Most Blessed Sacrament holds synod listening sessions with students

Pope Francis announced the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops, which will take place in 2023 in Rome. The Holy Father’s theme for the synod is for a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The term “synodality” means walking the same road together. We journey as a Church together, all of us – Pope, bishops, clergy, religious, and those on the margins.

The mission of Christ can only be accomplished by all of us collaborating to make the Gospel heard in our time. Every age in Church history has had to figure out the best way to proclaim the Gospel, and this is our time.

Pope Francis has asked for an extraordinary task to be done – that is, he wants to hear from every part of the Church throughout the world, those committed to the Church, those who have left the Church, never been a part of the Church, or who are poor, marginalized and don’t feel welcome in the Church.

Some say that this is the largest single consultation in the world! We are all asked to join in and be a part in the ways best for us and to be as inclusive as possible. And, of course, the Pope wants to hear from our young people.

In this consultation, Pope Francis asks us to consider this question of proclaiming the Gospel and continuing his mission through prayer and discernment together. His overarching question is: What does the Holy Spirit expect of the Church of the 21st Century?

Father John Job, the pastor of Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J., is pictured with students in Mrs. Ramdath’s sixth grade class at The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament who recently participated in a synod listening session. (Photo courtesy of Father John Job)

This month, the Archdiocese will gather, analyze, and synthesize information from all listening sessions into one report submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Similarly, dioceses across the U.S. and globally will submit their local findings, which will ultimately be consolidated into reports for discussion among the world’s bishops and the Vatican to help guide Pope Francis on decisions about how the Church should proceed in the future. The actual synod of bishops takes place in Rome in October 2023.

The Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland conducted a joint synod listening session for parishioners of both parishes on Feb. 8, 2022.

In March and April, Father John Job conducted listening sessions for students in grades five through eight who attend the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

After a prayer service, students engaged in conversation about several topics: the importance of listening; the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church; the meaning of the word “synod,” and an analysis of the synod logo.

Father John Job, the pastor of Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J., is pictured with students in Mr. Quintilian’s eighth grade class at The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament who recently participated in a synod listening session. (Photo courtesy of Father John Job)

Students then viewed an animated video about the nature of the synod as well as a video message from Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., who thanked the young people for their participation in the listening sessions and the important role they play in the life of the Church – both now and in the future.

After this introduction, the students reflected on answers to several questions, such as:

If you could sit down with Pope Francis, what would you tell him about young people today?

What are some challenges young people are facing today?

What are some ways you have experienced this “journeying together” in your school or parish community?

At baptism, each of us is called to follow Christ and be his disciple. In what ways can your school, the parish, Archdiocese, or the global Catholic community better engage young people to live out this calling?

The students’ responses to these questions were quite impressive. At the end of the listening sessions, the students resolved that they would listen carefully to each other so that they may discern how the Holy Spirit is calling us all to be Church at this time in our history.

Featured image: Father John Job, the pastor of Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J., is pictured with students in Mrs. Brizzolara’s fifth grade class at The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament who recently participated in a synod listening session. (Photo courtesy of Father John Job)

Visit the Synod page on the Archdiocese of Newark’s website to learn more.

Father John Job is the pastor of Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes, N.J.