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LAY NETWORK UPDATE
CLAIMING OUR VOICES
in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
October 15, 2019
 
CCCR-COB Newsletter
October 2019

Archdiocesan Listening Sessions - Open Forum 

 

Lay Network Update -

Listening Sessions - This is the moment. This is the time.

This is the moment; this is the time we have long waited for. The archdiocesan listening sessions in preparation for the 2021 Synod are now in full swing. The Holy Spirit infused prayer and contemplation sets the tone at these sessions for us to open our hearts and listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church. Our common baptism urges us to "be church" and exercise our right and responsibility to help shape our future and the future of our archdiocese. It's an opportunity to get out of our "bubble," to listen to diverse expressions of what is working in our parishes and archdiocese, the challenges we face as well as the need for change. Archbishop Hebda is shepherd to all, even those that have left, and we urge him to foster significant reform and pastoral renewal that is compassionate and makes room for all.
 
 "The People of God" are urged to speak up and engage in the 3-fold priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. Let our informed hearts and minds give voice to our concerns in a space where the altar is cleared and everyone has the pulpit. The Church through negligence and scandal has injured us all, some grievously. This is the time to lament and tell the wider church: "This is what happened to me."
 
In 2018, the Council of the Baptized focused on the history and documents of Vatican II, so we are informed and ready for this discussion at the listening sessions. If your number is chosen to speak to Archbishop Hebda and the whole gathering, be bold and call for full implementation of Vatican II. Archbishop Hebda has said that this is a Vat II archdiocese so let us support him in making it a reality. Since you will have limited time to speak, we offer instructions and forms to practice with to help prepare you for succinct answers. These are the same instructions and forms you will receive when you arrive at the listening sessions.
 



CCCR and CoB will be in retreat this week with Sr. Chris Schenk guiding us in a discernment process to reevaluate our mission and help determine where we go from here. Please pray for us and take some time for yourself to discern if you are also being called to step up and engage in this reform movement.
 
Our Open Forum in November will be a closed session to process what we have discerned in retreat.

Still living in joyful hope,
CCCR Board and Council of the Baptized