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Journeying Together
2022 Synod
A synod is a gathering of bishops for specific kinds of issues. Synods are meant to be consultative, to be able to hear from those who are participating in the life of the Church.
What Is a Synod?
Pope Francis has asked that the Synod of Bishops in 2023 be about synodality, or how we as disciples are journeying together to reflect on and respond to the Holy Spirit's call to us.
The synod's theme is communion, participation, and mission.
In preparation for the October 2023 Synod of Bishops, the Vatican wishes to hear from all the baptized people of God, especially those who are on the margins or perhaps those no longer involved with the Church.
This is a chance to share your thoughts and hopes.
We encourage you to share this questionnaire to any baptized person who you think might like to have input. They do not need to be Catholic or belong to St. Michael Parish.
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Participate
The online questionnaire and all the Synod sessions have been completed and closed. Thank you for participating!
Online Questionnaire
Please take a few moments to respond to these questions. The answers will remain anonymous, and your identity will not be a part of the report. Personal information is optional.
Our parish responses will be gathered from the following:
The Online Questionnaire now closed. Thank you for participating!
We invite you to participate in one of our Listening Sessions, which will be lead by a facilitator, either in person or virtually on Zoom. Attend one session or as many as you wish. Registration is required for the virtual sessions.
Listening Sessions (In Person & Virtual)
In-Person Session
The In-Person Session, held on March 14, 2022, is completed.
Virtual Sessions
All the virtual listening sessions, held in February 2022, are completed.
Consider leading your own group in a ministry, at home, or with friends. The following resources can assist you in the process.
Parishioner-Led Small Group Session
Facilitator Guide
Notetaker Form
Participant Guide
Instructions
Assign one person to be the main notetaker for the group.
This person should create a narrative of the session that includes:- Number of Participants
- Group or Ministry Name/Names
- A Brief description of theme(s) discussed and the main points that came from the discussion based on notes
- Most of the dialogue will include people telling their stories. It is not necessary to write a narrative retelling those stories, but it is helpful to capture the main points of those stories.
All small group narratives must be submitted by March 16, 2022
Need additional guidance?
Contact Sarah Brockwell | Director | Faith Formation | Email -
Results
By March 28, 2022
Results from the local church-level questionnaires and listening sessions will be turned in by all participating parishes and organizations to the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
By June 20, 2022
Diocesan offices will report their findings to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
End of August 2022
The USCCB will send a combined USA report to the Vatican.
August - September 2022
The Vatican will prepare the 1st Instrumentum Laboris (Latin for working document).
Diocesan Synodal Synthesis Report (August 24, 2022)
September 2022 - March 2023
The Continental Pre-Synodal Discernment- seven continental meetings will gather: Africa, Oceania, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and North America
June 2023
The Vatican will prepare the 2nd Instrumentum Laboris (Latin for working document).
October 2023
The Synod will gather in Rome.