Synodal Listening: Building a Church That Listens

On October 4, following Second Sunday Mass in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, the Incarnate Word Sisters in San Antonio, Texas, through their Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation ministry, hosted a Synodal Listening gathering that brought together Sisters and laypeople.

The gathering welcomed Dr. Virginia Mata, Director of Social Justice for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. She led the opening prayer and shared information about the Archdiocese’s sustainability initiatives, its collaboration with parishes, and its encouragement for everyone to enroll in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Following the prayer, Pamela Ball spoke about Headwaters, a ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word dedicated to the care of creation.

The Synodal Listening process began with a reflection on the ecological crises affecting the world, including flooding that has impacted communities in Texas and the challenges faced by poor and migrant communities along the Texas border.

Sisters and laypeople then gathered in small groups to listen to one another, share their experiences of the ecological crisis, and reflect on how they would like to respond as a Church.

The discussions were supported by table facilitators: Sisters Teresa Maya, Marichui Bringas, Michele O’Brien, and Elizabeth Riebschlaeger; Mr. Arthur Dawes; and Dr. Virginia Mata and Dr. Karen Siegl.

The gathering concluded after 2:30 p.m. Participants expressed interest in taking action in the near future and exploring opportunities to collaborate with different Church structures and leaders. The conversations connected participants’ experiences of the ecological crisis with their work in various ministries.

Listening and Responding to the Signs of Our Time

Synodal Listening creates a space for building a Church that recognizes our shared responsibility to care for one another, especially those who are most vulnerable. As the People of God, we are entrusted with participating in the Church’s response to the signs of our time.

By listening to what is happening in our communities, states, countries, and around the world, we can better understand what each person is experiencing. Some experiences may be extraordinary, others challenging, and others humbling.

This process also invites ministries and their leaders to host Synodal Listening gatherings and conversations. It encourages them to reach out to parishes, speak with pastors, meet people where they are, and invite those experiencing vulnerability to participate in the conversation.

There is still an opportunity to participate in a Synodal Listening gathering or conversation. The Laudato Si’ Movement is one of several Catholic organizations advocating for this year’s Synodal Listening process. The deadline for submitting final reports is December 31, 2026.

For more information, visit 2026 Synodal Conversations

We are here to support you in facilitating a Synodal Listening session.

Contact texas@lsmchapter.org