GUIDING QUESTIONS

• Where have I seen or experienced successes—and distresses—within the Church’s
structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?
• How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to
respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and
mercy in Christ?

DEEPENING

Hold 2-3 listening sessions during Lent 2024 regarding the guiding questions.

BROADENING

The Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops has produced a worksheet to assist with
receiving the fruits of the October assembly and to continue on a path of conversion in
the local churches.

SCRIPTURE

Prayer and reflection with the word of God is essential on the synodal path. The US
Synod Team recommends using the following scripture for deepening reflection upon
synodality:
• John 14
• Romans 12
• Isaiah 61

HOLDING LISTENING SESSIONS

The USCCB offers these suggestions to meet the proposed schedule from the Synod of
Bishops.
• Hold 2-3 diocesan-wide listening sessions regarding the guiding questions.
o Include voices that may not have been heard in earlier stages of the Synod,
or other groups that were underrepresented in your diocesan consultations.
o Collaborate with Catholic-affiliated groups and organizations in your
diocese, including schools, colleges, non-profits, and healthcare facilities.
o Focus upon the voices of the People of God and use quotations in the
synthesis.

• Use the Conversation in the Spirit method.

SYNTHESIS

• Prepared collaboratively by a small team. For continuity, the team may be comprised
  of members of the Diocesan Synod Team or those who worked on the Diocesan
  Synthesis for the Diocesan Stage of the Synod.
• No longer than 3-5 pages.
  o Focus upon the voices of the People of God and use quotations in the
  synthesis.
  o An optional two-page testimony of best practices for synodality used in your
  diocese is welcome. These will be collected by the US Synod Team and sent
  directly to the Vatican.
• Due Monday, April 8, 2024

TIMELINE

January 2024 Prayer and spiritual preparation of the People of God
Lent 2024 Hold 2-3 diocesan wide listening sessions regarding the guiding

question

April 8, 2024 3-5 page synthesis of diocesan listening sessions due to USCCB
April 9-22 Regional synthesis process

April 23-May 14 Drafting National Synthesis
May 15, 2024 US Synthesis due to Synod Secretariat

RESOURCES

 A Synodal Church in Mission
 Interim Stage Worksheet
 Letter of the Synod to the People of God
 Instrumentum Laboris for XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
 North American Final Document
 Document for the Continental Stage
 US National Synthesis
 Preparatory Document
 Vademecum

USCCB CONTACT

Dr. Julia McStravog, Senior Advisor for the Synod
synod@usccb.org

USCCB Synod Website
Synod Secretariat Website