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“It is precisely this path of synodality that God expects of the church of the third millennium.”-Pope Francis
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"Synod" is WHO we are...
We are the Body of Christ, sharers—whether lay or ordained—in a common baptism. All have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our oneness as Christ’s Body is celebrated, manifested, and deepened when we gather for Eucharist. We are in this together, not as isolated individuals or as ideological “camps.”
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"Synod" is HOW we are...
We are to be humble in listening and courageous in speaking, open to conversion and change. Dialogue and discernment (not power struggles and partisanship) are to be the order of the day. And that dialogue needs to include others with whom we share a common baptism, those of other faiths or no faith at all, and, especially, those on the margins, whose voices are rarely heard.
We are a Pilgrim People, a people of joy and hope, a Church on “the Way.”
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“Without the Spirit, there is no synod.”
-Pope Francis
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We stand before You...
....Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
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From Pope Francis“I am certain the Spirit will guide us and give us the grace to move forward together, to listen to one another and to embark on a discernment of the times in which we are living, in solidarity with the struggles and aspirations of all humanity.”
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“The Church of God is convoked in Synod.”
The Church is gathering around this question: A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together.” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together?”
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Timeline
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Resources from the Holy See
Vatican Synod Website
>Preparatory Document
>Handbook (Vademecum)
>Prayer to the Holy Spirit (multiple languages)
>Resources for Listening
>Glossary
Pope Francis
Address to the Faithful of the Diocese of Rome
Address Opening the Synod
Homily: Mass Opening of the Synodal Path
Timeline
PDF of image above (or click on the image itself)
JPEG of image above -
Opening Liturgy: October 17
CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVESTREAM FROM THE CATHEDRAL (Diocesean YouTube Channel)
The following Mass texts and readings will be used: -
Diocese of Davenport: Praying Together
Introduction - Resources for Prayer and Liturgy (including information for Mass on October 16-17)
Prayer to the Holy Spirit (multiple languages)Possible Intercessions for Mass (PDF in Spanish & English / español e ingles)
- For Francis, our Pope, as we journey together in synod. Let us pray to the Lord.
- For Francis, our Pope, Thomas our Bishop, and all Bishops; that they might have the grace to listen humbly and speak boldly as the Church gathers in synod. Let us pray to the Lord.
- That the Church, convoked in Synod, would be open and responsive the movement of the Spirit. Let us pray to the Lord.
- For an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church as we undertake this synodal journey; let us pray to the Lord.
- That the Holy Spirit may fill the hearts and minds of all the faithful, and accompany us on this synodal journey; let us pray to the Lord.
- For the Church, gathered in Synod; that by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit this journey will be marked by humble listening, courageous speech, and lively hope. Let us pray to the Lord.
Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit (#9)
- May be used on weekdays in Ordinary Time
- Three options for Mass prayers (A, B, C)
- Two options for the Preface
- Readings are taken from Pentecost (#63-63 in Volume I of the Lectionary) or from the Ritual Mass for Confirmation (Readings #764-768 in Volume IV of the Lectionary).
- Red Vestments are worn
Homily Helps
The following may be used as part of listening sessions or on other occasions:
A Liturgy of the Word- (coming soon)
Holy Hour for the Synodal Journey- (coming soon)
Vespers for the Synodal Journey- (coming soon)
Praying the Rosary for the Synodal Journey- How to Pray the Rosary
- Rosary for the Synod: The Mysteries of Light
- English
- Spanish (Rosario Sinodal)
- Vietnamese (KINH MÂN CÔI CẦU CHO THƯỢNG HỘI ĐỒNG)
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Diocese of Davenport: Listening Together
The synod is “not a parliament nor a survey of opinions,” rather it is, “an ecclesial moment whose protagonist is the Holy Spirit.”
From the Vatican:- Suggested Tools for Reflecting Together
- Spiritual Conversion / Conversation
- Needed Attitudes and Avoiding Pitfalls (excepted from the Handbook)
From the Diocese of Davenport:
- Diocesan Handbook (coming soon)
