This year’s annual Assembly was on the theme of Synodality. Lay Dominicans from across the Province were joined by our Prior Provincial, fr. Martin Ganeri OP and the Provincial Promoter of the Laity, fr. John Farrell OP, for a day of talks, discussion, prayer and our Annual General Meeting.

Sara Parvis, from Edinburgh Fraternity, spoke about the current Synod on Synodality in the context of the early synods, and asked us to think about the fact that synods have always been part of on-going discussion.

Christine Brennan, from North East Fraternal Group, spoke about her practical experience of the synod process, as part of the Diocesan phase, but also in continuing synodal discussions at Ushaw.

Our keynote speaker, Sr. Anna Marie McGuan RSM, reminded us that the synod aims to help the church move into a way of talking and listening, not just to each other, but to God. She challenged the Lay Dominicans to pursue truth, to play our part in building up the church and to talk openly about how our Dominican spirituality impacts on our lives, works and relationships.

You can access videos of the talks on our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3FQqubZ5YKDCfa2yUTjzQ

The day also included our Annual General Meeting, during which Margaret Doyle (Lay Provincial President) gave an overview of the year and the work of the Council, and there were updates from Council members on the work they have been doing.