On Sunday, January 22nd, 2012, the Eastern Catholic Bishops of the United States of America (USCCB Region XV) are pleased to host the first ever Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington, DC, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

The Eastern Catholic Bishops of the United States invite all students in the area as well as interested people to come on by and learn about the importance of Christ’s call in your lives to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. This is also a great chance to learn about the various Eastern Catholic Churches that are here in the USA, serving a diverse community of immigrants from countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Romania, Syria, Ukraine and many others, but also serving generations of Americans over the years. Come and see!

For more information, check out our facebook page: www.facebook.com/EasternCatholicVocationsFairUSA
Or contact: Rev. Paul J. Makar 215-627-0143

I just received this email from Sr. Ann (and Fr. Paul) with an update - looks like it will have a good turnout:

"Dear All,


Are you aware that there will be a Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair in Washington, DC on January 22, 2012?

So far, the total number of Eastern Catholic congregations and/or Diocesan groups that we will have at the fair is approximately 16. These are groups who have positively indicated that they will be attending:

Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, PA
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, CT
Basilian Fathers of Glen Cove, NY
Sisters of St. Basil the Great (Fox Chase, PA)
Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God
Ukrainian Catholic Redemptorists (Yorkton Province)
Holy Apostles Institute of Diaconate Formation, Parma, OH
Holy Transfiguration Skete, Eagle Harbor, MI
Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, PA
Byzantine Eparchy of Parma, OH
Sisters of St Basil the Great (Uniontown, PA)
The Nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery, Burton, OH
Benedictine Sisters of the Byzantine Church, Warren, OH
Maronite Servants of Christ the Light
Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, NY
Melkite Eparchy of Newton, MA
Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle in Detroit, MI.
The Society of Jesus (Eastern Catholic representatives from Fordham University)

If you or any of your Churches are coming for the Right for Life events in Washington, DC please consider stopping by the Vocations Fair in Washington, DC on January 22, 2012 at the Holy Family Shrine right next to St Josaphat Seminary and Catholic University.

The tentative schedule will look like this:

Sunday:
8:00 am - Hall available for set up of displays
9:00 am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (English)
11:30 am - Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Ukrainian)
1:00 pm - Doors open for the Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair 2012 (with opening prayer by Metropolitan Stefan Soroka)
4:00 pm - Eastern Catholic Vocations Fair 2012 ends (Ending prayer.)
4:00 pm - Participants breakdown displays and clean up - free to attend Right for Life events in area, check out of St. Josaphat Seminary when ready.

I think that this will be an excellent first step toward spreading vocations awareness for the Eastern Catholic Churches, and of course, presents a unique opportunity for evangelizing the faithful/local community and educating them about our respective churches and customs. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to email me at ukrvocations@catholic.org (or if this does not work, ukieseminarian@gmail.com) or to call me at 1-215-627-0143.

God bless you always in everything you do!
V/R, Father Paul Makar"

Here is an article and some nice photos from the 2012 Vocations Fair which over 200 people attended in Washington D.C:

http://www.ukrarcheparchy.us/way/VOCATIONFAIR2012.pdf

Glory to Jesus Christ!

It looks like Mother Theodora's Byzanteens group kept you busy for a while. It's a good group; without doubt we will see some vocations from them.

Christ is amongst us!
Fr Deacon Paul