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“A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together:” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your particular Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?
Reflection Questions
Addressing the fundamental question requires listening to the Holy Spirit, who like the wind “blows where it will; you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (John 3:8), remaining open to the surprises that the Spirit will certainly prepare us for the listening sessions.
In a prayerful way, ask yourself what experiences in your particular Church the fundamental question calls to mind.
What joys do these experiences provoke? What difficulties and obstacles have they encountered? What wounds have they brought to light? What insights have the elicited?
Where in these experiences does the voice of the Spirit resound? What is he asking of us? What are the points to be confirmed, the prospects for change, the steps to be taken?
Two Perspectives
“Journeying together” can be understood from two different perspectives, which are strongly interconnected. The first perspective looks at the internal life of the particular Churches, at the relationships between their constituent parts. The second perspective considers how the People of God journey together with the entire human family.
Parishes may consider using the language below in their bulletins
Pope Francis invites you and all the faithful to “journey together” by participating in listening sessions as part of the preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Learn more about the Synod and how you can participate at www.saginaw.org/synod2023. Listening sessions at our parish will be held on (insert date). You can also contact (insert parish contact person and contact info) for more information.