'Listening session' at St. Thomas to help determine direction of Catholic Church

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville invites the community to an in-person "listening session" on Monday, April 4.

It will be held at 7 p.m. in the church gym, 1500 Brookfield Road, Naperville. The session is part of a two-year synod process within the Catholic Church that is welcoming everyone's reflections on the Church and its mission.

And the invitation is extended to everyone: Catholics (practicing or not), other denominations or faiths, atheists or agnostics, those on the margins of society. Come and listen, and offer a comment or an opinion … it's your opportunity to voice your thoughts about the Catholic Church of the future.

The concept of "listening sessions" was introduced in October 2021 when Pope Francis asked every parish to hold "listening sessions" during a period of preparation for a "Synod on Synodality" of the world's bishops that will meet in Rome in October 2023. The goal is to provide input on 10 topics centering around three questions: where is the Church heading? where should it be heading? and how do we get there together?

In launching the two-year synod process, Francis encouraged the Church to master the "art of encounter" that is marked by listening and seeking to understand the other. "Every encounter, as we know, calls for openness, courage and a willingness to let ourselves be challenged by the presence and the stories of others," said the Pope.

The preparation period itself has three phases: diocesan, national and international. The diocesan phase begins with the "listening sessions."

In extending the invitation to the session that will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle, Chari Rosales, director of adult faith formation at the parish, said, "Tell us what's on your mind and in your hearts. We're all ears!"

With regard to COVID procedures that will be followed, the Joliet Diocese recommends wearing face masks but it is not a requirement. Specific questions about procedures may be directed to the church at (630) 355-8980.

For more information about the in-person "listening session," contact Rosales at crosales@stapostle.org or (630) 355-8980, ext. 138.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, please call (630) 355-8980.