The parishes of the Diocese of Tucson are conducting "listening sessions" in November and December in preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops: “For a Synodal Church: Communion + Participation + and Mission.

The Synod Diocese of Tucson is promoting the listening sessions in a series of posts on its Facebook page. The listening sessions are designed to let parishioners share experiences with each other and members of the clergy prior to the synod. Bishops from the Tuscon parishes will discuss with other bishops what they've learned in the sessions at the global Synod for Bishops in 2023.

The ancient Greek word "synod" means "coming together" or "traveling together;" news organization The Conversation describes ancient church synods as "a custom of local leaders coming together to pray and make decisions about matters affecting all the Christian communities in a region. They gathered in the faith that their prayers and discussions would reveal God’s will and the way to achieve it."

Over time, the Conversation reports, gathering for synods happened less and less frequently until the practice ceased after the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. The concept of regular synods wasn't again prioritized until the Second Vatican Council ("Vatican II") was held in mid-1960s, according to the Conversation. "One of Vatican II’s goals was to revitalize the importance of bishops as heads of their local churches and emphasize their cooperation with one another," the report states.

A permanent structure of the Synod of Bishops was created in 1965 by Pope Paul VI. In 2015, Pope Frances observed the 50th anniversary of the revitalization of the Synod of Bishops with a speech in which he said “A synodal Church is a Church which listens.” 

The Synod Diocese of Tucson advises the faithful to visit its website for updates on the Synod and schedules of the listening sessions.

"Pope Francis wants this synodal process to give voice to the saints of today - whoever they are and wherever they are," the diocese posted on Facebook.