In view of the 16th Ordinary General assembly of the Synod of bishops to be held in October 2023 in Rome, St.Teresa’s Institute of Education was an integral part of the Synod consultation held at the College level in the Archdiocese of Mumbai on 12th February 2022 from 3.00-5.00 p.m. at St.Paul’s Institute of Communication Education. Two of the S.T.I.E. faculty-Dr. Giselle D’souza and Dr. Cerena D’Cunha represented the college at this preliminary meeting which was attended by 24 members representing 10 different colleges across Mumbai. The meeting began with a word of welcome to all the participants and an introduction to the Core Team by Sr.Lidwin Dias. The session comprised of an Introduction to the Synod by Fr. Plavendran with an overview on Synodality-Communication, Participation and Mission. He went on to elaborate on the unique features of this synod with its emphasis on participation, inclusion of all in this experience and a novel way of journeying together as the Church. Next ensued the explanation of the Synod logo and a meaningful prayer session by Sabeena and Sr.Lidwin followed by group discussions facilitated by Ms.Alison Rosario.

Thereafter, the faculty conducted the Synod Consultation on 10th March 2022 with the Catholic students of the F.Y. and S.Y. B.Ed. in the college. The session commenced with a short prayer service. Dr.Giselle D’souza then explained the meaning of the Synod logo to the teacher trainees, highlighting how the 15 silhouettes sum up our entire humanity in its diversity of life situations of generations and origins, emphasizing the absence of any hierarchy between these figures who are on the same footing. Dr.Cerena D’Cunha alerted the students to their role as empowered youth in contributing to the mission of the Catholic Church in different capacities. The students were then arranged in groups of 10. The group discussions centred on ideas emerging in response to 2 basic questions, namely, ‘How has the church walked together with you?’ and ‘How can the Church continue to walk together with you?’ Ms.Riya D’silva representing the F.Y.B.Ed. then collated the responses of the First Year students, while Ms. Bruchelle Pereira collated the responses of the seniors. This summary was then shared with the Intercollegiate core team and the final report sent to the Archdiocese of Mumbai as responses of the Catholic colleges of Mumbai.

The Synod Consultation centred on the theme of ‘Communion, Participation and Mission’ and truly served as a clarion call to sensitise the young prospective teachers to their role as missionaries striving to propagate sound Christian values in the youth.