“…the purpose of this Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, but to ‘plant dreams, draw forth prophesies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands’” (Preparatory Document, 32).
The Archdiocese of Atlanta invites all people within the archdiocese to participate. You can offer prayers; attend an in-person or virtual listening session at the parish, school or community level; attend a regional listening session and/or submit a response to our survey. All voices are welcome here.
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.
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.
Facilitators/Parishes
The Archdiocese of Atlanta Synod Team has prepared a number of downloadable resources for parishes and facilitators to use in their own listening sessions. All leaders should start with the Synod Parish/Group Toolkit (see below), which is complemented by the Facilitator’s Guide and Participant’s Guide. These resources provide all the information needed to run a prayer-centered listening session. Additional resources are also included below for ease of printing/sharing. Feel free to download and share these before, during and after your local sessions. If you have any questions or would like to suggest more resources, use the form on the synod faq page to get in touch and someone from the team will respond.
Guides Downloadable by Language
The Synod team has prepared all the tools you may need for your listening session in a variety of languages. Select your language to access toolkits and the documents you may wish to print for your session. If you need resources in a language not offered here, contact Ashley Morris in the Office of Intercultural Ministry at amorris@archatl.com.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Additional resources are also available in many languages on the Vatican’s Synod website.
Other Resources
Below are some videos you could share on your social media pages, during a session or in a parish email to help people prepare.
PowerPoints
We have prepared some ready-made Power Point slides you can use during your local listening sessions and have included presentations from the Vatican and the Archdiocese of Atlanta Synod team.
- Parish PPT template – The archdiocesan synod team prepared some slides we thought you might need for your local listening sessions. You can download and use any of these slides, which include the Adsumus Sancte Spiritus prayer, the Participant Ground Rules and some general information.
- Vatican PPT – The Vatican’s Synod team released this presentation to (arch)dioceses all around the world. It gives overall timelines and background information.
- AoA Synod PPT – The archdiocesan synod team prepared this presentation for the Council of Priests to introduce the whole process to them. You may find it useful for background information.
- AoA Listening Session Aid for those with disabilities – Download and adapt this Power Point for a listening session for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or delay.
- Facilitators and parish staff can check out this Power Point Presentation of how to frame the Synod and how to use the tool kits.
- Los facilitadores y el personal de la parroquia pueden consultar esta presentación de Power Point sobre el Sínodo y cómo usar las herramientas.
- Listening session for those with dementia. Please adapt as needed for your audience.
- Por una Iglesia Sinodal: Comunión, Participación y Misión – Adaptado para personas con demencia
- Andy Lichtenwalner, director, Office of Evangelization and Discipleship, offered this presentation on the history of synods and how to frame this current synod. This resource is good for anyone struggling with how to explain this process to their community.
Report Form
We are asking each parish and school to submit a report on their synodal experience. If your consultative group is part of a parish, please include your insights in the one parish report. If your group is not a ministry of a parish, you may submit a separate report.
Please submit your report using this online form. If you are not able to submit a form, you may print this PDF and submit it manually, but the online form is the preferred method. Reports are due by April 30.
Participants
- Prepare yourself with prayer and adoration. The Adsumus Prayer is a good place to start.
- You may also be inspired by Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily from the Mass to open the Synod in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- Before you attend a listening session, it might be helpful to read this Participant Guide. Find them in multiple languages below.
- In order to hear all the voices present, we ask that everyone follow these Participant Ground Rules. Find them in multiple languages below.
- Parishes will host local listening sessions. Contact your parish or school for a schedule. These will be followed by regional listening sessions. Each parish will send representatives to the regional sessions. Individuals are welcome to attend these sessions within the space and capacity restrictions.
- If you want to know more about how the process will happen within the Archdiocese of Atlanta, you can take a look at this PowerPoint prepared by the Synod Team.
Guides Downloadable by Language
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
Download all the files by clicking on the group name or download the file you need through the file list.
The Synod team has prepared all the tools you may need for your listening session in a variety of languages. Select your language to access toolkits and the documents you may wish to print for your session. If you need resources in a language not offered here, contact Ashley Morris in the Office of Intercultural Ministry at amorris@archatl.com.
Graphics and downloads
If you want to advertise your local listening session, you can download these prayer cards, social media graphics and posters to use within your community.
- Adsumus prayer: You can order pre-printed prayer cards or print your own (downloadable prayer card PDF and Downloadable poster from USCCB)
Posters
Video Monitor Graphics
- Click on an image to see it at full size.
- To save the image right click ( or control click) and then select save image.
Social Media Graphics
- Click on an image to see it at full size.
- To save the image right click ( or control click) and then select save image.
Printable Prayer Cards
- Archbishop Hartmayer answers the question: What is a synod? Feel free to share in the parish or on social media.
- Archbishop Hartmayer Synod welcome and thanks. Feel free to use during a local listening session.
- Oct 17 Opening Homily for context on the worldwide process.
- Nov. 11 homily from Archbishop Hartmayer to the Synod Outreach team for context on the local process.
- Jan 18 homily from Archbishop Hartmayer to the Synod Outreach team for context and encouragement for the local process.
Synod Facilitator Trainings
English
- This hour-long zoom call was a training offered to anyone planning to facilitate a local prayer-centered listening session.
- Monica Opperman offers some guidance on best practices for hosting a prayer-centered listening session in this 17-minute video.
Español
Pastor/Leader Info Sessions
- February 4, 2022 – A short, virtual informational session for pastors, chaplains, and other leaders about the synod process in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
