Pope Francis has invited Catholics all over the world to join in a “synodal process” which lasts from October 2021 to October 2023. We are asked to recall how “the Spirit has guided the Church’s journey through history and, today, calls us to be witness of God’s love”. If it works, the process will help everyone “to express themselves and to be heard”, in a way that will contribute to the growth of the People of God. It will also be a way of “recognising and appreciating the wealth and the variety of the gifts and charisms that the Spirit liberally bestows for the good of the community and the benefit of the entire human family”. The three key words are: Communion, Participation, Mission.

The Church is a family of people united by baptism, whose task is to make Jesus Christ known to the ends of the earth, and this synodal process will allow us to reflect on how well we are – or are not – doing this. You may have a vision of how we can work together on carrying out our mission.

In the Diocese of Copenhagen, we are in a “listening phase”, which lasts until 1 May 2022. There is a full description in Danish on the diocesan web site: www.katolsk.dk/synode/ * and, if you need more information, you can contact the organisers at synode@katolsk.dk. Katolsk Orientering published ten questions to start us off, in issue no. 16, on 26th November 2021. I hope we can organise a couple of meetings in our parish to hear anything you may wish to say, and we need a co-ordinator to bring what you say to the team in Copenhagen. You are welcome to contact the Vatican Synod office directly. A friend of mine who works there said they are keen to hear from anybody who wants to contact them.

Father Peter

 (* www.katolsk.dk/synode/:  Synod Documents in English may be found at right side of site page under “Nyttige dokumenter”)

We can use this prayer to ask the Holy Spirit to be present with us

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,

for ever and ever,

Amen

You might also like to watch:  Synod 2021-2023: What is it about?  (4.38.mins)