Archdiocese of Newark walking together on the synodal path
Listening sessions
Listening Sessions have been going very well with parishes, youth groups, ministries, parish catechetical leaders and catechists, parents, Catholic school students, religious institutes, and more. The African American, African and Caribbean Apostolate held four Masses and synod listening sessions to celebrate Black History Month.
Several deaneries have held listening sessions which have been very lively and have surfaced important results that will aid the deaneries in pastoral planning. Having groups of parishes together has provided opportunities for people to get to know each other and talk about significant successes and needs in their areas. We are encouraging all, especially parishes, to continue to reach out and hold additional sessions. This will assist the pastoral and finance councils in future discernment and direction. All the material is easily downloaded from the website.
Many sessions are being held in multiple languages. For those desiring deeper community-building sessions in Spanish, please see the excellent resources available here.
Synod Web page additions
Reporting on your listening session
The reporting pages and instructions are on the webpage, and reports are coming in. Please have your reports synthesized and uploaded to the reporting pages no later than April 15.
New videos
- Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s synod message for the youth
- African American, African and Caribbean Apostolate Black History Month Mass at St. Anastasia, Teaneck with Father Emeka Okwuosa, S.D.V. and Bishop Michael Saporito
- Listening session at St. Anastasia, Teaneck with Sonja Garland
Synod resources for religious institutes
Listening session materials and other resources are now up for religious congregations meeting in their respective institutes and regionally.
Thank you for all you are doing to be a part of the Synod on Synodality.
Visit our Synod page on the Archdiocese of Newark’s website for more.
Sister Donna Ciangio, O.P., is the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark and a local Archdiocesan coordinator of the synodal process in the Archdiocese along with Father Bismarck Chau, the rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Featured image: The Archdiocese of Newark’s African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate celebrated Black History Month with a special Mass and Synod listening session at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield with Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, D.D. on Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo: Archdiocese of Newark/Julio Eduardo Herrera)
