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On the Road to Implementing Synodality: Casting the Net

Jean Hawley

Photo Credit:  Jean Hawley  Dock in Duck,NC   (c) 2024
Photo Credit: Jean Hawley Dock in Duck,NC (c) 2024



PVP welcomes back guest blogger Jean Hawley, who continues to share with us her journey into implementing synodality. Her net image is also found in the Final Document!

And stay tuned for an upcoming blog on what 1000 cups of coffee was like as it launched!







Happy Jubilee Year of Hope, friends!


Ever wonder what it is like to cast a net? Is there a precise way to cast? Does the net flow freely or is its movement orchestrated by the one casting it? What does the net catch? How does it move through the water? Is it retrieved with a bountiful catch or not? On a recent trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, I captured a glimpse of a dock, a pathway, if you will, with water surrounding it. I could not help but imagine myself casting a net and wondering what it would bring about. How does this imagery connect with who we are as Christians and our daily lives in the world today and specifically, who we, as Catholics, are the ones implementing the ways to BE a synodal Church? Let us journey a bit together on this one, shall we?


In a world filled with varied challenges beckoning sound decision-making, there is a powerful visual surrounding the image of a simple fishing net…. a vast multitude of individual spaces (humanity) each with unique gifts, talents, and skills connected (by the woven rope of God) on the journey of life (knowingly or unknowingly). The net, however, does not exist for itself.  It is meant to be cast out to meet, listen, and discern how we move forward and grow socially, politically, professionally, personally, educationally, and spiritually. The Good News of the Second Testament tells us, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road..." (Luke 24:13). Imagine the power of truly being the people who purposely strengthen the ropes that connect others through deep listening and intentionally pausing to seek truth before responding!  WOW, right?!


All people globally are connected to one another through our shared humanity. We, as a People of God, live in so many varying contexts, right? Cultures, religions, genders, marital status, political preferences, professional realms, academic rigors, social classes, and the list goes on and on. We can envision our connection like that of a fishing net. Despite the distance between each of the holes on the net, our cultures and contexts flow together through our relationships, the ropes that bind us together through our shared humanity which is gifted to us by our God who sees us all as one. Take a glance at what the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality states about this reality,

Gathered from every tribe, language, people, and nation and living in different contexts and cultures, the synodal process gave us the ‘spiritual taste’ of what it means to be the People of God…being in the world and for the world, they walk together with all the peoples of the earth, in dialogue with their religions and their cultures, recognizing in them the seeds of the Word, journeying towards the Kingdom…(#17).


We encounter so many varied walks of life, yet we are so connected as creations of God, all with stories to share that enrich and engage one another with curiosity and fresh perspectives. There is a reason we are individually connected “cells” of the net. God purposefully designed it that way. Therefore, it just makes good, sound sense that the individual walks of life, the local parishes and communities, are rooted and need dialogue so that we all may walk together with one another and recognize the gifts, talents, the needs, the blessings of one another. This is what shapes and forms Church. This is how we move and spark positive difference-making in the world and provides the “how” to be missionary disciples because of the mutual connections and desire to walk with one another through life’s celebrations and struggles.


Because we are connected, we can continue to strengthen the net by casting it out and gathering others in. So how then do we cast the proverbial net, you may be asking? Well, guess what? You jump right in a have a genuine, good ol’ conversation with folks. This initial “casting” are conversations about things that matter while remaining open to what the Spirit will provide. It does not have to be long, drawn out, and messy (or maybe it can and that is ok too). It could be enjoying a simple cup of coffee or glass of wine shared with one another, and you casually talk about what fills your heart and what breaks your heart about the Church, the People of God. The difference is that there is intentional listening taking place on both sides. We are not speaking to respond, but rather we are pausing and listening to one another so that the other person may be heard in their entirety. And I have one better for you…you can have these types of conversations surrounding just about any aspects of daily life with one another. These are the types of conversations that families have together in their homes, at the dinner table, on game night, at social gatherings, etc. This is a reminder of who we are as a People of God…those who intentionally strengthen our nets through listening deeply to the hopes, dreams, joys, and anxieties of all others…those who see to connect through heart-felt listening, and then, when possible, alleviate some aspect of suffering.  This is the essence of Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes #1 in full, practical, daily life application.


So, if you are wondering how to get “on the synod journey” or how to be a “pilgrim people of hope” during this Jubilee Year, why not just cast the net? Do not be afraid to do so. What is the worst that could happen? Your net comes back empty? Maybe, maybe not. Odds are that the casted net of conversation will produce some healthy “fruits.”  Opportunities to share experiences, stories, reminisce, learn from others, laugh, shed a tear, celebrate, encourage, and simply BE together in order to strengthen and affirm the ties that connect us as God’s beloved children. You see friends, that is how we can then BE Church in the world and journey with and for others. We must first start with a small casting of the net and then take what we gain, sort it out with the Spirit’s guidance, and then give it generously in service to others. One small conversation can lead to remarkable things. For this is how we implement synodality…one step, one conversation, one net cast at a time.

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