As a reminder, the Synod of Bishops will open with a special Mass this Sunday. Below is the text of a news release the Diocese of Allentown issued today:
Pope Francis wants to hear from all Catholics around the world, and the Diocese of Allentown will begin the listening process at a special Mass Sunday, Oct. 17.
The Pope has called on each of the world’s bishops to listen to members of their flock – including those who are marginalized or who have fallen away from the Church – and get their feedback on issues important to the Catholic Church today.
The feedback will be gathered, summarized, and ultimately sent on to Rome, where world Bishops will meet to discuss the issues in October 2023 at the Vatican.
The Diocese of Allentown will begin the “Synod of Bishops” with an opening Mass at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Catholics from all corners of the five-county Diocese are expected to attend, and it also will be livestreamed on the Diocese news website at www.ad-today.com, on the diocesan Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as on Service Electric Cable TV Channels 50 and 550.
“The Holy Father wants to know how Catholics experience and express their faith in these challenging times,” said Bishop Alfred Schlert.
Over the next six months, several hundred parishioners, high school and college students, and representatives of ministries throughout the Diocese will help facilitate listening sessions and personal outreach. Individual Catholics also may provide comments and feedback in an online survey that will be released soon.
“The goal is to listen to all Catholics,” Bishop Schlert said, “so we may discern the best ways of addressing the challenges we face as a world and walk together on a path of healing and unity through our Catholic faith.”
In addition to forwarding the results of the listening sessions to Rome, the Diocese of Allentown also will use the feedback to assist in meeting the spiritual and sacramental needs of Catholics in the five counties of the Diocese.
Prayer for the Synod: Adsumus Sancte Spiritus
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, forever and ever.
Amen.
