Diocese of Venice to host 'Listening Sessions' as part of Catholic Church Synod

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The Diocese of Venice and Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane will host several “Listening Sessions” as part of its participation in the Catholic Church Synod entitled “For A Synodal Church: Communion Participation and Mission."
The Diocese of Venice and Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane will host several “Listening Sessions” as part of its participation in the Catholic Church Synod entitled “For A Synodal Church: Communion Participation and Mission."

VENICE — The Diocese of Venice will host several “Listening Sessions” as part of its participation in the Catholic Church Synod entitled “For A Synodal Church: Communion Participation and Mission,” a worldwide effort for a “deeper communion, fuller participation, and greater openness to fulfilling our mission in the world,” according to Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice.

“These upcoming Listening Sessions are an important exercise in just that – listening,” Bishop Dewane said. “Pope Francis has asked us for our input. It is important to listen to each other and to the Holy Spirit as a community and discern what God is calling us to do; to learn how to become the Church that God calls us to be.”

Eleven Listening Sessions will be held at various locations through May 23. Listening Session locations were selected in an effort to include as much of the population and geography of the Diocese as possible. All are welcome.

In the northern area of the Diocese, Listening Sessions will be held Feb. 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Epiphany Cathedral, 350 Tampa Ave. West Venice, and Feb. 22, 6:30-8 p.m., St. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish, 2850 75th St. W., Bradenton. To view a complete list of Listening Sessions, visit bit.ly/3uJXsw7.

For those unable to attend a live session, a virtual Listening Session will be held later in May. The Diocese has also set up a dedicated email for those who wish to share their thoughts: synod@dioceseofvenice.org. Information gathered at the Listening Sessions will be shared with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and ultimately with the Vatican.

"Synod” is a venerable word in the tradition of the Catholic Church, and synodality expresses the idea that the entire Church walk forward together. For more information about “For A Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,” visit bit.ly/3uK7ME8.

The Diocese of Venice in Florida was established by St. John Paul II in 1984 and today includes 61 parishes, 15 schools and serves an estimated 250,000 Catholics. For more information, visit dioceseofvenice.org.

Submitted by Karen Schwarz

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Diocese to host 'Listening Sessions' as part of Catholic Church Synod