The Synod in Wilcannia-Forbes
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green has called for a Diocesan Synod with the theme “Harvest of Hope”.
The timing of this Synod is especially significant as we journey through the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time when the Church invites us to renew our trust in God’s promises and commit ourselves more fully to God’s mission.
Bishop Columba would like your help to work out what our Diocese needs.
The Synod is a gathering of people from across our diocese who come together to talk about how we can better share God’s love and help others in our towns, schools, and communities across the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.
We want to think about what is working well, what is hard, and how we can work together to keep doing good things for the next 10 years.
This is not about changing Church rules, but about making sure we care for people and use our money wisely to support them.
This process will be celebrated in a Diocesan Synod from September 30th to October 2nd 2026, at Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes.
Why are we holding this Synod?
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green invites your input into a consultative process culminating in a Diocesan Synod on September 30th to October 2nd 2026. Synod comes from the Ancient Greek synodos – assembly, meeting. The Harvest of Hope Synod is a missionary expression of this year’s Jubilee 2025.
The Synod seeks to understand the challenges of our local mission today and consider with fresh eyes and renewed hope how best to respond in our various contexts (parish, school, agency, etc.) and as the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes. Our intention is to determine how we can together envision and participate in the mission of the Church across the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, given our unique challenges and strengths. It will not be addressing doctrine but focusing on our vital pastoral and related financial needs, initially over the next decade.
As the Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, we wish to hear from everyone as we prepare for a multi-phase process of prayer, exchange and discernment, leading towards a gathering in September/October 2026: the Diocesan Synod. Following the initial survey, there will be meetings at regional or Deanery levels to consider the results of the initial survey, followed by local gatherings.
The Harvest of Hope Synod, a missionary expression of this year’s Jubilee, is a timely reflection on God’s guidance in our journey of faith.
Theme – A Harvest of Hope
The theme Harvest of Hope arose as the Diocesan Pastoral Council reflected on our Diocese approaching the Jubilee Year of Hope. We wanted to depict our strengths as people, united in God, through the good and bad times.
We trust and believe in God’s harvest as we plant our seeds of faith, even when we cannot see the end results (1 Cor 3: 6-7).
As a diocese we are connected to the land, waterways, plants and animals that are vital to our lives. They also ground our response as Catholics to our Common Home.
We are rich in our Aboriginal culture, our diverse backgrounds and in the resilience of being rural and remote.
Together, old and young, we reach out on God’s mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.
Synod Scripture
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
(NRSVCE)
See a Reflection on the Synod Scripture here.
Prayers For The Diocesan Synod
Heavenly Father,
You are our refuge and strength, our hope and our guide.
As we journey together towards our Diocesan Synod,
we place our trust in You, as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us:
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.”
Plant us like trees beside living water,
strengthened in faith, nourished by Your Word,
resilient in times of challenge,
and ever bearing the fruits of love, wisdom, and service.
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon our Bishop, clergy, religious, and laity.
Help us to listen with open hearts,
to speak with humility and courage,
and to discern together the path You are calling us to walk.
May our Synod be a time of grace, unity, and renewal— for our parishes, our communities, and our Diocese.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Loving God,
Bless our Diocese as we prepare for the Synod.
Like the tree planted by water,
may we draw strength from Your Word,
stand firm in trust, and grow in love.
Guide our Bishop and all Your people
with wisdom, courage, and unity.
May we listen to Your Spirit
and walk the path You set before us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us
Print Synod Prayers here
The Logo Of The Diocesan Synod – Design Elements and Their Meaning
The Tree
In reference to Jeremiah 17:7-8
Living in Western NSW presents a
unique blend of challenges and blessings, shaped by the vastness, isolation,
and extreme environment.
Our people, like the great River Red Gums, stand resilient placing their hope and trust in the Lord.
Uplifted Hands
Together, old and young, we reach out on God’s mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Cross
The cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and signifies the Catholic community’s faith, spirituality, and commitment to the teachings of Jesus.
The Text
The blue text represents river systems and water, the lifeblood of our Diocese and communities.
Printable pdf here
The Synod Timeline
Printable pdf here
How can I get involved?
Phase 1 – Introduction Aug 2025
Your experience of Catholic life from a local parish perspective will contribute to our overall conversation about our diocese into the future. See how you can be involved in 2025.
Check out the Bishop’s video and take up his invitation to be part of the Synod process.
Watch the Zoom presentation to learn about what we are trying to do. Click the link to see Lana Turvey-Collins, Fr Paul Newton, Cassandra Auld and Bishop Columba talk about the purpose and value of the Synod.
Explore the resources to help you understand the synodal process and how to participate effectively.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the process and for all those involved in the listening and discernment. Utilise resources like the Prayers for the Synod to guide your prayer and reflection.
Phase 2 – Consultation Aug 31 – Oct 6
From the end of August to October, we shared a survey to receive your thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the Church in your community. Your voice matters and is now contributing to the synodal journey.
Phase 3 – Collation of Surveys – Dec 2025
Your responses from the survey will be collated, arranged and shared back with you to reflect on thoughts, ideas and themes that arise.
This page will continue to be updated as we move into further phases in 2026.