The final Diocesan Synod Report for the Diocese of Motherwell has now been issued and can be read below.
Reflection from Bishop Toal on Receiving the Diocesan Synthesis on the Synod on Synodality.
It was a moving experience for me to receive the Diocesan Synthesis of all the reports produced for
the Synod on Synodality at the ParaLiturgy on Ascension Thursday. It seems to me that a great
amount of work has been done by all who have participated and I express my gratitude to you all.
A special word of thanks to Fr Tom Magill and his team who have prepared and organised the
Synodal Process in the Diocese, and have now put together the Synthesis from all the responses
received. The Synthesis highlights the Love for the Lord and his Church expressed and witnessed to
by the People of the Diocese of Motherwell through participating with such faith and enthusiasm in
the Synodal Process. A particular expression of this has been shown by those who have offered so
much time and energy to ensuring we responded to the call of Pope Francis to participate in the
Synod by organising and presenting the suggested format and then receiving and collating the
responses. Many thanks also to all who have guided the sessions at Diocesan and Parish levels, and
in the Schools and for other participating groups.
On Ascension Day the Lord asked the Apostles to remain in Jerusalem to await the outpouring of the
promised Holy Spirit so they might indeed be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. They did so and
joined in continuous prayer with Mary until the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost and so
began the Church’s Mission. We, as the People of God today, have received the same Spirit and
participate in communion with one another in the Lord’s Mission. As we pray with Mary for the
renewal of the Holy Spirit among us this Pentecost we thank God for the graces already received
this year through the praying, listening, and communicating with each other experienced in the
Synodal Meetings. We now ask the Lord to bestow upon us the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we
might discern from the Synthesis how best to continue the Lord’s Mission here in Motherwell
Diocese in the challenging times ahead. May the Holy Spirit lead us in our search and may Mary’s
example and intercession keep us in communion with the Lord and with one another in his Body, the
Church.
+Joseph Toal
27 th May 2022
