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“THE CHURCH IS LISTENING ~ SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS”
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Don't miss your chance to participate in the Synod!
Click here to take the survey.
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Pope Francis has invited all of us throughout the world to share with him our experience of journeying together as Church and how that experience can be improved. That is what the Synod is all about; people coming together, listening to each other, listening to the Holy Spirit and sharing their experiences in journeying with the Catholic Church. This unprecedented opportunity will offer discussion and reflection to help shape the Church’s understanding of herself and her mission of evangelization and forming disciples. So, what does this mean? From this opportunity we will gather the results of these “Listening Sessions” which will provide feedback to us, our Diocese and Pope Francis helping us to be a better church.
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Testemonials
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What is a Synod?
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What is the Synod?
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Why Participate?
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WHAT IS A SYNOD listening Session?
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Synod Listening
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Why Should You Participate? We need to hear your story; we need to listen to each other's story. Whether you participate in a morning, afternoon, or evening In-person or Online Listening Session, it’s an opportunity to Listen to Reflect and Speak openly about your experiences with the Catholic Church and dreams for the future. It’s not just why should you, it’s more about WE need for you to participate! We need everyone to participate.
If you love the Catholic Church, we need you. We need your enthusiasm. We need the light of your witness. We need to hear about your life-changing encounter with Christ in the Church and how deeply you want to share that encounter with others, how certain you are of the transforming power of the Sacraments, how excited you are about piloting new evangelistic efforts. Please, come and strengthen the Body with your presence.
Maybe you are Catholic, but are having moments of doubt and wondering where the Catholic Church is going. We need you. We need to hear the times you felt good and had life-giving experiences, we also need to hear your doubts, your uncertainty. Maybe you grew up Catholic (or were Catholic at one point) but don’t feel like that word describes you anymore. We need to hear your story. Your story is part of our story. Pope Francis wants to hear your story. No matter who you are, where you are on your journey with the Catholic Church, we need you. We need you to participate either in person or online. Come be a part of a historic moment in the Catholic Church.
Do you need to be Catholic to participate? No. These Listening Sessions are open to all!
Throughout the month of March, we will be offering “In Person” and Online opportunities for you to share your story in a safe environment, “Synod Listening Sessions”, similar to our Small Groups. Dates and times will be posted soon! In Communion with each other, we can Participate to bring about the Mission of Jesus Christ.
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There are a variety of ways you can be involved in the Synod Process.
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Participate in our Synod Listening Sessions also known as “Gatherings of Listening, Sharing & Reflecting” which are offered In-Person or Online through Zoom. Each of these offers an opportunity to come together with other people, to pray, listen to each other's experiences, share thoughts and reflect on what you have heard, then share your dreams for the future of the Catholic Church.
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Pray, Pray, Pray. Pray for the success of the Synod, that we listen to where the Holy Spirit is guiding us. Pray that we are brave enough to share our own experiences with others, that we are powerfully moved by what people share and that we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit when we vision for the future of the Church.
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Encourage others to participate. Think of those who you know who have expressed hurt from the church, those who don’t see a point in being a part of the church and those who have left the church...pray for them and invite them. Do you know someone who isn’t Catholic but we would benefit from hearing their story of their journey with the Catholic Church? Invite them.
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Volunteer to be a Listening Session Table Leader or Scribe. This is such a rewarding and Spirit filled experience. Sign up and share this page with others.
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If you are unable to participate in person or you are not connected to the internet, we will have a paper format just for you! An Individual Reflection Guide : “The Church is Listening ~ Share Your Thoughts”, will be available for you to pick up in the narthex and then return once done by dropping it off in our mailbox or at church. Stay Tuned!
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If you are unable to participate in an In-Person or in an Online Listening session and have access to the internet, we will have an online Individual Reflection Guide: “The Church is Listening~Share Your Thoughts”. This will be available for you to fill out from our website beginning March 7. Stay Tuned for more information!
There is an opportunity for Every Catholic, Every Person to provide personal feedback towards this process.
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English Listening Sessions
Date
Time
Location
Monday, March 7
9:30am - 11:30am
Ste Anne - In Person
Tuesday, March 8
6:30pm - 8:30pm
English Online- Zoom
Wednesday, March 9
6:30pm - 8:30pm
English Online- Zoom
Thursday, March 10
9:30am - 11:30am
SSSJ - In Person
Monday, March 21
6:30pm - 8:30pm
English Online- Zoom
Tuesday, March 22
9:30am - 11:30am
Ste. Anne- In Person
Wednesday, March 23
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Good Shepherd- In Person
Thursday, March 24
6:30pm - 8:30pm
English Online- Zoom
Francophone Listening Sessions
Date
Time
Location
Tuesday March 8
10:00am - 12 Noon
St. Jerome - In Person
Wednesday, March 9
6:30pm - 8:30pm
French - Online - Zoom
Tuesday March 22
1:00pm - 3:00pm
St. Jerome - In Person
Wednesday, March 23
6:30pm - 8:30pm
French - Online - Zoom
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BE A PART OF THE SYNOD
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One of the ways you can be a part of the Synod and add to its success of the Listening Sessions in our Family of Parishes is to volunteer to be a Listening Session Table/Breakout Room Leaders or Listening Session Table/Breakout Room Scribe.
If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the form below and Betty Hompoth will be in contact with you.
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ROLE OF TABLE/BREAKOUT ROOM LEADERS
- Create a welcoming and prayerful atmosphere
- Lead a group without dominating
- Promote listening to each other without prejudice,
- Ensure everyone is given a chance to speak to learn from each other in the time given
- Keep people on topic and focus a conversation
- Training: A recorded video will be provided to support Table/Breakout Room Leaders. You will also receive an outline of the Synod Listening Session.
Role of the Listening Session Table/Breakout Room Scribe
- Capture the key points of the group's discussion
- Record on information sheet provided
- Training: A recorded video will be provided to support Table/Breakout Room Scribes. You will also receive an outline of the Synod Listening Session.
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THE SYNOD & PARISH LIFE SEMINAR - SAT DEC 14, 2024
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Linda Staudt, Co-Chair of the Diocese of London's Synod Committee and one of four Canadian lay people selected by Pope Francis to attend the XVI General Assembly of the Synod in October 2023 and 2024, presented her Reflections from the 1st and 2nd Sessions of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.A few photos reflect the wonderful collaboration of both bishops and lay people who worked with enthusiastic spiritual grace to complete the Instrumentum Laboris Report accepted by Pope Francis.
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Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, Episcopal Vicar for the English-speaking Faithful and recently Facilitator at Synod 2024 in Rome.
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