Final Synod Document Resources
Resource Collection: As we move into the implementation stage of the synodal process, here are some key resources from the School for Synodality to help guide our understanding of the Final Synod Document.
Video Resources - Pathways Event
Our Resource: Video recordings from our ‘Pathways’ event, including the sections from Bishop Brendan Leahy and Austen Ivereigh
The School for Synodality held an online event - 'Pathways for Implementation: Next steps on our Synod Journey' - held on Saturday, 18th October at 11am (UK time). As ever, when the School for Synodality community gathered, there was plenty to challenge and inspire us. Come Holy Spirit!
This event was inspired by the guiding document for synodality released by the Vatican in June 2025, called ‘Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod’. The Final Document has been brought into church teaching, and as we seek to embed synodality in our everyday Catholic life and culture, we explore the next steps at grass-roots level.
Led by the School for Synodality Directors Dr Avril Baigent and Fr Matthew Nunes, we had author and commentator Austen Ivereigh give us an insightful overview of the Implementation Document, Bishop Brendan Leahy of the Limerick Diocese in Ireland as keynote speaker, and heard testimonies of how synodality is being successfully implemented in the Blessed Sacrament Parish of Exeter, England.
The School for Synodality Directors Dr Avril Baigent and Fr Matthew Nunes were also joined by Austen Ivereigh at the end of the session, for a panel discussion and to answer questions that arose.
Pathways for Implementation: Next steps on our Synod Journey'
The full video of School for Synodality’s online event held on Saturday, 18th October at 11am (UK time).
Austen Ivereigh
Author and commentator Austen Ivereigh gives us a brief background and guides us through what this means for parishes, dioceses, and the global Church.
Bishop Brendan Leahy
Join Bishop Brendan Leahy and Dr Avril Baigent as they explore the aspects of implementing the Final Document drawing on local and global experiences they discuss how listening, hope, and collaboration can shape a more participatory and missionary Church for the future.
Synodality testimony
Fr Jonathan Stewart and Angela Folden share their journey of implementing synodal practices in their parish of Blessed Sacrament in Exeter, England, with exciting and moving results.
Four Steps to Practising Synodality
Our Resource: A framework for thinking these new synodal processes and habits. Drawing on the Council of Jerusalem. It can be applied to any group making decisions or discerning the future.
Conversation in the Spirit Resource Cards
Our Resource: We have created these helpful cards that can be used to facilitate Conversations in the Spirit within your own communities. We have a professional printer version and a standard home printing version.
Video resource: Reimagining Pastoral Councils Workshop
Our Resource: The video of our online workshop from November 2024 exploring our latest resource, the ‘Pastoral Council Starter Kit’.
Moving to a new form of Pastoral Council requires learning new skills and practices, particularly in listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another. This is not so easy in practice!
The School for Synodality held an online workshop on 23rd November 2024 for all those interested in our resource ‘Reimagining Pastoral Councils, a Starter Kit’ which you can download here. We explained the journey of a reimagined Pastoral Council, talked through the practicalities, and gave the chance for attendees to share with others their own hopes for re-imagined pastoral councils in a synodal style in their communities.
Watch our edited video fo the workshop below:
Leading Prayer in Meetings
Our Resource: Step by step directions for meetings that draw on the rich tradition of Lectio Divina. This process can help us enrich decision making meetings to be both more effective, and become encounters that help us grow as living communities of faith.