NOVEMBER 10, 2023
mississippicatholic.com
Synod synthesis shows agreement, divergences, including on 'synodality' BY CINDY WOODEN
posals that emerged from the dialogue" on issues discussed VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A under the headings of synodreport summarizing discussions ality, communion, mission and at the assembly of the Synod of participation. Bishops said the church may Every item in the report was need more welcoming pastoral approved by at least two-thirds approaches, especially to people of the members present and votwho feel excluded, but also acing, synod officials said. They knowledged fears of betraying published a complete list of the traditional church teachings votes. and practices. Within the synod topics, Among the topics addressed members looked at the role of in the report were clerical sexwomen in the church, including ual abuse, women's roles in the in decision making, and at the church, outreach to poor and the possibility of ordaining women concept of "synodality" itself. deacons. The report asked for The assembly, with 364 votmore "theological and pastoral ing members – 365 counting research on the access of womPope Francis – met in working en to the diaconate," including sessions six days a week Oct. a review of the conclusions of 4-28 after a three-day retreat outcommissions Pope Francis set side of Rome. They were schedup in 2016 and 2020. uled to join the pope Oct. 29 for The paragraph, one of sevthe assembly's closing Mass. eral on the theme of women After the voting on the syndeacons, was approved 279-67, thesis concluded, the pope said which was more than the needhe wanted to remind everyone ed two-thirds support but still that "the protagonist of the syngarnered among the highest od is the Holy Spirit." He briefly negative votes. thanked the synod officers and Among members of the asjoined members of the assembly Pope Francis gives his blessing at the conclusion of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops' sembly, the report said, some in giving thanks to God. The assembly's discussions last working session Oct. 28, 2023, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Vatican thought the idea of women deacons would be a break with traset the stage for a year-long pe- Media) dition, while others insisted it riod of reflection that will culwould "restore the practice of minate in the second and final the Early Church," including at the time of the New Testament, which mentions synod assembly in late 2024 on the same topic. The 41-page synthesis report, voted on paragraph-by-paragraph Oct. 28, de– Continued on page 6 – scribed its purpose as presenting "convergences, matters for consideration and pro-
New Albany parish celebrates patron saint – St. Francis of Assisi BY GALEN HOLLEY
NEW ALBANY – Outdoors, on a perfect fall morning, was the ideal place and time to celebrate the life of perhaps the most popular saint in history. The parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Albany, as they do each October, gathered in the three-acre lot behind the church, in an open field, skirted by pine and oak, and sat facing the altar, shaded by a redbud tree. The faithful, some 350-plus, sat in folding chairs, and many stood in a wide semi-circle, as youngsters carried in the statue of St. Francis, led by the rhythmic thumping of drums, and the colorful blaze and synergetic movements of La Danza. The community of St. Francis of Assisi is 74 years old. The first gatherings were in the home of the Kelso family. Priests from the Glenmary Home Missioners were among the first to provide ministry to the faithful. St. Francis is now a parish in the diocese, with Father Jesuraj Xavier as the pastor. “St. Francis spoke the language of love,” said Father Raj, during his homily. “The saint asked God to make him a channel of peace.” That peace is much needed in a world torn by war, Father said. He mentioned the devastating conflicts raging in Israel and Ukraine.
“For us, St. Francis is not simply a name, but an identity,” said Father Raj. “St. Francis embraced poverty and humility, as well as joyful charity, and today we celebrate in nature, gathered around the Eucharist and united as one.” As Father Raj explained, the Italian mystic and itinerant preacher known to the world as St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226), was never ordained a priest. “He didn’t consider himself worthy to celebrate Mass and preside
at the Eucharist,” said Father Raj. “He remained a deacon and knew that his role was to exemplify poverty and simplicity.” St. Francis is also one of the very few saints to have borne the stigmata, or the wounds that Christ suffered during crucifixion. “St. Francis embraced nature and animals” said Father Raj, with a broad smile. “He would say ‘brother
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