Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace and peace, I hope this note finds you well.

I wrote to you recently about the opening of the Synod. 

The Synod Preparatory Document poses two important questions:

1.  How are we journeying together today in our local church
2. What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying”?

The theme: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission connects well with our Diocesan and National pathways as we continue to give full expression of our journeying together.

As you are all aware, a lot of listening and consultation has happened already through the Plenary Council and more recently the Diocesan Assembly.  The responses, feedback and consultations from these processes will inform our Diocesan Synthesis document for the 2023 Synod as well as enable good pastoral planning at the local level. 

Our Archdiocesan Leadership Team in consultation with others have decided to use this opportunity to consult and dialogue with those whose voices have not already been fully heard or expressed in a more specific way. This provides opportunities to partner with individual leaders and agencies who are close to the people with whom we wish to consult.

In early 2022 a process will be established to help shape and confirm the Diocesan Synthesis document that will be presented through to the Synod process.

If you wish to engage with the Synod process at a local level, a page on the Bishops Conference website has been set up and resources can be found at:  www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch

Our Diocesan contact for this Synod process is Sarah Moffatt and you are encouraged to make contact: smoffatt@adelaide.catholic.org.au should you need to do so.

I once again thank you for your efforts as we journey together with openness to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

In Domino,
Archbishop Patrick O'Regan