The Australia Province of the Divine Word Missionaries is putting Pope Francis’ call for a more synodal Church into action by engaging in a strategic planning session using the synodal methods of deep listening and dialogue.

The fruits of that strategic planning session, which involved the Provincial Council, some confreres, lay partners, benefactors and friends, will now be sent to all confreres at District level who will be asked to apply their own discernment and feedback, using the synodal methods.

Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD, said the two days of strategic planning was facilitated by Br Tony Clarke FMS and was a first for the Australia Province.

“This is the first time we’ve done this kind of almost corporate planning, but using the synodal method of conversation in the Spirit,” Fr Rass said.

“So, it is a different approach than what we’ve used in the past, but we felt it was necessary to go ahead with it and I was really pleased with the outcome.”

The strategic planning session, which was held at the Janssen Spirituality Centre (JSC) in Boronia, Victoria, was split into two days, with the first day being dedicated to planning for the Province at large and the second day dedicated to planning for the JSC.

“It was a follow-on from the Provincial Chapter directives asking us to put some concrete plan around our new vision and mission statements,” Fr Rass said.

“The SVD Generalate was also insisting that we come up with some strategic planning.”

Fr Rass, who attended the Synod on Synodality in Rome as a small group facilitator, said the method of discussion employed at the strategic planning session was a first attempt to respond to the call of the Synod.

“One of the things that came out of the Synod was this desire that we at least try to use the synodal approach in all spheres of ecclesial live,” he said.

“So, it’s about dialogue, discussion, going deeper, instead of going straight into the business of the day.

“I strongly believe it works. It could work for any family talks, any reconciliation ritual, or mediation, because it cuts across many cultures, and it is a very respectful way of sitting together.

“The second step for us now is to put it on paper and follow up what we discussed with the confreres to make sure they also have a go at what we’ve started.

“So, we’ll be sending it to the confreres to have a go at it at their own District level.”

Fr Rass said the synodal way was not always as quick and clear-cut as more top-down methods of governance, but its fruits were abundant.

“The geography of our Province means that it is going to take a bit of energy to follow it through, but it is participative and consultative and at the end, everyone will have had an opportunity to both listen and speak and the outcomes will emerge.”

Fr Rass said the second day of the strategic planning session considered the ministry of the Janssen Spirituality Centre, which opened in 2008 and is dedicated to the promotion of spirituality, inter-religious and cross-cultural relations.

“The planning day for the JSC was a follow-up from Australia’s Plenary Council to endorse the fact that interfaith dialogue and interculturality are two priorities of the Church, of Mission, and we are not running away from it,” he said.

“We are recommitting ourselves to interculturality and interfaith and expanding the tent so to speak, to include other adult formation programs.

“That was another thing to come out of the Plenary Council and the Synod, the need for formation at all levels of Church life.

“So, the outcome there is that we would like to expand the work of the JSC to include other adult formation activities or programs and to come up with some solid plans around that.”

Fr Rass said that with all the former directors of the JSC present at the meeting it was a good time to consider its continued development.

“It was a good opportunity actually, to look back in gratitude for all that has been, all that has taken place at the JSC and also to look to the future.”

“The whole two days was great. It was very gentle, contemplative and prayerful. This kind of deep listening conversation is a win-win for everybody – for God, the Holy Spirit, and all of us.”

PHOTOS: SVD confreres, lay members and friends gather for strategic planning days at the Janssen Spirituality Centre in Boronia, Victoria.