Synod 2022 Update

Please Pray for the upcoming Synod Assembly that will occur Pentecost Weekend, June 3-5

The three year-long Archdiocesan Synod is approaching its final steps! 

Archbishop Hebda is asking all Catholics to pray in preparation for the upcoming Synod Assembly on Pentecost weekend. 500 representatives from our parishes and other organizations will meet with Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Williams to pray, discuss and discern how the Holy Spirit is leading our archdiocese in these times.

You, your families and friends are invited to join us in prayer using the Novena to the Holy Spirit beginning on Friday, May 27 through Saturday, June 4, the Vigil of Pentecost. The Novena at the link above is 4 printed pages. You can also find the prayers in this weekend's parish bulletin.

This is the oldest novena in the Church, renewing the prayer of the first disciples in the Upper Room, as they waited for the gift of the Holy Spirit from our resurrected Lord Jesus. It’s a great way for you to  invite the Holy Spirit to invigorate your Baptism and Confirmation in new ways, and to participate in this important archdiocesan occasion.  

If weather permits, Nativity parishioners will pray the Novena together outside at the Mary statue by the Adoration door, at 8:45 am each morning and at 5:30 pm or after Mass each evening from May 27 through June 4. Please join us when you can. Or, pray on your own or with family. Sponsored by Nativity New Life.


Praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit

• Make the Sign of the Cross
• Pray the two intentions for the Synod at the top of page 1 of the Novena sheets.
• Pray for spiritual renewal at Nativity.
• Skip the Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (for now).
• Pray the prayers for the current day.
  • Day 1 - Friday 5/27
  • Day 2 - Saturday 5/28
  • Day 3 - Sunday 5/29
  • Day 4 - Monday 5/30
  • Day 5 - Tuesday 5/31
  • Day 6 - Wednesday 6/1
  • Day 7 - Thursday 6/2
  • Day 8 - Friday 6/3
  • Day 9 - Saturday 6/4
• Pray Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
• Finally, pray for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If you miss a day, just continue on or say the Novena twice to catch up, as you choose.


Pentecost Vigil Mass | June 4

You and your family are invited to join other Catholics at the Cathedral on Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 pm to celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit to the Church, as well as to celebrate the completion of the Synod Assembly.


Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter

Based on the feedback and discernment from the Synod Assembly, Archbishop Hebda will be writing a pastoral letter to Catholics of the archdiocese, charting our course together over the next several years. The pastoral letter is to be published on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday, November 20. Look for it!
 

Thank you for Your Synod Participation

Perhaps you attended one of the regional Prayer and Listening Sessions that began in the Fall of 2019 and Spring of 2020. Or, you may have attended one of the Year 2 Synod Series or the Year of St. Joseph activities provided by the archdiocese during the “extra” year of the Synod due to the pandemic. A good number of Nativity parishioners attended the Parish Consultation Small Groups at Nativity in the Fall of 2021. The feedback and creative ideas obtained in those sessions were sent to the archdiocese for compilation and refinement, as input to the upcoming Synod Assembly. Perhaps you have prayed for the Synod over these years.

Nativity thanks you for the ways you have participated in the Archdiocesan Synod!

We look forward to Archbishop Hebda’s Pastoral Letter in the Fall and to growing with you in faith as Nativity implements some of the considerations from the Archdiocesan Synod.

Many resources from the Synod can be found at archspm.org/synod .

Here is a 4 minute video of Archbishop Hebda providing a Synod Update of what the Synod has done so far and the next steps.

Here is a graphic showing the final stages of the Archdiocesan Synod Process.


Synod Results Summary for Nativity

The Nativity Synod team would like to summarize for you the results obtained from the 70 parishioners who attended the small groups at Nativity in the Fall of 2021.

Here is the summary page and three pages of charts showing the results.

As you can see from the charts, key themes across the Focus Areas are the need for more Formation/Discipleship programs (mentioned in 9 of 11 Topics, 8 of those highly ranked), and Small Groups/Mentoring (9 mentions, 7 of those highly ranked).

Retreats/Events of encounter (4 mentions, 3 highly ranked) were of particular importance to our youth and young adults. Visible opportunities and personal invitations for Ministry/Service and Leadership were also important to them.

Prayer/Adoration (6 mentions) and Sacraments (5 mentions) were ranked highly, particularly regarding formation in how to pray, in the meaning of the Mass and how to participate fully in it.

Hospitality at Mass, growing our ability for Evangelization/Testimony and the discernment and use of Charisms were seen as key gaps in and positive drivers for other aspects of parish life at Nativity.

Other areas that had fewer votes are Homily, Works of Mercy, Christian Culture/Cultural Conflict, Engagement, Communication and Parish/School Relationship.

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Updated Wednesday, June 1, 2022