Synod 2021 - 2024: For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission. 
Walking Together 2025 - 2028: Implementation Phase of the Synod.

In 2021 Pope Francis asked us how we can journey together as the People of God to better proclaim the Gospel which is the mission entrusted to the Church. He asked all parishes to engage in this process of Walking Together. This Consultation was Phase 1.
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Phase 2: The first Synod was held in October 2023. A synthesis Report called 'A Synodal Church in Mission' was published after the first Synod. The second Synod was held in October 2024 and concluded with what is called the Final Document.
 
As we moved into the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality (or on Walking Together), Bishop Nicholas Hudson shared an 8-page guide designed to encourage clergy and laity alike to read the Final Document in its fullness.

We are now in Phase 3, the Implementation Phase, initiating the reception of the Synod’s conclusions in all local Churches. The General Secretariate of the Synod have published Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod 2025 - 2028, a 24-page document. There is an AI generated 2-page Summary of Pathways.

A wealth of documents can be found on the Vatican website: www.synod.va/en.html 
Our Bishop's Conference has material: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/synodal-church/ 
and our Diocese:  https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/the-synod-2021-2023. 
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From the first session ten study groups were set up by Pope Francis on questions arising from the synthesis' with the original request to complete their reports by June 2025. This has been extended to the end of the year.
These study groups cover:                   Click on blue link for some initial information.
Group 1: Some aspects of the relationship between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church.
Group 2: Listening to the Cry of the Poor.
Group 3: The mission in the digital environment.
Group 4: The revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalisin a missionary synodal perspective. [The formation of Priests.]
Group 5: Some theological and canonical matters regarding specific ministerial forms. [including the participation of women].
Group 6: The revision of documents touching on the relationship between Bishops, consecrated life, and ecclesial associations.
Group 7: Some aspects of the person and ministry of the Bishop.
Group 8: The role of Papal Representatives in a missionary synodal perspective.
Group 9: Theological criteria and synodal methodologies for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical issues.
Group 10: The reception of the fruits of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices.
An Interim Report was published by the Vatican on November 17th 2025 about these 10 Study Groups with additional reports on Polygamy and on Liturgy Click here.

 Locally: Between October 21 and April 22 our Catholic Leamington parishes held meetings to discern our desires for the Church; we published a Stage 1 Report.

In January 2023 we reviewed  this Report and discerned how we could progress our Walking Together in our parishes.  A Stage 2 Report was produced summarising the discernments arising from the areas: Community, Inclusivity, Faith and Youth.
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Minutes of the Catholic Leamington Walking Together Team: Click on the blue links to download:
​19/01/23; 16/03/23   +  Facilitator's Form  +  Draft Slides; 30/03/23 + Timetable;
04/05/23; 31/05/23; 20/07/23; 05/10/23 + Office for Mission (notes by Paul Northam from the Diocese, on his role); 18/01/24 + Article from Vatican News; 18/04/24; 06/06/24; 05/09/24; 16/01/25; 15/05/25; 18/09/25
Minutes of the Catholic Leamington Walking Together Combined Group: Click on the blue links below to download: 17/10/24; 30/01/25, 22/05/25; 25/09/25.
This group coordinated a Lenten Study Group in 2025.
 
Future meetings:
Arising from Topic group 3: 'Deepening and sharing our Faith':
Every Friday between 11am and 12noon in the Davenport Room at St Peter's:  meeting to study and reflect on the readings of the following Sunday's Mass. All welcome.
Please contact Jonathan Holden( [email protected] or 01926 420045) with any questions. 

The Walking Together Topic groups 1+2+3 arranged a Lent Study Group in 2025, meeting on Thursday evenings at St Joseph's, 'Getting more out of the Mass".   

Walking Together Team meeting - Steering group: Tuesday January 13th 2026:
7.30pm Our Lady's Small Hall. All Walking Together participants are invited. 
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Walking Together Combined groups 1+2+3 meeting: Thursday January 22nd 2026: 7.30pm Our Lady's Small Hall. All Walking Together participants are invited.  
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Queries can be sent to:  [email protected]. Our Walking Together Team would like to be inclusive. If you want your voice to be heard and cannot join our planned meetings for whatever reason, please send your views to this email address or ask somebody to do so on your behalf.

A prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide us
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts.
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You who are at work in every place and time,
​in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen

​This web page and content were designed by the Catholic Leamington 'Walking Together Team'. Catholic Leamington is St Joseph's Church in Whitnash, Our Lady's Church in Lillington, and St Peter's Church in Leamington Spa working together.