Come to church and watch a video
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The last two weekends in September were an unusual occasion for Archbishop Patrick O’Regan who was seen and heard, simultaneously, in the majority of parishes across the Archdiocese of Adelaide.
It was done of course by video with the Archbishop delivering a three-minute awareness building message that was relayed to parishioners at the weekend Masses of September 20/21 and 27/28.
The message – which was read out and printed and shared in parishes where video facilities were not available – was a reminder of next year’s Synod to be held in Adelaide.
“A Synod is a gathering of the faithful from our parishes, schools, and communities,” the Archbishop said. “It will be both a moment to listen deeply – to the Word of God, to one another and to the cries of the earth and of the poor.”
He said the Synod was the next step in the journey from the Diocesan and Regional Assemblies, the fifth Australian Plenary Council and the Global Synod on Synodality.
“It is a time to ask how might we become a Church that reflects more clearly the face of Christ in our time.”
Parishioners were reminded that the best thing they can do is to pray for the Synod and its members and to prepare hearts and minds by engaging with the five key Synod themes:
- Becoming Missionary Disciples
- Communion in Grace – Sacrament to the World
- Formation for Mission and Leadership
- The Mission of Catholic Education and Being Church Together
- Structures and Planning for Communion, Mission and Participation.
The Archbishop reiterated that each theme will be explored in a short, written paper drawing on consultations and dialogue and will then be presented as recommendations for proposals for action in the Archdiocese.
“In the coming months, these papers will be shared with you for your feedback – this will assist those called to the Synod as members to prayerfully discern the future of our Diocese together,” he said.
We stand at a threshold as pilgrims of hope and are invited to dream not just of a better Church but a more faithful one, the Archbishop urged.
“So, let us walk this path together, not as individuals or isolated parishes but as a pilgrim people, united in Christ and led by the Spirit.”
Assistant director, Pastoral Life and Mission at the Archdiocese of Adelaide, Peter Bierer, said the innovative idea for the video came about as a request from parishes.
“There was a desire to hear directly from the Archbishop about the Synod in an engaging and accessible way that could be shared at weekend Masses and online,” he said.
Synod Prayer cards will be sent to all parishes in the coming weeks.
“In addition to the video, we’ve put together a media kit that includes bulletin and newsletter articles, posters and graphics, videos and Synod logos and artwork,” he said.
The kit can be downloaded at togetherontheway.au/resources
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