When will this Synod take place, and where?

Synod 16 will take place November 18-20, 2016 at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit.

Who participates in Synod 16?

Hundreds of clergy and laity will be participating in Synod 16. All of the faithful—whether they are participating directly in Synod 16 or not—are encouraged to pray for Synod 16.

How were the lay members of Synod 16 chosen?

Each pastor was asked to prayerfully nominate three people from his parish who he thought could be flexible, creative, and discerning to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council prayerfully considered the nominations and elected the members. 

Clergy and religious have been elected by their peers and invited by the Archbishop. Eileen MacDonell  will be representing St. Valentine Parish.

 Tell me more about Synod 16

What we are attempting is nothing less than a radical overhaul of the Church in Detroit, a complete reversal of our focus from an inward, or maintenance-focused church, to outward, or mission-focused church.

 What changes do you anticipate as a result of Synod 16?

It is difficult to say because we do not know where the Holy Spirit will lead us. But, much of the conversation is expected to center around how we can make our parishes, schools, hospitals, charitable organizations, families, etc. more joyfully missionary-based.

 What will happen at Synod 16?

In November 2016, clergy, religious, and laity will gather to pray and discuss how we can help everyone in our Archdiocese encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and witness to the glory of a life lived in God’s love.

Is there a way for me to play a role in the process?

Yes! Most of our parishes will be hosting Parish Dialogue Gatherings. At these sessions, the faithful will have facilitator-led conversations. A scribe will capture the content of the discussion, which will be brought to the synod for further discussion. The dialogue sessions will be taking place between March and June. The faithful may attend a session at their parish or at another parish. As announced before, the Dialogue Gathering for St. Valentine Parish will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 beginning at 6.30 pm.  Please sign up to attend this session!

As this Archdiocese is preparing for Synod 16 we on our part will have the opportunity to contribute as each parish will be holding “Parish Dialogue Gatherings.” This is an opportunity that is open for all to help the Archbishop and the whole of the Archdiocese to help build a universal Church where everyone will feel welcomed.  Many of us are not used to hearing the word Synod – lot of information is provided on the Archdiocesan website –aod.org.  But for those of you who are not able to do that here is some information on what a Synod is.

In the words of Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron:  “Synods are by God’s grace something powerful in the life of the Church, a way to grow together. Our community will come together in the midst of the Holy Spirit to discern where He seems to take us in order to re-evangelize ourselves and our culture. By listening to what the members say in the synod, I will be able to discern and ratify the work of the Holy Spirit, and it will be a time of great grace.”

 What is a Synod?

 A Synod is both an event and a process that sees people – clergy, religious, and laity – gather to discuss important matters of the faith. Synods are transformative events that lead to renewal in the Church’s life. After a Synod takes place, the church emerges different, changed.

 What is the purpose of Synod 16?

In expressing his confidence that, “in response to our prayers through the synod in 2016, God will make being missionaries part of the DNA of our archdiocese.” Archbishop Vigneron summarized the two-fold purpose of Synod 16.
The first is “missionaries.” The focus of this Synod is evangelization. The second is, “DNA.” The Archbishop hopes to transform the very culture of our Archdiocese—how we work, how we pray, how we minister, everything—so that in everything we do, we are more effective witnesses

Have there been other Synods in the Archdiocese of Detroit?

There have been ten synods since the Archdiocese of Detroit was established in 1833.The last Synod in the Archdiocese was convened by Cardinal John Dearden in 1969.

 How did previous Synods held in the Archdiocese of Detroit turn out?

The last synod in 1969, spurred much change in the Archdiocese. One of the most-familiar results of this synod was the bolstering of lay participation in the life of the Church through parish councils, parish finance councils, and vicariate councils.

 It’s hard to imagine parish life without those elements of lay involvement. We pray that Synod 16 will, in a similar way, influence how we live the faith in the Archdiocese of Detroit (more on that later).