Wasn't it about a year ago that we had a collection to help start new Churches? What has become of that money? Have we started any new Churches recently?

The fact that we raised money for such a cause tells me that at least in theory we have a vision that new Churches ought to be started. If that is true are we training enough new priests to start them? Do we have enough funds to start new Churches? What strategies do we have for starting new Churches? Is there a committee to assist our bishop in the start up of new Churches? What can we non-Priests do to help this process along?

I'm very interested in this. My wife and I gave to this fund. I'm trained to start new Churches. I'm inquiring about the priesthood but am married and so may never be a priest.

Any news would be appreciated.

Dan Lauffer

My priest told me that the Bishop has cut down on new Churches because the numbers are not there. People were trying to start new Churches with only 12 members and it simply does not work. I believe we have only 70 members at my church now.

Any thoughts?

Thank you for responding.

Yes, I have several thoughts. First, if we see ourselves as only ethnic enclaves we will never need any new Churches. In fact, we should close some that we have. Second, if we are willing to tell our story to our neighbors and invite them we will need new Churches and we will grow.

It does seem odd to me that a fund drive to start new Churches was launched a year ago and we've heard nothing since. Apparently there is some kind of vision for starting them or we would not have had the fund drive.

No, I don't think a new Church can be started with 10 members. One hundred would seem to be a good starting point. If God can use Father Gillquist to get new Antiochian Churches started I don't see why God wouldn't want us to do the same thing.

BTW I'm a bit confused by your moniker. Are you Roman Catholic? If so, I know nothing about the RC's and their mission efforts. Indeed my question is about BC's.

Dan Lauffer

[ 12-12-2001: Message edited by: Dan Lauffer ]

[ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: Dan Lauffer ]

Dear Mr. Lauffer,

One of the draw backs on starting new Churches is the lack of Priests.Just north of the IL stateline this group of folks has been around since the late 70's. One problem they have they never had a full time Priest. Always a bi-ritual. of course and understandably they have priorities to their order/diocese.If you have read some of my other threads you are aware that it was once a Church and its great location. One of our problems is that we are forced due to Fr.'s schedule to have Liturgy on Sat. There are some folks in NE Lake County, Mc Henry County Madison,WI who don't attend mostly likely it a difficult time of day.Or they don't believe in Sat. Liturgy. So a simple thing like Sunday Liturgy would probably increase our membership. We had folks who recently moved to Green Bay from somewhere? come down for Liturgy.I don't think they will do that too often on a Sat. evening.Can you see the draw backs.You stated you are trained to start new Churches. I don't see why until you become a priest the Eparchy doesn't utilize your talents. Have you look at missions and communities like ours and see if something can be done in spite of the limitations or ask you to help develop guidelines for starting new Churches and long range programs. As for starting a Church with a hundred families I thought most of these Churches only had a few hundred members at the most. So you suggest have 1/2 the membership before you start? Or are you talking a hundred people? If your ever up in the Gurnee Mills Great America area on Sat. we are about an 1/2 hr away.Please join us for Liturgy.

Nicky's Baba

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese the required number appears to be 25 adult member for a mission and 50 adult members for a Parish. The Greek Archdiocese, OCA, and the other "Canonical" groups seem to look for about 100 adult members as the Parish level.[ This is probably because it takes about 100 adults paying tithes and gifts to fully support the Parish Church and Priest.] OCA has many missions and preaching stations pastored by the many fine graduates of their Theological Seminaries---sort of a Priest make your own Parish to survive.

You may also find in all jurisdictions, a small group (several families) that has the potential for becoming a mission organizing themselves, with the blessing or their bishop or a near by priest, as a home chapel (like we have in my home) with a traveling priest or visiting priest from a larger parish or mission coming every four to six weeks to serve the Divine Liturgy---these are usually called "preaching Stations. In the preaching station the orthodox community gathers for Typika services, Vespers without a priest, morning prayers without a priest, Akathists, and other Laity led services and offer a place for the visiting priets to baptize children, offer the Divine Liturgy when in the area. It also presents an opportunity for evangelical outreach to the unchurched or those seeking more orthodox worship.

ROCOR and some of the smaller ultra conservative "non-canonical" orthodox churches seem to have a practice of starting missions on the request of several Orthodox families and the bishops will send around a priest monthly to provide the divine Liturgy. Like the preaching station, these missions allow the local orthodox community to meet for fellowship and worship as wel as missionary outreach.

In all of these cases, some will make it and some will not. I do not see why it would not be possible with all the Roman Catholic Churches around to not arrange with a local priest to allow an area to be set aside for Eastern Catholic worship and hours with a visiting Eastern Catholic priest making the rounds monthly.
It would seem to me that, it would be a way to prove the viability of the Eastern catholic community to organize and support a mission or parish.

Your brother in Christ,
Thomas

Nicky's Baba,

When and where? It sounds fascinating to me. As soon as I can I'll be there. I love evangelization.

To both you and Thomas I find your posts very encouraging. It's amazing what God can do with hearts open to Him.

Dan Lauffer

[ 12-12-2001: Message edited by: Dan Lauffer ]

I've sent an email message to Father James Batcha, office of Evangelization, for the Eparchy of Parma. As soon as he contacts me I will forward his message. I'm eager to know what we are doing and wish to make the specifics a matter of prayer. I'm also eager to see how God may wish to use me in helping in this area.

In case anyone would wish to contact Father Batcha directly his addy is JAMESBATCHA@prodigy.net

BTW I plan on visiting Nicky's Baba's Church this Saturday evening in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Evangelization is a God given passion with me. If we get there I will report my visit.

Dan Lauffer

I have a question Dan.

Are you talking about starting a new Byzantine Catholic Church where there are no Eastern Catholic parishes? Or one where there are other Eastern Catholic Parishes?

Like here in Rochester, NY. There is a Melkite parish and two Ukrainian parishes.

There is a Byzantine parish in the Buffalo area, an hour away and the pastor there has two parishes, the other one is almost an hour south of Buffalo (I believe).

There are a handful of us Byzanitne Catholics that worship at the Melkite parish.

My feeling is, if there is already an Eastern Catholic Church in the area, then you should go there rather than spreading the clergy resources so much.


Yours in Christ,
David

I think little doubt exists that the need for evangelization by us is strongest in the newly emerging democrcies in Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania. Here, millions of souls exist without proper access to the Church. Evangelizers, clergy, social service organs, educational institutes are sorely needed.

I know many of our people in North America have already done much to help, but much more help is needed.

K.

David,

This will only be an exploratory visit to a mission that already exists. I have little idea what I can do, if anything.

Kurt,

How might we get involved with helping the work in these countries? I'm in favor of expanding the kingdom wherever possible.

Dan Lauffer

Every parish I know of and is in a position to help has some program to assit the newly liberated chruches in Slovakia and/or Ukraine.

If one wishes to reach a bit broader, I cannot overstate my high regard for the social and evangelistic mission of the American Catholic Near East Welfare Association (which, like AARP, now goes officially by just its initials -- CNEWA). Despite their name, they assist the Eastern Catholic Churches where ever they exist and are in need.

CNEWA is under the patronage of H.E. The Archbishop of New York, Ordinary for the Russian Byzantine Catholics in New York State.

CNEWA is quite kind to their patrons, who are sent a award winning magazine know for its articles and truly excellent photographs pertaining to Eastern Christianity. Unlike some charitable operations (religious and secular -- and whom I am not critizing, I'm just commending CNEWA) provides detailed reports on their work and operations to major patrons and will work with patrons who would like to assist with particular projects/local churches/countries etc.

I know for me, they periodically send me information on a wide variety of projects they are planning on initiating, allowing me to direct my collaboration to what interests me (which is religous education for youth in Eastern Europe -- may God forgive my parochialism). We are building a youth center in Transylvania right now though additional patrons are needed (this is called a hint, boyz & grrrlz).

To go on (which as you all know, I can do), I just stand in totaly respect as to how they include in their mission the education and inclusion of their patrons. Earlier this year, they invited me to go with them and a group of major patrons on a project tour and pilgrimage in the Holy Land, so we could see the projects (orphanages, churches, schools, clinics, social centers, employment projects so Christians coudl stay in the Middle East rather than emigrate, etc) as well as visit the holy sites and meet with the Patriarchs and prelates whose churches are assisted by CNEWA.

I couldn't get away during the week they had is scheduled, but if ever invited to a project tour of Eastern Europe, I would move heaven and earth to go.

K.