On behalf of the Diocesan Synodal Team, I have great pleasure in sharing the completed Diocesan Synodal Report available here . If you wish to comment to us, you can do so at madeleine.walters@rcadc.org Thank you to all of you who supported the synodal process in your parish.
Four documents are available which have been issued from the Synod Office outlining the next phase in the work towards the Synod of Bishops in 2023-2024. This is known as the “Continental Stage” where the Bishops’ Conferences of the area in which you live (for us in Europe the CCEE will be leading on this) send delegations to an ecclesial gathering for further discernment of the theme of the Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, participation, mission. The documentation is available here: The Working Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) Frequently Asked Questions regarding the next stage of the process An updated Infographic for the whole Synodal Process 4. There was a Press Conference which presented the Working Document today which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKYiTsXYnwk
A Reflection from the Bishops of England and Wales following the compilation of the Synodal National Synthesis Document can be read here
Please find links below to the report following the Parish Synod meeting that took place in Hedley Lodge, Belmont, on. Saturday 3rd December The report is available here: Report on Synod Meeting held at Belmont Abbey 3rd December Excerpts from the Document for the Continental Stage that were discussed; Synod Day Excerpts Personal submissions in response to the Synod Day Excerpts are welcomed. +Mark writes; “Please invite individuals and groups in the parishes, to share any responses on the three questions, direct with me. It is an opportunity for me to hear direct from our parishioners, as somebody ‘new’ to the two Dioceses, if they would like. I am especially keen to hear from those who have not participated up to now. I am asking that these be shared with me by 20th December.” Please forwarded responses to Fr. Laurence Bryce, Private Secretary to Archbishop Mark O'Tool at privatesecretary@rcadc.org
Please find below the response to the Document of the Continental Stage from Archbishop Mark O'Toole, in Cardiff and Menevia. The report is available here: Response to the Document of the Continental Stage from Archbishop Mark O'Toole
Implementing the Synod: Becoming a synodal missionary Church in and around Herefordshire. Saturday, 18th January 2025 - Full Day 10am-4pm (Bring packed lunch)
We had had a number of emails relating to the Working Document, saying it was too long and not easy to read. There was a call for a shorter and simpler version. The Diocesan Synodal Team (DST) recognised that it is actually a beautiful document but felt that we had to answer the call. A member of the DST spent considerable time writing. a shorter and simpler version. The documentation is available here: Working document summary
HEALING SERVICE: 5th June 2026 -- The monthly Service of prayers for healing next takes place in the Abbey Church at 6.45pm on Friday, 5th June led by Fr Michael Clothier from the Community of Saint Gregory the Great. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions will be available. All are most welcome.
Event: Gather the fruits of Heart Speaks to Heart Saturday, 23rd May, from 10.00am (coffee) until 12:30pm Come and help GATHER THE FRUITS of our deanery’s HEART SPEAKS TO HEART six-week programme of parish meetings on the call by Pope Leo and Archbishop Mark to become synodal and missionary. After Abbot Brendan leads us in a time of prayer, we will hear from each parish about what arose from its meetings, then reflect together on next steps in small groups, using Conversation in the Spirit. The eve-of-Pentecost celebration will take place in The Chapterhouse, Belmont Abbey, on Saturday, 23rd May, from 10.00am (coffee) until 12:30pm, followed by CAFOD lunch for those who want to stay. (Once again, you do not need to have attended the meetings to come to this — all are welcome).
Dear friends in Christ, With the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord last Thursday, we have entered into the final part of Eastertide before its culmination with Pentecost next Sunday. Let us continue to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon ourselves and the Church as we prepare to celebrate His coming next week. Pentecost is also the birthday of the Church when the Apostles began their mission of evangelisation, animated by the Holy Spirit, to the whole world. As members of the Church and followers of Christ, let us not fail to continue the important work of evangelisation. Evangelisation has been an important theme running through our Parish Heart Speaks to Heart programme. This is the final week, Week 6 – Reflecting on the How (becoming Synodal), the sessions take place on Tuesday, 17th May 11.30am – 1.00pm and are repeated Thursday, 21st May 7.00pm – 8.30pm, both in the Parish Centre. These sessions include a video reflection from Archbishop Mark, Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of scripture), Conversation in the Spirit and a discussion. These are not just any ordinary meetings but are designed to help shape the future of the direction of the Parish by listening to its parishioners. I would encourage as many parishioners to attend as possible, even if you have not attended any of the other sessions. We want to hear as many voices as possible. Come and help GATHER THE FRUITS of our deanery’s HEART SPEAKS TO HEART six-week programme of parish meetings on the call by Pope Leo and Archbishop Mark to become synodal and missionary. After Abbot Brendan leads us in a time of prayer, we will hear from each parish about what arose from its meetings, then reflect together on next steps in small groups, using Conversation in the Spirit. The eve-of-Pentecost celebration will take place in The Chapterhouse, Belmont Abbey, on Saturday, 23rd May, from 10.00am (coffee) until 12:30pm, followed by CAFOD lunch for those who want to stay. (Once again, you do not need to have attended the meetings to come to this — all are welcome).
