By Ingrid McTaggart, Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
On the Solemnity of Christ the King last year, Bishop Ken Howell formally convoked a Diocesan Synod for Toowoomba. An invitation to the faithful to come together in prayer, listening and discernment about the future of the Church across the region. Now, months into the journey, that invitation is taking tangible shape, with renewed energy building across parishes, schools and communities.
A significant milestone came on 21 April, when more than 60 participants gathered for facilitator training, equipping them to guide the next phase of the Synod process. Led by Synod Moderator Rachel Pingel and Synod Facilitator Sally Hood, the day offered both practical tools and spiritual grounding for those who will lead conversations across the diocese. Reflecting on the day, Sally Hood said, “There was a real sense of enthusiasm among participants. People are eager to foster spaces of prayerful discernment and respectful listening. Our hope for these conversations is that they are both an encounter with the ‘other’ whilst being centred first and foremost in an encounter with the Holy Spirit”. These newly trained facilitators will play a central role in the upcoming listening sessions, arguably the heart of the Synod journey. Over May and June, sessions will be held in Warwick, Dalby, Roma, Charleville and Toowoomba, alongside an online option to broaden access. Each gathering will provide space for parishioners from all walks of life to share their experiences, hopes and concerns, ensuring that the Synod reflects the authentic voice of the community.
Bishop Ken expressed encouragement at the level of engagement already emerging. “I’m delighted to see a wide variety of our parishioners attend facilitator training,” he said. “The key to the success of our Synod is prayer and that as many people, from all walks of life, participate at key stages of the process. We are looking for a clear vision for our diocese’s shared future.”
Engagement will extend beyond parish communities, with a dedicated listening session planned for school staff during a Bishop’s Inservice Day in Catholic Education Week. The initiative reflects a growing excitement about strengthening relationships with Catholic schools and ensuring their voices are included in the listening process.
“Considerable work has gone into preparing for this stage,” said Rachel. “From planning and training to the structure of the sessions themselves, every step has been designed to help us arrive at clear and meaningful outcomes for the diocese. The richness of what we gather will depend on the openness and participation of our people.”
Following the listening sessions, July will see the submission phase, where insights and contributions are formally recorded and key themes will emerge. These themes will shape the discussions at the Diocesan Synod itself, scheduled for 23–24 October at St Mary’s College, Toowoomba. There, delegates will come together to pray, deliberate and reflect on the outcomes of the listening phase and chart a forward path.
Throughout the process, the Diocese has encouraged all to take part, not only by attending sessions, but also through prayer, particularly the Diocese’s Synod Prayer that continues to underpin the journey.