Since April of this year the parishes of the archdiocese have been engaging in listening circles on the themes of Synodal Spirituality, Governance and Mission. Here in our own parish, we spent three Sunday mornings reflecting on these themes. We then sent our responses to the archdiocese and the combined reflections of all the parishes form the basis for the discussions that will be happening at the closing event on the 18th and 19th of September. Our parish will have four representatives at that closing event.
The final, 9 page document will be sent to you during the course of the week on the parish WhatsApp group so that you can see the bigger picture of the archdiocese. However, if 9 pages of reading does not fill you with enthusiasm, then let me present to you a very high level summary. Overall, it presents a Church community that is spiritually alive and deeply rooted in prayer, Eucharist, service, welcome, and belonging, while also recognising the need for stronger listening, clearer communication, wider participation, better formation, and more outward-facing mission. Key points:
- Synodal spirituality: Parishioners find life and renewal in the Mass, Adoration, Confession, Rosary, Scripture, retreats, catechesis, small groups, and parish fellowship. They value feeling known, welcomed, and invited into meaningful participation. The main call is to deepen prayer and formation while creating
more spaces for listening, especially for youth, families, newcomers, and those who feel unseen. - Governance: The responses appreciate existing parish structures such as the PPC, PFC, SCCs, ministries, sodalities, youth leaders, catechists, and outreach groups. However, many feel governance can be too top-down or unclear. The document calls for more transparent decision-making, visible leadership roles, regular consultation, clearer financial reporting, and better feedback after meetings or parish processes.
- Mission: Parishioners understand evangelisation through worship, welcome, Catholic identity, service, and personal witness. The document highlights strong foundations in liturgy, hospitality, charitable works, and community life. At the same time, mission is often too inward-looking, with limited outreach to lapsed Catholics, young people, families, and the wider community.
What has come through quite strongly is that every parish is being called to move from maintenance to mission, from passive attendance to shared responsibility, and from decisions made for parishioners to discernment with parishioners. The Holy Spirit is discerned as guiding the Church toward deeper prayer, unity, inclusion, accountable leadership, formation, youth accompaniment, and active missionary outreach. I think that is definitely a vision that we at St Martin de Porres would like to live and are already trying to live, however imperfectly.
