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Welcome

This site is a space for those wishing to journey with the Catholic Church toward deeper communion, participation, and mission.
Rooted in the spirit of the Synod on Synodality, this site is dedicated to listening, learning, and walking together as fellow pilgrims of faith. Whether you're deeply involved in your parish, curious about what synodality means, or simply seeking a more inclusive and Spirit-led Church, you're warmly invited to join the journey.
Here you'll find reflections, resources, and stories that highlight how ordinary Catholics — lay and clergy alike — are answering the call to become a more listening, discerning, and co-responsible Church.
Let’s walk this road together.


"Synodality is the path God expects from the Church of the Third Millennium." ~ Pope Francis'             

"Synodality is the greatest exercise of listening in the history of humanity." ~ Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, appointed by Pope Francis as retreat master of the Synod on Synodality.


What is Synodality?

Synodality in the Catholic Church means journeying together as the People of God — listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit in a spirit of communion, participation, and mission. It emphasizes shared responsibility among laity, clergy, and bishops, fostering dialogue, discernment, and a deeper sense of co-responsibility in the Church’s life and mission. Synodality is not about changing doctrine but about renewing how the Church listens and responds. Initiated by Pope Francis, it invites a more inclusive, listening Church rooted in Christ and led by the Holy Spirit — one that walks with people, responds to their realities, and seeks unity in diversity.

01.

Communion

The communion we share finds its deepest roots in the love and unity of the Trinity. Together, we are inspired by listening to the Word of God, through the living Tradition of the Church, and grounded in the sensus fidei [sense of faith] that we share. We all have a role to play in discerning and living out God’s call for his people.

02.

Participation

Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualified and are called to serve one another though the gifts they have each received from the Holy Spirit in baptism. In a synodal Church the whole community is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on making pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will.

03.

Mission

Our mission is to witness to the love of God in the midst of the whole human family. This Synodal Process has a deeply missionary dimension to it. It is intended to enable the Church to better witness to the Gospel, especially with those who live on the spiritual, social, economic, political, geographical, and existential peripheries of our world.

A Brief History of the Synod on Synodality

The Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) is the most ambitious reform initiative of Pope Francis’s pontificate. Rooted in his 2015 call for a listening Church, it unfolded in stages over several years with broad global consultation. By 2025, its vision has been formalized and is now being implemented worldwide by Pope Leo — aiming for a more participatory, mission-oriented, and inclusive Church by 2028.   Read More

Moving Forward with Synodality

To move forward with Synodality means embracing a Church that listens, journeys together, and discerns the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It calls for shared responsibility, open dialogue, and inclusion of all voices. This path leads to renewal, deeper communion, and a more faithful witness to Christ in today’s world.

Listening

Listening is at the heart of Synodality. It means more than simply hearing words—it involves attentive, prayerful, and respectful engagement with others, especially those whose voices are often ignored or unheard. In a synodal Church, listening is mutual: the faithful listen to one another, to the Holy Spirit, and to the signs of the times. 


This deep, communal listening fosters understanding, builds trust, and opens pathways for discernment and transformation. It is a form of love in action, shaping a Church that walks together in humility and unity, seeking God’s will through dialogue, empathy, and a spirit of shared journey.  

enlarging the tent

A Church of Welcome

“Enlarging the tent” means creating a Church that is open, inclusive, and welcoming to all. It calls us to stretch beyond familiar boundaries, making space for those who feel excluded or distant. This vision reflects God’s hospitality and invites everyone to find belonging within the life of the Church. 


Listening at the Margins

To enlarge the tent, the Church must listen deeply to voices on the margins—those hurt, overlooked, or disconnected. Their stories challenge and enrich the community. This process transforms the Church into a living tent: flexible, compassionate, and rooted in the Gospel, where all can journey together in faith and dignity.  

what the listening church heard 

Five key themes emerged, pointing to a Church that listens, includes, and journeys together in faith.

Formation: Both laity and clergy need formation in synodal values, listening, and shared discernment.

Inclusion: A strong call to welcome the poor, LGBTQ+ persons, disabled, divorced, and others on the margins.

Leadership: A shift from legalism to humble, merciful, Christ-like leadership marked by empathy and relational care.

Liturgy: Liturgical tensions exist, but Christ-centered worship must unify, nourish, and reflect the Church’s diversity.

Women: There is growing urgency for full, equal participation of women in all areas of Church life.

the future of synodality

The future of Synodality depends on cultivating the right attitudes, behaviours, structures, and practices. At its heart is listening—a posture of humility, openness, and mutual respect. But listening alone is not enough. Structures must support shared discernment and co-responsibility, while practices such as inclusive dialogue and communal decision-making must be consistently lived out. These external elements must be grounded in an inward conversion, a personal transformation that reflects Christ’s own way of love and service. Renewal and reform of the Church begin not only with institutional change, but with clergy and laity embracing the Spirit’s call to walk together in a new way.

Pope Leo

Does Church Leadership support synodality's implementation?

Yes, Church leadership strongly supports the implementation of Synodality. Pope Francis has led the Church into this renewed path, and Pope Leo is continuing that vision with clarity and commitment. He recognizes Synodality as essential to the Church’s identity and mission. Many local bishops around the world have embraced this call, fostering listening, inclusion, and co-responsibility in their dioceses. They are increasingly accountable to their communities and to one another, seeking to build a more collaborative and discerning Church. While challenges remain, leadership at both the universal and local levels is actively working to embed Synodality into Church life. 

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event1

Information sessions

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September 20, 10:00 AM - November 2, 8:00 PM

Hamilton, Ontario at St. Catherine of Siena Church

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Taking action

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event3

Synodal Practices

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synodality is a way of living our faith -- not a program

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