Creative juices were flowing in St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, where an art project was developed as a tool to engage eighth grade religious education students. 

Viviana Bonilla, parish catechetical leader, said that she and members of the Synod team lead by Alberto Billini, visited each classroom to explain the Synod and assign a “Synod Gallery” project that offered students a way to explore their role in the Synod.

“Early on during the initial stage of the project, the team leaders and I realized that young people need non-traditional settings to express themselves,” Bonilla said.

“Having Listening Sessions was not the attraction. It was the art,” she said, noting that students were asked to create a board that conveys their understanding of the Synod. 

“The purpose of the project is mainly to help young people realize that their parish values their opinion and the importance for them to have a voice since they are the future of the Universal Church,” she said.

In St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, having a pastor who is “very committed to reaching out to the margins to welcome all people to be part of our parish community” was the motivation for two special Listening Sessions scheduled for members of the parish’s One in the Spirit LGBTQ Prayer Group, explained Synod facilitators Wilma Rossi and Marijane Michalowicz.

Referring to pastor Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, Michalowicz said, “It was very important to him to offer a prayerful place of warmth and welcome to the LGBTQ community,” noting that one Listening Sessions was in January and a second is scheduled for early March.

“Participants were eager to share both their joys and obstacles with the Church and offer suggestions to become a more welcoming Church for all people at the margins,” Rossi observed.
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“After co-hosting five Listening Sessions for different parish ministries so far, I’m learning more about the transformative value of ‘being heard’ and holding one another’s heartfelt stories of faith,” Michalowicz said. “Every story is unique; every story is sacred and every story matters!” 

Marie Costa of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, was eager to provide a comfortable environment where Catholics, including those who were lapsed, could share their thoughts in the Synod process, so she happily hosted Listening Sessions in her home, noting that the first group she welcomed were members of the Catholic Church who live in her condo complex.

“When I approached them and explained the Synod, they immediately agreed to attend,” Costa said, noting that she helped them to prepare by giving the question, “What have been the joys and obstacles in your journeying together with the Church?” in advance.

“The members of the first group were very comfortable in my home and had the confidence and trust that everything would remain confidential.”

Costa has also hosted two small group sessions bringing together senior citizens. One participant explained why she called herself a “collapsed” Catholic, Costa said. “When listening to her journey with the Church, I completely understood her point of view. Of course, as facilitator, I did not comment on her statement, I just thanked her for being so open to the process.”

Costa intends to hold two individual Sessions with young adult Catholics who no longer participate in the faith. “It is important for the Bishop and Pope to hear their story,” she said.