Synodal journey in progress for KL Archdiocese

Synodal journey in progress for KL Archdiocese

Nov 27, 2021

Participants at the synod briefing

Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
More than 30 BECs and ministry coordinators attended the parish synodal workshop on October 26. Participating in the Synodality Process of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 was something many BECs coordinators and ministry heads weren’t familiar with. Msgr Leonard Lexson and the Parish Synod Team (PST) recalled the historical event of the Aggiornamento in 1976 and all the subsequent PMPCs that took place every ten years between 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016, acknowledgment of these important milestones of the Peninsular Malaysian Church came to the fore. He reiterated that the Peninsular Church is already living this synodality, and today through the Mother Church, the Holy Father Pope Francis is exhorting the whole Church to live it, journeying together as a People of God.

Setting the background from Jesus’ life among the common folks and the legacy he left to the Apostles, we were introduced to the ten Thematic Nuclei (TN). We took moments of silence for personal reflection with one of the thematic nuclei questionnaires and the writing down of our thoughts. We proceeded with a little group sharing and then listening to each other in the larger group. After this first step of sharing and listening to each other, we were given further guidelines to assist us. We were also invited to choose our TN and to proceed to live them out in our BECs and ministries in the coming weeks.

The parish has chosen the TN number 1, 2, 3, 5,7 and 9.

TN 1, 2 3 and 5 will be answered by the BECs, while TN5 and 9 will be answered by BECs and ministries respectively. All responses are to be submitted as groups.

As the TN is chosen by the leader and the core group, each person answers to that TN. However, the parish encouraged all to do more if they wish. This invitation was met with certain resistance as many feared the extra time and effort needed to do the additional TN questions. But with the e-link, there might be a change, as the e-link is more user friendly.

After the initial stage where most of the BECs and ministries had finished their process, the migrant communities will follow up to do the process in their own language.

There is a suggestion to reach out to Sunday Catholics. We hope to do random interviews and talk to Sunday Mass-goers. The e-link might be more utilised as there is a certain liberty and privacy for people to do it.

Meanwhile Msgr Leonard has been highlighting the Synod Process since the launch. We encourage BECs to do more as they are at the grassroots level. The time given is important as people are still wary of the pandemic and health situation. — By Maria Yan

Church of St Francis of Assisi
The Parish Synod Team met on November 11 for a briefing by the Archdiocesan Team led by Mgsr Mitchel Anthony Joseph. Just as our Lord has always walked with us as our Good Shepherd, truly the Synodal path is Jesus’ challenge to all the faithful to walk alongside one another, crossing boundaries of ministries, apostolates or even BECs.

This is especially relevant in our present days of the pandemic, where society at large has experienced much fragmentation and isolation along economic and community lines, and for the faithful in not being able to receive the sacraments for the first time in memorable history. As the Holy Father stressed in his Opening of the Synodal Path homily, it is a spiritual exercise to encounter, listen and discern. Not just the faithful but those in the peripheries, to seek out the lost and disenfranchised.

We pray that the Lord will impart the graces we need to be attentive, patient, and willing to encounter others, and to be sensitive to what troubles them in this Synodal journey.

The parish has chosen themes 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Groups, ministries and BECs are strongly recommended to collectively attempt the respective themes. Alternatively, individuals may attempt other themes outside their group, ministry or BEC as well.

There will be one collective response from each ministry, while BECS can have multiple, according to their unique needs.

Parish priest Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap held a general introduction on Synod 2023 for all parishioners. This was to help the different groups to share and to reflect as one. — By William Cheong

Prayer for the Synod

Adsumus Sancte Spiritus

We stand before You,
Holy Spirit,
as we gather together
in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home
in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us
down the wrong path
nor partiality influence
our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey
together to eternal life
and not stray from
the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in
every place and time,
in the communion of the
Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen.

Links to Synod questionnaires

KOTA KINABALU ARCHDIOCESE
https://forms.gle/N9FW9FXBGmsrvnxA7


PENANG DIOCESE
Simple questionnaire https://forms.gle/hHqNadwtYnavaZ9r8

Elaborated questionnaire https://forms.gle/yFJ7XNLgFSz8juvdA

MALACCA JOHORE DIOCESE
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Vpt3BKv_SYA7_CmnAKPsFFp75hoiu3SKxAqn1EiS4gA/edit?usp=sharing

MIRI DIOCESE
https://forms.gle/nNaru6ApiajT8Ad49

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