Synod Journey Reaches a Milestone as Diocese Gathers

More than 100 people from the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Centre from October 22 to 24 to discuss the future direction of the local Church. The three day Synod Assembly moved the diocesan process from a period of listening and discernment toward making decisions and setting directions.

The assembly followed 18 months of planning and several months of listening sessions held in parishes, schools, and communities throughout the diocese. During those earlier sessions, participants shared experiences of Church life, current challenges, and hopes for the future. The data and conversations from those sessions served as the foundation for the discussions at the assembly.

Following the conclusion of the listening phase, three working groups were established to address the most prominent themes identified by the community. The process seeks to determine how the diocese should respond to what God is asking of the local Church.