“You matter!”
I found these two words at the beginning of a YouTube video prepared by Rahai on the “synodal process” called by Pope Francis in 2021.
These two words summarize the way I understand Pope Francis’ call to the whole church all over the world to reflect on our journeying together.
You matter means that the voice of each one of us, counts!
You matter because journeying together is about you and me no matter if you are an active member of the Church, an occasional visitor or a sleepy one.
You matter because the Holy Spirit we have received at our baptism talks through each one of us.
A few years’ ago Pope Francis wrote:
It is a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn: the lay faithful, the bishops, the Pope. All listening to one another and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, in order to know, what the Spirit is saying to the Church
We listen to one another and together to the Holy Spirit.
I count on you so that the voice of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Manzini can be added to the one of the Church in the rest of the continent and the rest of the world.
Because, you matter, we have prepared different spaces for you to share with all of us about your journey of faith:
An “online survey” (the link is available via WhatsApp and on Facebook)
Home visits
Meetings with priests and sisters
Meetings with PPC and sodalities executives
Meetings with SCC and outstations (these can be done on a Sunday when the priest is not present for Mass)
Our wish is to listen to as many voices as possible. The most important thing, though, is to make sure that it is done in a prayerful way. That is why you will find that before any sharing there is space for you to reflect on God’s Word and to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.
In the last past weeks, one of you asked me: “when is this process starting in our diocese? I am so excited! As Catholics we grew up “listening”: listening to the bishop, the priests, the sisters, the leaders of our communities. Hardly ever sharing what we have in our hearts”
It has started! Make sure your voice is heard.
"Livi laba yinyama"
If you belong to the Diocese of Manzini (Kingdom of Eswatini)
and would like to take part of the online survey
click HERE
