UPCOMING SYNOD DECLARED BY POPE FRANCIS

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace of Christ our Universal King! Please, as we celebrate and embrace the presence of Christ in our lives as our King and source of our being, our Holy Father Pope Francis, has called for a Synod on Synodality. Please read the information below from the Archdiocese about the upcoming synod and information from the Archbishop. Thank you—Fr. Justus

As you are aware, Pope Francis has called on all dioceses to participate in a worldwide Synod. Archbishop Sample is responding to the Holy Father’s call by initiating in the Archdiocese of Portland a process where we will journey together in faith by engaging in prayer, listening, and discernment. The theme for the Synod is: Communion, Participation and Mission. By joining together in prayer and unity, listening to one another, and discerning the will of the Holy Spirit for the Church in our Ɵmes, the people of God in western Oregon will be able to accomplish the work of the Synod and fulfill our primary mission of evangelization.

The Vatican recently extended the deadline of the diocesan consultation period for the Synod until August of 2022. We will make full use of the additional four months to carry out the work of the Synod in the Archdiocese of Portland more effectively. Please assure the faithful in western Oregon that Archbishop Sample is taking the Synod very seriously. He is calling for a genuine and robust fulfillment of the listening and discernment the Holy Father has asked us to accomplish. To this end, we are beginning our participation in the Synod with an intense, diocesanwide prayer campaign. Your help is needed to make the prayer campaign successful. Please promote prayer for the Synod in your parishes and organizations. Include the intention of the Synod at Holy Masses and encourage the faithful to pray the Vatican’s official Synod prayer regularly (English / Spanish). At the urging of the Holy Father and Archbishop Sample, there will be a particular focus on adoration. Parishes and religious communities are asked to organize periods of Eucharistic adoration for the intentions of the Synod. All Catholic groups and organizations, families and individuals are asked to support these efforts and otherwise pray intensely for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the synodal process. The Vatican’s prayer website is here: The Church on the way (prayforthesynod.va). Listen to the Archbishop’s inspiring homily and find other Synod resources HERE. Early in 2022, the Archdiocese of Portland, with the help of the clergy, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, and Catholic leaders, will organize widespread listening sessions and other opportunities for participation in the Synod. Please stay tuned for additional information. In the meantime, if you have questions about the Synod or resources to share, don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you!