More Synodal Resources
It is a given that as the instructions from the Final Report on the Synod on Synodality take root in places around the world, we will see more resources become available for embedding synodality in our church practices.
As many people are saying, this process will not happen overnight- nor should it! This is too important to rush, too critical to our collective future, to settle for the first thing that comes to our minds. If the past three years have taught us anything, it is the importance of steady, faithful forward motion with a willingness to learn and refine our learning as we go.
I remember a story told by Parker Palmer at a conference I attended many years ago that I think reflects the current moment:
“An expert heart surgeon was teaching a group of medical students how to execute a particularly delicate procedure in open heart surgery. Part way through, the surgeon paused, raised his eyes above his mask, and looked around at the students, eagerly waiting… and said “At this point in the procedure you have exactly 30 seconds to tie off the artery or the patient will bleed to death. So, you must learn to take your time.”
With this reflection in mind, here are some excellent resources as we take our time in this urgent work!
Echoes from the Synod 2021-2024: A Conversation with St Nathalie Bequhart and Dr. Catherine Clifford at Saint Paul University, moderated by Archbishop Paul Andre Durocher
Galilee Centre Synod Series-Catholics for a Synodal Church
Over the past few years, a series of speaker panels was convened to discuss the Synodal Process in Canada and beyond. Links to the panel discussion videos are available using the link below. These presentations have been created to continue and support the dialogue around the creation of Synodality through the cooperation of the Oblate communities.
https://www.galileecentre.com/our-synodal-journey/
School for Synodality
At their most recent webinar, one of the presenters, Fr. Raymond Lapointe who was one of the small circle facilitators for the Synod in Rome, shared this parish resource from the UK. Take a look- there is much here we could use or adapt for Canadian use.
https://www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/
CLC’s Original Synod Report
Based on 15 conversations held across the country from February to May 2022 and an online survey, CLC’s synodal conversations included groups often overlooked by our church such as sexual abuse survivors and their families, LGBTQ+ folks and their allies, older Catholics, lay ecclesial ministers, among others. Our report provides insight into the experience of ordinary Canadian Catholics at the beginning of the synodal process.