www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Byzantine Catholic Evangelization NEEDED!!!!

I think this is an unnecessary backhand swipe at the eastern European-Americans.

One could say as much against any hyphenated American group. Why single them out?

The fact that so many churches stand empty in inner city neighborhoods across the continent is a clear indication that Catholics of all types long ago lost the ability to evangelize their neighbors, at least in North America and most of Europe. It should be pretty obvious.

BTW I don't think the old racial biases have the strength they did when I was young. I don't see or hear any indications that would lead me to believe that in this day (at least around Chicago).

+T+
Michael

I very much doubt if evangelism has much to do with inner city issues. In cities as noted the people have moved on and are now in the burbs. In many cities the inner is now what the outer used to be, the home of those who can afford it. The workers lived in the shadows of their factories in the old days. The owners lived further out. Now inner city areas are being renovated and gentrified and old factories are now appartment buildings. The workers now live further out in dormatory suburbs.

It is never easy I am sure that when a parish notes that the locals have moved on and there are not so many prepared to commute to their particular church from the suburbs, when there are closer churches.

XB!

ICXC
NIKA

John Patrick
I know this thread's about bare now, but I just wanted to assure you that I know your comment was hyperbole and I knew you were making a point. And yet it still stung to see it in print, but I understand. No hard feelings at all.

As for evangelization, maybe its time to appeal to folks who are art or music lovers.Some would visit solely for the art or music, but I'm sure a few will want to return for the services.Perhaps postcards or flyers could be distributed. I live on a college campus and we receive church flyers and postcards often. Though I guess mass mailings can get pretty pricey. That would be a worthy fundraising project. How about presenting a lecture seriesfor the gneral public?

Well, I'm sure I'm not coming up with anything original, but you never know.

Peace,
Indigo

How about offering Bible Study? Those of us in Bible Belt states kknow that many who love the Bible will sometimes attend study groups of other denominations just for another perspective.

Just a thought.

Indigo

dear brothers and sisters,

my name is manton petrus munthe. i am from indonesia. i find this email by joining the byzntine forum.

i was a fransican friar as a novice(ofm.conv). when i was still a boy i wish i could become a priest. i love religious activities. i want to be alike my parish priest who serve God and His people.

But it seems my wish could not happen. in a convent i found emptiness. the goal became unclear for me. i was tempted to go to university and to get the world.

now i have finished my university and have worked as teacher. i do much worldly activities, but i feel more emptiness. i become confusing now. when i still remember my old days, i was really in optimist to be a a good priest.

father, does God still want me to hear and to follow His vocation on me?? does God really want me to be His priest??

what should i do father?? i want to do something valuable in this life. i realise that this my now life is drier and emptier than before when i was in a convent.

i visit a greek orthodox service in my city. this spirituality of orthodoxy attract me to consider God's calling. could you please help me to find my true destination of this life??

i don't want to be lost in this world.... someone please help me this sinner man.


yours

manton petrus munthe

Dear Manton,

The emptiness you feel is the calling by Christ to make Him fully the center of your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in prayer to Him.


Oh Heavenly King,
comforter,
Spirit of Truth,
everywhere present and filling all things,
treasury of graces,
giver of life:
Come,
and dwell in us,
cleanse of every impurity,
and save our souls, Oh Good One."


Then ask Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to lead you to her Son, Jesus Christ. Ask her that every day, when you start the day.

Then, you will find Jesus Christ in the center of your being. And in Him, you will also find what He wants you to do with your life: your vocation.

May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you and in you.

-- John

I wanted to point out that at Holy Transfiguration Melkite Catholic Church in Mclean, VA there is daily divine liturgy every day of lent. SO sometimes we can go daily to an eastern catholic church.

I hope you are wrong, as that is very poor liturgical practice and should have stopped that nonsense years ago (never should have occured in the first place).

Christ is Risen!

Could it be that it was a daily celebration of the Divine liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts?

In the Risen Christ,
Father Anthony+

Pavel,

Are you referring only to Divine Liturgy during the Great Fast?

I recall reading somewhere that St. Gregory Palamas advocated for daily reception of the Eucharist (I assume in teh context of the Divine Liturgy.). I wonder whether the practice of a daily Divine Liturgy has been more varied within the Byzantine tradition than some think. Also, perhaps the daily liturgy is more appropriate in a monastic context, since there are/were rules regarding priestly continence 24 hours prior to celebrating the Divine Liturgy.

Can one of our monastic fathers, such as Father Anthony or Father Elias, shed some light on this?

God bless,

Gordo

AMEN to everything in your post, Karen!

We seem to be setting ourselves up for a loss of the faithful when we refrain from being more fully who we are - Byzantine Orthodox in Communion with Rome.

As I have said in previous posts, parishes such as Holy Transfiguration in McClean, VA, Annunciation in Homer Glenn, IL, St. Elias in Toronto, Canada and St, Michael's in NYC should be held up as examples of how to be more fully who were are (not that there are not other parishes that should be on that short list...these are the ones that come to my mind most often).

God bless,

Gordo

12 ways to evanglize
http://www.catholic.com/library/12_ways.asp

Gordo,

I'd like to give you an "outsider" perspective to support what you have just noted. As a Roman Catholic, I have visited a few Eastern Catholic parishes over the years. Over the past year, I have visited two Melkite Churches: Holy Transfiguration in Virginia, and another that will remain nameless. Here was the difference:

1) HT was extremely welcoming. It was noted as soon as I arrived that I was a visitor and someone came up to welcome me and ask if I needed anything. I was also invited to return multiple times. At the other parish, no one welcomed me or even approached me (it was a very small parish, so I'm sure I stood out).

2) HT is very "eastern". It was clear walking in that I was not in a "Roman Catholic" parish, but an "Eastern Catholic" parish (I mean that as a compliment). Icons were everywhere, there were no kneelers, etc., etc. At the other parish, even my inexperienced eye noticed all the "latinizations" and they just seemed incongruous.

And the result: HT was busting at the seams, with all types of ethniticities and all ages represented. The other parish had only a handful of people present for Sunday Liturgy and they mostly appeared older and only of middle eastern descent.

So my very limited experience tells me that if you want your parishes to grow: be welcoming and be Eastern!

Good post!

This would be excellent advice for Orthodox parishes as well.

+T+
Michael

This is also my experience with the Antiochian Orthodox and in my opinion largely explains their rapid growth in the US.

As an aside to the quote, I would add: With "Eastern" being Eastern Catholic/Orthodox CHRISTIAN rather than Eastern Catholic/Orthodox (Inset various ETHNICITIES here).

~Isaac