C/\aba Icycy Xpucmy - Glory be to Jesus Christ
Hey everyone,
I thought I would start a new topic on about our involvement in parish life. Today at my parish there was a pastoral council meeting and a vote was made to let a youth(teen) parishoner sit in and give ideas at the meetings. Even though one has to be 18 to vote, I think it is about time. If I am not mistaken, some of the Ukrainian Orthodox League parishes here in the States have a few of the junior members sit in. Also, in you respective parishes, how are you guys and gals involved? How are others involved? I am the assistant cantor and I have given presentations to the parish about our trip to Ukraine to see the pope, and also I am one of the 2 delegates sent to the eparchial conference each year. Well let's try to share ideas because I think this is a good place to learn about the youth ministry and involvement in our parishes. Thanks!
-ukrainiancatholic

It's funny you should mention that! There was a parish meeting at my parish today also! The youth is very involed there.

The council listened to a report from the youth group, and the person in charge of the bookstore is part of the youth group (he posts on this forum as well). So in this parish the youth is very involved, however, I think that it may be an exception because it's not your normal parish. At my old parish there was (and is) apathy among the youth, partially because they have no role in the services. At my present parish, the youth are very involved in singing, bell ringing, and serving, so they have no choice but to be somewhat interested in parish meetings. Plus, the youth here are not your normal youth.

Daniil

[ 02-03-2002: Message edited by: Daniil ]

hey,
Correct me if I am wrong but I guess that some of the youth members go to that wooden St. Elias Ukr. Cath. Church that is like total 'Eastern.' Just out of curiosity, who wrote or painted the ikony in the church. Also what lanuague is used in the services? Our parish is considering going to all Ukrainian and drop the English except for ukie/eng gospels and epistles. Just wondering.
-ukrainiancatholic
p.s. go Patriots!!

Hey, ukrainiancatholic, as of now, the Pats are winning...

Hey everyone again,
My older brother is getting ready for collage but my parents want to send him to Fransican Uni. of Stuebenville. My bro doesn't like our Ukr. rite so my parents aren't worried about sending him to such a 'how-to-say- it' very strong RC univ. I know of Ukrainian Catholics who have gone there and who are there now and one of them is wanting to change his rite to RC. Of course I myself am not going, but just for reference, does anyone know of Stuebenville's handling with us eastern catholics? I have heard a few stories of eastern rite kids comming out of there staunch RC's, totally loosing their native rite.
Any help? Any stories?? All info will be appreciated.
-ukrainiancatholic
p.s congrats patriots!!

Yes, the parish I was describing is Saint Elias (www.saintelias.com).

The language is mainly English, meaning all English for Vespers and Matins, and then every other Sunday Liturgy is Ukrainian. Switching to Ukrainian isn't, in my opinion, a good move. If people can't understand it then it's pointless. I am fluent in Ukrainian and sometimes it's difficult for me to always understand everything.
Personally, I would make the switch back to Old Slavonic (that was a quasi joke).

Oh yeah: New England Patriots, Super Bowl Champions!!!!!!!

Daniil

[ 02-03-2002: Message edited by: Daniil ]

ukrainiancatholic,

Regarding places like Franciscan University of Steubenville and the charismatic/Pentecostal movement in general, I now have a page on my site with my take on it (based on replies I have written on the forum).

Daniil,

Actually in the Ukrainian Catholic Church I'd think using Ukrainian would make sense, because unlike the Ruthenian Church there is a large immigrant population, both immediately post-WWII and post-Soviet. Is the majority at St Elias' English- or Ukrainian-speaking as a first language? My church has a Russian-speaking majority (though most also know English pretty well), including recent immigrants, so nearly everything is in Slavonic — that's how people (including the American-born) want it.

http://oldworldrus.com

[ 02-04-2002: Message edited by: Serge ]

That's very good Serge. This is similiar to our case in Montreal. Almost all the Melkites know excellent French (and some English), but the Liturgy remains in Arabic. If the American born also wish to stick to their Church's cultural and ethnic identity, then kudos to them, and thank God for some old world outposts that do not rely on the need for fresh immigrants to keep them preserved intact.

In IC XC
Samer

Hi Serge and SamB,

To gently push this thread back on topic, I think it's a wonderful idea to keep many of the ethnic touches in the Eastern Catholic Churches. Hymns should be sung in Slavonic (provided of course, the congregation have at least some idea of what they mean), I think eggs and wall murals are way cool (back at my home parish in Gilbert, AZ there are two wall murals of icons of saints and feasts on two of the walls).

But most importantly, I think it's key that the Ruthenian Metropolia of Pittsburgh maintain interpersonal and interparish contacts with the Ruthenian Church back in Ruthenia (I doubt anybody calls it that). What's most important is the continuing connection of faith between the Churches in the "old country" and those in the "diaspora". In more concrete terms:

1. Fundraisers for orphanages back in da' homeland (St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Phx. did this last year)
2. Pen Pals!!
3. Support the work of CNEWA and subscribe to their magazine. CNEWA rocks!
4. Pilgrimages/ organizing parish/youth group trips to "old country"

...many more I'm sure, but that's it for now. Oh yeah, I'm also in favor of the Ruthenian Metropolia (eventually) joining the Ukranian Catholic Church here in the U.S... but now I'll get out of Dodge and ride off into the sunset.

Yours in the Theotokos,

Darrenn

In regards to the Easteren Catholics at Steubenville. There are two Ruthenian Churches, one in Toronto and one in Mingo Jct. They are each about 15 minutes from the university. Many students attend the services there from the school, both Roman and Eastern.

Also, in regards to the Steubenville's focus is on more Marion now than charismatic. There is very little charismatic activity on campus.

Rose

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Rose ]

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Rose ]

Rose,
Any Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches nearby the school? Thanks
-ukrainiancatholic

SLAVA ISUSU CHRISTU!
SLAVA NA VIKI BOHU!

One of the problems my parish faces is the fact that the closest family live 15 minutes away by car.

When we have programs for our youth, they are ususally right after Divine Liturgy on Sunday because so many of the families do live so far away. One family wiht 4 kids drives over an hour each way to attend Divine Liturgy.

We have had programs for our youth in the past. Last year, we had the older kids paint their own ikon which they carried in procession on Ikon Sunday. The younger kids got decoupage ikons on to wood and they carried these in the procession also.

We have an Easter traditions Saturday. They kids get to make horseradish, a small Paska and also learn to do pysanky.

The older kids now work the White Elephant table at our annual food festivals. At the last one, they raised over $300.

They are learning a good deal about what it means to be an active member of a parish.

IMHO, a great deal also depends on how active the parents themselves are in the parish. We do have our share of parents who'd rather have their kids out on the football-soccer fields on Sunday morning than singing praises to God. These are also the parents who never pitch in to make holupki or bake kolach or any of the other activies associated with out food festivals. I don't expect to see these kids after they graduate from high school.

Just my couple of drobny....

mark