On a path to making a difference

Almost 23 per cent of Australia’s population identified as Catholics in the 2016 census. There are about 1.3 billion Catholics in the world. So, would your coming to the Diocesan Synod on Saturday, 23 November really make any difference to how we live our lives in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle as Catholics, and would that make a difference to our local communities, the life of Australians or indeed the global community?

My response is yes, if you dare to care about humanity and the world in which we live, and believe in the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit. Those who choose not to participate can’t give voice to how the Catholic Church is seeking to renew itself and the world around it, and will be missed. This Synod is about having deep conversations, listening to the other while listening to the Spirit. The word synod comes from the word synodos, which means “together on a path”. The church is a people journeying together.

The theme of Building the Kingdom of God Together will be explored through the Plenary Council questions and themes of How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church that is:

  • missionary and evangelising
  • inclusive, participatory and synodal
  • prayerful and eucharistic
  • humble, healing and merciful
  • joyful, hope-filled and servant community
  • open to conversion and renewal?

The ancient institution we call “church” continues to evolve and with God’s help will be renewed because of the work of the Holy Spirit through the prayerful and thoughtful imagination of the people, which in the Catholic Church we call the sensus fidelium, the sense of the faithful. We are called to discern together in matters of faith.

Please join us on Saturday, 23 November from 9.30am at the diocesan offices at 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, finishing with Mass at the Cathedral commencing at 5pm.

To learn more please visit the diocesan website at www.mn.catholic.org.au and follow the registration process for workshop participation and catering at https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/about/pastoral-planning/diocesan-synod-2019-2021/ or phone 024979 1111. Registration is essential before 14 November.

Follow mnnews.today on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Teresa Brierley Image
Teresa Brierley

Teresa Brierley is Director Pastoral Ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.