WERE YOU LEFT OUT OF THE SYNOD PROCESS? COME ON IN!

The Catholic Press-not to mention curious folks from all or no Christian affiliation—is following the process of the Synod much more closely now as it continues in Rome October 4-29, 2023, and again in the fall of 2024.
 
For so many of us in the United States, we only know of the Synod by hearsay. For many reasons, many American bishops and pastors—including, sadly, my own pastor—chose to ignore the Holy Father’s universal invitation to the preliminary and local orientation gatherings of the Synod or universal meetings of the Church. At some point I will discuss this on the Café blog—it bears discussion—but that is not today’s news. Even if your local church engaged in a perfunctory process, it may be that you “never got your say” at a one-time structured meeting. It is hard to say much in ninety seconds.
 
So, let us do this right: reclaim your voice. On Sunday morning [July 23] and following, the Café will provide you with a cornucopia of ways to both learn about that mysterious word, “synodality,” and better yet, to get into the action. Your free Café membership entitles you to over a dozen “model” mini essays you can plagiarize to express your concerns for the Church, with suggestions for composing your own as well.
 
The Café will also provide you with the address of the Vatican Office managing the Synod’s international mail. The process is confidential if you wish it to be. Plus, we are including the address to Pope Francis’s Apostolic Delegate to the U.S. if you are concerned about a grave local issue or fear for your job in the church.
 
Again—it is all free. [Except for your postage to Vatican City.] You can help the Café by sharing the Synod material—or any resources--with friends, family, parishioners, and the like. One of Pope Francis’s pronounced goals is the unity of the Church—that we can openly communicate on the health and mission of the Church, in countless communities where even with three or four people “I will be with you always.” The Synod marks a new way of Catholic community living. If no one locally has invited you, our Café coffee is hot, fresh, and bottomless. See you Sunday!