Parish Communication Resources

Parishes have a big job in communicating with their communities, especially in these challenging times. The goal of this page is to make that work a little easier.

The diocese’s Communication Office, in collaboration with other pastoral offices, developed the content of this page to help your parish.

We continue to offer resources for parishes to help them to promote our synod, which now moves to the discernment phase.

This page will be updated regularly.

We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions.

See our contact information on top of this page.

Contact Us

Please email us your questions, comments and suggestions:

communication Email at symbol sdcatholic.org

Proposed bulletin inserts

The faithful’s understanding of the synod and participation are important. This section offers texts to be shared in your parish bulletin. You may trim as needed.

New English: Nov. 1, 2022 New Synod Phase Begins

New Español: 1 de noviembre, 2022 Comienza Nueva Fase del Sínodo

Synod Reports

Synod tasks for: Week 4 (Feb. 28 - March 04)

As you prepare to host your parish sessions, here are some final reminders:

Task 1

Ensure you have a check-in table. You will need to report how many people attended each session, and the number of small groups per parish session.

Task 2

Remember, recording the sessions is not permitted since this process is confidential.

Task 3

Remind your facilitators and note-takers to stay behind once the sessions conclude, so they can meet with you and report on what they heard.

Task 4

Note-takers have 48 hours from the date of their session to type their expanded notes and submit to you along with the jot notes.

Task 5

The synod coordinator must compile all the forms from all note-takers (expanded notes and jot notes) and prepare the cover sheet to send to the diocese. All of these should be scanned and emailed to synod@sdcatholic.org by no later than April 4.

Synod tasks for: Week 3 (Feb. 21 - 25)

Task 1

Once your parish session(s) dates and times have been set, please send your parish dates to synod@sdcatholic.org

Task 2

The training video for parish facilitators and note-takers is available in English and Spanish. You may download them on this page.

Task 3

Your Pastor will begin the session, providing some opening remarks, and a brief prayer. Ensure he is prepared to do so. As synod coordinator, you will then provide general instructions and cue the diocesan video. See the attached sample script you can use.

Task 4

Ensure the cantor(s) have the music sheet for “Veni Sancte Spiritus.” They will be responsible in leading the participants in chanting the Taizé hymn right after the video is shown.

Download music sheet

Task 5

Prepare a folder with the forms for each facilitator and note-taker. These must include the jot notes forms for each question, the expanded notes for each question, the “Come Holy Spirit” prayer and the questions. You may use the synod logo to customize your labels or name tags that can be found on this page.

Synod tasks for: Week 2 (Feb. 14 - 18)

Task 1

Download the diocesan video/audio file found on the communications resources page and save to your local drive.

Task 2

Your training date for facilitators & note-takers should be set.

Task 3

Continue recruiting for facilitators and note-takers.

Task 4

Monitor registrations and see if a second session is needed. If so, open the date on the registration link. Make sure to include alternate ways for parishioners to register in the event there are technological challenges.

Task 5

Ensure the synod graphics, quotes, news, etc are available on all social media platforms in both languages (if applicable in your community). Dedicate a synod corner in your bulletin and include graphics or updates.

Synod tasks for: Week 1 (Feb. 7 - 11)

Task 1

Select your orientation training time slot. Zoom links will be sent Tuesday.

Task 2

Coordinate with your pastor and set a date(s) in March for your parish to hold small-group session(s). Consider if you need to schedule a separate session by language.

Task 3

Discuss with your Pastor/parish staff the appropriate space on-site to host the parish session(s). Determine the number of people you can host in small-group circles (6-8 people) each. Consider outdoor settings if appropriate.

Task 4

Begin registration for all your parishioners. You may use Flocknote, or other registration applications to assist you in gathering the necessary information. Be prepared to schedule additional dates should your parish registration exceed the capacity in your meeting space. Be sure to set a deadline for registration. (See sample registration list below.)

Task 5

Begin announcing the synod and how your community can register at all Masses, and through social media, bulletin and other parish communications. Visit sdcatholic.org/communicationresources for resources to help you do that.

Things to consider as you begin the logistical planning:

Does your venue have the capability to have audio/visual access to show the diocesan video? If so, begin coordinating this with the appropriate person on-site.
Will you host a hospitality/refreshments table for all participants? If so, secure volunteers to assist with this task.
Create movement. Prepare a general meeting area so when prompted, participants can then move towards their circles.
Begin securing sufficient talking pieces and environment for each small circle.
Secure one-two cantors for your designated dates to guide the Taizé hymn, Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Begin securing volunteer facilitators and note-takers who can assist on the date(s) of your parish small group sessions.
Set a date for your parish facilitators and note-takers training.

Videos

These videos are to help you promote the survey in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can download them and post them on your website and social media.

Videos to promote synod survey

Cardinal McElroy (English)

Cardinal McElroy (Spanish)

Very Rev. Edmundo Zárate (English)

Very Rev. Edmundo Zárate (Spanish)

Sylvia Benning

Chris Bongato

Narciso Guzmán (Spanish)

Vi Salazar (Vietnamese)

Synod Logo

Click on the image, right click and save as image.

Social media graphics

The following graphics can be used in Facebook, Instagram and Flocknote. These graphics are meant to introduce the synod concept. We will post additional graphics in the coming weeks as the synod process advances. The graphics have to be published with a link to your registration page. If you don’t have one yet, you can link the graphic to the diocese’s synod page: http://sdcatholic.org/synod

**NEW**

Gráficas para redes sociales

Las siguientes gráficas se pueden utilizar en Facebook, Instagram y Flocknote. Estas gráficas presentan el concepto del sínodo. Ofreceremos gráficas adicionales en las próximas semanas, a medida que avance el proceso del sínodo. Las gráficas deben ser publicadas con el enlace a su página de web para inscribirse a sus sesiones. Si aún no tiene esta página, utilize el enlace de la página diocesana general en español sobre el sínodo: http://sdcatholic.org/sinodo

**NEW**