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Introduction
The Holy Father Pope Francis calls everyone to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops. From 2021 – 2023, the whole Catholic Church is encouraged to participate in the forthcoming Synod called: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”
The term synod is derived from the Greek word (synodos), which means “meeting” or “assembly.” Synod is made up of two Greek words: syn, which means “together,” and hodos, which means “way” or “journey”.
This synod is more than merely a gathering with oral presentations and written report. It is a journey that everyone is taking together. We will listen to one another, communicate with one another, pray together, discern, and make decisions as the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
Pope Francis has asked each local diocese to gather clergy, religious, and laypeople, whether in parishes or communities. The Holy Father encourages us all to listen to one another’s joys, hopes, griefs, and anxieties (c.f. Gaudium et Spes no. 1). We are called to dialogue on ways to accompany each other as we seek to grow in holiness after we have listened to each other.
