Transcript Document
Imagining an Alternative Reality
You woke up one day, and the
Church is just as you have dreamed
it could be.
What
looks different?
How is your day different?
What feels different?
Please
write responses to these questions in
silence and without raising your pen from paper
until I ask you to stop.
Dialogue
Please
share whatever highlights you like
with your table group.
Please name one thing that is a part of
your alternative reality that it is in your
power to bring about when you get
home.
Please write each thing on a small paper
and pass to middle of table.
Vatican II and Imagination
A
part of Vatican II was grappling with an
alternative reality
It provides a template for us to do it in our
contexts
We have always relied on our
imaginations– think of Moses and the
Israelites, as interpreted by Walter
Brueggeman
Communication
Some characteristics of substantive
dialogue
Active
listening
Good will
Mutuality
Willingness to hang in there
Curiosity
Try it out
Please
find one partner
Identify one pastoral challenge
Talk about how you might address that
challenge
Some Barriers to Dialogue
Fear,
usually manifested as win/lose
mentality
Cultural misunderstanding, particularly
when there is an assumption of one
normative world view
How we interpret
Own
values
Assumptions about other
Awareness
Of
our own perspectives
Honesty about blind spots
Vulnerability, willingness to learn from a
new perspective
Paying attention to communication styles
and power differentials where they exist
Vatican II
Enduring
message
And also model for way of being Church
Self reflection and intense engagement
Initiated at every level and in a variety of
contexts
And what grace does the same
Spirit have in store for you and
your parish?