Dear Parish Family.
Pope Francis has recently opened the Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission. A Synod is a gathering of church leaders to discuss issues of importance in the Church. Journeying together and reflecting on the journey of the Church helps us, a pilgram people, to learn from experience how we best live in communion, achieve participation, and become open to mission.
The basic question of this synod has been stated as this from the Vatican: "How does this 'journeying together,' which takes place on different levels (from the local level to the universal one), allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to Her; and what step does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church?"
To learn more about what a Synod is and to read Archbishop Hartmayer's letter to the Atlanta community, please click here.
I look forward to the Church making this journey. On a parish level we are just beginning talks on how our community will participate. Look for more information in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, at all Masses this weekend we will pray together, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance for the Church, our parish, and ourselves.
Prayer cards will be handed out before each Mass this past weekend. You can download it by clicking here.
On Wednesday, October 20, the prayer intentions for our Evening Prayer and Benediction will be for the success of the Synod. Please join us at 6pm in the church.
Yours in Mary, Our Mother,
Father Jim
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