Sunday 28th November 2021 – 1st Sunday of Advent
The Synod on Synodality: Preparing our hearts and minds
Pope Francis has invited every Diocese around the world to participate in the Universal Synod on Synodality. This Synod is a process of journeying together. As the Church, we will listen to each other, dialogue with each other, pray together, discern together, and make decisions together for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world! Listening and speaking within the Church always involves prayer. We are listening, dialoguing, and praying together so that we can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
The starting point of this journey begins with our own personal prayer and reflection. "Prayer opens hearts. It opens the ear to a listening that is more than hearing and makes us attentive to the action of the Spirit in our lives.” (Cardinal Grech) In your prayer this week we ask that you pray for the success of our synodal journey and that you take time to reflect on the needs of the people in your community. This week we encourage you to pray with the prayer used at the Second Vatican Council.
Adsumus Sancte Spiritus.
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.