Synodal Listening Session on the State of the Church to Occur at the Basilica on Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Posted on February 8, 2022

In preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops in Rome, Pope Francis has asked every local Church to undertake their own synodal phase of prayerful listening, dialogue, and discernment on the state of the Church and on how the Church is journeying together and fulfilling our mission in the world.

Bishop Michael Burbidge has asked all our parishes and other local institutions to host synodal Listening Sessions, and every person may participate. We invite you to come to our Listening Session, which will take place on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Auditorium, 313 Duke Street.

We encourage you to invite anyone you may know who has fallen away from the practice of the faith, and anyone who is spiritually or materially marginalized. For more information, check out the diocesan synod webpage by clicking here.

The purpose of these sessions is not to re-examine unchanging Church teaching on matters of faith and morals, but to discuss how the timeless Gospel is lived out in the concrete circumstances of our time.

Those who attend will be invited to participate by sharing their thoughts on several questions. Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, will be present and listening to those who want to share. Each attendee will be given three minutes per question to speak. Keep in mind that we may not have enough time for every person to speak to every question they would like to, or to get through all the questions.

Here are the questions that will be asked:

1. What experiences of “journeying together” in your diocese and parish bring you joy and hope?

2. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered to “journeying together” in your diocese and parish?

3. How do we most effectively witness to the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Gospel?

4. How effective are we in our three-fold mission of proclaiming and teaching the faith, of celebrating the liturgy and sacraments, and of service in charity?

5. How do all the members of the Church–laity and clergy–collaborate in their common mission?

6. How well do we dialogue–listen attentively and speak up candidly–within the Church and with the wider community?