Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until it was all leavened.” Matthew 13:33
In kneading dough, the edges are folded into the middle, over and over, until everything becomes one smooth dough. If this is what God does to humanity — bringing those at the margins into the middle until one community is formed — no one stays on the outside. Notice too that the woman is making a lot of dough: three measures make enough bread to feed around sixty-five people. (Imagine her biceps!)
This parable began a recent retreat and formation day on synodality for leaders from migrant and refugee communities in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cranaleith staff member, Bernadette Rudolph, shared the spiritual and theological basis for synodality, a paradigm shift underway in the global Catholic Church. More than a program, it’s a way of walking together in God that focuses communities on recognizing God’s invitation in their lives, making relationships the starting point, and using communal discernment for decision-making. Thirty-eight people from ten communities explored ways to build parishes where all are respected and valued.
Auxiliary Bishop Efren Esmilla and Sr. Gertrude Borres, Director of the Office for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees (PCMR), have invested in developing synodality among PCMR communities to find pathways for integrating migrants and refugees into their parishes. Worshipping separately to accommodate language and culture helps in some ways, but it also keeps relationships from growing — PCMR groups are often isolated, left out of decision-making, and seen as unable to contribute to parish life. Bishop Efren and Sr. G. want their people recognized for the contributions they’re eager to make.
Using the Conversations in the Spirit method, a communal discernment process, leaders recognized their own instincts about unity and the steps needed to build it. Bernadette gave each PCMR community tools and time to plan an initial parish event introducing the synodal way of being. The Nigerians want feedback on their leadership in building a healthy community. The Liberians want monthly days of prayer and fasting to become conversations on worship and immigration. The Pakistani youth leaders want to gather people’s wisdom to aid their pastor’s decisions. The Filipino and Haitian communities want to hear what young adults need from the Church.
Bishop Efren reminded everyone that God will generously guide and provide, sharing his own story of rejection from seminary in the Philippines to show how important everyone’s gifts are. The day closed with Bishop Efren and young adults walking the labyrinth, praying to be kneaded into one, smooth dough, rising and becoming food for the world!
If this kind of work moves you, please consider donating to Cranaleith to support it. We currently offer our space and resources gratis — it’s who we are — but your support would ease our efforts and help welcome migrants and refugees to the Cranaleith experience of Connection, Inspiration and Hope.
