Suggested Model for Synodal Questions Feedback

The following is designed to help you feedback to our Archdiocese your prayerful discussion and reflections on the three themes of the Synod: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION & MISSION. In preparation to fill out the online or paper form, we hope that you will have had the opportunity to reflect on this in a parish group or with friends/parishioners – or at least in a prayerful manner over some time – perhaps using the structure offered below. The questions are offered to help draw out your prayerful engagement/discernment of these themes.

Thank you for discerning with us: ‘What is the Holy Spirit saying to the Church today?!’

Online Feedback Form linked below

Make the Sign of the Cross…

1. Prayer for the Synod

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth

and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen

2. Reading from Sacred Scripture (then Pause for Silence)

Luke 24: 13–35. The Road to Emmaus.

Two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, twelve kilometres from Jerusalem and they were talking together about all that had happened. And it happened that as they were talking together and discussing it, Jesus himself came near and was walking with them; but their eyes were prevented from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What are you discussing as you walk along?
And they stood still, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know what has been happening there these last few days’. He asked, ‘what sort of things?’

3. Questions

Using the Questions, think about, reflect on, and discuss your responses to them in a prayerful manner. Ask the Holy Spirit and Mary, Our Mother, to help you to ‘ponder these things in your heart’ (Luke 2:19) The questions may well bring up feelings of both peace and discomfort as you proceed. What is God ‘saying to you’ through this?

Online Feedback Form: CLICK HERE

4. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

For Francis, our Pope, as we journey together in synod.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For Francis, our Pope, and Bernard, our Bishop, and all Bishops; that they might have the grace to listen humbly and speak boldly as the Church is Walking Together.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That the Church, Walking Together, would be open and responsive the movement of the Spirit.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church as we are Walking Together.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

That the Holy Spirit may fill the hearts and minds of all the faithful and accompany us as we walk together.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For the Church, walking together; that by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit this journey will be marked by humble listening, courageous speech, and lively hope.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

5. Thanksgiving

Thank God for His guidance. Pray the ‘Our Father’.