Toward A Humble, Prayerful, Listening Church
The theme of “synodality,” implies a common space of listening, dialogue, and prayerful discernment. It is a new way of being Church. Time and again, Pope Francis has reminded us that the most important protagonist in this synodal journey is the Holy Spirit, just as the most important disposition is a prayerful and respectful openness to what the Spirit is saying to the Church as a global community of discernment. Toward this end, the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University is facilitating a series of synod-inspired conversations and events in partnership with our students, faculty, staff, and broader communities. Join us as we ask the Spirit to form us into a prayerful, humble, and listening Church.
JST-SCU Hosted Events
- 2/20 | 12PM | Unleashing the Gifts of Women for a Synodal Church | With Ellie Hildalgo, Co-Director of Discerning Deacons | An in-person luncheon for JST-SCU community members.
- 2/22 | 6:30PM | Discerning Deacons: Restoring Catholic Women to the Permanent Diaconate: Is now the time? | With Ellie Hildalgo, Co-Director of Discerning Deacons | In-person and online
- 5/2-3 | Women and Synodality: Where Can We Go From Here? | A conference where attendees are invited to learn from one another | In-person
- Spring of 2025 | International Conference on Synodality \ Santa Clara University
Synodal Moments
In partnership with Santa Clara University's Division of Mission and Ministry, we hosted a series of "synodal moments" that provide space for dialogue on important issues in the life of the Church.
- 2/26 | 12PM | Synodal Moment: How to uphold the dignity and equality of the children of God in a synodal church even when we disagree about identity and sexuality | With Fr. James Martin, S.J. | In partnership with the Division of Mission and Ministry | Online
- 3/21 | 12PM | Synodal Moment: How to Celebrate and Welcome the Gifts of Women in Ministry in a Synodal Church | With Sr. Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, PhD | In partnership with the Division of Mission and Ministry | Online
- 4/24 | 12PM | Synodal Moment: How to Become an All-Missionary Synodal Church that Welcomes the Vocations and Ministries of All its Members | With Cardinal Robert McElroy | In partnership with the Division of Mission and Ministry | Online
Community Parntnership Events
- 2/1 | 6:30pm | At the Santa Maria Parish Hall | Bringing the Synod Home | In partnership with the Diocese of Oakland | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 2/10 |9:30am-2:50pm | Parish Conference on Synodality | In partnership with Mary Magdalene Church, Berkeley, CA | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 2/14 | 12-2pm | "Conversations on the Synod on Synodality" | In partnership with Sacred Heart Jesuit Community, Los Gatos, CA | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 2/24 | 11am-2pm | "Conversations on the Synod on Synodality" | In partnership Colombiere Jesuit Health Care Community, Detroit, MI | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 2/28 | 7PM | “Reflections on the Synod on Synodality” | In partnership with St. Agnes Parish, San Francisco | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 3/22 | 10-11:45am | "Reflection on the Synthesis Report: A Synodal approach to formation" | In partnership Diocese of San Bernardino, CA | With Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 5/23 | 12pm | At the Loyola Institute of the Australian Catholic University | In partnership with the Jesuit Province of Australia | Featuring Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 5/23 | 5-6:30 | Newman College | "Contextual theology for a synodal church" | In partnership with the Jesuit Province of Australia | Featuring Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 5/24 | 7:30-9pm | Panel - St Ignatius' Church, Toowong | "Synodality and the life of the parish" | Featuring Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J., Orm Rush (priest of Townville Diocese and Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at the ACU) and Maeve Heaney VDMF (Director of the Xavier Center for Theological Formation at the ACU) | In partnership with the Jesuit Province of Australia
- 5/26 | 5-6:30 | Public Forum in North Sydney | “Becoming synodal people: forming clergy and laity” | In partnership with the Jesuit Province of Australia | Featuring Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
- 5/27 | 5-6:30 | Webinar with the Australian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform (ACCCR) | “The sense of faith of the faithful / Francis' Ad Promovendam Theologiam” | In partnership with the Jesuit Province of Australia | Featuring Dean Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.
Synodal Journey Flyer
Event Recordings
- 1/23 | 4:30PM | The Future of a Listening Church: A Conversation with Dean Orobator, S.J. | In partnership with the Division of Mission and Ministry | In-person | Watch recording
Resources
- Full schedule of Synodal Journey Events.
- "Towards a Prayerful, Humble, and Listening Church" by Dean Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.
- "A feast of words and a feast of encounters between people from every corner of the Church" by Dean Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.
- "A Risky, Hospitable Synod is Fine" by Dean Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ
- "The synod ends but nothing is finalized" episode of "Inside the Vatican" and a short article with Dean Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.
- "The Synod and after - the conversation continues" by Associate Dean Julie Hanlon Rubio
- "The Holy Spirit: The most misunderstood person of the Trinity?" a podcast interview with Associate Professor Christopher Hadley, S.J.