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Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him Unto the Age of Ages!

Dear Amando,

Your observations are a bit out of time. His Beatitude, Archbishop Basil Schott, OFM,DD, was the First Eastern Catholic Bishop who served on the USCCB's Evangelization Committee and I along with him. His Grace, Bishop Nicholas Samra is no longer the Eastern Catholic Representative. Although it might appear that the Eastern Catholics have a say in the USCCB, it is not of equal status. I have tried to have all of the Eastern Rite Bishops come together to participate in the NAICE 2006 in Cincinnati, but have not had any response. Our Eparch, Bishop John will be the main celebrant of a Divine Liturgy during this Institute. A separate Secretariat would give us much more influence with our Latin Rite Brothers and Sisters and would guarantee us that we would be awarded various funds which are not available to us at present. It would also allow us to deal with programs and needs specific to the Eastern Rite Churches. We already have a number of cooperative efforts between us.
As far as "Go and Make Disciples", as a National Plan and Strategy for all American Catholics, it is geared mainly to the needs and programs of the Latin Rite. Again, I had been involved with the old NCCE for 10 years and am currently serving with the members of the Latin Rite Secretariat for NAICE 2006. When Latin Rite Catholics use the term "Catholic", they still mean Roman Catholic. Our Latin Rite Brothers and Sisters are becoming more aware of our presence, and more inclusive, but there is still a long way to go. Even on a parish level, we have 4 Roman Catholic schools who bring their children to Saint John's for the Divine Liturgy and then a short presentation followed by questions and answers. One of our parishioners is speaking now with teachers from the various High Schools to come and experience the Eastern Divine Liturgy and Spirituality. Although I may not be totally up to snuff on all levels of dialogues and events, I do know about those I am invovled in.

I do apologize,

I should have begun with "Dear Amadeus", or
Amado.
It has been a long day.

Dear Fr. Batcha:

For the FY 2005-2006, 16.4% of the grants totalling US$9,899,700 earmarked for home missions went to Eastern Catholic Eparchies, with the Ukrainians, the Chaldeans ($275,000), and the Ruthenians topping the list in descending order.

Comparatively speaking of the number of Latin Dioceses versus Eastern Catholic Eparchies, the ratio, funding-wise, favors the latter. Or, it is just an affirmation of the relative "wealthier" status of Latin dioceses.

I don't know how the Ukrainians justified the grant of $430,000 by the USCCB for their home missions while the Ruthenians were granted "only" $240,000!

http://www.usccb.org/hm/grantees.htm

Amado

Interestingly enough, the Passaic diocese did not receive anything, or at least was not listed as receiving anything. I wonder why that was?

Dear JohnK:

Indirectly, this is what I'm driving at!

Why don't all the Ruthenian eparchies, separately, request for grants to increase the total funding of the Metropolia for her own home missions?

Passaic submitting its own separate request might net between $75,000 and $125,000 additionally!

And to think that these grants have been going on for a while!

Amado

Where are these secret mission stations? They are certainly the best kept secret in Catholicism? I know Annunciation received a loan in 1999 but we are repaying that. Where are the other missions?

Dan L

Dan:

These are "grants" (not "loans") which can be expended by dioceses/eparchies WITHOUT repayment!

To receive such grants, a diocese/eparchy has to submit the application with the USCCB's Home Missions Department for approval. This is where B.E.M.A comes in: create a "home mission" for your eparchy and have it managed by you (Anunciation) or by B.E.M.A-Anunciation Chapter!

Amado

Amado,

I see what you mean.

CDL

I guess that this means that Passaic is doing no outreach or homeland missions work and needs no loan for that purpose? Though now, the State College PA mission is supposedly starting up again and there is liturgy every so often down in SC. Maybe this year Passaic will apply for one based on these missions.

John K

Dear John K.,

FYI... The State College area missions/parishes are under Pittsburgh. Half (eastern) of P-A is under Passaic; the western half is under P'gh.

Any other comments regarding mission/outreach/evangelization initiatives on the part of Passaic are best left unsaid. I really do fear for the demise of our Church (Byzantine-Ruthenian) in this country within the next generation should current attitudes continue.

Also FYI... there "technically" is no mission in South Carolina. There is a rather substantial group of older Byzantines who retired to the Myrtle Beach area who meet on occasion when Fr. Conan Timoney is in that area (his family has property there). Fr. Conan also has "missions" in Abingdon and Hagerstown, Md. The one in Hagerstown, which meets twice a month, has been around for about 20 years old. The only other "mission" (but canonically not missions) that I am aware of under Passaic is in Gaithersburg, Md., which has been around almost 8 years.

Thanks Mon--I wasn't sure where the dividing line was between the dioceses. John

moncobyz,

Have you considered traveling to Whiting, Aug. 6? Would it be of any value just now to begin planning an event like this for Passaic or should that wait a bit?

Dan L

Dan:

Thanks for the offer, but distance and family obligations would make it very difficult to attend.

As for Passaic... my inclination would be (unfortunately) to let things lie. Recent events have left me--and many others--very, very discouraged.

I hope and pray that the momentum in Parma builds and continues... and eventually spreads.

Peace.

I join you in that prayer.

Dan L