Guide – The Future of Our Church, Our Children Listening Session

Parents of our Children’s Listening Guide – Parents of Our Children Listening Session

Residents of Care Homes Listening Session Guide – Residents of Care Homes Listening Session

 

Listening Sessions:

SYNOD ON SYNODALITY 

Listening and Discernment in Local Churches  

First Phase [October 2021 – August 2022] in Dioceses and Bishops’ Conferences 

SYNOD LISTENING  

SESSIONS SCHEDULE  

St. Theresa’s Parish; 7508 – 29 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta

SYNOD LISTENING SESSION 

We have been travelling on our parish Synod journey for the past number of weeks now with  presentations by the celebrant on Saturday and Sunday masses, weekly Synod inserts in the parish  bulletin, a presentation by the Synod committee leaders and a Synod brochure. 

It is now time for each of us to be prepared to do the hard work.  

Time to invite the Holy Spirit to guide each of us as we do the following: 

  • Reflect our own faith journey as we participate in one or more of our Parish Listening  Sessions 
  • Be prepared to answer some or all the questions in the Synod Listening Session guide • Share with each other about your own faith journey, if comfortable in doing so 
  • To reflect and share on your vision of the future of the Church and our parish in the Third  Millennium 

The following chart is a list of dates, times, and location for our in – person Parish Listening Sessions.  Due to the nature of what we are attempting to do, to each share our faith journey with others, we feel it  is important to do it in-person to be able to share with each other. 

Month  Dates  Location  Notes
February  17 (Thursday)  MacNeil Hall  7:00 – 9:30 pm
March  3 (Thursday)  MacNeil Hall  7:00 – 9:30 pm
12 (Saturday)  MacNeil Hall  2:00 – 5:00 pm
17 (Thursday)  MacNeil Hall  7:00 – 9:30 pm
31 (Thursday)  MacNeil Hall  7:00 – 9:30 pm
April  2 (Saturday)  MacNeil Hall  10:00 am – 1:00 pm
6 (Wednesday)  MacNeil Hall  7:00 – 9:30 pm

Also attached are the Listening guides prepared for the upcoming Listening Sessions PLEASE PRINT A COPY AND BRING TO THE LIISTENING SESSION YOU ARE ATTENDING:

To hold these in-person Synod Listening Session, COVID – 19 Health Restrictions will be in place. 

  • Masks must be worn at all times, by participants, when in the McNeil Hall 
  • Social distancing must be observed 
  • Place your coat on the back of your chair 
  • Bring your own refreshments 
  • Please register at the start of each session. 

THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF THE HALL FOR EACH SESSION WILL BE 80 PEOPLE.

 

For a Synodal Church: 

Communion, Participation, and Mission 

What do the words “synod” and “synodality” really mean? 

‘Synod’ is an ancient and venerable word in the Tradition of the Church, whose meaning draws on the deepest themes of  Revelation. It indicates the path along which the People of God walk together. 

Why does this Synod center around three key words: communion, participation, and  mission? 

Live in COMMUNION – By his gracious will, God gathers us together as diverse peoples of  one faith, through the covenant that he offers to his people.  

Achieve PARTICIPATION – A call for the involvement of all who belong to the People of  God, laity, consecrated and ordained – to engage in the exercise of deep and respectful listening  to one another.  

Open to MISSION: The Church exists to evangelize. Our mission is to witness to the love of  God in the midst of the whole human family.  

 

How is this Synod different from previous ones? 

❖ Pope is looking for the participation of not only the Bishops, but of all the faithful of the Church, 

❖ Holy Father wants to hear from all corners of the world, for all of us to listen to each other and the Holy Spirit, 

❖ This synod is an opportunity to listen to what we have to do as a FAITH community walking together toward God.

This Synod will begin at the local level through an extensive listening process. During this  listening phase everyone is encouraged to gather, respond to stimulus questions/images/scenarios  together, listen to each other, and provide individual and group feedback, ideas, reactions, and  suggestions. A variety of engagement opportunities, at the local and diocesan, will be organized  so as to ensure maximum participation and accessibility. An on – line engagement platform will  also be launched in FEBRUARY to engage those who wish to submit their feedback virtually.

BULLETIN January 30, 2022-INSERT-Synodal Basics

BULLETIN February 6, 2022-INSERT Synod Brochure

BULLETIN February 13, 2022-INSERT-Synod Listening Sessions

Upcoming Synod Events

To register, please click on the ZOOM link of your choice and you will be brought directly to the Registration Form

Listening Leader Training Sessions

This 1-½ hour session is designed to provide locally identified Listening Leaders training on how to facilitate a listening session within their own respective parish/organization/community/ school division/group.

Facilitated by Dr. Eugenia Pagnotta-Kowalczyk and Fr. Glenn McDonald

Local Coordinators Training/Update

This 30-minute session is specifically designed to collaborate with identified local Synod Coordinators. Materials, dates, and other timelines are shared to ensure communication is timely and relevant. There will be an opportunity to discuss best practice and provide feedback on how we are spreading the word on the Synod.

Facilitated by Dr. Eugenia Pagnotta-Kowalczyk

Learn About the Synod – repeat sessions due to growing interest in the Synod

If you missed the information session in January, here is your chance to learn about the Synod and how to participate. This 2-hour session will provide you with all the information you need to actively engage in the Archdiocese of Edmonton Synod Listening Phase.

Facilitated by Dr. Eugenia Pagnotta-Kowalczyk

Participate in an Archdiocese Listening Session

Here is your chance to participate in an actual Listening Session. Come prepared to join in a conversation that is rooted in prayerful discernment and inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Archdiocese of Edmonton welcomes your feedback on the Synod Questions. The list of questions will be sent to participants prior to the Zoom meeting to provide them an opportunity to prepare for the dialogue.

Facilitated by Dr. Eugenia Pagnotta-Kowalczyk and Fr. Glenn McDonald

Why Participate in the Synod?

Choose a button to engage and learn more about the Synod

This page will be regularly updated during the 6 month process at the diocesan level.