Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together.

What next for our Church? 

Avril Baigent explores the final chapter in the Final Synod Document ‘A Feast for all Peoples’ with our guest speaker Archbishop Jason Gordon, who provides practical insights into how we can go from theory and discernment, to synodal communion and action.

They spoke about how to consider discipleship not only at key sacramental moments like Holy Communion and Confirmation, but as an evolving spiritual role throughout someone’s entire life, and how the simple four verbs of “relating, listening, discerning and self-emptying” helps turn us towards becoming a synodal church in our communities and contexts amongst many other suggestions – a very rich conversation!

The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church.

The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are.  

The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops.   Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities.

Links

Podcast Episode 6: Transcript
Reviving Our Caribbean Soul: A Contemplative Synodal Journey, Rev. Charles Jason Gordon, 2024

Full list of episodes

1. The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ
2. The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands
3. The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla
4. The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford
5. Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul
6. A Feast for All Peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon