MONDAY, FEB. 21 - 9:20 a.m. | Synodality — Journeying Together: Pope Francis’s Vision for a Synodal Church

2022 CONFERENCE ON JUSTICE AND SOCIAL CONCERNS

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY THROUGH DIALOGUE AND ACTION: SYNODALITY AS JOURNEYING TOGETHER

MONDAY, FEB. 21 

9 a.m. | Welcome, Conference Overview and Introduction 

Alicia Cordoba Tait, D.M.A. Associate Vice President and Beirne Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, St. Mary’s University 

Invocation 

The Rev. John Thompson, S.M. Vice President for Mission, St. Mary’s University 

Synodality — Journeying Together: Pope Francis’s Vision for a Synodal Church 

The Rev. William J. Meyer, S.M., D.Min. Rector, St. Mary’s University 

Synodality comes from the Greek word synodos which means walking together, in Latin concilium — an assembly, a gathering, a process of consultation, getting together and discussing, but most importantly taking about where the believer has seen the Holy Spirit acting; it is a moment of discernment. At the heart of synodality, which Pope Francis is proclaiming, are two elements. First, synodality must involve the process of listening to the people; it is not just about leaders getting together and deciding on behalf of others. Secondarily, it is the moment of discussing where they both have seen the Holy Spirit act. It is a moment of discernment because of the testimonies of the assembled recognizing the actions of the Holy Spirit that a decision is now made. Pope Francis is deeply convinced that synodality is what God is calling the church to embrace at this time, that the church is essentially synodal. Everything we hear and read from the Holy Father must be understood in terms of synodality. 

The 2022 Conference on Justice and Social Concerns is inspired by Fratelli Tutti: Encyclical Letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship by Pope Francis and the concept of synodality, a term the Catholic Church used to describe the process of togetherness and collaboration. 

The three-day conference will reflect on the last two chapters, Paths of Renewed Encounter and Religions in Service of Fraternity in Our World. 

The conference will examine the chapters as they speak to community, action and dialogue.

All events are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise stated, all sessions will be held in the University Center, Conference Room A. To find daily links and detailed conference information, including discussion topics and questions and speaker biographies, visit www.stmarytx.edu/conference.