Synod Response Letter
Sunday, June 5, 2022
Background
What is Synod 2021-2023? In late 2021, Pope Francis announced a Synod on Synodality. In its simplest form, the pope wants us to reflect on how we as a whole Church walk together. This event will be universal, culminating with a worldwide gathering in Rome set for October of 2023. Before we get there, a lot of planning and listening must happen. Each Catholic is invited to be a part of the process and our contribution to the local Synod of 2017 will be a major part of it!
The Big Picture
Each church will have the opportunity to have their voice heard. These thoughts will then be collected by the bishop (more on our part later). In August of 2022, each report will be gathered and symphised with those from all across the United States. These reports will then be shared with those from across North America. From here the working documents will be constructed and the final worldwide synod will take place in October of 2023.
On the Local Level
So what does this mean for us at Holy Name? Pope Francis has asked every diocese to host a local Synod. With all the work done back in 2017, Bishop McClory has asked that we not redo everything but rather reflect how we have carried out our response to the synod and where we are called today.
On February 2nd, Bishop McClory released his Pastoral Letter, We Proclaim Jesus as Lord. The letter is the fruit of a diocescan wide reflection on the 2017 Synod. In his letter, the bishop renews our call to live out the vision of the synod with a new emphasis on being missionary disciples. To this end, he has listed his 10 Principles of Missionary Discipleship.
Your Opportunity
To better reflect on these principles, Bishop McClory has offered questions we are asked to answer as individuals and as a parish community. Holy Name will be hosting the following opportunities for you to participate in this worldwide process!
What's All Here?
On this page you will find:
1. Overview of our Synod Process
2. Bishop McClory’s pastoral letter and video explanation
3. Synod survey Questions and digital survey
4. What is Missionary Discipleship?
5. Parish listening session information.
6. Synod 2017 goals
Bishop McClory's Pastoral Letter "We Proclaim Jesus the Lord"
Abridged Letter (English and Español):
To read the full letter in English:
Para leer la carta completa en Español:
To watch to Bishop McClory’s prestation of the letter:
Parish Survey
As outlined in the newsletter, we are asking all members of Holy Name to participate in the following survey on the weekend of March 19th/20th. The survey will be placed in the pews at all Masses. A digital version of the survey will also be available here during that weekend.
To each statement, please respond to how you think Holy Name of Jesus parish has done. The responses can be “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” or “strongly disagree.” There will also be an option to leave a comment for each.
1. We teach families that church begins at home and that parents are the first teachers of our faith.
2. Our efforts are effective in promoting faithful participation in the Sunday Mass.
3. Our faith formation programs have a lasting impact on our families.
4. Opportunities are available for adults to deepen their faith.
5. We are effective in engaging teens and young adults in every aspect of parish life, including Mass, ministries, and decision making.
6. Our liturgies and ministries of service ensure that all members of the parish recognize Catholic social teaching as an important part of our faith.
7. Our efforts to teach good stewardship (time, talent, treasure) among our members is effective.
8. We have effectively reached out to those who have not returned to the parish.
9. We are effective in welcoming those who are not Catholic and those who have been hurt by the Church.
10. We are effective at welcoming those who have challenging lives.
11. We are in need of transformation (both as individuals and as a parish) to become missionary disciples.
The physical survey will be available in church on the weekend of 3/19 and 3/20. If you were not able to fill out a survey in church, please use the digital version here.
Synod Survey
Encuesta del Sínodo
What is Missionary Discipleship?
This past year, churches around the world answered a call from Pope Francis to enter into a special process, called synodality. Synodality is how we journey together as people of God; listening to one another and living out our mission “to proclaim the Good News”. Since May of 2021, various groups throughout Northwest Indiana have met to discuss what it means to be both “disciples” and “missionary”.
In simple terms, a disciple follows the example of Jesus. As missionary, this same disciple reaches out to proclaim the Kingdom of God, bringing hope to the hopeless and serve those in need. Taking the work started back in 2017 Synod and the knowledge gleaned from recent listening sessions, Bishop McClory is now asking each parish within our diocese to embrace the call to missionary discipleship. He recently issued a pastoral letter entitled “We Proclaim Jesus as Lord” which is an extended reflection on missionary discipleship. The full text of his letter can be found above.
Parish Listening Session
After each Mass on the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd we will be hosting Parish Listening Sessions. An additional session will be held on Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00pm. All sessions will be held in the church. The Tuesday session will have an online option. Email matt@holynamecl.org for the Zoom link.
What will we be doing?
Listening to you! We are asking every person, as part of their Lenten journey, to reflect on how we, as a parish community, are living as missionary disciples. In doing so, we look back to the 2017 Synod and look to the present through the survey questions introduced by our bishop.
We are looking for your help in guiding the future of Holy Name and cannot do so without your input. We need to hear what we are lacking and what we are doing well.
Listening Session Presentation and Notes