CHRIST IS RISEN! Dear Melkite Readers of these Forum, or anyone who can help me! I need to know who is the director of diaconal candidates' formation in the Eparchy of Newton (Melkite Church). Please send me through e-mail (ruthenus@kul.lublin.pl) his name and both e-mail and snail mail addresses (somebody check their mailboxes not very often). Thanks in advance for your kind assistance. Peter

Dear Servant of God, Peter

Christ is Risen !

You might want to check out their web site at:

http://www.melkite.org/

Joe Prokopchak
St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church
Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

Indeed, He is Risen! Dear Mr.Prokopchak, I know this site very well. There are no such data at it. Peter

[This message has been edited by Piotr Siwicki (edited 05-13-99).]

The Director of the Deacon Formation Program for the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton is:

Fr. Paul Frechette
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Melkite Church
256 Hamilton St.
Worcester, MA 01604
Ph / Fax: ++1-508-752-4174

Unfortunately, Fr. Frechette does not have e-mail. It would be best to send him snail mail.

Dear Moose, Thank you very much indeed. Yours in Christ, Peter

peter, i visited with fr hrubiak, of parma. he told me you had contacted him. there is a movement to standardize diaconal preparation. the latin church went through a similar history, i think. initial programs were specific to each person and special needs. then a basic program in the dioceses. then dissatisfaction and a movement towards a standard program. there is a conference on the diaconate in the latin church. but the byzantine seems to be going it their own way, repeating history.
i was told by the bishop that i had made two errors at least (more but these head the list) 1. i had done five years of theology and completed (almost the MDiv degree, which is that of priests in the usa) without a sponsor to tell me waht to do. 2. i had not been in the same parish all my life. so, i am sort of an irregular, questionable... well, see what happens next?

Wasyl,

I think you are quite correct with your comments about the efforts to standardize deacon formation among Byzantines in North America. This is understandable and normal. It will probably be 5-10 years before the different eparchies quit "doing their own thing" and combine our already scarce resources into one program. I can already imagine the fellowship that will occur when there is a formation class of 50 deacon candidates instead of just 5-10 for each eparchy. It would do wonders in bringing together the various Byzantine peoples. Then imagine what it would be like if we could agree on a single translation of the texts of the Divine Liturgy!

I am surprised to learn that you have been working toward your MDiv with an intention of being ordained without having a sponsoring bishop. It is normal and correct for a bishop to take an active role in the formation of any deacon who pledges to serve him. With your account of the numerous parishes you have been in it is understandable that any bishop would consider you a risky candidate. Have you had the pastors of each of these parishes document your service to each parish during the time when you were a member? Do you have the active support of your local pastor? It might help. I'm sure all of us here join together in praying for you as you discern this vocation.