In these days, the Church is preparing for the next Synod, which is entitled, For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission. We are trying to listen graciously to what is being hopefully graciously spoken.

As we continue our Advent journey, I want to encourage us all to become a people of expectation. Given what our world has journeyed through in the past few years, there is an understandable weariness within our society. Within this setting, we can be warmed by the fire of the Holy Spirit at work in our Church, within our parish communities. Let us make our own, the Prayer for the Synod, which has these words, Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. (Bishop David Oakley)