Archbishop Alexander K. Sample has announced that the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon will participate in the worldwide Synod called for by Pope Francis. We will have another time of Adoration on Saturday, March 5, starting with Mass at 8:30 am (please notice change in the regular Saturday morning Mass time), then continue with a Holy Hour followed by our listening session. During the adoration time there will be some scripture passages read and a few questions to reflect upon. After adoration, there will be time to reflect upon and share the answers to the provided questions. The responses will be shared with the group and then compiled together and sent on to the Archdiocese where these responses will be combined with the responses from parishes all throughout the Archdiocese and then will be sent on to the Vatican. Please call the parish office to let them know that you will be attending on March 5. In order to participate in the listening sessions, you must participate in the holy hour starting at 9:00 am. Watch our website and bulletin for upcoming synod events and items.
Three Synod Questions for Reflection
Scripture 1 John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Question 1 What in the church fills me with life? How is the Holy Spirit working in my life to deepen my faith and inspire me to be a better disciple and witness of Christ’s love to others?
Scripture 2 Hebrews 10:21-24
Since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
Question 2 As a community of believers, what experiences of the Catholic Church have brought joys or revealed wounds? And how can these experiences help us grow together in faith and offer the hope and healing of Christ to the greater community in which we live?
Scripture 3 1 John 1:1-4
Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Question 3 As a Catholic community, we are expressly enjoined to invite others into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. When we dream about how best to accomplish this, what steps is the Holy Spirit inviting the Church in western Oregon to take?
Click here for Synod Resources
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.
ll 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.