The Catholic bishops of the world, under the care and direction of Pope Francis, are conducting a synod. Although this term tends to be used for governing bodies, there is a wider sense of communal presence and activity. Two Greek words combine: syn meaning “with/together,” and (h)odos meaning either a path or the journey taken on a path.

Sometimes a synod is when heavenly bodies also find themselves together; we’d say “their paths cross.” This is also true of human beings, and often when they make a point of it. People of faith will cite Another Guide stealthily at work in those moments.

The Synods for Bishops rarely seem to amount to much for the typical Catholic, although they produce documents with much fodder for reflection. However, Pope Francis wanted to get more rank-and-filers involved in this synod, so he decided its topic would be “Synodality.”

People getting together about getting together - a meeting about meetings - isn’t my idea of a good time, but in better moments I dwell on the express purpose of this initiative: to promote “the communion, participation and mission of the whole church.”

Think of synodality as the principle of collaborative discipleship. For Catholics, it’s not simply that the pope tells the bishops to tell the priests and deacons to tell the people how to be holy.

Everyone guides everyone, in ways differing according to sacramental identity and personal gifts.

Bishop Schlert has described the synod as “an effort to listen to the Universal Church so that, together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we may become a prophetic witness to the world, to discern the most authentic, Gospel-centered ways of addressing the world’s challenges, and to heal the wounds of the world through faith.”

Since the Universal Church comprises thousands of dioceses around the world, and the whole does not exist without its parts, the pope directed bishops to consider these realities before drawing together the findings into a single document.

To that end, bishops are enlisting the parishes, schools, commissions and other entities within their dioceses to discuss topics of universal concern.

The Bishop selected a Diocesan Working Group from among the clergy, religious and lay faithful, who will direct our phase along with the input of ambassadors from every diocesan entity, including SS. Peter and Paul Parish, which held the first of its Listening Sessions on Jan. 16 after the 10 a.m. Mass in the social hall, where all Masses will be held while the church is being painted. Refreshments will be served.

Synod discussion topics include, but are not limited to, the following: Being Catholic/Being aware of God’s plan for one’s life and how to develop a relationship with the Lord; participation in church or parish sacramental life or social outreach; communications among membership/community in the Diocese of Allentown and our leadership, clergy and ministries; experiencing comfort from the Faith; knowing core teachings of the church such as the Real Presence of Christ; having difficulties or disaffection with the church or local congregation; outreach being extended to those who feel marginalized or unwelcome; and, finally, ways to journey together as a Universal, Catholic Faith Community.

All baptized members of Christ’s Mystical Body are “Ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us” to “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Drawing as many as possible into the sheepfold, for the first or the most recent time, is part of our baptismal purpose.

Any reader of this column, regardless of religious affiliation, would profit from considering the above topics. Let it be noted: people who have fallen away from their respective traditions are important to their congregations. Their presence during this time or any time of year is most welcome.

We pray that the synod reinforces the value of each baptized person in the common journey of discipleship, of religious fidelity and spiritual growth. There is much to learn from each other, no matter who you are, no matter what the topic.

It is good for us human beings, especially fellow “members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19), to be as the early disciples, “all together in one place” (Acts 2:1), physically as well as spiritually, even if not in substantial agreement.