Synod on Synodality – diocesan process introduced

The national synthesis of synod discussions prepared by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has now been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See. The next step is a "continental phase."

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski December 16, 2021

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

The local process for the Synod for a Synodal Church launched by Pope Francis for 2021-2023 is moving forward, with a call going out to parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon to appoint Synod coordinators. Training is planned in the New Year for all those interested in facilitating discussions for the Synod at the diocesan level.

In a letter to pastors, parish leaders and the lay faithful Dec. 15, Bishop Mark Hagemoen outlined the diocesan process for Phase 1 of the Synod process.

“I am pleased to report a wide-spread participation in the special Online Synod Workshop held via Zoom on Dec. 1, 2021,” said Bishop Hagemoen. “We had well over 120 site participants at that meeting, in which was outlined the process that we would be following for participation in Phase 1 of the Synod process, and the feature elements of that process.”

In addition to Bishop Hagemoen, speakers during the Zoom workshop included Sandi Harper of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon, who provided an Indigenous perspective, and Fr. Joseph Salihu, pastor of Holy Spirit parish in Saskatoon, who along with Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, has been appointed by the bishop to coordinate the diocesan Synod process.

On the diocesan website for the Synod at rcdos.ca/synod, a “Diocese Process” page has been created which will be regularly updated with resources for local implementation of the Synod for a Synodal Church: LINK.

This webpage includes online registration for Synod coordinator / facilitator training, to be offered on Zoom from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a choice of three dates: Jan. 5, Jan. 27 or Feb. 16, 2022.

In his message to the diocese, Bishop Hagemoen asked each parish to designate a Synod Coordinator in the days ahead (ideally by Dec. 23, 2021) by filling out the online form (LINK).

“The role of the Synod Coordinator would be to receive the information on behalf of the parish, and to receive specific training in order to oversee the synod consultation process at the parish level. The coordinator will be responsible for collation of reports and submission to the diocese.”

The invitation to appoint a Synod Coordinator also includes any groups in the diocese who would like to carry out their own Synod process. “Various men’s and women’s movements, youth movements, and/or educational and health care organizations – may also wish to designate a Synod Coordinator to also receive training and support,” said Hagemoen.

“Let us hold in prayer the Holy Spirit’s blessing on this important event and journey in the life of our Church,” said the bishop.

 

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