This is my first post, and I'm so happy to see a sub-topic for Ukrainian Catholics because I've wanted to ask some questions for a long time. I'm very interested in the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches and would love to beginning attending mass there. The closest one to where I live is a Ukrainian Catholic parish. Could someone tell me what to expect there, for example, will the liturgy be in English or Ukrainian? Will the Mass be approximately an hour long or more like Orthodoxy Liturgies that can last for 2 to 2/12 hours? Do the Ukrainain Catholic Churches have an RCIA program? Do you think a visitors without a Ukrainian heritage would feel welcomed there? I've been reading posts from different areas of the board, and it's been so interesting thus far.

That all really depends on the parish. In the Ukrainian Catholic Church, you can find extremes even within the same city. One parish can be full of lace and rosaries, while another can have icons of St. Seraphim of Sarov and high-backed vestments (I'm thinking of one in particular here). My advice would be to check it out for yourself, and don't make final judgements from just one parish (unless you like it very much, of course ).

Daniil

Just which parish are you thinking of?
Aren't high-backs russian? (hehehe)
We Dont't have a St. Seraphim Icon...yet.

keep on truckin'

Both Ukrainian parishes in Missouri have Divine Liturgy in Ukrainian (and English mixed at St Joe's). Both Ruthenian parishes have Liturgy in English. What the Maronites do, i do know know for sure. It would be helpful to know where you are in the state.

I'm in the St. Louis area. If you know names, locations, websites, etc. of any Eastern Rite churches in or near St. Louis, could you let me know? I'm only aware of one. Thanks.

[ 03-22-2002: Message edited by: ubi_caritas ]

Dear Ubi,

Well, you're in luck, Ma'am. You have three Eastern Rite parishes in St Louis and Vincintiy, and one just accross the river in Illinois. The Ruthenian mission meets at the St Nicholas of Myra chapel at the new Cathedral at 6:30 PM on Saturday nights. www.iarelative.com/stlm.htm
I will see about the Maronite church (St Raymond's, that is where their Eparch is), and the two Ukrainian parishes.

St RAymond's web site is:
www.greencedars.com/st-raymonds/

The address is:
931 Lebanon Drive, St. Louis, MO 63104
OFC: (314) 621-0056
CTR: (314) 241-8248
FAX: (314) 231-9057

And for the Ukrainians:

St. Mary's Assumption
11363 Oak Branch Drive
St. Louis, MO

Telephone: (314) 487-6982

Rev. Petro Svidrun


St. Mary
1312 Iowa Street
Madison, IL 62060

Web Site: n/a