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?