October 11, 2013
Closing assembly includes talk by Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga
In 2012, for only the second time in its history, the Archdiocese of Miami convened a Synod; that is, a process by which Catholics in South Florida gathered and told Archbishop Thomas Wenski about their concerns, what the Church does well and what their dreams are for their local Church.
On Saturday, October 26th, this 18-month Synod will conclude with the strategic plan being presented to Archbishop Wenski by representatives of the 800-member focus teams.
The Closing Assembly will begin with Mass at the Miami Hilton Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132, at 9 a.m. followed by the presentation of the Synod results.
Beginning at 11 a.m., Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga of Honduras, who is one of the group of eight cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to help him reform the Vatican administration, will deliver a keynote address at the Synod Assembly. He will then join Archbishop Wenski for a press conference.
What is the Synod?
Synod (syn-od, pronounced sin'ud) comes from two Greek words, one meaning "to come together" and the other "to move forward on a path." The Synod is a process of listening to the people of God, followed by pastoral planning based upon what was heard. The work of the Synod will set the priorities for the archdiocese for the next 3-4 years.
How did the Synod work?
The work of the Synod included a diverse group of volunteers, comprised of clergy, religious, and lay leaders from across the archdiocese, and several listening sessions that were held throughout South Florida.
The listening sessions were a centerpiece of the Synod process. These are large town hall-type meetings to which all Catholics were invited. Participants at the listening sessions were asked to individually reflect on three questions, then to further explore the questions in small groups, and finally, they were given the opportunity to share any comments with the larger group.
The feedback gathered at the sessions was collected and recorded, and provided the foundation for the work of the Focus Area Teams.
Everyone is welcome to attend the closing assembly. To R.S.V.P., click on the tab on this page, or contact Jacqueline Debs at 305-762-1088 or via e-mail to [email protected].
Rosemarie Banich
Synod Director
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