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Our Diocesan Journey
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And so, brothers and sisters, let us experience this moment of encounter, listening and reflection as a season of grace that, in the joy of the Gospel, allows us to recognize at least three opportunities. First, that of moving not occasionally but structurally towards a synodal Church, an open square where all can feel at home and participate. Then, the Synod offers us the opportunity to become a listening Church, to break out of our routine and pause from our pastoral concerns in order to stop and listen. To listen to the Spirit in adoration and prayer. ...To listen to our brothers and sisters speak of their hopes... of the need for a renewed pastoral life and of the signals we are receiving from those on the ground. Finally, it offers us the opportunity to become a Church of closeness. Let us keep going back to God’s own “style”, which is closeness, compassion and tender love. –Pope Francis, Address for the Opening of the Synod, 9 October 2021
Faithfully, the Diocese of Paterson responded to the call for all to participate in this “new, yet ever ancient” way of being Church.
Our experience began to teach us that even before doing something, synodality is first a way of being.
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“[A] synodal spirituality is a way of life...
which integrates and makes concrete the three key elements of communion, participation, and mission.”It is a spirituality, a “way of being and becoming Church”, for a “synodal Church evangelizes in and through the merciful and reconciling quality of our relationships.”
“It is not enough to have a synod; you must be a synod.
The Church needs intense internal sharing:
a living dialogue between the Pastors and
between the Pastors and the faithful.”
(Pope Francis, Address for the Audience of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. July 5, 2019)
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A synodal church is:
- a contemplative Church
- a listening Church
- a discerning Church
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“In Mary, we learn how to travel as a synodal Church.
We learn to be at home in the world and to make a home
for all those who are seeking home,
a place of welcome and refuge,
healing and salvation, a place of reconciliation,
peace and the assurance of eternal life.”Towards a Spirituality of Synodality, 2021
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Timeline
2021 October: Pope Francis opens the Synod for Synodality in Rome on October 9.
2022: Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney forms a steering committee; 250 delegates are trained and lead “Conversations in the Spirit” Diocesan-wide; these and an online Youth Survey contribute to the Region III Synthesis report.
2023: Preparatory Phase completed in the Diocese
2024: Interim Phase completed in the Diocese
2025-2026: Implementation Phase underway
All reports are available at www.usccb.org/synod and in our “Diocesan Synod Reports” section.
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a way of synodal discernment:
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