St. Michael Parish - Greenwich, CT

Synod 2021-2023 before 121621 changes

A Call from Pope Francis to Journey Together in Faith

Synod 2021-2023

Synod 2021 is the first time the Vatican is inviting each and every local parish to conduct a listening process. The Vatican wants to hear the concerns of the community so the Bishops and the Pope can better understand "Who we are as a church." The hope is that through the Synod Process we will bring about a new springtime for listening, discernment, dialogue and decision making, so we can build bridges and Journey Together in faith.

Where is God Leading Us? (12/12/2021)

In these days of the Synod, the Pope said, “Jesus calls us, as he did the rich man in the Gospel, to empty

ourselves, to free ourselves from all that is worldly, including our inward-looking and outworn pastoral

models; and to ask ourselves what it is that God wants to say to us in this time – and the direction in which

He wants to lead us.” Read more...

This Synod is an Inclusive Process (12/05/2021)

Dialogue is a path of perseverance that also includes silences and sufferings, but which is capable of

gathering the experiences of all People of God. To what extent do diverse peoples in our community come

together for dialogue? What are the places and means of dialogue within our local Church? How do we

promote collaboration with neighboring dioceses, religious communities in the area, lay associations and

movements, etc.? Read more...

Sharing Responsibility - We Are All Missionary Disciples (11/28/2021)

The Synodal process has a deeply missionary dimension to it. It is intended to enable the Church to better

witness the Gospel. In this way, synodality is a path by which the Church can more fruitfully fulfill this

mission.

All members are called to participate and take responsibility for the method of listening and dialogue being

called for by the Holy Spirit. Since we are all missionary disciples, participation of every member of the

faithful is required to further the mission of the Church. Read more...

Dialogue - Speaking Out (11/21/2021)

What enables or hinders speaking up courageously, candidly, and responsibly in our local Church and in

society? Who speaks on behalf of the Christian community, and how are they chosen?

Synodal dialogue insists on the open and honest contributions of ALL the People of God, including those who feel excluded or marginalized by the Church. Everyone is a child of God and should be heard. We are invited to speak with authentic courage and honesty (parrhesia) in order to integrate freedom, truth, and charity. Courage must be the foundation for this process, welcoming all contributions and working together to reveal the truth of the Holy Spirit. Read more...

Discernment & Reflection (11/14/2021)

Pope Francis insists that “encounter and listening are not ends in themselves,” but must lead to discernment. “Whenever we enter into dialogue,” he explained, “we allow ourselves to be challenged, to advance on the journey.” As with the rich young man, Jesus helps us to discern, “to look within” and to discover what God reveals to us, “to discern in that light” what our hearts “truly treasure.” This “is a valuable lesson to us,” Pope Francis said, adding that “the Synod is a journey of spiritual discernment that takes place in adoration, in prayer, and in dialogue with the Word of God.” Read more...

Listening Together (11/07/2021)

In the Gospels, we often see Jesus on a journey, open to an encounter with those He meets along the way, present to them, concerned about their questions. Like Jesus, we too are called to become experts in the art of encounter. This involves an openness to others, as well as, courage and a willingness to allow oneself to be challenged by the presence and stories of others. Read more...

Our Synod - Our Journey Together (10/31/2021)

We all seek God’s direction through the journey that we encounter in life that at times may

seem overwhelming. We may ask, “Lord, show us the way.” In doing so, we notice others

asking the same question but seemingly on different paths.

If we earnestly desire that all people encounter Jesus on this journey of life, how can we best

empower others who are seeking the Lord to arrive at the same destination? Jesus said, “I

am the way, the truth and the life.” What are the means we have to introduce our Lord, and

his “way,” to all of God’s people within the framework of our Catholic faith?