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Introduction to�Conversation in the Spirit

Archdiocesan Assembly for Synod 2024

Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga

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Do you remember this?

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What is it?

  • Introduced to us by the Jesuits to exercise COMMUNAL DISCERNMENT.

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>What is Communal? Shared by all members of the community

>What is Discernment?

1. Making decisions in the presence of God

2. Weighing two good things

3. Finding God in everything and in the ordinary

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Conversation in the Spirit

  • (Re)introduced to us by Pope Francis during the First Session of the Synod in 2023
  • Became the new method of synodal conversation and deliberation
  • We can trace our convergences, divergences, and proposal through this method.

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Two important ingredients

  • Active Listening (not only to words but also to feelings, importantly listening to the Holy Spirit)
  • Speaking from the heart (what you feel and think; your experience – Honesty)

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Parts of the Conversation in the Spirit

  • Introduction --- Preparatory
  • Body
    • Round 1
    • Round 2
    • Round 3
  • Closing

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Introduction: Preparatory

  • Opening Hymn (if applicable)
  • Opening Prayer (Synod Prayer)
  • Gospel Reading (if possible)
  • Introducing oneself to everybody
  • Ground Rules

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Closing

  • Review of notes (if applicable)
  • Final prayer (silence or actual prayer)
  • Announcements (if any)
  • Final Hymn (if applicable)

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Body: Part 1

  • Question 1: Working question (about the central topic for discussion, sometimes it can be a reflection)
  • Silence
  • Sharing (2 minutes each)

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Body: Part 2

  • Question 2: What struck you among all the sharing you heard? (Nanung mekayaus pansin keka karing dimdam mu?)
  • Silence
  • Sharing (2 minutes each)

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Body: Part 3

  • Question 3: Where is the Spirit leading us? (Proposals, nanung malyaring gawan, concrete actions guided by the Holy Spirit)
  • Silence
  • Sharing (2 minutes each)

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Q1 – Self

Q2 – Others

Q3 – All of us, together with the Holy Spirit (Proposal)

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Importance of Silence

  • Prayer
  • Asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
  • Think and reflect
  • Practical reason: Prepare yourself because you only have limited time.

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Basic (and simple) Ground Rules

  • Be conscious of your time (2 minutes ONLY!)
  • Do not speak, interrupt, comment, or react when somebody is speaking (Kindly wait for your moment to speak.).
  • Observe complete silence. This is a form of prayer.
  • Be honest.
  • Avoid unnecessary activities (cellphone, chatting your seatmate, etc.).
  • Speak clearly.

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Roles

  • Facilitator
  • Note Taker
  • Active Participants