Participate

In the first phase of the Synod on Synodality, “those who took part in the synodal meetings at the different levels during the listening and consultation phase… have had a concrete experience of a Church that is plural and able to live with differences as a richness in communion. This experience constitutes a prophetic word addressed to a world that finds it hard to believe that peace and concord are possible. We are called and sent by the Risen One to proclaim the Gospel to the world today. Growing as a synodal Church is a concrete way to respond to this call and this mission.” (Towards October 2024)

We have entered into the Interim Stage where we will continue to grow as a synodal Church in a concrete way. At the request of the Vatican, dioceses are asked to take steps along two levels.

The first level is “Deepening the Synod” by consulting the people of God a second time to address the guiding question “HOW can we be a synodal Church in mission?” For the deepening phase, our archdiocese is hosting five 2024 Regional Listening Sessions during Lent. The sessions will address different questions than the 2022 sessions, and will follow the recommended Conversation in the Spirit model. Please REGISTER and attend one of those sessions! We are asked to submit our synthesis to the USCCB by April 8.

The second level is “Broadening the Synod” to keep the synodal dynamism alive. For the broadening phase, dioceses are asked to implement proposals from A Synodal Church in Mission Synthesis Report. The Archdiocese is starting with sharing additional opportunities for formation in the adoption of a synodal style. Please STUDY synodality in a deeper way.

As an ongoing response to both levels of the Interim stage, Archbishop Hartmayer encourages parishes, schools and groups to continue to explore a synodal way of operating. There are many RESOURCES below that can be adapted to use in hosting your own ongoing prayer-centered listening sessions.

In this light, the objective of this diocesan phase is to consult the People of God so that the Synodal Process is carried out through listening to all the baptized … Together, all the baptised are the subject of the sensus fidelium, the living voice of the People of God.

We have scheduled five Regional Listening Sessions during Lent for the Interim Stage of the Synod on Synodality. A bishop will be in attendance at each session. The Archbishop ask priests to promote, attend one session and invite others to attend with you.

We ask participants to spend 20 minutes in prayer preparing for their session, preferably in front of the Blessed Sacrament. During that private prayer, read Romans 12: 1-8 and answer the two main discussion questions:

1. Where have I seen or experienced successes—and distresses—within the Church’s structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?
2. How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?

If you have any questions, please contact either of our Archdiocesan Synod Co-Coordinators: Jenny Miles (jmiles@archatl.com or 404-920-7852) and Ashley Morris (amorris@archatl.com or 404-920-7586).

Prayer-Centered Listening Sessions – Resources for Parishes, Schools and Groups

The Archdiocese of Atlanta is happy to offer these resources for parishes, schools and groups to use for the Synod. You may download and use any of these during your in-person or virtual listening sessions or post them to parish, school or group websites or social media accounts. More resources will be added as they are developed.