Read: Pope Francis' message on
​the Opening of the Synodal Path

For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation & Mission 

Pope Francis has opened a three-year synodal journey of consultations and discernment, which will culminate with an assembly in October 2023 in Rome. 

People of God throughout the world are invited to examine the way the work and mission of the Church is carried forward. The purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documents, and in the Holy Father’s own words, it is: 

a time to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands ~ Pope Francis.

 

Diocese-wide and worldwide conversations

The word “synod”, has its roots in two Greek words: syn meaning “together” and hodos meaning “road” or “way”. A synod is thus a “coming together” of bishops from all over the world who counsel the Pope on various doctrinal or pastoral concerns of the Church – their recommendations may subsequently become official Church documents, usually in the form of Apostolic Exhortations.

The purpose of the Synod on Synodality is to discuss the fundamental question:

• A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, journeys together. How is this journeying together happening today in your particular Church?
• What steps does the Holy Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our journeying together‘?

Who can participate?
All who are baptised as Catholics, whether priests, deacons, religious or lay people, both individually and in associations, should participate at the diocesan level. “It will be of fundamental importance that the voice of the poor and the excluded also find a place.”

How should we participate?
“The Synodal process is first and foremost a spiritual process. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates.” It requires us to discern what God is saying to all of us through personal and communal prayer, reflection, paying attention to our inner disposition, listening, sharing and talking to one another in an authentic, meaningful and welcoming way in order to find answers to the fundamental question posed by the Synod. Summoned by the Lord, and sustained in the Spirit, let us gather where we are and walk together as one. family of God.

Vertical Divider

---

Get involved in the Synodal Process
We are in the early stages of the local Synodal process. For more information and to sign up for updates on the Synod on Synodality in our Diocese

Download resources

• Prayer & Prayer Cards:
  • Letter size (PDF) | Printable: 4 cards in one (PDF | PNG) |
  • Web graphic: Square - One Page (PNG) - Two Pages (PNG 1 | PNG 2) 
• Preliminary Poster (8.5 x 11) | PDF | PNG
• Web banner 1 | PNG      Web banner 2 |  PNG 
• Script for announcement of Synod of Synodality in parishes (Oct 31) (PDF)
• Prayer of the Faithful (PDF) in parishes for Oct 30/31 Sunday Mass (PDF)

Playlist & Links​​

• Synod Playlist | Vatican News | The official YouTube playlist for the Synod on Synodality (Synod on Synodality - YouTube) 
• ​Vatican Synod Facebook (20+) Synod.va | Facebook

Pastoral Discernment Advisory Committee (PDAC)

The Committee has been established by the Bishop to facilitate and sustain the pathways for consulting the People of God during the Diocesan Phase of the Synod and for the continuing renewal of the Diocese.

• Bishop William T. McGrattan | Bishop of Calgary
• Rev. Wilbert Chin Jon, V.G. | Moderator of the Curia
• Rev. Kevin Tumback, V.G. | Pastor, All Saints, Lethbridge
• Huy Nguyen | Director of Pastoral Ministry
• Dr. Bonnie Annichiarico | Facilitator, GrACE
• Dorothy Burns | Facilitator, Catholic Education
• Rev. Fabio Desouza | Pastor
• Rev. Daniel Wilson, LC | Religious Priest
• Deacon Stephen Robinson | Deacon
• Sister Dianne Turner, OSE | Religious Sister
• Judy Look | Catholic Women League
• Lorand Szojka | Knights of Columbus
• Gabriel Maglatang | Lay Associations
• ​Chelsea Marshall | Calgary Catholic School District

• ​Tomas Rochford | Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools
• Heather Irvine | Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education
• Frances Cote | Holy Spirit Catholic School Division
• Lorraine Robinson | Conseil scolaire FrancoSud​
• ​Dr. Peter Baltutis | St. Mary’s University
• Kathleen Boskill | Young Adults
• Lars Duck Chief | Indigenous Community
• Fernando Tinoco | Fr. Naphin Deanery
• Shelley Kehrig | Bishop Grandin Deanery
• Sandra Will-Krile | St. John Paul II Deanery
• Sarah Stamp | Lethbridge Deanery
• Mona Patterson | Medicine Hat Deanery​