Organising Content and Method for

Diocesan Phase.

Contents

1. Some Concerns and Caveats

2. Structure of the Diocesan

Animation

3. Normal Structure of a

Consultation process

4. Modes of Content

5. Methods, Techniques for

Consultation

6. Getting ready for Diocesan Pre-

Synod

7. Final Caution

Concerns and Caveats

➔ Everything from Day One of Diocesan Phase

is in Vademecum

➔ Try to finish Dissemination, identifying

groups, preparation of the Content

(Questions/points for consultation) and

training of coordinators in October to every

sector of the Diocese.

➔ Skilling for Coordinators in listening,

leadership and organisation.

➔ PDF file in WhatsApp group on Major

Moments of the Diocesan Phase.

CCBI Desk

Structure of Diocesan Animation

Bishop

Contact Person(s)

Synodal Team

Coordinators

Groups Groups

Coordinators

Groups

Coordinators

Groups Groups

Diocesan Pre-Synod

Normal Structure of a Consultation Session

➔ Prayer:

➔ 1. Reading of the Word (Ideal Passges: one of the images of

Synodality from PD.)

➔ Make short reflection on the image.

➔ 2. Project/ exhibit Logo. Make a prayer/reflection based on the logo.

➔ Introduce: purpose of Synod and purpose of consultation in Brief.

➔ Consultation Questions: Choose one of the modules of

Questionnaires from the models in WhatsApp Group.

➔ Listen: Try to involve all. Animator not to talk too much at this time.

➔ Evaluation: Feed back on how they journeyed the process.

All the consultation sessions should include two levels of sharing: How we journey

together as people of God (Faithful). How we journey together as a human family

(All humans) or even as a universal family (Environment)

Modes of Content

Companions on the journey

Listening

Speaking out

Celebration

Common Mission

Dialogue in the Church and society

Ecumenism

Authority and Participation

Discerning and Deciding

Formation

12

34

56

78

910

People in the Church

Listening and Speaking

LiturgyShared Mission

Discerning and Deciding

1. What does it mean to you journeying together as a

church?

Detailed modes in WhatsApp

group.

Methods and Means for Consultation

➔No perfect method, No “One Method” for reaching the 10 Areas of

the Church across to the groups.

➔ Coordinators to observe the experience of the group along with the

responses.

➔ Descern and Decide frequency of sessions and type of sessions.

➔ Introduce informal moments (ice breakers, tea break, meals,

relaxation moments, fun games…) in formal forums.

➔ Online and In-presence according to the context. Parish Whatsapp

groups can be a forum for consultation, google/zoom platforms.

➔ Artistic Expressions: Poster Contest for catechism groups, one

minute video contest on “dream church” for youth, Logo for sharing.

➔Walking pilgrimage to the next parish church. Pray, share and listen.

Methods and Means for Consultation

➔Two images from the Bible. For prayer and consultation.

➔ Spiritual conversation methods (Proposed by Nisha and

Cherrylyne?) Vademecum.

➔ Lumko/7 Step Method used in SCC to be adapted to 10 themes or

some themes of the TEN.

➔ Individual Responses through google sheet or personal submission

to Synod team encouraged if only they are not able to participate in

any group. Journeying together is more important than journeying

alone in consultation.

➔ Use Covid-19 Phase experienced as journey together or journey

alone in the Church. Sharing of experinces.

Getting ready for Pre-Diocesan Synod

➔Ideal month: January 2023.

➔ Decide on date/s.

➔ Reps from different sectors of the diocese (sensitive to language,

gender groups).

➔ Collated responses from the Groups to be prepared as a mini

working document for pre-synod.

➔ Have moments of celebration, fellowship and experiences.

➔ In Presence recommended. Possibility of Hybrid meeting can be

explored.

➔ Refer to Appendix C in Vademecum on organisation.

➔ Synod Team to synthesis the final report of the Presynod.

Final Caution

1. Refer to Resources. PD, Vademecum and Synod Website.

2. Focus on Process. It is the process that is most significant in this

phase. It is a phase of listening and sharing and experiencing the

Synodality in the diocese

3. Be adaptive. Don’t get stuck with any methods and content. See

what is best suited to your context and the people.

4. New Way of Being Church. Find new ways of involving your groups.

What is more important is to include all, exclude none. Post in the

group if something new (method, content, expressions… )

5. Prospects more than Problems. Avoid too much of problem-

cantered sharing but focus more on how we can enhance the Church

through proper communion, participation and mission.

Final Caution

6. Respect, Rediscover. Respect the rights and dignity and opinion of

each participant. Give fair chance to everyone .

7. No Majority Consensus. No voting, no majority consensus. “Minority

Reports” to be respected. not a political battle, not winning and losing.

8. Synod is not final. Only consultative bodies. No one synod is going

to solve all our problems. It’s a journey.

9. A Permanent Team? The Diocesan synodal team can continue upto

October 2023 and beyond in updating and implementing the synod .

10. Feedback process. Core Team to send suitable consultation format

to different groups. Set the target date to submit the report. All reports

may not be written down depending on the nature of the groups.

➔ “If you want to go fast, go

alone. If you want to go far, go

together”. African Proverb in

Christus Vivit, 167. by Pope

Francis

That’s all folks!A Nitika Don Bosco Catechetical

Presentation!

Prepared by Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB

Kolkata,