Dear Father,

I was interested in your last post to Jodi's Thread. I hope it is ok to start a new thread. I am a RC who is attending the Byzantine Church.
Are you saying that children who's parents leave the Latin to attend the Byzantine become confused about what to believe and more easily leave the Catholic Church altogether?

The reason I ask is that this has been a question and worry of mine. Is what the RCs are doing, the same as "church hopping" in the protestant churches.

I would very much appreciate your wise advice on this as I am the mother of 6 young children and do not want to confuse or lose them from the Catholic Church.

Also, does this mean that if one is born into a Rite or a church, they should not ever change? Even if they find their relationship with God growing in another Rite?

Could an O'Neil ever be accepted in the Byzantine Church? :-)

Since I am unsure if this is an appropriate topic for this board and I do not wish to offend, here is my e-mail adress: holyfam@nlc.com

If this is not an appropriate topic for this board please e-mail me privately. I would greatly value the insight of a good Priest on this matter.
In the two hearts,
Dot

Dot,

While I am not a priest, I am in formation for the diaconate and know your situation well. I think I may be of some help.

In Jodi's post, I believe Father was refering to those Latin Catholics who attend Byzantine Churches, not because they love the Byzantine Church, but as a second choice because they feel the local Latin parishes aren't "traditional" enough. They come to the Byzantine Church but refuse to honor our traditions. They refuse to stand on Sundays, are scandalized by our infants receiving communion, oppose icon screens being returned to our churches, complain when the Stations of the Cross or statues are removed, etc. These people actively promote Latin piety and devotions in opposition to Byzantine forms. If they succede they produce a hybrid church that is truly neither Byzantine nor Latin, but a grotesque amalgamation that satisfies noone who truly understands either tradition. It is in this way the children become confused. If a Byzantine Church isn't truly Byzantine, why go to it? Why not go to a Latin Church? If you are fleeing what you feel is bad liturgy or practice in your Latin parish, I suggest you find a Latin parish that celebrates the Mass correctly.

If on the otherhand, you find a true spiritual connection to the Byzantine Church by all means continue attending. Go to Divine Liturgy, Vespers and Matins if available, attend classes if offered, read books on Byzantine spirituality, go to Liturgy of the Presanctified during Lent, go to the Pilgrimage at Mt. St. Macrina if you can, in a word immerse yourself in Byzantine Spirituality. Do this for a year, if you find yourself growing closer to Christ keep going. Keep going for two more years and if you still find yourself spiritually edified petition the local Byzantine bishop for a canonical change of sui iuris church, you have found your true home.

Don't worry about acceptance either, our Church has room for everyone. It had room for a fifteen year-old kid whose last name was Weakland. Now, a few years later, that kid is studying to be a Byzantine deacon. O'Neil shouldn't be a problem. I hope this was helpful.

Lance Weakland

Weakland isn't to bad of a name; We have a Catholic Archbishop by the same surname. But we gotta talk about "Lance". That's a dead giveaway to a convert.

K.

Dot,

Could you please e-mail me privately? I tried to send you mail at the address you listed, and it bounced.

BTW, as far as "O'Neill" being accepted in the Byzantine Catholic Church, I'm sure you wouldn't be the first. In fact there is a rather interesting minority to which I have come to refer (with the greatest respect and affection) as the Irish Orthodox Mafia. Hop right in.

Cheers,

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

>>>BTW, as far as "O'Neill" being accepted in the Byzantine Catholic Church, I'm sure you wouldn't be the first. In fact there is a rather interesting minority to which I have come to refer (with the greatest respect and affection) as the Irish Orthodox Mafia. Hop right in.<<<

Is it larger than the Hiberian Ukrainian Greek Catholic Mafia?

Thank you one and all.
Lance, you have given me much to think and pray about. I didn't even realize the stations were not Byzantine or pews or kneelers until I came here. It is all so interesting. We have these at the BC I am attending.

At first I wondered if I agreed with you on the problem of mixing the 2 rites. At first it would seem a good thing to blend. But then as I prayed and thought on it over this weekend, I could see what you were saying. ( I think I understand would be more accurate) The RC are taking out the kneelers and the stations of the cross and they have nothing and the people feel a loss. It must be the same for the BC when the things they have used to worship are taken away or new things are added. They feel a loss. makes perfect sense. Again one way is not better than another but when you mix you miss the fullness of the Rite.
Are there any sites which show the interior of a Byzantine Church. One not effected by the Roman Rite?

We decided to place our children in the Sunday School classes this last Sunday. We are learning just from the books they bring home. So cute, our 7 yr old first grader came to us and said, "Mommy all these years Daddy have been doing the Sign of the Cross Wrong. Let me teach you the right way."
We are also attending classes on Tuesday night with the Priest. Bible Study of the Acts. But I am sure we will learn much. We continue to pray and seek the Lords will. What ever it will be, I know we will grow Spiritually as we learn more about the Church.

My husband has wanted to transfer to the BC for the last 5 years, since he began a limited study of the 2 rites 5 years ago. He feels very strongly, it is important that children receive the Sacraments at once.

I have printed off what you wrote and will continue to pray and learn about the BC. Thank you so very much.

And Sharon, I look forward to your e-mail. My husband will like the "Irish Orthodox Mafia" term. Saturday was a craft fair at the church. They were serving ethnic food. He wanted to know where the potato soup and irish stew was being served!

Blessings,
Dot

Dear Dot,
Christ is among us!
I am sorry that I have been so long in responding to your inquiry. I have recently returned from an educational trip to the Middle East as part of my Doctoral program. In answer to your question. Number one: EVERYONE should be welcome in a Byzantine Catholic Church! In my parishes we work at this welcome. We have a number of Latin Catholics who recently have begun attending the Divine Liturgy and our other services. they too have entered our Eastern Christian Formation Classes for both children and adults. They have found a generous welcome, not only to their presence, but their questions too! Each have discribed how much they enjoy the family atmosphere of our parishes.
I would be happy to answer any of your questions. Please mail me at:
St.Andrew Byzantine Church
5768 Andrews Rd.
Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH 44060
In the Holy Trinity,
Fr. Bryan