The Diocese of Grand Rapids will begin hosting synodal listening sessions later this month as a part of Pope Francis' call for worldwide reflection on the future of the church.

In a Facebook post Feb. 14, the Diocese of Grand Rapids invited every Catholic in the diocese to participate in the sessions, sharing a video by Grand Rapids Bishop Rev. David Walkowiak.

“Bishop Walkowiak invites your participation in #Synod 2023. Listening sessions are happening in parishes now through mid-March – an opportunity to share your experiences – both the joys and the challenges – as a member of the Church, the people of God ‘journeying together,” the Diocese of Grand Rapids wrote in their Facebook post.

On Oct. 10, 2021, Pope Francis declared a “synod on synodality,” formally titled “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church.” The process will last for two years and involves expanding the existing “Synod of Bishops,” The Conversation reports. With this, bishops all around the world are tasked with consulting with monks, nuns, parishioners and laypeople to bring more openness and transparency to the church. They will then convene in 2023 to discuss how to move forward as a church that “journeys together.”

According to The Conversation, the term “synod” comes from a Greek word meaning “coming together” or “traveling together.”  While the Synodal tradition in the church began with ancient Christian leaders coming together to discuss and pray about issues affecting the entire church, these gatherings became infrequent by the 16th century. One of the main goals of the Second Vatican Council (1952-1965) was to reemphasize the role of bishops as leaders of their communities and to encourage more communication and cooperation between bishops, the article states. 

In Grand Rapids, the diocese invites Catholics to consider the question of what steps the spirit invites us to take in order to grow in “our journeying together.” A link to upcoming listening sessions can be found online at the Diocese of Grand Rapids website.