WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Parish of Sts. Patrick & Raphael is seeking input from interested community members on their spiritual reflections. 

 

The Rev. John P. McDonagh said the parish has already held Synod Consultation Sessions with the Parish Council, parents participating in Generations of Faith Formation program, and parishioners, as well as the Harper Center and Williamstown Commons.

 

He added that "the parish is also interested in hearing what the Holy Spirit is telling people in the community."

 

Three open sessions have been scheduled, including one earlier Thursday at the parish center. The next sessions are Saturday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at The Log on Spring Street and Monday, April 25, at noon at the Moonlight Diner on Main Street.  

 

The consultations include small group encounters in which participants share their experiences, hopes, dreams, and burdens. The goal is to invite responses both universal and to the parish in particular: How are we journeying together? What would you tell Pope Francis? What would you tell Bishop Byrne? 

 

A synod is normally a gathering of representatives from the clergy and laity in Rome discussing a topic selected by the pope. This year, Pope Francis wished a more inclusive and universal gathering within every diocese and parish, said Bishop William Bryne of the Diocese of Springfield in a letter explaining the synod. 

 

"He wants every diocese in the country, and then by extension every parish, every group worldwide, to come together and dialogue, to ask ourselves, what is God asking of us as a church," he wrote. "The key of this process is listening, that we don't show up with our own agenda, rather we first must listen to what others have to say and share what is on our hearts."

 

The consultations are for speaking and listening, not debating, and the notetaker will synthesize what was shared and send it to the Diocesan Synodal Team. Names will not be included in the synthesis, and everyone is encouraged to maintain confidentiality for what was shared. Those not wishing to speak can write their thoughts on a provided index card.

 

"This process was conceived as an exercise in mutual listening. I want to emphasize this. It is an exercise of mutual listening, conducted at all levels of the Church and involving the entire People of God … Listening, speaking and listening. It is not about garnering opinions, not a survey, but a matter of listening to the Holy Spirit, as we read in the Book of Revelation: 'Whoever has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches' (2:7)," said Pope Francis. "To have ears, to listen, is the first thing we need to do. To hear God's voice, to sense his presence, to witness his passage and his breath of life." 

 

Those interested in participating can also do so by filling out a form at www.diospringfield.org/synod, email to synod@diospringfield.org, or attend another Diocesan Consultation by exploring the Synod Calendar.

More information on the synod can be found here.