Do you remember when you were a kid, and the tug of war was about to begin?
There'd be someone, usually an adult, calling out to us, "Ready? Set! Go!" And we'd dig in and pull with all our might. Those three words gave us a chance to take that last deep breath, get our feet in the right direction, adjust our grip on the rope and prepare our minds to tug, and tug! Last week I shared with you how I'm getting ready for the Synod on Synodality gathering that kicks off on October 4...what I'm doing to take a deep breath and prepare my mind and heart. Now is the time for all of that. Check this out...it will lay sound foundations for you! Today, let's focus on getting "set"...that is, getting our feet facing in the right direction. and our hands firmly on the rope.
Get Set with:
Who's going to be there from the US?
Schedules
Pre-Synod gathering of young adults. September 30th! Pray with them! Live coverage will be available.
Pre-Synod Retreat October 1-3, 2023 Led by Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP in Rome
Pre-Synod Prayer October 3, 2023 with St. Joan of Arc parish in Minneapolis, MN to launch the Synod. Register here.
Opening Mass and Opening Remarks, televised on October 4, 2023
Rosary each Wednesday in October at 12 Noon ET for the Synod with Discerning Deacons. Register here.
Reporting/Observations/Opinions
Our front page for observations from Rome from PVP friend Bob Choiniere
Archbishop Etienne will be reporting as a participant. Find his reports here.
News coverage from CNS, NCR, RNS, Vatican News, Vatican Synod Site, Synod.va, USCCB , but keep in mind that the Pope has made it clear that news coverage will be limited in order to maintain the prayerful space the Holy Spirit will need to be heard. Find them all on our site!
Your diocesan newspaper
Coverage of the synod from other viewpoints: EWTN Vatican News National Catholic Register Canadian Catholic Bishops Conference News First Things Catholic Culture
Checking out what others are reporting/commenting on
Synod-minded organizations who may be reporting on or from the Synod
AUSCP (Association of US Catholic Priests)
Participating in or keeping up with what other communal gatherings during the Synod and beyond
I have some specific items I am interested in hearing about as the Synod unfolds. I'd encourage you to read the Instrumentum laboris to see if you do as well. Then you'll be able to listen for insights, leaks, observations and other reporting around the issue/issues that most interest you. And ok...here's what I am interested in: changes in systems and structures to support synodality; leadership formation in synodal practices; and the practice of discernment in common. And more generally, I am curious to hear how the Bishops who will be forced to practice the synodal style of listening react to the experience. How about you? What are you getting set to listen for?
Ready? Set! Next up GO! And we'll be off together on a Spirit-guided journey, praying, practicing parrhesia, listening deeply for the Spirit's call, practicing discernment in common...becoming synodal. We're excited! We invite you to use the Comment box or our Facebookl page and tell us how YOU are getting ready!
Come Holy Spirit, and enkindle in us the fire of your love!
Photo Unsplash/Anna Samoylova
Comments