Synod 2021

• The heart of the Gospel — the “Kerygma”
• Forming missionary disciples

• Life-long discipleship
• Universal call to holiness

• Welcoming parishes
• Collaboration in parish ministry

• Liturgy and the Sunday experience
• Sharing the Gospel in word and deed

• Parents as primary educators (birth – adult)
• Helping the young encounter Jesus (birth – grade 6)

• Youth ministry (grades 6-12)
• Young adult ministry (ages 18-35)

In 2019, Archbishop Bernard Hebda launched a multi-year Archdiocesan Synod, which is "a formal representative assembly designed to help a bishop in his shepherding of the local Church.’’

The purpose is "to discern and establish clear pastoral priorities in a way that will both promote greater unity and lead us to a more vigorous proclamation of Jesus’ good news.”

• Click here for the full Synod Overview.

Beginning that fall, the Archbishop led 30 Prayer and Listening events (19 open and 11 focus) attended by over 8,000 faithful providing over 35,000 comments on what is working well in the Archdiocese and challenges and opportunities as we move forward together.

Based on this feedback, along with other consultations and discernment, Archbishop Hebda determined, in 2020, the three focus areas that will shape the Year 3 Consultation process:

1. Forming parishes that are in the service of evangelization,
2. Forming missionary disciples who know Jesus’ love and respond to his call, and
3. Forming youth and young adults in and for a Church that is always young.

It depends on you!

Now that Archbishop has discerned three focus areas for the Synod, and he needs your feedback on priorities we should focus on as our archdiocese moves forward.

How can you share your feedback? Through Synod discussion groups, hosted right here at our parish, and at parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

For six weeks, you with gather in a small group with other parishioners to:

1. Pray for God’s guidance on how we can more vigorously proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!
2. Learn the Church’s wisdom on the Synod focus area topics.
3. Discuss your perspective and ideas with other parishioners.
4. Respond with your feedback on Archdiocesan priorities to proclaim the Good News in our culture today.

Mark your calendars for September 28; October 5, 12, 19, and 26; and November 9 from 7-9pm in Steiner Hall. Visit www.archspm.org/synod for more information.

Are you currently meeting with a small group at the parish? You also have the option to participate in the Synod together as a group. Contact Rick and Mary Jo at maryjo.rick@gmail.com for more information.

Can't make a date, or can't meet in person? Please contact Randall McClure at (651) 260-9045 or randallmcc715@gmail.com for more information.

There are six meetings scheduled, each with a specific topic prompted by the Synod Listening Sessions that occurred in 2019-20. Topics will be announced in the bulletin the Sunday before the meeting as well as on this page.

Please plan to arrive to the meetings early to be seated and ready to start promptly at 7pm. The meetings follow a two hour running video with prayer, presentations, and timed discussion periods.

No registration is required, and there is no reserved seating at the tables — sit with people you know or meet somebody new! Trained facilitators will lead the discussion periods so everyone who wants to contribute will have the opportunity.

Each session is unique — please come as often as you can.

• The best three pre-proposed ideas that have helped you,
• The best three pre-proposed ideas that you think the Archdiocese and Nativity should work on, and
• A concise (20-word) description of "your best idea" for the Archdiocese and Nativity on the topic, if it is different from the pre-proposed ideas.