www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization A clarification of my intentions

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Evangelizers,

Someone privately shared with me their reaction to my recent post regarding developments in the radio ministry in which I have been involved. I am thankful to that person for their message as it alerts me to misinterpretations in my messages that might perhaps also be shared by others. It is important to me and I believe to our evangelical efforts that the nature and intent behind any of my messages or efforts in evangelization be very clear and understood for what they truly are.

I was told that in my recent posting concerning the radio ministry as well as some of my other postings that I continuously convey the idea that I am the only one doing anything worthwhile in evangelization and that I insult other parishes and the work of other people by referring to my parish of Annunciation. I hope that the following clarification will be comforting to anyone who might interpret my messages in this way. I have in fact heard this reaction before and each time it completely befuddles me because my intentions are entirely the opposite.

But before I begin I think we must keep in mind how limited is cyberspace communication. It is unable to convey the most essential elements of communication: tone of voice, expression and the language of the body (as John Paul the Great would say in his Theology of the Body.) This is why there is so much misinterpretation in this medium. You simply cannot communicate anything thoroughly via cyberspace.

Every word, deed or thought that flows from my heart and soul in regard to evangelization and the present and future of our Church has one intent and only one intent behind it---encouragement. And there is a very specific reason why.

The situation of the Eastern Catholic Churches is one where there are flashes of greatness here and there, but overall we are dying. We have neither a vision nor a plan to propel us into the New Evangelization as a renewed thriving Church. Whenever ideas and efforts are proposed that are daring, charismatic, evangelical and dynamic the reaction of the Eastern Catholic Churches overall, not always, but overall is primarily of fear and hesitation. This is why many people get frustrated in our Church by decisions that they wish were made, actions they wish were taken, etc. I fully understand some of the fears but I also believe that our fears are unnecessary. In fact, if you search the Scriptures, fear was the sin that Jesus Christ spoke against more often than any other. (Telling people not to fear actually occurs 1,000 times in the Bible!) Deep down inside we KNOW what we have to do. I hear people express it all the time. We just are afraid to do it. In saying this I am not criticizing my Church but rather loving it, in the way that a conscientious surgeon would make an honest diagnosis and suggest the painful but lifesaving surgery.


So how do we overcome our fear? I believe that our fear can be overcome by encouragement. But encouragement comes when we can see success stories. We are often encouraged when we see someone else who has walked down a path that we know we too must trod but are afraid. Those that made the journey call back to the rest of us encouraging us to come along as well: �Yes, it can be done. Look we did it and you can do it too! There are great things in store for you. Hold my hand and jump!� Calling back to those who are hesitant certainly is not meant to insult them, but to encourage them to move forward confidently.

Yes, there are flashes of greatness in many parts of our Church. For instance, the work of Fr. Michael Sopoliga and Fr. Joseph Bertha on EWTN is a work of TV evangelization unprecedented in the history of the Eastern Catholic Churches in America. Furthermore, Fr. Bertha also works in radio. We have others who are working in radio as well. In my posting about my radio work I used this same word �unprecedented� that I use here in relation to Fr. Sopoliga and Fr. Bertha. �Unprecedented� simply was a reference to a statistical fact which I submitted with enthusiastic language because of the possibilities opening up for our Church. �By no means did I EVER, EVER, intend to belittle or to make negligible the evangelical work of others regardless of what that work is. Nor did I ever intend to sound like I am the only one doing anything worthwhile. To convey a message like that is unthinkable to me. My statement was specific to the medium of radio only and makes no judgment upon the evangelical efforts by other people.

More flashes of brilliance: The things our Seminary has accomplished. Or how about this Forum and the work of John Vernoski? But not only in this Forum but in his incredible efforts over the years with the liturgy handout sheets. Like Fr. Levkulic before him, John has single-handedly made our Liturgy that much more participatory for an entire generation of Faithful. How about Jack Figel?�wow! Gosh, we could go and on couldn�t we? We could cite parishes, bishops, religious and laity all pointing to flashes of brilliance. All of them deserving our thanks and commendations.

I believe that unless we develop a vision, a plan and take the big leaps our Church may survive but it will be reduced to only the strong surviving. Only the pockets of brilliance will survive and thrive. The rest will simply die off like dead branches as they are even now. So, whenever a significant breakthrough occurs anywhere, be it my radio work, Vernoski, Sopoliga, Bertha, etc, etc. it should and MUST be proclaimed. Why?�ENCOURAGEMENT! POSSIBILIITY! POTENTIAL! FORWARD LOOKING! Why can�t we allow those who have gone down a path before us to point the way so that we ALL might share in a better day? This is in no way discounting the sincere efforts of anyone.

In conclusion I want to be clear. Never, ever, did it even enter my mind to look condescendingly at the efforts of others in anything I have ever said or done. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought that what I submit as encouragement would hurt or insult. Whenever I speak about Annunciation parish it is specific to certain things that might encourage others who need and want to go down a similar path. I speak about Annunciation parish NOT as a �model� parish but rather as a parish that followed a model�a specific model. This model was put before us, we believe, by Almighty God. This certain model is one that some others want or need to follow but who are afraid. The statistical fact of the matter is in regard to this specific model Annunciation parish is the only one that I personally know of who has gone down this road. If there was another parish that did it I would point to it first!

So, those of you who know you should make a move�get going so we can point to YOU for encouragement, OK? Do you get it? I do NOT want to point to Annunciation parish all of the time. I want to point first to a million other Eastern Catholic parishes who have gone down this specific path which I FIRMLY believe is a very vital one for our future. If I want to offer encouragement I am going to point to whatever seems to be encouraging from our experience. I am not comparing Annunciation parish to other parishes. How can we? Every parish is unique. My message has always been, is now and always will be one thing and one thing only: ENCOURAGEMENT.

--Fr. Thomas J. Loya, STB.,MA.

Glory to Him forever!

I only read what you have clarified in this wonderful post in your post regarding your radio ministry. I think it is wonderful work you and others are doing.

I am new to the Byzantine rite, so I do not know what I should or can contribute, other than getting to know the wonderful Byzantine praxis in the meantime. I hope to make a contribution in the future, because I would love to see the Churches of the East grow in the US.

You mention a specific model that your parish has undertaken. What is this specific model that you speak of, what is new about it?

Thank you.

Father,
I certainly did not get that from reading your first post! As a cradle Byzantine, I understand that mentality just as you must. That is why our Church is dead. Rather than attempt to work together to build each other up, we continue to find fault with any new idea, etc. that anyone may have. This inborn Slavic trait has killed many parish-level projects right from the start. Is it any wonder we don't grow?

The 'flashes of brilliance' as you say are very few and far between. Leave it to 'our people' to try to put the light out by throwing dirt on it.
We know there are other priests and laypersons trying to keep the church alive using any life support measures available.
You just happen to be the only one posting on the Evangelization forum about your efforts at this time. Your parish just happens to be vibrant and thriving- that alone speaks for itself. Why shouldn't you be proud of your accomplishments? Why shouldn't you shout from the rooftops "I have a method to keep us alive!"

The petty jealousy and complaining among us has gone on for decades. It can wear down the best of us. Don't let it touch you and don't let it stop you. I'm sure a man of character the likes of a Fr. Sopoliga or a Jack Figel, etc. are not in the least bit threatened by your posts on a public forum. I can't speak for them, but I am sure they welcome and support any and all 'flashes of brilliance' out there and are thankful to see life somewhere else on the dying planet!

I don't know you personally and I've never been to your parish. Your post was uplifting and exciting. I hope your radio exposure brings many good things to your parish and our churches as a whole. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!
Sam

Father,

Those who criticize those who are actually doing something will criticize no matter what. I'd rather be doing something my way than doing nothing my critics way.

I received some public recognition some years ago for bringing a congregation back from the brink and helping it reach some modest success. After making a brief acceptance speech a friend of mine warned me to watch my back that I had enemies. I wondered why. He answered, "they are jealous of your success."

If anyone wants to see good results then pay the price. There are no guarentees except that if you don't try you guarentee you won't ever succeed.

Dan L

Dear Father Loya,

I'm reminded of the old saying, "You can always identify the pioneer - he's the one with the arrows in his back!"
You're in good company. Our Lord warned us we would have to suffer for Him. Be encouraged, keep the faith - you are doing God's work. Your courage and conviction are appreciated by more than you probably know.

Good post, Father, good post !

-- John

Sam,

Do you the an influx of outsiders, joining the Church, might help?

-- John

John,
I do. They just don't seem to have the same mentality, thank God.
Sam

It is almost too late for many parishes. The cap was off too long and the fizz has gone flat.

A quick visit to many of the parishes will show a few silverhairs spread out over two or even three Divine liturgies over the weekend. As often as not the atmosphere is not so very welcoming either.

The only way to get a lot of outsiders quickly is to appeal directly to Roman Catholics somehow, they don't need to convert and their money is green, but this does not satisfy the Great Commission. It is more like moving the deck chairs around.

If the church is not approaching the Protestants, pagans, unchurched pseudo-Christians and the atheists of the culture one must ask "does this church really have a mission today?"

+T+
Michael

OK, now, honestly, what fraction of our parishes you visited, to make such a claim?

Mike,

How do you account for Annunciation's aberration?

CDL

The Holy Spirit.

John,

I'm convinced.

CDL

I think so too.

Perhaps it is 99% inspiration (aka the Holy Spirit) and 1% perspiration!

That said, you have great clergy, and a congregation that took a chance. It wasn't easy to embrace the many changes that congregation had to face, probably everyone had a major lump in their throats as they contemplated what might or might not happen. It also required enough openness and humility for three small congregations to accept that they were better off working together than dying apart. This is a good example of faith, hope and love in action.

It seems to have worked, the evidence includes a spectacular liturgy, so many cantors that they always serve in pairs and have a rotation that probably runs four to five weeks, a growing congregation including converts and transfers both, a five-star choir and an atmosphere in the Narthex I can only describe as 'buzz'. In the times I was there everyone greeted everyone else warmly and usually visitors were noticed right away. The atmosphere is quite charismatic, one senses the excitement.

I have never experienced such vibrancy since, anywhere.

Another thing I found interesting is that for a Ruthenian church it has attracted a significant number of second and third generation Ukrainians, and still attracts recent immigrants from Slovakia although the liturgy is English. No one seems to notice those details but they are important.

Don't you two get swelled heads about it You're only as good as your last convert!

Anyway, we all agree that the Holy Spirit is on the move, it really has nothing to do with you.

Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Michael,

I take no credit for what has happened. But one thing I do know. I'm very troubled...well, actually irritated...by those who express their jealousy against what has happened here. It takes humility before God, obedience to His call, and hard work to see what has happened happen in almost any of the Churches of the Eparchy. If it can happen in the Chicago area it can happen in New York, St. Louis, or any place else. If someone stops you go around them or over them or through them. There is always a way to do something you believe God wants you to do if you want to do it.

I take no credit because I am just one who came because the Spirit was working and the people were obedient. Don't let anyone stop you.

CDL