Synod 2023 updates
Monday, September 18, 2023
Letter from Fr Kieran McDermott, chair of the Diocesan Synodal Steering Committee:
I write on behalf of Archbishop Farrell and the Diocesan Synodal Steering Committee, seeking your help.
The Synod on Synodality – Communion, Participation and Mission, opens in Rome on October 4th, representing the next stage in the process of listening and discerning what God wants from us His People in the world of today.
The Archbishop and our Committee are keen that this moment of opportunity be used to build on the considerable interest shown last year when almost 13,000 people of the Archdiocese participated in the initial stages of the Synodal process. We have been considering ways to raise consciousness of, and interest in the events in Rome and to help people to have a better understanding of what is occurring.
Therefore, we are asking your support with the following:
- A letter from the Archbishop will be provided which may be read at the Masses on September 30th / October 1st.
- A series of texts will be offered for each of the October weekends. These texts will link Synodal themes with the readings of the Sundays. Those preaching at the liturgies are welcome to read the texts provided in place of a homily, or weave them into their homilies.
- A weekly newsletter will be prepared by our Committee and sent to every parish on Thursday of each week. The parish is asked to have it printed off, and distributed at the weekend Masses. We suggest that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
Thank you for supporting these efforts to raise consciousness and understanding of the Synod and to pray for its success. It is our hope that our joint efforts will benefit the people, the parishes and the Archdiocese.
In grateful appreciation
Fr Kieran McDermott
Previous documents:
Synodal Pathway Report: The Archdiocese of Dublin report
Synthesis of the Consultation in Ireland for the Diocesan Stage of the Universal Synod 2021 – 2023
Report of the Digital Synod for the Continental Stage
Instrumentum Laboris for the First Session (October 2023) and the Instrumentum Laboris FAQ
Please click here for intercessions for use at Masses on the two Sundays preceding the Synod in Rome (September 24 and October 1) as well for use on weekdays. These have been provided by the General Secretariat of the Synod in Rome.
A final blessing for use at Masses on the weekend of Sunday, October 1, provided by the General Secretariat of the Synod in Rome, can be accessed here (PDF).
Please click here to download the first of the five weekly newsletters (two-page PDF). This newsletter contains Archbishop Farrell’s letter ahead of the Synod in Rome. The Archbishop’s letter can be read at Masses this weekend. The parish is asked to print and distribute the newsletter at the weekend Masses. It is suggested that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
Please click here to download the second of the five weekly newsletters (two-page PDF). The parish is asked to print and distribute the newsletter at the weekend Masses. It is suggested that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
Please click here to download the third of the five weekly newsletters (two-page PDF). The parish is asked to print and distribute the newsletter at the weekend Masses. It is suggested that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
Please click here to download the fourth of the five weekly newsletters (two-page PDF). The parish is asked to print and distribute the newsletter at the weekend Masses. It is suggested that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
Please click here to download the fifth of the five weekly newsletters (two-page PDF). The parish is asked to print and distribute the newsletter at the weekend Masses. It is suggested that those who were animators in your parish last year might take responsibility for the distribution.
A reminder that an Ecumenical Vigil will be held in Christ Church Cathedral this Saturday, September 30, at 7pm. More information is available at catholicnews.ie/ecumenical-vigil-to-take-place-christchurch-cathedral-ahead-of-synod/.
On Saturday, September 30, an ecumenical prayer vigil will take place in Rome in the presence of Pope Francis and representatives of different Churches, to unite us in praise and silence, in listening to the Word. Young people aged between 18 and 35 from across Europe, from all Church backgrounds, are invited from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and will be welcomed for a weekend of sharing, to journey together as the people of God.
For information on the live broadcast of this vigil, visit together2023.net/broadcast-of-the-ecumenical-prayer-vigil/
Further resources:
Vatican
“Together” Ecumenical Prayer Vigil (YouTube video; September 30)
Homily of Pope Francis at the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil (text)
General
Natalie Becquart on women and the Synod
Rafael Luciani on the theology of Synodality
Synod on Synodality (Wikipedia)
Synod on Synodality (Catholic News Agency)
The Synodal Times
You can follow the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on these specific social channels:
Facebook @16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
Twitter: @16SynodAssembly
Instagram: @16ordinarygs
Please find available here Reflections for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 8), the first of a series of four texts which will be offered for each of the October weekends. These texts will link Synodal themes with the readings of the Sundays. Those preaching at the liturgies are welcome to read the texts provided in place of a homily, or weave them into their homilies.
Please find available here Reflections for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 15), the second of a series of four texts which will be offered for each of the October weekends. These texts will link Synodal themes with the readings of the Sundays. Those preaching at the liturgies are welcome to read the texts provided in place of a homily, or weave them into their homilies.
Please find available here Reflections for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 22), the third of a series of four texts which will be offered for each of the October weekends. These texts will link Synodal themes with the readings of the Sundays. Those preaching at the liturgies are welcome to read the texts provided in place of a homily, or weave them into their homilies.
Please find available here Reflections for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 29), the last of a series of four texts offered for each of the October weekends. These texts link Synodal themes with the readings of the Sundays. Those preaching at the liturgies are welcome to read the text provided in place of a homily, or weave them into their homilies.
The Synod participants’ Letter to the People of God can be read here
