December Bridging Connection

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

Synod Meetings with Consecrated Life Members

As the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and each diocese in the world-wide Church begins The Synod for a Synodal Church, here is some important information on the involvement of all in Consecrated Life in the discussions and prayer in our Archdiocese.

I have scheduled three possible meeting dates for participation in group discussions in this synodal process. I am sharing with you a questionnaire and response form to use in preparation for our group discussions. These are here for you to print out for your reflection and prayer. There are many questions under each of the 10 points raised for our input. These questions are not meant to each be answered. They are conversation starters. The Summative Response Form has a key question to focus your answers. This form will be collected and incorporated into a summary response from all of us.

By the time we meet in February, it is hoped that you will have had some time to read through the questions, reflect and pray about the invitation to participate and are ready to share with others in the Archdiocese on this important Synod.

I would also strongly suggest that each congregation with a presence here consider sending 2 representatives to their deanery meetings, to be held by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati between January and February.

Format for the Discussions in February
After our prayer, you will be sent to breakout rooms where it will be easier to share with a few people. Once you get to your group, please do these three things:
1. introduce yourselves
2. ask for a volunteer to take notes, using the response form you received
3. ask for a volunteer to keep the time and to keep the conversation moving along.

Everyone should have an opportunity to speak. You will have about an hour for this discussion. When we return to the large group, I will ask for some feedback or insights you may want to share on a couple of major points from the sharing in your group.

Opening Prayer: Synod prayer
Breakout Rooms
Large group sharing: general response from the group

Note-takers: please send me the response form from your group as soon as it is ready. Please type your answers. Last date to receive them is February 15.

I am looking forward to walking with you and sharing in this process. In the meantime, I wish you a very blessed Advent and Christmas season. Your sister in Christ,

Maria

PS. Pictures from the Jubilee Celebration can be found on the bottom of this page from the AOC website.

YEAR AT A GLANCE

December

11 and 12 Please pray for the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection in weekend Masses

Upcoming

January and February Deanery Meetings for the Synod
2.1.22 Synod Optional Meeting, 2- 3:30 pm
2.2.22 World Day of Consecrated Life
2.3.22 Synod Optional Meeting, 9:30 - 11 am
2.8.22 Synod Optional Meeting, 7- 8:30 pm
3.16.22 Major Superiors Meeting with Archbishop, 10-12 pm
3.24.22 IMAR Touching the Holy, Meeting God in Times of Transition and Change, Bro. Wayne Fitzpatrick, MM, 9 am - 2:30 pm, St. Vivian's Parish Hall

Bro. David Henley, GHM

Originally from Columbus, Ohio I entered into Glenmary in 2001. I graduated from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky with a degree in pastoral ministry. I served in Glenmary’s missions in Ohio County, Kentucky and then in Yell County, Arkansas. A lot of my ministry involved connecting with the immigrant community and with the people who did not belong to any particular church.

I got involved in the Vocation Ministry for Glenmary Home Missioners in 2010 when I was asked to serve by my community’s president. The toughest part about taking on this new position was leaving my assignment in the missions in Arkansas. I enjoyed my outreach ministry to the people in Arkansas too much but I believe that we have a commitment to the greater good of the community.

I do miss the day to day interactions that I had with the families I met in my mission ministry but I have come to realize that while I am not serving the people in the missions directly at this time I am serving the people in Glenmary’s future missions as I am walking with the young men who will be serving in the missions for the next fifty or sixty years. The greatest part of my “job” or ministry as vocation director is taking men on mission tours and sharing with them the incredible things that my fellow Glenmary missioners are doing out of their love for the people in the missions and to build up the Kingdom of God.

What’s Next: Exploring Prayerful Decision Making

Whether you are discerning your vocation, a career change, a big move, or just what’s next in your life, this afternoon for young adults will offer opportunities for prayer, fellowship, Q & A and practical tips for discernment. Members of religious communities will offer stories, examples and practical exercises to aid you in any discernment. Our next event will be Sunday, February 27th, in Kettering at Ascension Parish from noon – 5:00pm. For more information or to register tinyURL.com/cincyWhatsNext

A Synod on Synodality

Synodality? What’s that, you may ask. Synodality is synonymous with collegiality. The Holy Father is asking to have a Synod on how the Church can be more collegial in its approach to addressing the many issues facing it. The Synod is entitled: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”. Consequently, he seeks input from all the People of God. That begins this month and will culminate in the Synod Meeting in Rome in 2023. Pope Francis wants to hear from the young, the elderly, those in religious orders, young adults, those who have drifted away from the faith, migrants and immigrants, those who live in poverty, lay organizations, the lay faithful, our Christian brothers and sisters, women, etc. In other words, everyone! To accomplish this, over the next six months, each diocese throughout the world will convene local meetings to address the questions on how we can be a more synodal i.e., collegial Church. For each diocese, the contact person will submit a ten page summary report to the local Ordinary that will in turn make it to the Synod. By virtue of our baptism, as a people of God coming together, we know that the Holy Spirit will lead us in this endeavor. Stay tuned for further details next month. If you would like to participate in any way, we welcome you! Please feel free to email Deacon John Homoelle at jhomoelle@sainti.org. God Bless!