Resources for Parishes and Schools:

Synod Preparation

An introduction to the Synod with Fr. Thompson.

Further Suggested resources:

About the Synod:

Homily: Pope Francis, "The Opening of the Synodal Path," Holy Mass opening the Synod, Oct 10 2021. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2021/documents/20211010-omelia-sinodo-vescovi.html

Article: "Vatican releases Synod on Synodality Preparatory Documents," Catholic News Agency. Overview of the synod, including links to the Preparatory Document and the Handbook for Diocesan Implementation (Vadamecum): https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248897/vatican-releases-synod-on-synodality-preparatory-documents

Synodal Letter on Prayer: "Prayer as essential to Synodality and this Synod" (although written to nuns and monks, a good exploration on the necessity of prayer in a synodal process):

https://www.synod.va/en/news/synodality-fruit-of-prayer.html

On Synodality:

Articles:

National Catholic Register: https://www.ncregister.com/news/us-dioceses-prep-for-the-upcoming-synod-on-synodality

National Catholic Reporter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn0oY3NWgNo

Crux News: https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2021/11/eastern-church-has-lessons-on-synodality-for-the-west-archbishop-says

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2021/11/bishops-encouraged-to-be-creative-as-synodal-process-begins

Listening to the Holy Spirit:

Article: Fr. Dick Hauser, S.J. "Discernment of the Holy Spirit,"

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/prayer/adult-faith-formation-hauser

Article: Becky Eldridge, "Following the Spirit's lead in communal discernment," IgnatianSpirituality.com/Loyola Press, https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/following-the-spirits-lead-in-communal-discernment/

Book: Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living. (Crossroad Publishing, 2012)

Book: Fr. Jacques Philippe, In the School of the Holy Spirit. (Scepter Publishing, 2010)

Listening to each other:

Article: "Hospitable listening can lead us into the future." Although this is a blog post for the Alpha course (an ecumenical evangelization outreach) it makes many good points about the holy power of listening to each other, and basic theological implications. https://alphausa.org/blog/hospitable-listening-can-lead-us-into-the-future

Video: Active listening in small groups. Two minute video by City on a Hill media on how to listen actively in a small group setting (look at the speaker; don't interrupt; seek to understand/not judge; follow up if the speaker isn't clear). https://youtu.be/AJtXadLv1cA

Listening to the those in marginalized groups:

Article: "Church needs to hear God speaking through those who are hurting, Pope says." This article breaks down one of the prominent themes of the Synod documents: an effort to reach out and listen to those who often do not have a voice in Church or society. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2021/09/church-needs-to-hear-god-speaking-through-those-who-are-hurting-pope-says/