Program

Photo ©synod.va/lagarica

Journey of Encounter Synod Event Schedule

(Subject to change) 

June 15-18, 2025

This is an in-person event only, except for the Tuesday evening Live Stream of the conversation with Bishop Faubert

While the gathering will be conducted predominantly in English, we will do our best to accommodate French-speaking conversation circles. These will be available dependent upon the number of those who register and indicate this preference. 

We are grateful to our generous sponsors and donors whose financial support has made all this possible!

Please check the website and the printed program for more details about our wonderful sponsors and donors.

Sunday June 15

3:00-6:00 p.m. - Arrival/Check in at St. Jerome’s University in the Atrium 

4:00 p.m. - Sunday Mass in the Chapel

5-6:30 p.m. - Dinner in the cafeteria

6:30 p.m. - Official Welcome in the Chapel

  • Tammy Webster, Indigenous Leader and Member of St Jerome’s Indigenous Advisory Circle 

  • Bishop Douglas Crosby OMI, Bishop of Hamilton

  • Peter Meehan, President of St. Jerome’s University 

  • Gary Warner, Chair of the Synod Event Steering Committee and Chair of Concerned Lay Catholics 

7:00 p.m. - Retreat begins - This will start in the Chapel

“What is needed is the ability to cultivate an interior space which can give a Christian meaning to commitment and activity …
The Church urgently needs the deep breath of prayer….”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), paragraph 262

9:00 p.m. - Retreat concludes for the day with Taizé Prayer in the Chapel 

Monday June 16

7:30-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast in the Cafeteria

8:00 a.m. - Meditation in the Chapel

8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer in the Chapel

9:00 a.m. - Retreat continues in the Chapel

10:00 a.m. - Break - refreshments available in the Atrium

10:15 a.m. - Get to know you- Introductions at tables in the Atrium

10:30 a.m. - Conversations in the Spirit #1 in the Atrium
Living Our Baptismal Call

Presenters

  • Pauline Lally, SP

  • Carol and Terry Sullivan 

11:00 a.m. - Conversations in the Spirit - Circle conversations in the Atrium 

12:00-1:30 p.m. - Lunch in the Cafeteria

1:30 p.m. - Conversations in the Spirit #2 in the Atrium
Embracing Catholicity – Todos! Todos! Todos!

Presenters 

  • Mark Guevarra

  • Gary Warner 

2:00 p.m. - Conversations in the Spirit - Circle conversations in the Atrium 

3:00 p.m. - Break - refreshments available in the Atrium  

3:30 p.m. - Meet the Authors in the Atrium
an opportunity to chat with… 

  • Catherine Clifford

  • Mark Guevarra

  • Michael W Higgins

  • Christine Way Skinner

A limited # of books will be available for purchase by cash, cheque or e-transfer. Feel free to bring your own copy for signing by the author.

5-6:30 p.m. - Dinner in the Cafeteria

6:30 p.m. - Evening Prayer in the Chapel 

7 :00-9 :00 p.m. - Indigenous Celebration in the Atrium

Featuring 

  • Six Nations Women Singers and other honoured guests 

Tuesday June 17

7:30-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast in the Cafeteria

8:00 a.m. - Meditation in the Chapel

8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer in the Chapel

9:00 a.m. - Announcements in the Atrium

Conversations in the Spirit #3 in the Atrium
Growing in Synodality

Presenters 

  • Pierre Ducharme, OFM

  • Agnes Richard 

9:30 a.m. - Conversations in the Spirit-Circle conversations in the Atrium

10:30 a.m. - Break - refreshments available in the Atrium

11:00 a.m. - Tribute to Pope Francis-Pilgrim of Hope with Michael W. Higgins in the Atrium

12-1:30 p.m. - Lunch in the Cafeteria

1:30 p.m. - Conversations in the Spirit #4 in the Atrium
Walking as Pilgrims of Hope

Presenters 

  • Carol Thomas OP

  • Daryold Corbiere Winkler  

2:00 p.m. - Conversations in the Spirit-Circle conversations in the Atrium

followed by Appreciation to our Presenters

3:00 p.m. - Free time - refreshments available in the Atrium
(Opportunities to visit local examples of ‘church in mission’- sign in at check in.)

5-6:30 p.m. - Dinner on your own (List of local eateries in your package) - Cafeteria or off-site 

6:30 p.m. - Evening Prayer in the Chapel

7:00 p.m. - Keynote Presentation in the Chapel (and live streamed)
Bringing Home the Synod: Hopes for its Implementation in Canada

Bishop Alain Faubert (remotely) in Conversation with Cathy Clifford moderated by Peter Meehan. 

8:00 p.m. - Catered Reception-time for celebration! in the Atrium

Wednesday June 18 

7:30-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast in the Cafeteria

8:00 a.m. - Meditation in the Chapel 

8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer in the Chapel 

9:00 a.m. - Concluding Plenary in the Atrium

  • Summaries of the Four Themes from the Circle Conversations

  • Comments from the Special Advisers (Cathy Clifford, Pierre Ducharme, OFM, Michael W. Higgins, Raymond Lafontaine, Peter Meehan, Linda Staudt)

  • What’s Next? Joe Gunn

  • You tell us!

  • Wrap Up -Gary Warner 

10:30 - Break-refreshments available in the Atrium

11:00 - Eucharistic Liturgy in the Chapel

Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI presiding and preaching.

Followed by Commissioning ceremony 

12:00 p.m - Lunch in the Cafeteria

Depart-check out