- 14
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2023
- First episode
About School for Synodality
Exploring with guest speakers how to become a listening Church, and what the practice of Synodality looks like in our own communities.
- Publisher
- School for Synodality
- Category
- religion & spirituality
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 20 Sept 2023
- Latest episode
- 21 Nov 2025
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
21 Nov 2025
Reading the Final Document Together Episode Six: A Feast for all Peoples with Archbishop Jason Gordon
Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. What next for our Church? Avril Baigent explores the final chapter in the Final Synod Document ‘A Feast for all Peoples’ with our guest speaker Archbishop Jason Gordon, who provides practical insights into how we can go from theory and discernment, to synodal communion and action. They spoke about how to consider discipleship not only at key sacramental moments like Holy Communion and Confirmation, but as an evolving spiritual role throughout someone’s entire life, and how the simple four verbs of “relating, listening, discerning and self-emptying” helps turn us towards becoming a synodal church in our communities and contexts amongst many other suggestions - a very rich conversation! The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Links Podcast Episode 6: TranscriptReviving Our Caribbean Soul: A Contemplative Synodal Journey, Rev. Charles Jason Gordon, 2024 Full list of episodes The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All Peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon
14 Nov 2025
Reading the Final Document Together Episode Five: Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship with David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaol
Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. Avril Baigent was joined by guest speakers from the Discerning Leadership Programme to talk about part 5 of the Final Synod Document, about how to bring people together and understand the mission of Synodality.
7 Nov 2025
Reading the Final Document Together Episode Four: The Conversion of Bonds with Dr Cathy Clifford
Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and moreWelcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. Avril Baigent had a great conversation with our guest speaker Professor Cathy Clifford, on the fourth chapter called ‘The Conversion of Bonds’, talking about how the concept of parishes is being redefined in the face of rapid change, reflecting on how we personally view power structures, and the importance of lay people understanding these structures and how decisions are made. The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Episode 5: “Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship” In the next episode two expert speakers Fr David McCallum and Sandra Chaol, both of whom were also facilitators at the Rome Synod assembly join Avril to share their experiences of formation for Synodality and unpack the notion of synodal leadership. Links Podcast Episode 4: Transcript Full list of episodes The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon
31 Oct 2025
Reading the Final Document Together Episode Three: The Conversion of Processes with Dr Estela Padilla
Discernment, decision-making and accountabilityWelcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. In this third of six episodes, Dr Avril Baigent, one of the Directors of School for Synodality and a facilitator in Rome during October 2024, is in conversation with Dr Estela Padilla to discuss the transformative capacity of healthy discernment, seeing how contextual approaches helps the gospel enter daily life as an “energy of hope”, and how synodal decision-making is “not based in a power structure, but a mission structure”. Her experiences of synodality in the Philippines highlighted new perspectives on how we can approach this chapter, called the ‘Conversion of Processes’. Dr Estela spoke about a number of practical tools during her talk, including Bible Mirroring, Asian Integral Pastoral Approach, Theory U 3D mapping, and Two Loop Theory of Change with the Berkana Institute. The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Episode 4: “The Conversion of Bonds” Dr Avril Baigent talks to Dr Cathy Clifford, professor of Systemic and Historical theology at St Paul's University in Ottawa, Canada. Links Podcast Episode 3: TranscriptBible MirroringAsian Integral Pastoral Approach Theory U 3D mappingTwo Loop Theory of Change with the Berkana Institute The School for Synodality Full list of episodes The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon
24 Oct 2025
Reading the Final Document Together I Episode Two: The Conversion of Relationships I Prof Anna Rowlands
Mission and ministry in a changing world Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. In this second of six episodes, Dr Avril Baigent, one of the Directors of School for Synodality and a facilitator in Rome during October 2024, is in conversation with Professor Anna Rowlands to discuss how in rediscovering our true nature and purpose, we can shift the perspective on challenges the Church faces, “re-rooting us in a language and economy of gift, of abundance, of cooperation and of communion”. The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Episode 3: “The Conversion of Processes” Dr Avril Baigent talks to Dr Estela Padilla a Manila based theologian, Director of Bukal Ng Tipan, Executive Secretary of the Office of Theological Concerns at the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and a voting member of the General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, Rome 2023 and 2024. Estela will discuss the transformative capacity of healthy discernment, seeing how contextual approaches helps the gospel enter daily life as an “energy of hope”, and how synodal decision-making is “not based in a power structure, but a mission structure”. Links Podcast Episode 2: Transcript Frascati document 'Enlarge the space of your tent' Instrumentum Laboris The School for Synodality Full list of episodes: The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon
17 Oct 2025
Reading the Final Document Together I Episode One: The Heart of Synodality I Fr Jos Moons SJ
Welcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are. In this first of six episodes, Dr Avril Baigent, one of the Directors of School for Synodality and a facilitator in Rome during October 2024, is in conversation with Fr Jos Moons SJ to unpack the first section of the document: The Heart of Synodality — exploring what it means to be a Church that listens, discerns, and journeys together. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Episode 2: “The Conversion of Relationships” Dr Avril Baigent talks to Professor Anna Rowlands, St Hilda, Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University about section two of the Final Document — exploring ministries, charisms, and vocation for mission in a listening Church. Links Podcast Episode 1: Transcript The Final Document: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission October 2024 Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward from Here Kristin M Colberg/Jos Moons SJ, 2025, Liturgical Press The School for Synodality Full list of episodes: The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon
8 Jan 2024
Practising Synodality: Becoming a Synodal Community | Professor Anna Rowlands
The final episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Becoming a Synodal Community’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Professor Anna Rowlands, Office for Synod, Vatican and Durham University. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
13 Nov 2023
Practising Synodality: A European Perspective | Deacon Geert De Cubber
The seventh episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘A European Perspective'. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Deacon Geert De Cubber, episcopal delegate for catechesis, youth and families in the Diocese of Gent, Belgium. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
6 Nov 2023
Practising Synodality: Group Discernment | Mauricio Lopez
The sixth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Group Discernment’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Mauricio Lopez, Executive Secretary of CEAMA (Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon). The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
30 Oct 2023
Practicing Synodality: The Art of Listening - hearing all the voices | Sr Ngozie
The fifth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘The Art of Listening - hearing all the voices'. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Sr Ngozie, Director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Nigeria. Sr Ngozie has worked with CAFOD for many years, and this podcast episode is held in partnership with them. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
16 Oct 2023
Practising Synodality: Discerning the signs of the times | Sarah Adams
The fourth episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores ‘Discerning the Signs of the Times’. Avril Baigent hosts with guest Sarah Adams, from the Diocese of Clifton. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
9 Oct 2023
Practising Synodality: Best and Worst Practices | Fr Matthew Nunes & Fr Phillip Inch
The third of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series explores to topic ‘Best and Worse Practices’. Dr Avril Baigent in conversation with guests Fr Matthew Nunes and Fr Phillip Inch, co-moderators of the Archdiocese of Liverpool Synod. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
2 Oct 2023
Practising Synodality: Thinking about power and trust | Ciaran Beary & Fr Kevin O'Driscoll
The second episode of our Practising Synodality Podcast Series looks at 'thinking about power and trust'. Avril Baigent hosts with guests Ciaran Beary, a facilitation and leadership consultant including for the UN, and Fr Kevin O'Driscoll, at the Diocese of Northampton. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities. Find out more about the School for Synodality on our website here >>.
20 Sept 2023
Practising Synodality: What is Synodality? | Dr Jessie Rogers
What is Synodality? Join us in the first of our 2023 Practising Synodality Podcast Series as Dr Avril Baigent, Director of the School for Synodality speaks with Dr Jessie Rogers, Dean of Faculty of Theology, St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth. The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. During the first Synod assembly of the 2021-24 Synod in October 2023, the School for Synodality ran a series of eight webinars exploring becoming a listening Church. With key speakers from both England and Wales and from across the world who help us explore what the practice of Synodality looks like, in our own communities.
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