Members of the Association around the world who are involved in the synodal path in their local churches shared their experiences so far of this Synod on “For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission”.
Maddalena Pievaioli, the TA general Secretary and liaison person with the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, began the meeting by pointing out that this ecclesial event has been described as the most important in the recent history of the Church after Vatican II. It is the first time that a synod has the express aim of listening to the voice of the Spirit that speaks through all people, believers and non-believers, and especially those on the margins.
22 representatives from 17 countries came together in two virtual meetings in mid-December. Goretti Gonsalves is the General Council member who is following up the TA Synod activities. She facilitated both meetings. Maria Rita Martin from the General Council also participated on one of the days.
The responses belong to all of us
The structure of both meetings was similar. After a few minutes of prayer, Maddalena Pievaioli spoke of how the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops asked not only the bishops of the local churches, but also the associations and movements of the whole Church, to appoint a representative to facilitate the participation of all their members in the process right from the start.
The role of this liaison person is to be a channel of information back and forth between the Secretariat and local communities. They are to facilitate opportunities for people to learn more in order to give depth to the synodal journey. They are to be a reference point and guide for their members who are involved in the process.
How does God want the Church to be in the world in the third millennium? How can we “journey together” and enable the Church to proclaim the Gospel today? What does the Spirit want us to do in order to grow as a synodal Church? These are, according to the Preparatory Document, some of the questions that the Synod must ask. The answers are to be found in the voices of people everywhere, especially the poor and marginalised.
Maddalena went on to point out where the Association is located in the synodal path:
- Inserted in the local ecclesial communities: parishes, dioceses etc. Contributions are collected and sent to the episcopal conferences of each country.
- Teresian Association members in each locality should plan how they are going to go about following the process.
- Involve all those who participate in our mission activities. Use creativity in listening extensively so that the voices of those who may not attend church can be heard.
Methodology
Maddalena pointed out that the Synod is asking us to concentrate on “us” rather than on “me”. It asks for conversion on a personal, associative and ecclesial level. The methodology of synodal groups can help in this as it proposes a way of being and not only of doing. This kind of methodology takes life, and not theory, as the starting point. There is time to listen to experience, which includes personal feelings, in a spirit of discernment. It is an inclusive methodology that gives those on the margins the possibility of being heard. It recognises the wealth of different charisms that benefit the community and humanity. The focus is not on where we have to go but on how we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit along the way.
Before concluding, Maddalena encouraged people to be attentive to what the bishops' conferences are offering in terms of training through their websites. The websites of other lay associations can also help. 
Sharing of experiences
In the second part of these meetings, each person presented the process that is taking place in his or her diocese or the TA locally. In some churches, consultations have been held, teams have been appointed to promote participation in parishes and the training of animators, or synodal groups and people willing to animate them have already been convened, reaching out to those who feel far from the Church.
The challenge is to get the information and the invitation to the greatest number of people possible and to translate the topics and questions into language that people can understand.
There are dioceses and parishes that have been silent since the official launch in October. Apart from perhaps the prayer for the synod in the parishes, there is no sign that the journey is beginning. Difficult socio-political circumstances in some places seem to play a role. Some people point out that it is easier to do things at the level of lay movements than at parish level.
As regards the TA, in addition to the involvement of members around the world in the synodal paths of parishes, dioceses or other lay movements, groups have started to meet in different places to work on synod themes. Others are still planning how to do it.
The TA in America has been reflecting on the Church in the wake of the Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean.
After discussing some local experiences, there was time for clarifications and questions: how will the Association's contribution to the Synod arrive; how can we combine the work of the Synod and the preparation of the Assembly of all the Associations a.e. (ATA) in the coming year.
Maddalena, Goretti and María Rita said that preparation for the ATA, and the training that is being offered in the TAnet course, can be a contribution that the Association can make to the Synod, given that synodal experience is sought. The methodology is that of listening circles in which the starting point is life and that leads via discernment to commitment. At the same time, the General Council and the General Secretariat will study how our contribution as Teresian Association, arising from the reflections of the various synodal groups, can be sent to the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops.
A further meeting of representatives is planned in order to continue sharing the synodal paths being followed in each country.
Maddalena and Goretti remained available for consultations. They encouraged everyone to foster participation wherever they are, to keep in contact with the ecclesial channels that collect contributions and maintain communication, and to be a bridge between the members of the TA in their country and the general level.
On this international website of the Association, TA groups will be able to share their experiences of the synodal path.
Estrella Sendra.
TA translators Team.
