2017 Synod Survey Gatherings Resource Page
For teachers, catechists, youth ministry teams, young adult ministry leaders, small group leaders, etc.
First of all, THANK YOU for assisting with this unique opportunity we have to gather input
from teens, young adults, parents and Church leaders that can help to shape our diocese,
our national Church and the global Church!
Pope Francis genuinely wants to hear from as many people on this topic of
YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FAITH, AND VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT
as possible for the 2018 Synod meeting of Bishops.
In whatever way(s) you can help us reach more participants, know that it is greatly appreciated!
from teens, young adults, parents and Church leaders that can help to shape our diocese,
our national Church and the global Church!
Pope Francis genuinely wants to hear from as many people on this topic of
YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FAITH, AND VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT
as possible for the 2018 Synod meeting of Bishops.
In whatever way(s) you can help us reach more participants, know that it is greatly appreciated!
6.19.17 Bishop Murry asked that the deadline be extended to August 15th in order to encourage even more participation.
Please make a note of it wherever you find July 31, it should now read August 15th. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Please make a note of it wherever you find July 31, it should now read August 15th. Sorry for any inconvenience.
What is the Synod of Bishops? |
What is the purpose of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops? |
Step One: Decide whom and how you want to gather for a Listening Session
For teachers and catechists, this will be pretty easy as you will most likely use classroom time;
however, others may need to choose:
> utilize time at an already-planned event or
> host a special session
If you decide on a special session, do you wish to focus on high school teens alone,
or with their parents,
or with young adults,
or with all the survey populations together?
Will you host just one opportunity, or a couple of dates/times to try to reach more people?
Will you host the gathering for your own parish/community, or work in collaboration with neighboring parishes?
This answer will vary from community to community.
You will also need to decide on the length of time for the gathering(s).
It is possible to give just a quick overview and emphasize the importance of participating, perhaps with 10 minutes time if you are doing this within your classroom or adding on to an already-scheduled event,
or you may want to allow an hour for a Listening Session with prayer and discussion (perhaps more if food will be offered).
Step Two: Advertise and Promote
Again, within a classroom setting, the promotion might take place after the introduction of the surveys in class
with follow up reminders to complete the online surveys.
For gathering(s) specifically held as Listening Sessions, use all your means to share the invitation to our intended audience --
pulpit announcements, bulletin announcements, webpage notice, social media postings, postcards or letters, newsletters,
and PERSONAL INVITATION whenever possible.
Step Three: Prepare
Pray for a fruitful gathering, and for all who are invited to seriously consider participation.
Also, set your game plan. A few resources are below for your use.
Step Four: Gather, share and listen!
Best wishes for a productive and inspiring session!
Step Five: Submit your report to the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry by August 15th!
and encourage everyone to complete the online surveys.
Hopefully, you were able to learn a few things from the participants that might help to shape your local offerings,
as we will use them to consider future resources from the diocese, and as the Bishops will use with the Holy Father to guide the universal Church!
For teachers and catechists, this will be pretty easy as you will most likely use classroom time;
however, others may need to choose:
> utilize time at an already-planned event or
> host a special session
If you decide on a special session, do you wish to focus on high school teens alone,
or with their parents,
or with young adults,
or with all the survey populations together?
Will you host just one opportunity, or a couple of dates/times to try to reach more people?
Will you host the gathering for your own parish/community, or work in collaboration with neighboring parishes?
This answer will vary from community to community.
You will also need to decide on the length of time for the gathering(s).
It is possible to give just a quick overview and emphasize the importance of participating, perhaps with 10 minutes time if you are doing this within your classroom or adding on to an already-scheduled event,
or you may want to allow an hour for a Listening Session with prayer and discussion (perhaps more if food will be offered).
Step Two: Advertise and Promote
Again, within a classroom setting, the promotion might take place after the introduction of the surveys in class
with follow up reminders to complete the online surveys.
For gathering(s) specifically held as Listening Sessions, use all your means to share the invitation to our intended audience --
pulpit announcements, bulletin announcements, webpage notice, social media postings, postcards or letters, newsletters,
and PERSONAL INVITATION whenever possible.
Step Three: Prepare
Pray for a fruitful gathering, and for all who are invited to seriously consider participation.
Also, set your game plan. A few resources are below for your use.
Step Four: Gather, share and listen!
Best wishes for a productive and inspiring session!
Step Five: Submit your report to the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry by August 15th!
and encourage everyone to complete the online surveys.
Hopefully, you were able to learn a few things from the participants that might help to shape your local offerings,
as we will use them to consider future resources from the diocese, and as the Bishops will use with the Holy Father to guide the universal Church!
Social Media post, or print and copy for hand-out card for the surveys:
or
RESOURCES TO HOST A LOCAL GATHERING FOR INPUT:
Short form -- to use within a class or part of an existing program:
Timeline: (Approximately 20 minutes if each participant can complete the survey onsite):
Opening Prayer (2 minutes)
What is a Synod? (5 minutes)
Why your voice is important as part of the local and universal Church (3 minutes)
Completing the survey (5 - 10 minutes)
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
Opening Prayer (2 minutes)
What is a Synod? (5 minutes)
Why your voice is important as part of the local and universal Church (3 minutes)
Completing the survey (5 - 10 minutes)
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
Longer Form -- to use for a stand along listening session
Timeline: (Approximately 90 minutes with participants completing the survey on their own):
Welcome and Opening Prayer (3 minutes)
What is a Synod? (5 minutes)
Why your voice is important as part of the local and universal Church (3 minutes)
Small group discussions (30 minutes)
Large Group Sharing (20 minutes)
Prioritizing Input for the Diocese (10 minutes)
Instructions on completing online survey (3 minutes)
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
Snacks
Team members needed:
____ Skilled Facilitator _____ Timekeeper
____ Hospitality team members (greeting, snacks) _____ Small group facilitators
____ Note-takers (small groups and large group sharing)
____ Prayer leaders
Materials needed:
____ Sign in sheet(s) _____ Pens and paper (or copies of the Small group questions) for participants
____ Name tags/markers _____ Computer with projector and wifi (to show websites, possible show prayers)
____ Snacks
Welcome and Opening Prayer (3 minutes)
What is a Synod? (5 minutes)
Why your voice is important as part of the local and universal Church (3 minutes)
Small group discussions (30 minutes)
Large Group Sharing (20 minutes)
Prioritizing Input for the Diocese (10 minutes)
Instructions on completing online survey (3 minutes)
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
Snacks
Team members needed:
____ Skilled Facilitator _____ Timekeeper
____ Hospitality team members (greeting, snacks) _____ Small group facilitators
____ Note-takers (small groups and large group sharing)
____ Prayer leaders
Materials needed:
____ Sign in sheet(s) _____ Pens and paper (or copies of the Small group questions) for participants
____ Name tags/markers _____ Computer with projector and wifi (to show websites, possible show prayers)
____ Snacks
LISTENING SESSION TOOLS:
NOTE: The Diocese needs your summary form to be submitted using the form above NOT by mailing in paper copies.
Thank you for taking the time to enter that data!
Don't forget to ask Listening Session participants to still complete the online survey!
Thank you for taking the time to enter that data!
Don't forget to ask Listening Session participants to still complete the online survey!
Possible Closing Prayer options for your Gathering:
BLESSING OF
A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE Let us ask God to bless us, and our families and friends. (A moment of silence...) Father of us all, look upon us in Your love, and bless us. Be merciful to us, and to our families and friends. Protect us from sin and harm, and guide us with Your light until we come together again. May you be protected and blessed, and made strong in faith, hope, and love by our all-powerful God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
Bulletin announcement templates:
Suggested bulletin announcement for surveys:
Pope Francis wants to hear from high school teens, parents, young adults (ages 19 – 30s) and parish leadership! In preparation for an international gathering of bishops (called a Synod), YOUR input is needed on questions related to the topic of “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” Please take 5 – 15 minutes to log into to www.doy.org and click on the “Synod Surveys” link to complete a survey before August 15. Your responses will also help to guide the services in our diocese.
Suggested bulletin announcement for a hosted gathering/listening session:
Pope Francis wants to hear from high school teens, parents, young adults (ages 19 – 30s) and parish leadership! In preparation for an international gathering of bishops (called a Synod), YOUR input is needed on questions related to the topic of “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” Please join us for a conversation on
___(Date, time)___ at ___ (location)___. RSVP to ___(name and number) ___ by ___(date)___. If you are unable to join us, then be sure to take 5 – 15 minutes to log into to www.doy.org and click on the “Synod Surveys” link to complete a survey before August 15. Your responses will also help to guide the services in our diocese.
Suggested bulletin announcement for surveys:
Pope Francis wants to hear from high school teens, parents, young adults (ages 19 – 30s) and parish leadership! In preparation for an international gathering of bishops (called a Synod), YOUR input is needed on questions related to the topic of “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” Please take 5 – 15 minutes to log into to www.doy.org and click on the “Synod Surveys” link to complete a survey before August 15. Your responses will also help to guide the services in our diocese.
Suggested bulletin announcement for a hosted gathering/listening session:
Pope Francis wants to hear from high school teens, parents, young adults (ages 19 – 30s) and parish leadership! In preparation for an international gathering of bishops (called a Synod), YOUR input is needed on questions related to the topic of “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” Please join us for a conversation on
___(Date, time)___ at ___ (location)___. RSVP to ___(name and number) ___ by ___(date)___. If you are unable to join us, then be sure to take 5 – 15 minutes to log into to www.doy.org and click on the “Synod Surveys” link to complete a survey before August 15. Your responses will also help to guide the services in our diocese.
A one-page Bulleting Insert was requested
-- thank you for your willingness to print and insert these to help get the word out to your parishioners!
-- thank you for your willingness to print and insert these to help get the word out to your parishioners!
A paper-version of the Catholic Youth Survey was Requested, so it is attached below...
However, PLEASE NOTICE that the survey must be completed online
to be included in the diocesan, national and international reports.
Instruct the teens to visit: http://www.doy.org/
and click on the “Pope Francis Wants To Hear From You” icon to connect to Synod Surveys,
OR
you make arrangements to have someone enter them online for the diocese.
All electronic versions due by August 15th.
(No paper reports accepted.)
However, PLEASE NOTICE that the survey must be completed online
to be included in the diocesan, national and international reports.
Instruct the teens to visit: http://www.doy.org/
and click on the “Pope Francis Wants To Hear From You” icon to connect to Synod Surveys,
OR
you make arrangements to have someone enter them online for the diocese.
All electronic versions due by August 15th.
(No paper reports accepted.)