www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Can we afford "business as usual"?

I had some tea with Father Loya today for about two hours. He told me that the entire BC Church is running on red alert and that he believes Bsp. John knows it and has alerted our priests to it. He cites the newly unserved parishes, including the Cathedral Church. He pointed to the missions and near missions that we unserved. Finally he pointed out that the average age of our priests is 58 with two groups. The young ones are in their late 40's and the larger group in their 70's. Bsp. John called for a focus upon mission and strategic planning. Three lay people from our Church made presentation along these lines. Many laity know this and those that are in business could help us a great deal. Many of our priests seemed out of the loop in this area. Father wonders himself if shortly he won't be asked to serve more than one parish.

The standard model for Church life seems to be maintenance oriented. I've seen this while visiting other parishes in our Eparchy. We also know that our Church has drug its feet in seeking vocations.

Father Loya's observed that the Eparchy is on "red alert" but I wonder if we will do anything about it. Can we afford "business as usual"?

Will we look at options for releasing our deacons to direct mission work while our priests serve on circuits? Will we look at ways to better utilize our laity in helping to start study and prayer groups with the potential of new missions and eventually new Churches? Will we get serious about vocations?

Dan Lauffer

Dan,

I think the Deacons should be asked to continue education and become Priests.Since we are on red alert the education should be brought to them. We need a Seminary on wheels. I'm sure Fr. Loya would gladly give classroom space to acomplish this.In our area there are many get your MS schools on weekends and nights from places like Marquette or Cardinal Stritch.They meet in local hotels and bank buildings. We need to fit what the guys would learn at the seminary into that kind of structure.We need to tap into your skills as a former Minister.We needed to have done that years ago. So we should do it immediately.

Nicky's Baba

Christ is Risen!

Dan, you've hit the nail on the head. Our future hinges on how serious we are about vocations.

We need priests -- married and celibate. Has the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church restored our tradition of married priests? I see conflicting information. I think the new priests that will be called to serve will largely be married. Are we serious about vocations from married men with families? We better be. Without priests we have no Eucharist and no Holy Mysteries to transfigure our lives in the light of Christ.

Can the seminary in Pittsburgh handle married priests and their families? How will we support them? Financially? Emotionally? Spiritually? These days given the way of the world, the depressed economy, etc., I doubt that we'll see men in mass head to Pittsburgh with their families to pursue the priesthood for four to six years. It's unlikely to become reality. Where will they work? How will they support their families? Can we wait for four to six years? How many parishes will die while we wait?

We need ideas and we need to act ...

1.) Nicky's Baba, your seminary-on-wheels idea is great. We could bring the seminary to those called to the priesthood. Perhaps we could also harness the potential of the Internet as a real-time seminary classroom too.

2.) We have a large Eastern Christian population in Chicago. Why couldn't we pool our resources with the other Byzantines in the area?

3.) Can we partner with the Orthodox somehow (unlikely, I know)?

4.) Can current parish pastors take men under their wing and form them as priests? How was it done in the early church?

5.) Are there any bi-ritual monasteries that could help us in the short term. The Benedictines here at St. Procopius in Chicago come to mind. Our priests attended their seminary until 1950.

6.) In general, we need a massive PR blitz to let the world know we exist. It's time to come out from under the bushel basket and return to the missionary ways of the evangelists-to-the-Slavs, St. Cyril and Methodius. We can afford this – PR is free.

These are just some random thoughts that came fast and furious. I'm sure others have ideas too. We need to act. Yes, Dan, we need to get serious about vocations, now!

John, a sinner

I was told that our seminary in Pittsburgh is so tiny staff-wise that it will have a tough time just accomodating the incoming class of diaconial candidates, who are only in residence 2 weeks a year. The implication was that even if there were more candidates, there wouldn't be a way for the metropolia to handle the acute shortage of seminary staff itself. At least the diaconial program is mostly a distance learning program.

A mentoring program with an experienced priest could be designed that would lead to ordination to the priesthood, but it could diminish the opportunities for interaction with a class of candidates and staff. Such a program could also help, however, especially in the area of pastoral counseling.

Meanwhile, I guess it's a good idea to also reclaim our tradition of non-sacramental services.

Jim,

I'm not sure where you received your information about the seminary's having a "tough time" staff wise to accomodate the new cohort of deacon candidates. I'm sure that if the size of its staff was an issue, the PA Department of Education would not have given the seminary degree-granting authority.

Having been a member of the first cohort of deacon candidates and a present member of the advisory board, I have had the unique opportunity to view the seminary from two perspectives. Although, the full time staff is no where the size of even a grammar school, the faculty, administration, students, and volunteers have, IMHO, excelled beyond anyone's expectations with the given resources. Given the caliber of instructors, full time and adjunct, the classroom experience rivals that of any institution. My four summers at the seminary were some of the most faith-forming eight weeks of my life, and I thank the faculty, staff, and my brother candidates for the experience.

Can there be improvements? Of course! The staff has worked to implement the association with Duquesne to grant degrees, and the seminary now has its own degree granting status. This did not come about without the valiant efforts of the staff and others. Improvements are ongoing.

The question of vocations is certainly a cause for concern. All of us look to our hierarchs and priests for answers. Yet, what are we going to do about it. We look for campaigns to advertize the need, but I wonder if that is the answer. If we look to Sacred Scripture, we see that Our Lord called his apostles one at a time. As parents, it is our responsibility to prepare our children to "hear" the calling of the Lord. As parishioners, it is our responsibility to encourage those in our communities that are discerning that call. As the faithful, we have a good notion of what qualities a priest, deacon, monk or nun should have. Look in your own parishes to develop your own "home-grown" vocations. Dare to think that God, if not calling you directly to a vocation, is calling you to seek out those who would make a good candidate for a vocation.

(Fr Deacon) John Montalvo III

(I received the Sacred Order of the Diaconate at the hands of His Grace, Bishop William, on May 3, 2003.)

As I understand it the issue of certification doesn't have much to do with staff size but filling out the appropriate paperwork, paying the fees, having the facility, documenting curriculum and experience of faculty, and considering the current full-time student component of the seminary is fairly small, they probably look good with the student to teacher ratio.

At the Ukrainian seminaries of Stamford, Washington D.C. and Holy Spirit in Canada, they have had married men in residence on and off for twenty or more years.

John,

This is good advice.

"As parishioners, it is our responsibility to encourage those in our communities that are discerning that call. As the faithful, we have a good notion of what qualities a priest, deacon, monk or nun should have. Look in your own parishes to develop your own "home-grown" vocations"

Be assured that we are doing that in the Annunciation parish. We have persons who have expressed serious interest. There are other bottlenecks, it would seem.

Welcome, Father Deacon.

Diak,

I wish the Ruthenians were as courageous and forward looking. :rolleyes:

Dan Lauffer

As far as worrying about what to do ministry- wise after ordination, I think the concern should be about overload rather than underload. West of the Mississippi the people are so spread out and there is so much for a deacon to do.

Jim,

I think someone needs a vision from God. Maintenance ministry will not produce a healthy future or an obedient one. There is plenty to do for every deacon and then some. BTW What numbers are they talking about?

"He is also concerned about available ministries for the candidates, assuming they successfully complete the program."

Moreover, why can't we rejoice that we have a large number of candidates? Why must we always think that we are only an ethnic Church? Why can't we be a Church in truth and become evangelical? Moreover, what is wrong with encouraging some of these Deacons to become Priests? We must stop thinking backward and think forward. As Gretsky would say when asked for the secret of his success let's "go where the puck is going instead of where it's been." A leader does not wear himself out shooting at a target. That's just maintenance. A leader shoots an arrow, draws a circle around the landed arrow and calls the rest of us to shoot at the new target. We don't need maintenance. WE NEED LEADERS. Lord, give us leaders.

Dan Lauffer

Didn't you mean "assisted dying?"

First: Who's we?

Second: Our Church supplies many vocations to other Eastern Catholic jurisdictions and Orthodox communities. Seriously.

Third: My other comments are here: https://www.byzcath.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000278

Joe

Well, in many Orthodox Churches, most of them, the parish clergy are mature men. This not always means that they lack vocations. Why not trying to strenghten programmes to promote vocations among mature men? (50 or older). Moreover, many mature men feel useless and and priesthood would be a good option for them, and it would give them the opportunity to be a part of the community too (in addition to all the graces and religious values of priesthood). In other countries there are mature men who become priests and most priests are mature (this is in the case where married clergy is permitted like among the Orthodox or the Maronites, but if it's about celibate priests in the USA in the Roman style, they face the same problems that the Roman face.)

Christ is Risen!

Last night I undertook a detailed reading of the latest encyclical from the Holy Father -- Ecclesia de Eucharistia. All of us should read this document to learn what the Eucharist really means for Catholics. There is a link between our current vocations crisis and our general lack of or erroneous understanding of the Eucharist.

At Annunciation, the Eucharist is at the center of our parish. And as a lay person, I clearly see that the Eucharist is at the heart of Fr. Loya's priestly ministry. There is a love for the Eucharist that radiates out from each Divine Liturgy at Annunciation. This love opens my heart to the transfiguring light of Christ's love. Every atom in my being dances during the Eucharist. What an awesome sacrament!

I wonder how our lack of understanding and lack of faith in the Eucharist causes and fuels our ongoing shortage of priests? I think this is really obvious in the Western Church, but I also suspect it plays a role in the East too. Most well educated Catholics I speak to do not have the slightest understanding of the Eucharist. They just go through the motions. The influence of a secular and skeptical America seems to have influenced contemporary Catholic thinking more than the ultimate love Christ shares with us in the Eucharist at each liturgy.

The Eucharist is the center of our faith as Catholic Christians. Unless we truly live “the treasure of the Eucharist” we'll never see the vocations we need. There is no Catholic Church without the Eucharist. The Eucharist calls men to the priesthood. Who will answer?

John, a sinner

Joe,

"Who's we?"

Since this is byzcath.org I thought it was self evident.

Dan Lauffer

Dan,
You seem so angry at everyone and about everything except your own parish and your own pastor. Whence this rage? Surely not from prayer, fasting and the life in Christ. Surely not from the Holy Eucharist.

If "Ruthenians" are cowardly and except in your parish seem to be doing everything wrong, please remind me again why you joined the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church?

And then perhaps you can give me a reason why I, currently having excommunicated myself from the Church, should consider returning to it if I can get my life in order. It sounds to me from your posts that the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church, unless I am within driving distance of Annunciation Parish in Illinois, has nothing to offer anyone.

Lemko,

I'm sorry that I've left that impression with you. I don't know why you think this way. Sometimes all of us need a rationale, whether it is realistic or not, for the things we do. Do what God calls you to do, Lemko. I will join you in prayer that you find your way to His Church. As for me I am happier than I've ever been. The BC Church is exactly where I am supposed to be. It has a marvelous and wonderous calling and with God's help that calling will be fulfilled.

I'm sorry if you are not happy with your decisions.

Dan Lauffer

BTW I tried to respond to your request about why I came to the BC Church and why you might consider the BC Church once again as your own. I'm on your ignore list. Funny, I've never felt it necessary to do that. I wanted to respond privately because I needed some clarification from you about what exactly you were asking and ask you where you live.

Here are a couple of brief answers. I cam to the BC Church because it combines the beauty of the Eastern liturgy with communion with Rome. I love my local parish because as Father says, it is an A+ parish. It has a vision and for the most part lives up to it. I don't know what has happened to you in your relationship with the BC Church. Bad things happen to good people. Why not talk with a priest about it. Find a parish through which you can fulfill your vocation. Find a parish in which you can make a positive contribution. If you live near us come and visit. If you don't, I'm sure you can find a good parish through which you can serve.

Joe,

I think I need to back track on something I wrote to you. I misunderstood your post asking who's we?

You were suggesting that many of our clergy have left for other jurisdictions because we did not put them anyplace or we would not ordain them. I've heard many such reports. In this way we do collect vocations and then send them on to other Churches. That is a sad state of affairs. Let's pray that it changes.

Sorry about my confusion on this point.

Dan Lauffer

Thanks once again for evading my questions and turning it back onto me. Whatever. I hope you leave a better impression in person about how happy you are with my Church than you do in writing -- 'cause I'm not convinced.

Lemko,

I'm no more responsible for your feelings than you are for mine. You say "My Church"? I thought you said that you had exhiled yourself from it. I don't know why you want to grind this axe but I'm no part of it. Make peace with "your church" and be happy, or don't and be unhappy. It's up to you.

I don't really care whether you are convinced...of what I don't know. But what is it that you think I am evading? Am I supposed to explain to you why you feel something or other? I don't think I can do that. Nor can you psychoanalyze me from whatever distance we reside.

"Thanks once again for evading my questions and turning it back onto me. Whatever. I hope you leave a better impression in person about how happy you are with my Church than you do in writing -- 'cause I'm not convinced."

Dan Lauffer

BTW You write "thanks again". I don't recall that you've ever thanked me before. Has that happened?

Dan, Lemko is right. You do come across as a very angry, unhappy person. I too hope that you don't come across like that in person. I would hate to think you were giving the general public the impression that all Byzantines were like you or even worse, if you were only attracting other unhappy misfits from other churches like yourself. Lemko is also correct when he says you have ignored his questions...always trying to turn it back on him, or anyone else you can't get the best of in an argument. Moe

Dear All:

Do the "Byzantine Catholic" bishops in North America ordain married men? If not, maybe that would be a good place to start.

Just a thought.

Yours,

kl

Moe,

Generalized accusations are easy to make. How does one defend oneself against them?

Do you have a comment on the topic or are you only interested in attacking me for some reason? I don't know why you are so angry, but there you have it. I hope that you too are nicer in person than on this forum. I would hate to see what kind of people you attract.

Does that kind of venom help anything? Why don't you talk about the issues at hand?

Dan Lauffer

kl,

"Do the "Byzantine Catholic" bishops in North America ordain married men? If not, maybe that would be a good place to start."

Not yet. There is some hope that it might happen in the future. I believe you are correct about it being a good place to start.

Dan Lauffer

Dear Dan,

Many of us have been serious about vocations for a long time.

Please pray for those vocation seeds planted in our vineyard, but were harvested elsewhere.

Joe

Dear Friends,

I think that the topic of vocations can truly be one big hot button for many of us.

I know it is for me. The issue of a possible vocation and why I passed it up still gnaws at me.

It still makes me feel depressed to go and see my colleagues get ordained as either Eastern Catholic or Orthodox clergy - as happened on St Thomas Sunday last.

In addition, what makes me feel bad about it all is that I know that our church hierarchy and institutions can sometimes (or often?) place roadblocks of varying sorts in the way of perfectly good candidates for the priesthood.

There are a number of you writing on this board right now who should have really been ordained to the priesthood a while ago.

I think that whenever a parish goes without a priest, that is always a sad thing.

The blame falls on the people themselves, but also on the institutional life of the church that can be cold and unresponsive to those who, but for such circumstances, might be priests today.

I don't know the answers and it is not for me to tell bishops how to run the church.

But I do believe that if one really has a vocation, then one has to not only put up with circumstances that militate against its realization - one has to positively do BATTLE against them.

I can tell you stories about priest-friends and what they went through to become priests.

Yes, people shouldn't have to go through things like that to become priests. But they fought hard and they won. Others I know fought hard and didn't, though.

But if a Church is imperiled with lack of vocations, sometimes it is not enough to leave things to the bishops.

Sometimes the laity must respond in concerted ways and sometimes those with a priestly vocation must take the Kingdom with the "violence" that our Lord spoke of in the Gospel.

If you have a vocation, and you know it, don't let anything or anyone stand in your way. If you get thrown out the front door, get back in the back door or side door.

Or else go to another building, if you must.

But don't let the Evangelical Energies in you go to waste.

Struggle in the Spirit and you will be victorious.

Anything less will be deemed as an "excuse" by our Lord!

Alex

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:
[QB] Dear Friends,

"I think that the topic of vocations can truly be one big hot button for many of us.

I know it is for me. The issue of a possible vocation and why I passed it up still gnaws at me.

It still makes me feel depressed to go and see my colleagues get ordained as either Eastern Catholic or Orthodox clergy - as happened on St Thomas Sunday last."

Alex, I know how you feel, it used to gnaw at me to, but try not to be depressed when someone is ordained..ask our Lord to help you rejoice, both for the ordinand and the church who have gained another priest! I felt I had "passed up" a monaastic vocation, at this time in my life I believe I am called to pray for vocations in a very personal way. Whenever I meet someone whether in person or online who is considering a religious vocation, in seminary, in postulancy or novitiate I add them to my "vocation prayer list" and pray for them several times a week. I also pray for specific religious communities and orders on a regular basis, frequently asking Basil, Marcrina, Francis, Julian of Norwich and other monastic saints to join me in interceeding for them. It has enriched my prayer life immensely.

David AOJN

Dear David,

Thank you for sharing that.

I believe our vocations can come to fruition in ways that we don't expect.

I have asked God to let me know what it is He wants me to do.

Like you, I know that a priesthood/ministry of prayer is something that can make a difference for many in the Church.

Let us both take up that vocation and embrace it wholeheartedly, walking in the Spirit, in carefree Divine self-abandon, like leaves driven by the wind!

Alex

Dear All:

I know it's off the topic, but allow me to echo the suggestion that many of us are called to lay vocations within our parishes and churches.

We in the UGCC are somewhat fortunate that Ukraine is apparently producing enough priests that they are able to come over and serve North American parishes.

Most of them are young and married (I promise not be beat a dead horse on this issue - so I stop right there).

Yours,

kl

Lemko and Moe and all,
I have had a chance to meet a few of the posters on this forum and I have had a chance to meet and converse with Dan on several very fruitful occasions, as well as hear him speak publicly.

We all labor under the difficulty of expressing ourselves in this one dimensional, black and white type and it's quite a challenge.

I don't know all the circumstances that you may refer to but I have I have read many of Dan's posts and his passion does come through. Something I have noticed in others (like myself) as well. I suppose that it may be like his preaching style in print! If you didn't know Dan you might not realize the sincere devotion and love this man has for his faith and our Byzantine tradition.

I just want everyone to know that Dan is not full of anger when he writes, but eagerness. I wish I had some of that verve! He can't wait to get the job started. He would walk the miles and shout from the rooftops for us. And I am proud to know him as I am sure you would be too, should we all get the chance to meet some day!

God bless you all,
Michael, sinner

Michael,

You are very kind. I just hope I can live up to half of the billing. God bless you. You are a wonderful encouragement to me and to our congregation.

To all, Michael is a very kind and intelligent man. He is a wonderful asset to our congregation and to our entire Church.

Whether I am ordained or not I have had many opportunities to serve the Lord already and am thankful to God that He has lead me to a Church with integrity and one that has a wonderful future. We must just allow ourselves to be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to follow His lead to new Churches and to new vocations.

Dan Lauffer

Dear Dan and Michael,

You guys are O.K. in my books.

Now would anyone like to say something nice about me?

Alex

Well spoken, Dan. I hope someday we can call you "Fr. Dan" no matter what jurisdiction ordains you. Please remember to invite me and my family to your ordination.

Axios! Axios! Axios!

Joe Thur


Joe

One can only listen to "Ruthenians are cowards", "that priest is wicked", and "our leaders are failures" for so long before starting to believe it.

Fortunately, I know better than that. Ruthenian Catholics are not cowardly. "That priest" is not a wicked man. Our leaders have tried to make the best of an incredibly difficult situation; some have been more successful than others, but they were all sincere in their convictions.

It is I who am not worthy of them; not the other way around.

Lemko,

"It is I who am not worthy of them; not the other way around."

This is true and it applies to me as well. Yet, there are many things that can be done to get out of the difficult situation we are in. You have made something out of my words that were not intended. I apologize for my failure to communicate better. But you could have read my comments in context and we might have been spared this misunderstanding.

Dan Lauffer

Dear Cantor Joseph,

And I wish the same for you, as you do for Dan!

But I think some here feel that Dan already has an "Axios" to grind concerning some matters

Alex

Alex,

Me thinks Dan has an Axios to grind in the harvest of souls. Best to kick him out into the vineyard for the harvest before the neighbors pick our fruit.

"Axios!" to Dan to serve the Church as a presbyter! Hooray for Father Dan Lauffer! Another Illinois priest to serve our faithful.

Time to let the wild stallions out of the pen. Yahooooooooo! ... err, Axios, Axios, Axios!

Dear Cantor Joseph,

Well, perhaps if others poached some of our own, our Churches would sit up and take notice - and act on the very real needs our communities have?

A future Father Dan would serve the BC Church very well.

He would help us divest ourselves of Latinization.

Is Dan married, by the way?

Alex

I just received my copy of Eastern Catholic News and noted with despair of the deaths of two more of our priests. One was only 37 years old.

Without thinking, my first response that came from my lips was "WHY God???? WHY????"

Now I know I have no business even asking this question. The word "why?" said in God's presence, usually indicates that one has a serious disagreement with God's sovereign choice in a situation, rather than submitting to what has happened.

And now I read this thread and find myself in agreement with Dan's frustrations.

I wonder why our bishops don't take a stand on being EASTERN and begin a serious search for OLDER married men who wish to finish their lives out serving the Lord and His people in that capacity. I think that this would be wise since most men over 50 are in a position where their demands are fewer and their free time somewhat more. Over 60 is even better.

I have wanted to start an evangelism program at St. Ann's for over a year, yet I know if I am given permission to do so, I will most likely be the only one who will go out from door to door. My plan is quite simple and non-confrontational (for those who are nervous about discussing the Faith). I have made up a flyer to put in the doors of the houses around St. Ann's.

Simple. No contact needed.

It is still on hold. Fr. Mike has the flyer. All I need is the permission to try to start this up. But I think the advisory board is nervous about this. I guess it smacks of Protestant Fundamentalism in some ways (ah, we never quite ever leave our past, do we? )

But unless we have an influx of converts (and I assume that most of our parishes are like St. Ann's) we will see the population of the parish slowly die off and not be replaced. And then it will be gone, along with all the beauty and majesty of the Byzantine worship.

How sad.

We have such a treasure. Why can't we get people concerned and excited about seeing that the next generation to come along has the opportunity to drink deeply of these riches?

And finally, WHY does it take so long for deacons to be ordained. I ask this question fully expecting to be told that I don't know what I am talking about, but here it is:

WHAT is more important in a deacon -- education or godliness and commitment to the parish?

IT SHOULD NOT TAKE 5 YEARS TO ORDAIN A DEACON!!!

To me ( and as I said, I am probably gonna git blasted fer this ) THAT IS NUTS!!!!

When we have a distinct shortage of deacons to help our priests, when my priest YAWNS at the altar because the running of the parish has the poor man hardly able to get sleep for need of help, when this situation is over the whole of the Church, then perhaps this is being approached wrongly.

HOW did men get into the diaconate in the Early Church? Did they have to go to school for 5 years while the priest waited for the help he needed?

I think not:

Ac 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

What a novel idea!!! Godly men. I'm sure that every parish has some who would be willing to serve. I'm not suggesting that they serve without training, but 5 years is not needed if this is done right.

Just my .02

Let us continue to pray for our church, that the Lord would raise up answers for these problems and that he would give our bishops wisdom to impliment the answers given.

Cordially in Christ and the Blessed Virgin,


Brother Ed

Dear Brother Ed,

Why does it take so long for married priests to get ordained?

Alex

Alex --

If you are asking me to tell you from a standpoint of eclessiastical administration, I simply have no answer.

If, however, you are asking me why in terms of the need to have a priest who KNOWS what he needs to know, then the answer is that it takes time to learn all that one needs to know to become a good priest.

In my post, I just tried to state that a shorter time for ordaining deacons would be a big help to the priests we already have and who are quite overworked.

Brother Ed

Lemko,

You said that you are "self excommunicated". Yet, you seem passionately supportive of the Church. Will you tell us why the discrepancy between these two positions?

"Fortunately, I know better than that. Ruthenian Catholics are not cowardly."

If this is true, it is the first group to exist in history that have no cowards. I think our Church is better than any other but we still have some cowards.

**"That priest" is not a wicked man.**

Gratefully, I don't know any wicked priests either. I guess this statement depends upon which priest you are talking about.

"Or leaders have tried to make the best of an incredibly difficult situation;"

Many have. Many have not. Some of the problems depend upon expectations and training.

"some have been more successful than others, but they were all sincere in their convictions."

I suppose it has much to do with expectations and training.

Dan Lauffer

Alex, Joe, and Brother Ed,

With members likes you we have a bright future. Thank you for your kind words. I love our Church. I'm committed to do the very best I can in whatever capacity God allows me to serve.

Thank you friends,

Dan Lauffer

"And our Lord said, "Go out and do nothing. Keep your lamp under a bushel basket, burry your talents, don't wait up for the bridegroom. You have other things better to do than give the impression that you take your faith seriously or believe in me. Join the money-changers, establish more bingo palaces. Play it safe. At least the bingo money will pay the bills. Don't rely on the disciples. Stay where they have contempt for me and my Word. Don't shake the sand out of your sandals because it will make a mess. Hang around and ignore any missions. I will not send a Paraclete if you ask. Call more meeting, more conferences, and more committees. More glossy pics giving the impression that something is being done. I like it when nothing gets done. I like missionaries who have the gift of the gab and blow steam around the room rather than evangelizing." And the people looked on in horror for they noticed it was not the Lord Jesus, but the Evil One smirking behind the beard. In the distance, a jackal could be heard howling. Fear fell on all those who once had energy to go out and preach the Good News.

Alex,

"Is Dan married, by the way?"

36 years of marital bliss.

Dan Lauffer

This needs to be repeated:

"IF YOU HAVE A VOCATION, DON'T LET ANYTHING OR ANYONE STAND IN YOUR WAY. IF YOU GET THROWN OUT THE FRONT DOOR, GET BACK IN THE BACK DOOR OR SIDE DOOR." (said by Orthodox Catholic above)

I chose to repeat this, because in the times in which we live,the potential priests need all the
prayers and all the human encouragement they can get. The situation is actually more complicated since the Holy Father has asked us to restore our Eastern traditions.

:p

And it is also true as we resurrect traditional monastic life.

TO ALL THE POTENTIAL MONKS AND NUNS READING THE FORUM: Please pray and follow Jesus Christ. It won't be easy. But it will be the best thing you ever did!!

Traditionally the monastics (monks and nuns) were the spiritual heart of the Church. Let us be a very spiritually healthy heart for our respective Eastern Catholic Churches!!!

:p :p

Dear Dan,

Many more happy years of marital bliss!

And if you were a priest, my wife and I would happily come to you for counselling.

I'd send her to you right now . . .

Alex

Dear Brother Dan --

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Alas, how many days, as I stand in the confessional going over my laundry list of hell worthy sins, do I feel that if I am representative of the Byzantine Church, it is a rite in serious trouble.

But not to despair. There are indeed many young men who are a bright future for our rite, IF we can keep too many obstacles from being cast in their paths!

Brother Joe --

That was an amazing "parable" of our Lord's words. Sometimes I think it is a sadly accurate impression of how people take their faith. And I am not above that. I am not always the eager beaver to be serving the Lord. How often I must "push" myself to do that which is right. What a shame, after all that He has done for all of us, that we are so slow to serve Him in love!!

Cordially in Christ and the Blessed Virgin,

Brother Ed

Brother Ed,

If you believe in your congregation and it has a satisfactory level of integrity why not "just do it"? It's much easier to apologize than to get permission. You may get a little grumbling but so what?

Dan Lauffer