n March, 2020. Pope Francis announced his intention to convene a Synod of Bishops in Rome to discuss the issue of "synodality". This Synod on Synodality will take place in October 2023.
In preparation for the Synod, the Diocese of Lansing is encouraging clergy and lay faithful to have discussions with both lapsed Catholics and those who are not Catholic in order to help us better attune our apostolic efforts in proposing Jesus Christ and His Holy Church to contemporary society.
Eileen Craig is a Catholic therapist. In this short video, she explains how to engage in a conversation with someone who is in existential pain. She says:
"In a Synodal Conversation, acknowledge the wounds, validate the feelings and have empathy for the person. Use the Conversation Guide to join with the person in dialogue. We value the person. We acknowledge their pain. We want them to know Jesus, His love and His Mercy."
Do you want to have a Synodal Conversation with friend or family? Here's a link to the Conversation Guide along with other resources: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/synod