Here is the recording of Mary McAleese’s talk on Saturday, December 16, 2023
A YouTube Video
After hearing Sr. Joan Chittister speak on Living the Discipleship of Equals last month, we heard Dr. Mary McAleese, former president of Ireland, speak on Being Denied the Discipleship of Equals.
Keep Our Universal Calendar handy where you can check it from time to time to learn about events happening around the world. We encourage you to pass this information onto your networks and circle of contacts.
What we are called to do
to prepare for the 2024 Synod
Speaking of the 2023 Synod report, undersecretary Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ said: “The synthesis report creates a roadmap for discussion to take place around the world over the next eleven months. That report also has many concrete proposals and some of them can already be implemented. You don’t have to wait for change to come from Rome.” Amidst the mixed and diverse reactions that have come from the 2023 Synod in Rome, this statement coming directly from the Synod office is most encouraging. The laity are encouraged to not wait for directives from Rome but to begin now to take synodality back into our local communities. Many issues were discussed at the 2023 Synod but no final decision was reached on such topics as:
• rejection of clericalism
• decentralization of decision-making to enhance co-responsibility of all the baptized,
• ordination of women to the deaconate or priesthood,
• treating the LGBTQ+ community members with the same dignity and respect as the rest of the community,
• optional celibacy for priests,
• the people having a voice in the election of their bishops,
• reformation of seminaries,
• education of the laity on assuming greater responsibility in our Church,
• ongoing education for the clergy in building a synodal community
• addressing the clerical sexual abuse head on
The 2024 Synod promises to reach some decisions. Now is the time for us, the People of God, to turn to the Spirit for guidance on these and other matters, to share our reflections with others, to listen deeply to what they have to say, and ultimately to pass our insights onto the Synod office requesting that these issues be reopened and further considered in the 2024 Synod in Rome. We are asked to have our reflections sent in by May 15, 2024.
Many are unaware that a consequential synod has even taken place this past October. You might begin by inviting a few friends/fellow parishioners/members of your Small Christian Community and suggest that you familiarize yourselves with what happened at the Synod. Click here for a few guiding steps to begin your own small synodal gathering. The Synod Office has provided guidelines for how to be a Synodal Church on mission along with a worksheet. To prepare, here is the 2023 Synod report. It is available in several languages Or if you prefer, here is a summary of the document that came from the 2023 Synod. Spread the word that you are bringing a small group together.
If you’re unable to find or begin your own synodal gathering, join CCRI to participate
If your parish or diocese is not offering a Synodal gathering (shame!), beginning the first of the year, CCRI will be facilitating monthly gatherings for all who have no other way to participate.
These will be held at the following times:
• the 1st Saturday of every month beginning on January 6, 2024
• the 2nd Friday of every month beginning on January 12, 2024
• the second Saturday of every month beginning on January 13, 2024
• the third Wednesday of every month beginning on January 17, 2024
To find the times for you in your locale, click on Our Universal Calendar. Save this in a special place so you can access this at any time and learn what is going on worldwide and how and when to join. This calendar will always show you the time of the meeting in your own time zone.
Your Donations Are Most Appreciated
YOUR GIFT – IN ANY AMOUNT – IS PRICELESS
When you make a donation to support our cause, you join with others who are investing in restoring our Church to what Jesus intended. If you are part of the movement to stop contributing to your local parish and/or diocese, you may want to take advantage of the end-of-year tax deductions by contributing to CCRI in its stead. The dollars we receive are used to run our programs and to reach a broad spectrum of the People of God. We are focused on reaching out to the Faithful, reform activists, young adults as well as those who feel abandoned by the Church, to mention just a few. Your personal contributions in offering your suggestions and your donations are most appreciated.
All donations made to this event will go directly to the Spirit Unbounded team to help cover the costs for making this possible.
To remain silent is to be complicit with our Church as it is now. To remain silent could cause a repeat of Vatican II – where dramatic change occurred and was silenced by clericalism, by bishops who needed to have full authority. Let’s all do our part to step out of the pews, to come together and talk to one another. But none of us can do this alone. We need to join our voices together and be a synodal Church to stay abreast of what is happening with each stage of the Synod from now through 2024. Becoming a synodal Church will only happen if we, the People of God, stay involved in the process.
On behalf of the CCRI steering committee,
Rene Reid
CCRI director