SYNOD TIMELINE

29 May 2026
5:45pm
St Francis Xavier Cathedral

All are welcome to join in the opening Mass of the 2026 Archdiocesan Synod.

19 May 2026
7:30pm
St Francis Xavier Cathedral 

All are welcome to join in a special ecumenical prayer service in the Taizé style. The service will include scripture, songs and reflections as we prepare for the Synod.

QWAYNE GUEVARA

6 May 2026
7:00PM
Catholic Education Office Conference Centre
116 George St, Thebarton

How do we live a life of communion when the world is polarised and divided? Is unity even possible when people live in fear of the other? could we really be open to trust one another in any process if relational trust has been eroded by the actions and leaders of our Church? Mary did not walk away from suffering she stayed. Synodality asks us to do the same to remain with each other in times of tension, uncertainty, and hurt. This session explores communion and co-responsibility as shared endurance and faithfulness, inviting us to hold the weight of the Church while trusting the Spirit is at work even in fragility.

Qwayne Guevara is the Facilitator for Formation and Young People at the National Centre for Evangelisation of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. She has worked in ministry and formation across greater Sydney for over a decade, following earlier roles in community organising, advocacy and corporate immigration law. From 2017 to 2025, Qwayne served in the Diocese of Parramatta in roles, including Manager of Youth. In 2023 she was appointed the Lead Facilitator of the Diocese’s first Synod, engaging thousands in the process, which led to the development of the Diocese's Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church 2024 to 2028. Qwayne  holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies), a Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution) and a Graduate Diploma in Theology. In 2025 she completed a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry at Boston College in the United States, grounding her leadership in both theological formation and practical mission.

DR CHRISTINA KHENG

25 February 2026
7:00PM
Alta Villa Club | 281 The Parade, Beulah Park, SA 5067

In recent years, synodality has been a major buzzword in the church. Many people have engaged in listening circles to reflect on their experiences in the church community and to share their hopes and dreams. As the Archdiocesan Synod draws near, it’s a good time to think about how we might move from vision to action. What are the thresholds we need to cross and how might we make these crossings? What does synodality look like in our concrete realities and how can we walk towards the new paths emerging from the Archdiocesan Synod? This public forum will offer some practical perspectives and facilitate an interactive exchange of ideas.

SARAH MOFFATT & PETER BIERER

4 February 2026
6:30PM
Online

Information and preparation session to assist parishes and communities to prepare for Dialogue Week. This session will be led by Sarah Moffatt and Peter Bierer, 2026 Synod Lead Facilitators.

FR ORMOND RUSH

30 October 2025
7:00PM
Online

What does it mean to be called the People of God? What is the role of baptism in understanding our participation and responsibility to the Church and the wider world? These questions are essential to the 2026 Archdiocesan Synod, and its success into the future. This session will feature theological input from Fr Ormond Rush, a theologian and lecturer at Australian Catholic University and expert advisor to the Synod on Synodality. The session will also include a panel of speakers who will share their experience of living our their baptismal responsibility and identity as the People of God.

Fr Ormond Rush is an Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Australian Catholic University and is a priest of the Townsville diocese, with a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University, Rome. In July 2021, he was appointed to the commission of theologians preparing for the 2023-24 Synod of Bishops in Rome on the theme of “synodality.” He has also been appointed to the group of theological advisors for the Plenary Council in Australia in October 2021. His recent book, The Vision of Vatican II: Its Fundamental Principles was awarded First Place in the theological and philosophical studies category of the 2020 Catholic Press Association Book Awards in North America. He is currently Associate Professor and Reader at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane campus.

BR IAN CRIBB SJ

9 September 2025
7:00-8:30PM
Online

Br. Ian Cribb SJ is the Provincial Delegate, Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia. He supported the processes for the 5th Australian Plenary Council and was an expert advisor at the Synod on Synodality.

ARCHBISHOP-ELECT SHANE MACKINLAY & CHRIS COTTER

7 August 2025
7:00-8:00PM
Online

Archbishop-elect Shane Mackinlay was named by Pope Leo XIV as the next Archbishop of Brisbane. He was ordained the Bishop of Sandhurst in 2019 after 28 years of ministry as a priest of the Ballarat Diocese. Before being appointed as bishop, he had taught philosophy for twenty years, and for nearly 10 years was Master of Catholic Theological College in the University of Divinity, Melbourne. He was the Vice-President of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia and was one of the Australian bishop-delegates to the Synod on Synodality 2023-2024.

Chris Cotter is the Director of Mission and Pastoral Life for the Diocese of Sandhurst and has worked closed with Archbishop Mackinlay to establish synodal practices and participatory bodies in the diocese.

KELLY PAGET

24 July 2025
7:00-8:00PM
In-Person and Online

Kelly has been engaged in Ministry throughout her working career, particularly in the areas of Catholic education and Youth ministry. Her current role as Chancellor in the Diocese of Broken Bay and Head of Mission supports and engages the broader mission of the Church. In 2023 Kelly was chosen by the Holy Father to participate as a Non-Bishop Member in the 16th General Synod of Bishops.

SARAH MOFFATT, PETER BIERER and FR JAMES MCEVOY

24 June 2025
Zoom Webinar

Learn more about the Diocesan Synod, what makes a Synod different from a Diocesan Assembly, Synodality, and Synod membership.