I'm a Ukrainian Catholic. I was baptized and had my first communion in at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic church, but I have attended mostly RC masses out of convenience(50 mile drive to Uky church).



I was married in the RC church. My husband was born and raised Roman Catholic.



I am interested, as well as my husband, in some how complementing our RC mass worship with Byzantine spirituality. I realize that the Uk. Catholic church is a bit Latinized, but it seems that the Roman masses don't get to the 'heart' the matter. My husband(a former seminarian) believes the same way. He feels a bit left out at a Uk. mass due to the language barrier.



What to do?...Any suggestions?...Any literature recommendations?



(Do children have to follow the faith of the father, just wondering?)



Weegee

You may wish to find another Byzantine Church (Ruthenian, Melkite, etc) that is a little closer, and where English is the predominant language for the Divine Liturgy. If all else fails, and you are unable to find another Eastern Church, you may want to make the sacrifice of going to the Ukrainian Church perhaps every other week, so that you can experience both Churches. Good luck, and know that you will be remembered in my prayers.

If you and your husband are not at home in the Roman Catholic parish you attend then hunt for a new parish. Check the directory for Byzantine Catholic parishes in your area and go if there is one - even if not of the Ukrainian ethnicity. Byzantine-Ruthenian parish listings can be found on this website. Other Byzantine Catholic parishes in Michigan can be found at http://www.crosslink.net/~hrycak/ch_indx/us-mi.html . If this is not possible try structuring your home worship along Byzantine lines.

Regarding your question, individuals are free to choose the Church they belong to. You can choose to be Byzantine Catholic, Roman Catholic, etc., just by joining a parish and raising your kids there. If you want to make it official you can do the paperwork for a "Change of Suri Iuris Church" (aka "Change of Rite"). This usually requires about 2 years as an active parishioner and the support of your pastor.

Good luck - please let us know how it goes.

Weegee

I am a Byzantine married to a RC for 17 years. My wife was and still is a very devote RC. All of our married life we have not been near a Byzantine Parish. I had a hard time at first accepting the fact to only local parish to me was RC mission parish that was trying to get started (the only Catholic group in a 253 square mile area with population of 9900 people 250 Catholics ~ 2.5%) . I attend the Church with my wife but did not feel like part of the parish at first. I did not know the customs and traditions and as you say they "don't get to the 'heart'" I would say the "Mystery" was not there. But it was the only Mass around and I did not have a lot of options.

Very early on the Holy Spirt began to work and people started to ask me about the Byzantine Rite I was an outsider but still a Catholic, it gave me an opportunity and obligation to share our traditions and beliefs with them. At no point did anyone try to make me become RC if anything I was encourage to maintain my Byzantine faith. The local parish supported my faith by wanting to know more about the Eastern Rites. I gave to the community what limited gifts I had and God gave me a wonderful experience.

About 12 years ago we relocated and joined the local RC parish soon were very involved in parish. In 1991 I was asked to join the RCIA team in the parish again giving me the opportunity and obligation to share Byzantine traditions and beliefs. This time with people wishing to become Catholic and many people who were born and raised RC and did not know about or understand the Byzantine Rite. I am still a member of the RCIA team a relish every moment.

The bottom line here is join your local parish become involved, share your faith. Ask the Holy Spirt to guide you. Don't go running around looking for the right feel. As Dr. John has mentioned in other posts "all salvation is local". Give of yourself and you will experience God in your heart in ways you never imagined possible. Be open to the power of the Holy Spirt.

God Bless

Ron

Thus far these are good suggestions.



Thank you all



Weegee