The synodal process in the diocese of Corpus Christi will take place through three particular phases. The first phase will take place through the diocesan Encounter sessions. The Encounter sessions are synodal consultations intended to include the widest possible audience. Participants will be gathered together from all of the parishes of the Diocese and from various special groups such as those in prison and the homeless. The Encounter sessions will be prayerful consultations, rooted in the Word of God and oriented to the express purpose of listening to the Holy Spirit speaking to us regarding a number of important synodal themes. In groups of six, participants will listen, dialogue and discern together. Each table will produce a synthesis of the ideas and thoughts shared, and each person will be asked the following question at the end: Name one insight you heard today that you believe can be attributed to the Holy Spirit?
Following the Encounter sessions, all of the feedback will be collected, collated and synthesized. The resulting synthesis will then be utilized in the second phase of the synodal process called the Discernment Sessions. In the Discernment session, table groups will reconvene in a prayerful setting and go over the synthesis from the Encounter Sessions. This will enable the group to also hear what the People of God in others parts of the Diocese of Corpus Christi contributed. Then, participants will be invited to once again listen to the Holy Spirit and share on the sharing! In other words, it will be an opportunity to confirm the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through the various ideas presented, and also to perhaps contribute new thoughts and ideas. Following the Discernment Sessions, the feedback will once again be collated and synthesized in order to prepare a ten-page document that will be the contribution of the Diocese of Corpus Christi to be submitted to the USCCB.
The third phase of the synodal process in the Diocese of Corpus Christi is the culminating event of the diocesan phase of the Synod. On Saturday, May 7, Mass will be celebrated to formally close the diocesan phase of the Synod. Following Mass, there will be a gathering in St. Joseph’s Hall at the Cathedral, to reflect on how we can continue forward on the path of synodality as a local Church.
Videos: A collection of videos from Bishop Mulvey, Archbishop Pierre, and others discussing the Synod
Synod FAQs: Learn more about some of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Synod on Synodality.
Synodal Team: Our Diocesan Synodal Team will help prepare and lead us on this journey to live as a synodal church.
Videos: A collection of videos from Bishop Mulvey, Archbishop Pierre, and others discussing the Synod
Prayer Cards: Our diocesan prayer card for the Synod, available in both English and Spanish. Order form also available.
Contact Us: If you need more information on how to participate or have a question on the Synod please contact us.
Letters & Documents: An archive of letters an documents from Bishop Mulvey and the Vatican on the Synod.
Vatican Synod Site