The Galloway Diocesan Synod Team received several hundred responses from the first Synod Encounter phase across the Diocese. A close analysis of them ultimately allowed the Team to identify some areas that would benefit from further synodal input to “flesh them out”. These areas were chosen as our next step, as they were all almost unanimously mentioned by participants in one way or another.
Please see attached, then, a second round of synodal questions for the Diocese. The Diocesan Team invites parishioners to discuss these questions and submit responses back to them once more. At a meeting of St. Mary’s Parish Pastoral Council on Tuesday 3rd May, it was decided that, given time constraints, we go ahead immediately and organise a second Encounter for Saturday 14th May, from 2.00-3.30pm in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. The format of the Encounter will be similar to the first round but there will be more time for open discussion after everyone has been given a chance to speak, listen and write down what they believe the Holy Spirit is inspiring them to write. Please note that the Encounter will be nothing like as long as the first one, since the number of questions is only three.
To book a place at this second Encounter, please either write your name and telephone number on a piece of paper and place it in the box provided on the central table in the church porch (as of Saturday evening, 7th May) or telephone the booking number 07398 109094. Please note that it is essential to book a place so that things in the hall can be properly set up. The deadline for booking is Thursday 12th May, 7pm.
The attachment below was provided by the Diocese, but we will reformat it into a booklet form with space for you to write down your views after prayer and discernment. This booklet will not just be for the Synod Encounter itself, but for any parishioner to pick up.
This availability of the booklet will allow there to be other ways to participate in this second phase of consultation: individual responses, group responses (e.g. a group of friends; a family) and, of course, the Synod Encounter responses themselves.
The Diocesan Team asks that we please only use the questions provided. During the first round, a very small number of parishes and other groups did not use the original ten questions which were provided by the Vatican, unfortunately rendering most of their responses un-useable for this phase of the Synod.
TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, ALL RESPONSES, WHETHER INDIVIDUAL OR BY GROUP, MUST BE HANDED IN TO THE PARISH OFFICE BY 5PM ON MONDAY 16TH MAY.