By Sister Celeste Reinhart, SSND
135 people travelled from every province in Canada to attend Journey of Encounter, a synodal processes training event, at St. Jerome’s University, Waterloo, June 15-18. It was truly a pilgrimage of hope.
We were pilgrims seeking to do our part as a synodal church. Hosted by Concerned Lay Catholics in partnership with participants in the Rome Synod on Synodality, the event trained participants to plan local synodal training events.
Sitting in circles, we practiced “Conversations in the Spirit” - listening, and being silent, and telling our stories of being Church.
Synodality in Action
Together, we envisioned a more listening, inclusive Church in Canada, one rooted in Indigenous reconciliation and lay involvement.
With conversation, silence, music, and prayer interwoven, the event modeled what Pope Francis called the “deep breath of prayer” and synodality in action.
Liturgy and prayer permeated the entire experience, including Sunday Mass in the chapel, a retreat with Greg Kennedy introduced by Linda Staudt, Taizé evening prayer, morning meditation, morning and evening prayer, Indigenous ceremonies and the concluding Eucharistic liturgy and commissioning service led by Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI.
Tuesday evening featured a live-streamed conversation between Bishop Alain Faubert and Cathy Clifford, a former SSND novice. Moderated by Peter Mehan, "Bringing Home the Synod: Hopes for Implementation in Canada" is available for viewing now!
Indigenous Voices
Journey of Encounter endeavoured to include Indigenous voices throughout the gathering. We were so happy that 15 Indigenous Catholics from various First Nations communities across Canada chose to attend.
They opened the retreat with a smudging ceremony. Monday evening featured the Six Nations Women singers. Wednesday morning incorporated a reflection on Kateri Tekakwitha and the Lord's Prayer sung in the Mohawk language. The closing liturgy included a smudging as part of the penitential rite with a prayer to the four directions.
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RESOURCES
Steering Committee Member Report:
Joe Gunn of Ottawa served on the Steering Committee of the Journey of Encounter. The Vatican named him among the six members of Study Group #2, “Listening to the Cry of the Earth and the Poor”. He shares his experience at Journey of Encounter in this article on the OMI website.
Worldwide Implementation of the Synod:
All 10 Study Group interim reports are expected to be available to the public on December 31, 2025. More information can be found here: https://www.synod.va/en/the-synodal-process/phase-3-the-implementation/resources.html
Pathways for the Implementation Phase:
Pope Leo has approved the Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod – a tool designed to accompany the final phase of the synodal process. It is intended to foster dialogue among local Churches and the General Secretariat of the Synod and promote the exchange of experiences among the Churches. Click here for more information!
Pope Francis's Revolutionary Papacy:
The Jesuit Disruptor, by Michael W. Higgins, offers a tantalizing read of his revolutionary papacy. Take a look here!
