Monday, November 20, 13 people gathered in St. Mary’s Holy Family Church in Kensington for the first “Listening Session” responding to A Synodal Church in Mission the summary report from October’s session of the Synod of Bishops.
After an introduction there was a sharing around the table where each person could express their hopes, concerns, fears, and dreams about the future of the church.
Each sharing was limited to three minutes (when a large group church bells would ring).
Some of the items that were mentioned were:
- Previous experience discussing the Synod in other groups
- Concerns of people abandoning the church
- A desire to learn more about the Synod
- The necessity to preserve the best things in the tradition
- An ecumenical hope for greater cooperation between all of the Christian denominations
- The ministries and responsibilities of women in the church.
- A time of silent prayer in the Holy Spirit.
- Young people and the church.
- Women as leaders and teachers in prayer similar to mothers in family.
- Adults dropping out of faith practice when their elderly parents die.
- Lay people leading parishes as is done in the north.
- Evangelization of younger generation in this digital era.
After an hour sharing there was a break for cookies and water (or coffee if you brought coffee).
The spirits were good and positive and all agreed to gather again in January and to welcome others to join in the conversation.
Here is a link to the Synod report:
If you are doing something similar in your parish let us know. It is always good to get people together to talk about the faith.
Here is a video to give you some encouragement: