Click HERE to Participate in a Synod Small Group (Still Time to Join - Come to Any Session)!

Click HERE to Facilitate a Synod Small Group!

A Synod is a formal representative assembly designed to help Archbishop Hebda in his shepherding of the local church. Shared ideas from parishioners in the diocese will assist to discern and establish clear pastoral priorities in a way that will both promote greater unity and lead us to a more vigorous proclamation of Jesus' good news.
In short, let's get together (invite friends, family and neighbors),
talk and share your ideas to better support the Church in the future!
This is a GREAT opportunity to meet new people on a personal level
in a small group setting.
Spanish materials are also available upon request one day prior to each session.

Learn More About the Synod:  www.archspm.org/synod


Dear Parishioners,
For the past several months you have been hearing about the Archdiocesan Synod and it has now kicked into high gear. I hope you will decide to be a part of this opportunity to let our
Archbishop know about your concerns for the Church in this Archdiocese. How can we as a Church better pass on our beautiful faith to those who are seekers? Small groups will meet one day a week for 6 weeks. Signup is easy, light meals are served and we really look forward to seeing you at these events.
 ~Fr Terry Rassmussen

 

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Synod Small Group
Session Invite!

Each Synod small group will consist of 4-8 people including a trained facilitator who will guide attendees through the process. Each two hour session will begin with prayer, followed by an archdiocesan scripture/teaching video on the weekly topic, with two 30 minute discussion sessions where attendees are invited to have active discussions, sharing thoughts, experiences and ideas.

Prior to the start of each in-person session at the Parish Center (Room A),
we invite you for a light meal and social. 

All parishioners who have been confirmed (and are accompanied by an adult if not one) and adults who have fallen from the church are invited to come as a group or individually.
We encourage participants to attend as many sessions as they can. 
Existing small groups are invited to hold their Synod sessions at their regularly scheduled dates/times/locations if a trained facilitator is present.

Main Topics of Discussion Will Include:

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WE ENCOURAGE ALL ADULTS TO PARTICIPATE
ALWAYS TIME TO SIGN UP - COME TO THOSE SESSION THAT YOU ARE ABLE!

Click HERE to Participate in a Synod Small Group!

Click HERE to Facilitate a Synod Small Group!

Small Group Attendees:  Watch video, discuss, provide feedback
Facilitators: Guide 4-8 attendees in meaningful and charitable discussions
(must attend a training session between August 24 and Sept 21
 Register at www.archspm.org/ambassadors)

 


SMALL GROUP SESSIONS
LET'S MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!

WEDNESDAYS, 9:30a to 12:00p (first half hour is a social and light meal)
THURSDAYS, 6:00p to 8:30p (first half hour is a social and light meal)

Session 1 - September 22/23 
Forming Missionary Disciples Who Know Jesus’ Love and Respond to His Call
Topics: Introduction & Foundational Topics: The Good News of Jesus Christ ("Kerygma"); and Personally Encountering Jesus

Session 2 - September 29/30
Forming Missionary Disciples Who Know Jesus’ Love and Respond to His Call
Topics: Life-long Discipleship; and Universal Call to Holiness

+ + + BREAK FOR FALL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES !!! + + +

Session 3 - October 20/21
Forming Parishes That are in the Service of Evangelization
Topics: Welcoming Parishes; and Collaboration in Parish Ministry

 

Session 4 - October 27/28
Forming Parishes That are in the Service of Evangelization
Topics: Liturgy and the Sunday Experience; and Sharing the Gospel in Word and Deed

Session 5 - November 3/4
Forming Youth and Young Adults in and for a Church That is Always Young
Topics: Parents as Primary Educators (Birth - Adults); and Helping the Young Encounter Jesus (Birth - Grade 6)

 

Session 6 - November 10/11
Forming Youth and Young Adults in and for a Church That is Always Young
Topics: Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12); and Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18-35)
 

 

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SMALL GROUP IN-PERSON AND/OR ZOOM SESSIONS

Virtual Facilitators must have very good email and Zoom skills with knowledge of screen sharing, breakout rooms, creating and providing linked materials and feedback forms to members. Best method is to have both a Facilitator and a Technical Assistant.

Virtual Members must have access to an electronic device with battery length of 2+ hours.

Preparing for the Synod



This 5-part vitual series offers practical tools for growing in holiness, drawing upon the rich tradition of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens will teach the fundamentals of praying with Scripture and explain how to use a Prayer Companion resource to enrich your prayer experience.  Watch at your convenience with family, friends or on your own.

https://www.archspm.org/healing-and-hope-series
 

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Archbishop Bernard Hebda Wants to Hear From You!

In a Nutshell

►Phase 1 - 2019-2020 Listening Sessions Held to Identify Specific Discussion Topics (completed)
►Phase 2 - 2021 Home Parishes Hold Group Sessions to Discuss the Defined Topics (Fall 2021)
►Phase 3 - 2022  Parish Feedback Provided to the Archbishop to Create a 5-10 Year Plan

Phase 1 Overview

2019 - 2020 Listening Sessions "The Listening Church"

Sharing Your Ideas!

The Synod process was designed to gather and consolidate member feedback for 2 years, ensuring everyone had a chance to provide their input. Thirty-two pre-synod listening sessions were held with Archbishop Hebda and this phase is now complete. The written comments from these sessions along with the thousands of responses from the Disciple Makers Index survey were processed. Main topics emerged and were determined for each parish to conduct internal pre-synod listening sessions beginning Fall of 2022. 

Disciple Maker Index Survey

In November 2019, an enhancement was made to the Synod process: Archbishop Hebda has requested that all parishes engage their parishioners in the Catholic Leadership Institute's Disciple Maker Index survey (DMI) in February 2020.  The results will be supplementary information for the Archbishop as he discerns what focus areas to select this spring.  The DMI consists of 70 questions and asks parishioners to reflect on their own spiritual growth and identify the ways in which the parish effectively supports that growth.  All responses are confidential and the parish will only receive information about the community as a whole.  The information will be valuable for the parish as it seeks ways to best support everyone in their discipleship journey.  St. Joseph parishioners completed 559 surveys to assist in this valuable information gathering process.

Archdiocese Update

Impact of Sessions by Local Church

Phase 2 Overview

Listening Sessions Within St. Joseph Catholic Community

Listening sessions are planned for September through October 2022 within St. Joseph, based on the main topics derived from the feedback received in Phase 1. All parishioners are encouraged to attend each session to provide their valuable feedback. These areas of discussion include the following and then be provided to Archbishop Hebda:

Parish feedback will be compiled and provided to Archbishop Hebda. The information from parishes across the diocese will assist in the creation of the a 5-10 year plan to strengthen and improve our archdiocese using the following steps:

Deanery Consultation:  January/February 2022
Pastor and 10 Parish Representatives

Archdiocesan Synod Assembly:  Pentecost Weekend, June 2022
Approximately 500 Appointed Delegates (2 From Each Parish)

Pastoral Plan Written and Shared

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Pre-Synod Prayer for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Mpls

Come Holy Spirit
Make our ears to hear
Make our eyes to see
Make our mouths to speak
Make our hearts to seek
Make our hands to reach out
And touch the world with your love.
AMEN.
Mary, Mother of the Church
Pray for us.