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To: Priests, deacons, men and women religious
From: The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
My dear brothers,
Peace and All Good Things!
As a follow-up to my memorandum of October 8, I am grateful to share a few updates regarding our archdiocesan participation in the Synod on Synodality or “Journeying Together.” Once again, I encourage you to join me in shepherding and tending our participation here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The Holy Father opened this worldwide convocation on Sunday, Oct. 10. I celebrated a Mass to launch the archdiocesan phase on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 10:30 a.m., at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
In our archdiocese, the consultation phase will formally begin the First Sunday of Advent (November 28) and will last through the end of February, 2022. Resources are being developed now to assist parishes and other communities to participate in prayer-centered listening sessions. These resources will be shared in early November, offering two templates for prayer and listening sessions (one three-hour session or three 90-minute sessions) that can be adapted as deemed best. There will be regional gatherings starting in January. In addition, an online survey will complement the gatherings. I encourage this process to be grounded in prayer, especially prayer before our Eucharistic Lord wherever possible.
Here are next steps that I ask you to take now and in the coming weeks:
- If you have not done so, please share the updated pastoral letter to all the faithful in a way you deem most appropriate (whether during Mass, in the bulletin, or in another parish communication).
- Please read and study the preparatory documents for the Synod, which can be accessed on the archdiocesan website as well as on the Vatican’s website.
- Please pray for this process and invite your parish community to pray as well. Consider hosting a Holy Hour for the Synod, especially to encourage a link between this synodal journey and our Eucharistic Renewal, in addition to promoting the Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, which is the prayer for the Synod.
- As the prayer-centered listening session resources become available in November, please discern with your parish teams and councils the best timing and arrangement for hosting a prayer and listening session at your parish. Campus ministries and other ministries, apostolates, and groups will also be invited to host sessions.
You can read more about the Synod in The Georgia Bulletin, from the Vatican’s website and from the section of the archdiocesan website dedicated to this. My homily from the Mass on October 17 is available here. Thank you for joining me in praying for this Synod and in helping me advance the process here in our local Church.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Archbishop of Atlanta
Letter to Pastors (Spanish)
Letter for Pastors to share with their communities (Spanish)