Visiting lecturer Jesuit Father Joseph McHugh will speak 6-7:30 p.m., Feb. 20, at the Newman Center on “Synodality: encountering, listening and discerning.”
Father Mc-Hugh’s presentation will review the history of recent synods in the church and the evolution from clergy-only participants to Pope Paul VI’s 1964 encyclical “Ecclesium Suam” that stated that dialogue must be conducted with all people of goodwill, inside and outside the church.
This evolution continues with Pope Francis’ invitation to the Synod on Synodality, which has been an attempt to bring together the whole People of God (hierarchy, clergy and laity) to pray, listen to each other’s experiences and share where the Spirit of God may be leading us.
The speaker will give background on the three elements in the synodal process: encountering God in prayer; sharing and listening to what others are experiencing; and discerning where God might be leading the church.
Time permitting, there will be an opportunity to engage in the synodal process.
Father McHugh is on the staff at the Jesuit School of Theology Santa Clara.
Parking is available in the former Saint Francis School parking lot. For more information contact sharonlee@hawaiiantel.net.