Archdiocese of Newark joins launching of 'Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church'

The Archdiocese of Newark announced its success in participating in the 'Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church' from October 2021 up to the present.

According to an article posted by Jersey Catholic, the Synodal process encourages all the faithful community to engage in the Archdiocese initiatives to hear the needs of the Catholic churches across the diocese.

As reported, ever since the 'Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church' began, the Archdiocese of Newark has been conducting a Synod listening session that was mostly in-person to accommodate all the participants all over the archdiocese parishes.

Moreover, the archdiocese reportedly conducted a Synod session during Black History month after the Mass given to the outreach program for the African American and Caribbean religious leaders.

Furthermore, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, the current archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, reportedly visited different parishes and Catholic communities to explain how the Synodal process works and encouraged the Catholic community to become part of the process, as reported.

Additionally, the archdiocese reportedly published information about the Synod event on their website in different languages to disseminate the information to other parishioners and to reach more other audiences.

Results of Synodal Listening Sessions

Accordingly, Sister Donna Ciangio, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark, who currently leads the Synodal process locally, said that through Synodal listening sessions, the archdiocese will discover the feedback of the parishioners in each church and will learn how to achieve the common goal for the faith community.

As a result, the parishioners gave positive feedback on how the Catholic churches treated them equally regardless of their socioeconomic classes, as reported.

However, the common feedback of the Synod listening sessions was that Catholic churches should encourage all the parishioners in all parts of the parish life, especially those parishioners who are not yet returning since the pandemic came, as explained.

Also, the participants suggested that Catholic churches should provide ways to deepen the knowledge, faith, and connection of the parishioners to Jesus Christ, as reported.

Sister Donna reportedly said that if all parishioners are encouraged to join the Synod process, the Catholic community will achieve the Holy Spirit needed for the 21st century.

As explained, all the information gathered from different churches across the archdiocese will be reported in the global Synod on Synodality in October 2023 in Rome.

Defining Synodal Process

According to the Synod 2021-2023 website, the Synodal Process is a long-time practice of Synodality that gives the opportunity to the Catholic community to take part in becoming a synodal church.

The Synodality reportedly defines the true mission of the church, coming together to express and hear the Gospels.

As reported, the theme of the 2021-2023 Synod is community, participation, and mission.

About Archdiocese of Newark

Based on its website, the Archdiocese of Newark was ranked as an archdiocese on Dec. 10, 1937. It is reportedly located at 171 Clifton Ave. Newark, New Jersey.

The archdiocese is reportedly dedicated to serving God and the community through His teachings and the archdiocese's programs and ministries.