Event Dates & Times:
- Start Date:June 15, 3:00 pm
- End Date:June 18, 12:00 pm
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Event Type:
Faith Formation Retreat
- eventWizardUrl:https://www.synodalchurch.ca/
Event Location Information:
- Location:290 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G3, Canada
About The Event:
In June 2025, at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario, Catholics from across Canada will gather to experience first-hand this idea of synodality. Guided by Canadian Synod delegates who attended the meetings in Rome in 2023 and 2024, and supported by a Steering Committee of leaders from many Canadian Catholic organizations, we will gather, pray, listen, speak and celebrate! In this way, we will have a direct experience of the synodal method and learn how to apply it as we seek to discern what the Spirit is saying to the church in Canada.
Who is invited to the Synodal Gathering at St. Jerome’s in June?
This gathering is meant for anyone who is curious about the Synod on Synodality and what it might mean for the Canadian church.
It is for those who are sure and those who are not. It is for those who are already actively working in various parts of the church and for those who are still trying to find their place. It is for those who are looking for opportunities to come together with fellow Catholics – lay, clergy, religious – to explore the challenges and the joys, the hopes and the fears that go with trying to follow Jesus in our place and time.
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If you are aged 18 to 90+ and want to learn more about synodality, this gathering is for you.
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If you are not sure what synodality might mean for your faith and how you express it, this gathering is for you.
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If you are already very engaged in the synodal project and want to deepen your understanding and learn how to do it better, this gathering is for you.
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If you are part of a community or parish that is exploring how to make synodality more of a reality where you are, this gathering is for you.
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If you are feeling a bit isolated or alone in your desire for a more synodal experience of church, this gathering is for you.
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If you are looking for ways to ground your parish’s or organization’s activities more deeply in listening and prayer, this gathering is for you.
REGISTER HERE
Journey of Encounter Synod Event Schedule
(Subject to change)
June 15-18, 2025
This is an in-person event only, except for the Tuesday evening Live Stream of the conversation with Bishop Faubert
While the gathering will be conducted predominantly in English, we will do our best to accommodate French-speaking conversation circles. These will be available dependent upon the number of those who register and indicate this preference.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors and donors whose financial support has made all this possible!
Please check the website and the printed program for more details about our wonderful sponsors and donors.
Sunday June 15
3:00-6:00 p.m. – Arrival/Check in at St. Jerome’s University in the Atrium
4:00 p.m. – Sunday Mass in the Chapel
5-6:30 p.m. – Dinner in the cafeteria
6:30 p.m. – Official Welcome in the Chapel
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Tammy Webster, Indigenous Leader and Member of St Jerome’s Indigenous Advisory Circle
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Bishop Douglas Crosby OMI, Bishop of Hamilton
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Peter Meehan, President of St. Jerome’s University
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Gary Warner, Chair of the Synod Event Steering Committee and Chair of Concerned Lay Catholics
7:00 p.m. – Retreat begins – This will start in the Chapel
“What is needed is the ability to cultivate an interior space which can give a Christian meaning to commitment and activity …
The Church urgently needs the deep breath of prayer….”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), paragraph 262
9:00 p.m. – Retreat concludes for the day with Taizé Prayer in the Chapel
Monday June 16
7:30-9:00 a.m. – Breakfast in the Cafeteria
8:00 a.m. – Meditation in the Chapel
8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer in the Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Retreat continues in the Chapel
10:00 a.m. – Break – refreshments available in the Atrium
10:15 a.m. – Get to know you- Introductions at tables in the Atrium
10:30 a.m. – Conversations in the Spirit #1 in the Atrium
Living Our Baptismal Call
Presenters
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Pauline Lally, SP
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Carol and Terry Sullivan
11:00 a.m. – Conversations in the Spirit – Circle conversations in the Atrium
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch in the Cafeteria
1:30 p.m. – Conversations in the Spirit #2 in the Atrium
Embracing Catholicity – Todos! Todos! Todos!
Presenters
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Mark Guevarra
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Gary Warner
2:00 p.m. – Conversations in the Spirit – Circle conversations in the Atrium
3:00 p.m. – Break – refreshments available in the Atrium
3:30 p.m. – Meet the Authors in the Atrium
an opportunity to chat with…
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Catherine Clifford
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Mark Guevarra
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Michael W Higgins
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Christine Way Skinner
A limited # of books will be available for purchase by cash, cheque or e-transfer. Feel free to bring your own copy for signing by the author.
5-6:30 p.m. – Dinner in the Cafeteria
6:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer in the Chapel
7 :00-9 :00 p.m. – Indigenous Celebration in the Atrium
Featuring
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Six Nations Women Singers and other honoured guests
Tuesday June 17
7:30-9:00 a.m. – Breakfast in the Cafeteria
8:00 a.m. – Meditation in the Chapel
8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer in the Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Announcements in the Atrium
Conversations in the Spirit #3 in the Atrium
Growing in Synodality
Presenters
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Pierre Ducharme, OFM
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Agnes Richard
9:30 a.m. – Conversations in the Spirit-Circle conversations in the Atrium
10:30 a.m. – Break – refreshments available in the Atrium
11:00 a.m. – Tribute to Pope Francis-Pilgrim of Hope with Michael W. Higgins in the Atrium
12-1:30 p.m. – Lunch in the Cafeteria
1:30 p.m. – Conversations in the Spirit #4 in the Atrium
Walking as Pilgrims of Hope
Presenters
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Carol Thomas OP
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Daryold Corbiere Winkler
2:00 p.m. – Conversations in the Spirit-Circle conversations in the Atrium
followed by Appreciation to our Presenters
3:00 p.m. – Free time – refreshments available in the Atrium
(Opportunities to visit local examples of ‘church in mission’- sign in at check in.)
5-6:30 p.m. – Dinner on your own (List of local eateries in your package) – Cafeteria or off-site
6:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer in the Chapel
7:00 p.m. – Keynote Presentation in the Chapel (and live streamed)
Bringing Home the Synod: Hopes for its Implementation in Canada
Bishop Alain Faubert (remotely) in Conversation with Cathy Clifford moderated by Peter Meehan.
8:00 p.m. – Catered Reception-time for celebration! in the Atrium
Wednesday June 18
7:30-9:00 a.m. – Breakfast in the Cafeteria
8:00 a.m. – Meditation in the Chapel
8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer in the Chapel
9:00 a.m. – Concluding Plenary in the Atrium
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Summaries of the Four Themes from the Circle Conversations
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Comments from the Special Advisers (Cathy Clifford, Pierre Ducharme, OFM, Michael W. Higgins, Raymond Lafontaine, Peter Meehan, Linda Staudt)
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What’s Next? Joe Gunn
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You tell us!
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Wrap Up -Gary Warner
10:30 – Break-refreshments available in the Atrium
11:00 – Eucharistic Liturgy in the Chapel
Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI presiding and preaching.
Followed by Commissioning ceremony
12:00 p.m – Lunch in the Cafeteria
Depart-check out