The following extract is taken from Cardinal Vincent Nichols letter on the synod.

Pope Francis envisages what is called a ‘Synodal process’. The language may sound a bit technical, but the word ‘synod’ means quite simply ‘journeying together’. The Holy Father is offering us the opportunity to participate in a time of listening and reflecting. He hopes this will help us to discern how God’s presence comes into our lives and what the Spirit of God is prompting us to do anew, so that we might be more alive and creative in our response to the call of Jesus, our Way, Truth and Life.

There is a world-wide aspect to this process, leading to a Synod of Bishops in 2023. But the Pope asks us to begin in our own situations, with our own experience, especially of this last year and a half which has surfaced both strengths and weaknesses in our life as the Church. The kind of questions we can explore are these: during this terrible pandemic what strengths did I find in my faith and faith community? How, during this time, was I disappointed and sorrowful? In what ways did the grace of God most clearly touch and uplift me? Whom did we neglect the most? Who feels left out? What could we do better? How do we choose priorities for our own mission?

I have found these words, taken from the guide to this process issued by Rome, to be helpful and inspiring:

‘The purpose of the synod is not to produce more documents. Rather it is intended to inspire people to dream about the church we are called to be, to make hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts and restore strength to our hands for our common mission.’ (Vademecum 1.3)

School Project 1

Dear Parents,

You may have heard from Church about the Synod and the Pope’s call for us think about our faith,Parish and community. We are starting to work on this next week with Mrs Moseley launching in assembly and with some new displays which will depict this faith journey for our children and open the dialogue for a continued faith journey.

Therefore could I please ask you to send in any photo’s of the children’s sacraments so far;Baptism photo’s, communion photo’s ,confirmation photo’s of yours or their older siblings as well as any of your wedding photo’s you would like us to display.

Staff will also be sharing theirs so that we can clearly share with the children theirs and our journey.

Please send these into your class teacher on Monday and they will be put to good use. The final creative piece will be shared with you.