University of Notre Dame participates in Church’s Synod on Synodality | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › University of Notre Dame participates in Church’s Synod on Synodality University of Notre Dame participates in Church’s Synod on Synodality Published: March 01, 2022 Author: Carrie Gates Basilica of the Sacred Heart The University of Notre Dame is convening a synod on campus, as an expansion of the worldwide Synod on Synodality, conducted by Pope Francis. Through the Office of Campus Ministry, the University has invited nearly 2,000 students to come together, in groups of 10 to 12, for a series of listening sessions facilitated by a staff or faculty member. In more than 100 sessions scheduled between now and April 8, Notre Dame students have the opportunity to journey together in a discussion of their spiritual needs and religious viewpoints. “As Pope Francis has called on all leaders within the Church to listen authentically to the experiences, worries, joys and hopes of the People of God, we at Notre Dame were inspired to participate in this important moment in the Church,” said Rev. Peter McCormick, C.S.C., the director of Campus Ministry. “As a preeminent institution of Catholic higher education, we feel that this will not only be an important way that the University can be of service to the Church — by helping to share the voices and experiences of young people — but also an opportunity to better understand the faith experiences and spiritual needs of our students.” Each 75-minute listening session will focus on how students attend to their spiritual needs, where they find community at Notre Dame and what they would like the Church and the University to know about themselves and their faith. The findings from these focus groups will be compiled and communicated to the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend as part of the global synod process — and will also help inform the University’s work as it relates to faith, formation and discernment. “First and foremost, we hope that this listening initiative will yield deeper insights into our students’ lives of faith and their spiritual needs,” McCormick said. “By meeting with these students, we hope to better understand where they are coming from, their concerns and hopes when it comes to their spiritual journeys and how both the Church and Notre Dame can support them in their lives of faith. “We also see this as an important way the University can participate and support the broader work of the Church. We hope that by sharing what we hear and learn from these sessions we can contribute to both the mission of Catholic higher education and the future of the Church itself.”   Posted In: University News Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross August 09, 2022 de Nicola Center, McGrath Institute to host webinar series on caring for women and children after Dobbs May 13, 2022 Standing in solidarity: Notre Dame expands partnership with Ukrainian Catholic University January 25, 2022 Hundreds gather to observe Notre Dame Day for Life January 20, 2022 Alumnus Joe Donnelly confirmed as US ambassador to the Holy See For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn