Invitation from Fr. Mike Quinn, Pastor
Dear St. Brendan Parishioners:
As your pastor, I would like to personally invite you, on behalf of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to participate in the preparatory process for the upcoming Synod of Bishops on Synodality. This is an unprecedented opportunity and the Archdiocese of San Francisco is kicking off the process on the weekend of January 15th & 16th by asking all parishioners to take the Disciple Maker Index Survey being offered through the Archdiocese.
The Disciple Maker Index Survey is a nationally recognized survey administered at parishes around the United States and Canada since 2013 by the Catholic Leadership Institute. The results from this survey will provide baseline feedback from which content for engagement sessions will be developed next month. The process will continue in February and March with engagement sessions offered throughout the Archdiocese. You will be able to take this survey online or you can also fill out a paper survey. We will have more information for you in the upcoming week on how to access the survey. We are seeking 100% participation between January 15th through February 15th. For more information, please go to www.sfarch.org/synod.
Thank you,
Fr. Mike Quinn
As your pastor, I would like to personally invite you, on behalf of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to participate in the preparatory process for the upcoming Synod of Bishops on Synodality. This is an unprecedented opportunity and the Archdiocese of San Francisco is kicking off the process on the weekend of January 15th & 16th by asking all parishioners to take the Disciple Maker Index Survey being offered through the Archdiocese.
The Disciple Maker Index Survey is a nationally recognized survey administered at parishes around the United States and Canada since 2013 by the Catholic Leadership Institute. The results from this survey will provide baseline feedback from which content for engagement sessions will be developed next month. The process will continue in February and March with engagement sessions offered throughout the Archdiocese. You will be able to take this survey online or you can also fill out a paper survey. We will have more information for you in the upcoming week on how to access the survey. We are seeking 100% participation between January 15th through February 15th. For more information, please go to www.sfarch.org/synod.
Thank you,
Fr. Mike Quinn
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Adsumus, Sancte Spiritus |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Synodal Process
What is a synod?
A synod is a council of the Church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word synod is from the Greek sinodos (σύνοδος) meaning “assembly” or “meeting” and is similar to the Latin concilium meaning “council”. Sometimes the phrase “general synod” or “general council” refers to an ecumenical council, like the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
A synod is a council of the Church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word synod is from the Greek sinodos (σύνοδος) meaning “assembly” or “meeting” and is similar to the Latin concilium meaning “council”. Sometimes the phrase “general synod” or “general council” refers to an ecumenical council, like the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
Objective of this Synodal Process
The objective of the Synod s not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term. Pope Francis characterizes the two interrelated goals of this process of listening: “to listen to God, so that with him we may hear the cry of his people; to listen to his people until we are in harmony with the will to which God calls us.”
The objective of the Synod s not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term. Pope Francis characterizes the two interrelated goals of this process of listening: “to listen to God, so that with him we may hear the cry of his people; to listen to his people until we are in harmony with the will to which God calls us.”
What is the current Synod?
In the ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015, Pope Francis declared that “the world in which we live, and which we are called to love and serve, even with its contradictions, demands that the Church strengthen cooperation in all areas of her mission.” (For a Synodal Church handbook) This call to cooperate in the mission of the Church is addressed to the entire People of God. In April 2021, Pope Francis initiated a synodal journey of the whole People of God, to begin in October 2021 in each local Church and culminating in October 2023 in the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
In the ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015, Pope Francis declared that “the world in which we live, and which we are called to love and serve, even with its contradictions, demands that the Church strengthen cooperation in all areas of her mission.” (For a Synodal Church handbook) This call to cooperate in the mission of the Church is addressed to the entire People of God. In April 2021, Pope Francis initiated a synodal journey of the whole People of God, to begin in October 2021 in each local Church and culminating in October 2023 in the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
How to Participate
What are the participation opportunities for the parish and parishioners?
There will be a variety of ways for people to get involved in the Synod Process, as individuals or as part of your parish community. We encourage everyone to participate in any additional informal activities for formation, fellowship and prayer, that are organized at the parish. The two primary ways you can participate are:
There will be a variety of ways for people to get involved in the Synod Process, as individuals or as part of your parish community. We encourage everyone to participate in any additional informal activities for formation, fellowship and prayer, that are organized at the parish. The two primary ways you can participate are:
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1. Participate in the Disciple Maker Index Survey which will be offered at every parish in the Archdiocese from January 15 to February 15. This is an opportunity for every Catholic to provide personal feedback towards this process.
2. Attend one of many Engagement Sessions held in-person and virtually throughout the Archdiocese in February and March. These facilitated sessions will allow the People of God to engage with one another and listen to each other’s journey.
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COMPLETED
January 15 - February 15, 2022 COMPLETED
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2022 Syond Timeline
January 15 – February 14, 2022
Disciple Maker Index opens to all in the Archdiocese
February 26 – March 6, 2022
In person and virtual Synod listening sessions take place
(More information to come)
March 2022
Results of Disciple Maker Index made available to parishes by the Archdiocese
April 2, 2022
Submission of Synod Synthesis submitted to USCCB
Disciple Maker Index opens to all in the Archdiocese
February 26 – March 6, 2022
In person and virtual Synod listening sessions take place
(More information to come)
March 2022
Results of Disciple Maker Index made available to parishes by the Archdiocese
April 2, 2022
Submission of Synod Synthesis submitted to USCCB
