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Synod Results

The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021 with each individual diocese and church celebrating the following week on October 17. The synodal process concluded in 2023.

Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.” This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church’s “renewal” proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her to live communion, to achieve participation, to open Herself to mission.

Learn more about the synodal process by visiting the Vatican Synod website.

The collated results of OLM can be accessed here: OLM Synod Results.

The results of the Synod surveys for the Madrid Archdiocise can be found here: Informe Final de la consulta

Useful Links

Although there are many web sites out there, we highly recommend these.

http://www.kidsinmadrid.com (Highly Recommended for Families with Children)

Sunday and Weekly Mass Readings

European English-speaking Catholic Churches

S panish Churches

Madrid Archdiocese

The Vatican

Pray as you go: Jesuits in the UK provide daily downloadable podcasts and reflections. Available in the app store.

Laudate: iPhone and Android app with daily mass readings in English and Spanish, prayers, daily reflections, liturgical calendar etc

Sacred space: App and website from Irish Jesuits with thought for the day and prayers.

Bustedhalo.com info/videos/catechesis – Specially aimed at young adults

biblegateway.com Online bible in hundred of languages and editions. Website and phone app.

Jesuit prayer – Also an Android app with daily mass readings, reflections etc.

Bible Trivia by Alexis Thompson – Bible Trivia pages that can be used as tools for Youth Ministry, Bible Study, and at-home learning.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if my question isn't answered?
I will be visiting Madrid and I am a Catholic traveling on a budget. Can you help me find a convent or other religious house in which I can stay?
I am trying to research my family tree or find someone in Spain. Can you be my contact, translator, do some looking around, or make some phone calls for me?
I am poor from another country and I want money for studies or a sick relative, would you help me?
Can I get married at OLM?
I am not a parishioner but live in Madrid. I need something. Should I email you or call?
Will OLM help me get married so that I can get European Community residence?
I have some great ideas for charity or a foundation. Will OLM collaborate?
Can I offer you millions of dollars for the advance-fee scam?
Will you baptize our baby even if we were not married in the church?
How many different nationalities are represented at OLM?
I need a baptismal certificate from another church, will you help me?
Is there another English-speaking church in Madrid?
What is the telephone number of the English-speaking Catholic church in Barcelona?
Would you host my Christian ministry group or let us use your church for a concert?
Will you ask your families to open up their homes to host us as we are good Christians?
Will you accept donations of furniture or old clothes?

Yes, we accept all clothes, as long as they are clean. No, we cannot pick them up for you, please drop them off. As for furniture, it depends on the quality. Junk is junk. One family offered an entire household of furniture in “fair condition” for “a poor family”, and after we started to move it, we were scandalized to discover it was junk and we had to carry it to the dump. The furniture was on the top floor of a building with no elevator. We were scammed to move out their junk and we even paid for the van! We are not picky but true charity does not see the “poor” as some far away unknown face that should be deprived of human dignity.
Will you help me find an English teacher for free or for very low pay? I am a priest or a very good Christian.
Can you help me find housing? (Temporary or Permanent)

Mass Intentions

1) Following the long tradition of the Catholic Church, a priest may offer a Mass for a specific
intention. There are two common types of intentions. One is for someone who has died and
the other kind is simply for the intentions of a family member, friend, or loved one. A
common intention is a Mass of thanksgiving.
2) The parish priest must, by Church law, offer one Sunday Mass for the parish community. In
addition, if a priest is celebrating a wedding, the intention would naturally be for the bride
and groom.
3) For weekday Masses, you may request a special Mass intention.
4) If you would like to request a Mass intention, this is how you may do so:
a) See Fr. Ron personally and tell him you wish a special mass intention. Give him the information indicated in the sample form.
b) Choose the date, if no specific date is important to you, write “whenever possible” on
the envelope.
c) Write down the number of Masses you wish to offer.
d) Insert your donation into an envelope and close the envelope. Write the name and
date requested on the envelope.
e) By request, Fr. Ron will give you a card which can be sent to the person for whom
you wish to know that a Mass intention will be celebrated.

Please do not request Masses by email or telephone, please use this form. Many people request Mass
intentions months in advance. Ideally, we would have only one intention per Mass.
Many people ask for special prayer requests to be read at Mass. These are NOT Mass intentions. We
specifically leave a time of silence for personal intentions. If you wish your intention to be read
aloud, use the Mass intention request form below.

Sample Form:

Mass intention for:______________________________________________ (RIP)
Or
For the Intentions of : ___________________________________________

Date Requested:
Alternate Date:
Additional information:

Theologians’ Corner – Being a Synodal Church – M001

Theologians’ Corner had its first get-together on Sunday, October 15th. The turnout was impressive, and some of us ended up sitting on the floor or perched in corners. It made me think of the early Christians meeting in cramped houses to discuss their faith and future.
We talked about the Synod on Synodality taking place at the Vatican. Father Alex provided context with a short presentation. It certainly helped me to see how the Synod related to the The First and Second Ecumenical Councils of the Vatican. Not that a Synod is an Ecumenical Council, of course!

It was interesting hearing everyone’s view on being consulted by the Church. The results of the OLM Synod questionnaire are on the OLM website.

Some concerns were expressed about whether our faith would remain the same if subjected to changes. After all, the Truth is the Truth, right? Father Alex eloquently addressed this with a visual metaphor. We heard about the Four Ds – Doctrine, Dogma, Discipline and Devotion. We heard about the Dubia (Doubts) expressed by some cardinals in five questions they posed to Pope Francis before the Synod.

I felt that we were a diverse group at this first Theologian’s Corner and that in the small room we represented a wide range of feelings and ideas about who we are and who we want to be as Catholics. Two thousand years later, we are still asking ourselves questions and actively living our faith. Before we met, I googled the origins of the word ‘Synod’. It means ‘ to travel together’. And that’s exactly what we did. We will do it again at the next Theologians’ Corner. You should come!

Theologians’ Corner

Theologians’ Corner provides a space for individuals to come together to explore, discuss, and deepen their understanding of theology, which is the study of the divine, religious beliefs, and practices.

Participants engage in conversations about religious texts, doctrines, and experiences, drawing from Christian traditions or philosophical perspectives.

Through dialogue, members challenge and support each other’s beliefs, fostering a richer comprehension and appreciation of spiritual concepts.

The group serves both as an intellectual space for debate and a communal setting for shared spiritual exploration, promoting personal growth and collective understanding.

We meet in the parish rooms once a month (on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday) following the 11:00 AM mass.

Guides: Father Alex, Patrick H SJ.

Resources

Resources used in our meetings

Our Spiritiual Guides

Fr Alex

Patrick H SJ

Confirmation Sunday 2023

The OLM 2023 Confirmation ceremony was celebrated on May 21^st (Acension Sunday) by the Episcopal Vicar of Madrid, The Very Reverend José Luis Segovia Bernabé in a joyful and inspirational Mass. In the most moving moments of the ceremony, the Vicar annointed and blessed each candidate as their parents, families, friends, and fellow parishioners looked on.

Throughout the Mass, our Music Ministers accompanied the candidates with uplifting hymns – more than one person present was seen swaying to the music and clapping along while filling the church with their voices. The Vicar commented that the Choir lifted up the entire congregation and he found himself lifted all the way up to God. The YouTube video is a must see.

The diversity of our parish was clearly evident during the Mass with candidates of various origins: 2 Indian, 3 Nigerian, 1 from Cameroon, 1 Scottish, 1 English/Spanish, 1 American/Spanish, and 1 Dutch/Spanish. 3 of the candidates were Baptized at OLM! The mix of nationalities of parishioners and visitors is what makes Our Lady of Mercy so special.

The majority of the candidates were prepared by Catechist Cristina Gahan during a 2-year course (of their 3-year preparation), part of which took place during the COVID lockdown. 3 of the candidates attended all 9 years of the OLM Religious Education program. We wish to thank their parents for their support of our Parish. I candidate transferred from another parish in Spain and another received Confirmation in preparation for her upcoming wedding (prayers and congratulations to her).

A small reception was held in the Fellowship Room after the end of Mass (and many group photos before the final blessing).

Congratulations to our new fully-initiated parishioners!

Volunteer appreciation 2023

Children’s Mass

CHILDREN’S MASS

Every first Sunday of the month one of the children’s CCD classes prepare the Mass. The children become our readers and they welcome the community. Recently we have encouraged them to participate in the preparation of the music too. Our choir director practises a song with them and they also act as cantors in the response to the Psalm.

Lenten Reflection – 2023

On Saturday March 11th, Father Alex Llanera SJ led us in a Lenten Retreat, entitled Through the Eyes of Christ. Some 25 parishioners attended and we had the opportunity for both private and group reflection during the first part of the morning. After a short break, Father Alex presented a power point on The Vision of God, focusing on the Trinitarian View, The Healing View and The Crucified View. This sparked a lively discussion! We ended our morning with The Stations of the Cross, which incorporated beautiful prayers and music.

Thank you Father Alex for another inspiring retreat!

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