In the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synality, The Holy Father has asked Bishops throughout the world to consult the faithful in their Diocese on the meaning if synodality (Journey Together) for the Church’s Mission. In the Diocese of Orange, we’ve been listening to the faithful through consultations, interviews, and website submissions. Holy Trinity has selected a diverse sub-group of six individuals from different ethnicity, age groups, and marital status to participate in the diocesan wide consultation process.
Participate!
Your voice and participation are important too! As we are called to embrace this synodal path of the Synod 2021-2023, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit to operate within us so that we may be a community and a people of grace.
Pray!
Good and Gracious God,
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life;
And not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time.
In the name of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen.
Make your voice be heard!
Pray and reflect on the question: How is God leading us as a Church to walk more faithfully together in communion, participation and mission? Then, CLICK HERE to respond to the survey below with your reflections.
What is Synodality?
Synodality denotes the particular style that qualifies the life and mission of the Church, expressing her nature as the People of God journeying together and gathering in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. Synodality ought to be expressed in the Church’s ordinary way of living and working.
Synodality, in this perspective, is much more than the celebration of ecclesial meetings and Bishops’ assemblies, or a matter of simple internal administration within the Church; it is the specific modus vivendi et operandi of the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission.
What is the aim of this Synod?
This Synod is intended as a Synodal Process. The aim of this synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term.
A basic question prompts and guides us: How does this journeying together allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?
