Synod 2023 Updates
Our Parish Synodal Pathway - 'The Continental Stage' Update -
We have taken the next step towards discerning a synodal pathway for our parishes.
Last Sunday we held our 1st Parishes in Council Meeting. Both parishes were represented.
Our time of prayer and reflection on both chapter 2 of Acts of the Apostles and the responses
from our survey proved fruitful.
It is clear that the aspirations of many of us are filled with a desire for a hopeful and bright future
for our Catholic communities here in Gorseinon and Pontarddulais.
Each of us has been graced by our Heavenly Father's and Jesus' Life Giving Holy Spirit.
As the Lord and Giver of Life the Holy Spirit naturally resonates within us and give rise to these desires and hope.
Let us therefore continue to prayer to Him to open up the pathway we need to walk
in raising up a new generation of believers from among those we live along side.
THE CONTINENTAL STAGE
You may remember that the Synodal Process began in parishes like ours at the end of last year and how we sent a report to the diocese. Parish reports were put together in a Report from the Diocese, which we have shared with you. Diocesan reports were then brought together in a National Synthesis. The same process has gone on around the world and the next stage (2) is a continental one. To prepare for this Continental Stage, the Syntheses from the Bishops’ Conferences around the world have been made into what is known as the Working Document for the Continental Stage
A condensed version: Download Here
The Full Document
https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/continental-stage/dcs/DocumentoTappa-Continentale-EN.pdf (DCS).
Its purpose is to give back to those who have contributed to the process an account of the wider response of the Universal Church and how their particular contribution can now be seen in that context. It then asks for a response to that larger picture.
The local Church is being asked to see if the content of the Working Document resonates with what was said in their previous discussions. The reflections at the Continental Stage will focus on the following questions:
1. “After having read and prayed with the DCS, what resonates most strongly with your experience of your parish? Which of the things described in the DCS are new, or illuminating to you?”
2. “After having read and prayed with the DCS, what possible tensions do you think are particularly important? What are the questions or issues that should therefore be addressed and considered in the next steps of the process?”
3. “Looking at the previous two questions, what are the priorities, recurring themes and calls to action that stand out and should be taken further?”
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS 2023
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.
