St. Matthew's Participates in Synod 2023
- Parish Listening Session Schedule
- How to Prepare to Participate: A Reflection by L.J. Milone
- The Synod: The Church's Heart-to-Heart
The October 17, 2021 Synod Opening Mass for the Archdiocese of Washington launched a two-year period of prayer and preparation for the October 2023 international Synod of Bishops called by Pope Francis on the topic, "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”
Cardinal Gregory explains, "This Synod is a great opportunity for everyone to re-engage with each other as we emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to come together, invite family and friends back to the faith, listen to each other’s joys and sorrows, and share hopes and dreams for local parishes and the future of the Church."
Through our upcoming parish listening sessions, we're walking together, joining the people of God around the world who will participate in the Synod process!
For more information on the Synod, visit the ADW Synod webpage and read the December 31, 2021 Catholic Standard article.
About the Synod Logo
Isabelle de Senilhes is the French woman who authored the Synod logo, which is described as follows: "A large, majestic tree, full of wisdom and light, reaches for the sky. A sign of deep vitality and hope which expresses the cross of Christ. It carries the Eucharist, which shines like the sun. The horizontal branches, opened like hands or wings, suggest, at the same time, the Holy Spirit.
The people of God are not static: they are on the move, in direct reference to the etymology of the word synod, which means 'walking together'. The people are united by the same common dynamic that this Tree of Life breathes into them, from which they begin their walk." (from the Vatican Synod website)