www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Byzantines in Northern Michigan?

Hello all,

I'm a Latin rite Catholic who has greatly appreciated "breathing with both lungs." I attended a Ukrainian Byzantine high school and, since then, have greatly loved enriching my Latin life with occasional attendance at Divine Liturgy. I was greatly disappointed to learn that there are no Eastern parishes or missions in northern lower Michigan (especially northwestern lower Michigan). I know there had been a bi-ritual priest (of the then-Eparchy of Van Nuys) serving a Latin parish in Kalkaska, MI, (about an hour from where I live) as his parents live nearby. His eparch called him back to serve in California, however, and it appears that he will remain on the West Coast.

Regardless, he had offered Divine Liturgy on a regular basis to what I assume was a contingent of families of the various Eastern Catholic Churches. I was curious if anyone on this board knows anyone who might have been part of that group or any other Eastern Catholics in northern Michigan.

As I said, I would greatly like to have the opportunity to worship with my Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters and look into what would be necessary to found a mission. There are many Latin churches in this area with only occasional usage, and I would think our Bishop would be open to allowing a Byzantine mission usage of one of these for Liturgy.

I know the process would be long, complicated, etc., but I sort of want to get a feel for if my hope is totally ridiculous and/or unwarranted due to lack of potential congregants. I'm no millionaire or anything, so, sadly, I can't assist with the financial side of things. I am, however, willing to do whatever I can in good will, grunt work, etc., to see this happen.

Thanks!

Nick

Ni Nick!

It's great that you have an interest in the Byzantine Liturgy. I recommend that you contact the priest who used to occasionally serve there and ask him to put you in contact with some of the people who were regular participants in the occasional liturgies that he celebrated. They will have a good idea of whether there is real possibility of establishing a mission, and what work you could do to help. The alternative would be to contact the Eparchy and ask how you could help.

Prayers and best wishes for Holy Week and Pascha!

John

You are at somewhat of a disadvantage geographically since Grand Rapids, Flint, and Bay City are the most northern cities in the lower peninsula to have an Eastern Rite Parish. The next closest to you would probably be Sault Ste-Marie, Ontario where there is a Ukrainian Catholic parish. There is also Transfiguration Skete in Eagle River but that's quite a distance as well. That's the extent of my knowledge. You are always welcome at our parish in Grand Rapids if you come this way!

Christ is Risen!
Stefan-Ivan