RENEW and the Synod

The pope and the bishops have called for the Church to be synodal as a normal way of life. The synodal process is essentially a specialized small Christian community process. To live up to the vision of the pope and the bishops, a parish has to be formed as a community of communities with leaders well formed in small-community dynamics. RENEW staff are the small-community experts and have been for almost 50 years.

RENEW is ready to help dioceses make the vision of the synodal church a reality. Our experience in forming lay leaders can help bishops and pastors create the pastoral councils called for by the pope and train people in the process of “Conversations in the Spirit” as a way to make decisions.

At RENEW, we believe that a parish that has a culture of small communities is the most fertile soil in which the synodal process can take root.

In parishes where small Christian communities are well established, we can train leaders in the nuances of a synodal process—as it is different from leading faith sharing in other contexts.

Where there is not a long history of small communities, RENEW can work with pastors to first establish small communities and train people in sharing their faith, and then train them further in the synodal process.

The synod requires small communities, and RENEW staff are the small-community experts. We can help make the vision of the synod for the Church a reality!

What Pastors Are Saying

The ARISE experience has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for the community of Holy Trinity Parish. The number one impact was the effect of faith-sharing on the daily life of the participants. They were able to express things in a safe and caring environment and share in other people's religious journeys; these sessions truly helped all participants be more open to salvation in Christ.

The greatest outcome of ARISE at Holy Trinity was the renewed sense of community experienced in the Eucharist. During this time of confusion about the nature of the Blessed Sacrament, a growing awareness of the centrality of the Eucharist has emerged and it serves our parish well. ARISE is a great tool for evangelization and catechesis in the twenty-first century.

Very Rev. Joseph R. Gibino

MA, STM, Ph.D

Holy Trinity Parish, Whitestone, NY

What Participants Are Saying

“ARISE has strengthened my faith through community, learning from others through our large groups, and also by reading the Bible more and just really interacting with God myself and building a personal relationship.”

Jane Becker

Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona, PA