Seminarian Matthew Lo explains the synod process to DM members
By Douglas Naun
Jan 24 2022
KARAMUNSING – Parish priest of Sacred Heart Cathedral parish, Fr Paul Lo, who accompanied 28 participants from the Apostolate of Divine Mercy during their Synodal consultation process on Jan 8, thankfully acknowledged their presence.
He remarked that the small number of attendees was considered “normal” as many parishioners were still fearful because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Fr Paul informed that the two seminarians who were posted to the Cathedral parish to do their pastoral immersion, would also be walking together with the parishioners during their consultation.
Seminarian Matthew Lo, a second year Philosophy in College General Penang, also a devotee of Divine Mercy from the Chinese group, would be in the parish for one month, while seminarian Jerry Joseph Muhamat, doing his final year, would be in the parish for four months.
Matthew was given the task of explaining the Synodal process with Jerry assisting him.
The process began with the recital of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in two languages (English and BM) as the participants were from these two speaking groups.
Matthew informed the participants that the Synod Process called by Pope Francis is the way of being the Church today. It is a listening process and journeying together towards the Synod of Bishops held in Rome in 2023, with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Participation, Communion and Mission”.
He briefed the participants on the methodology of the process where everyone would be required to answer three questions each focusing on: Communion: Companions on the Journey (Parish/Diocese); Participation: Dialogue in Church and Society; and Mission: Sharing Responsibility for our Common Mission.
All those present were put into five small groups and given an hour to discuss. At the end of the discussion, a representative from each group reported the sharing from their group to the others.
Before proceeding into the break up sessions, Matthew led the participants to invoke the Holy Spirit to guide them in their discussions.
The Synodal consultation concluded with a closing prayer by Matthew, and a simple lunch fellowship at the parish canteen.
