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Subject: Historic First Synod To Be Held in Geraldton Diocese History will be made this week as people throughout the Catholic Diocese of Geraldton gather for the first Assembly of a Synod. The Assembly will officially commence outside St Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral, Geraldton, at 6.00pm on Wednesday 21 August 2024 and will continue through to a concluding Mass at 5.00 pm on Friday 23 August 2024. Catholic Bishop of Geraldton, Most Rev Michael Morrissey, said: “This will be the first ever Synod to take place in the Geraldton Diocese. A Synod is a special way of bringing people together to listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is calling us to be as people of God in this place. Under Pope Francis the entire Church is being reminded that we all have a role to play in the Church as baptised believers”. Leading up to the Synod, listening sessions have been held across the Diocese which has given rise to a working document that will form the basis of the Assembly. The theme for the Synod is, ‘The door is open, the heart even more’ inspired by a script above the Mullewa Presbytery door built by Rev Monsignor John Hawes, a reminder for him to remain open hearted to each person who knocked on his door. Seventy-six delegates drawn from across the Catholic Diocese of Geraldton, one of the largest dioceses by land mass in the world, will gather for the Assembly. Delegates will represent all the Catholic parishes of the Diocese, as well as ministry areas such as aged care, social services, education and health. Observers from other Christian faith traditions will also attend this Assembly, joined by seven youth delegates from Nagle College. “This is not an event, or a conference”, said Dr Mark Copland, Chief Facilitator for the Assembly. “It is a way of doing or being Church, in which we deeply listen to each other - clergy, religious, lay, young and old.” “This Assembly is the culmination of hours upon hours of prayerful discernment and respectful conversations between so many good people of faith. We will be seeking the wisdom and the courage of the Holy Spirit as we gather this week for the Assembly,” said Bishop Morrissey. |
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The theme for the Diocese of Geraldton 2024 Synod is, “The door is open, the heart even more.” This theme was inspired by a script above the Presbytery Door in the Parish of Mullewa. This was a reminder to clergy to remain open hearted to each person who knocked on the door of the parish house.
What is a Synod?
History is being made as people throughout the Catholic Diocese of Geraldton are invited to be a part of the very first Synod. “Ä Synod is a special way of bringing people together to listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is calling us to be as people of God in this place,” stated Bishop Michael Morrissey. "Under Pope Francis the entire Church is being reminded that we all have a role to play in the Church as baptized believers.” Under Canon law a Bishop can convene a Synod as a way of bringing the faithful together and discerning a pastoral plan for the future. A synod cannot change existing church teaching.
Bishop Michael invites everyone, stating, "What we need to do in this Synod is not about the wider [Catholic] Church, it is about the local church, not about what happens in Rome, the Vatican, or Syndey or other areas, what we need to do is to focus on the issues and concerns in our own local area. If we can focus on issues in the local geographical area of the church, this is what this Synod is dealing with.”
This will be the first ever Synod to take place in the Geraldton Diocese.
Around 100 members (delegates) of the Synod will gather in Geraldton for an Assembly between the 21st and 23rd August.
Bishop Michael invites the people of the Geraldton Diocese to please keep the Synod in your daily prayers, especially over the days of 'Gathering'.
Watch this short video 'What is a Synod'? by Fr Patrick Blayney 1.10minutes
The following slides present some further thoughts on what a synod is:-
