The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in the Fall of 2021, is ongoing through 2024. In Phase 1, dioceses all over the world held local listening sessions in early 2022 to discuss the mission of the Church. Local results were submitted as input for the guided discussions at the October 2023 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
Following the close of the 2023 Assembly, a Synthesis Report, "A Synodal Church in Mission," was issued that poses the fundamental question of "How can we be a synodal Church in mission?". To help answer that question, the Vatican has asked the local dioceses to reflect during Lent on how we, in our local Church, can "enhance the unique contribution of each baptized person and of each Church in the one mission of proclaiming the Risen Lord and His Gospel to the world today."
To guide this reflection, we invite you to help us reflect on two key questions proposed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
- Where have I seen or experienced successes – and distresses – within the Church’s structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?
- How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?
Before you consider these questions, we ask you to begin with prayerful contemplation of the Scripture passage provided in the button below entitled Scripture Passage for Reflection.
Given the time limitations, we will collect your responses through the online Response Platform (see button below). Or you can download a printable copy of the questions (see button below) and mail your responses to Cathy Loh, Diocese of Palm Beach Synod Coordinator, PO Box 109650, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.
The deadline to respond is March 15, 2024. All responses received by the deadline will be reflected in a summary that will be submitted to the USCCB for input to the guidance for the next General Assembly in Rome in October 2024. We thank you in advance for your participation.
Click here to download the Synod Prayer card in English or Spanish.
Click here for Vatican links regarding the Synod:
