Pope Francis invited the whole Church to be involved in the preparation for the Synod of Bishops which took place in October 2023 and looked at the whole subject of synods. A synod – a ‘walking together’ – is a way of discerning the way forward together. We listen and pray together and share ideas together.
Since then, the response to the Synod both locally and nationally has been mixed, but now in 2025, we pray that Pope Leo will take us to the next stage. As a parish we do seek to be people of dialogue, ready to welcome all and to be bridge builders with each other and all those in our community around us; we seek to be people who walk together and support each other and those around us.
Our parish groups seek to reach out and build connection with God, with each other and those around us. Emerging groups recently have been our St Peter’s Helpers group, disability inclusion group, TOAST for our children and the Chai and Chat group for all migrants to our local area.
Fr Peter
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
There are 3 documents published by the diocese for their phase of the Synod, all 3 are found below.