www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Fasting and mindsets for August 6

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Evangelizers,

A few thoughts for you and anyone else tuning in
to help prepare our minds and souls for the August 6 meeting:

Let's all observe and dedicate the upcoming Fast before the Feast of the Dormition (August1-14) for the August 6th meeting and the "movement" that has begun in the Byzantine Catholic Church.

A reminder based on some of the inquiries I have received: Although some of our literature has referred to the August 6 meeting as "Town Hall Style" this should not be confused with the stereotypical Town Hall meeting where everyone gets to "speak their mind." Everyone will contribute but within the Nominal Group Format that we will use at the meeting. Remember: no complaining, no negativity, no point-counterpoint, no arguing and disagreeing. This is a forum for the free flow of creative and visionary ideas and plans of action for a thriving Church. No one is permitted to be outraged at any idea and no one goes away from this meeting spreading false hysteria about what outrageous thing they THINK that "those people" are going to do.

This meeting is unlike anything that has every happened in the history of the Byzantine Church in America. We will all have to resist the tendency to automatically react, disagree or be defensive about any idea that is submitted.
We do not come to this meeting to protect our particular view of what our Church should be.
We all come to ascend to what the Church truly is.

In order to help prepare ourselves we should come to the August 6 meeting having prayed and thought about this question which will be asked at the meeting: If the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ on earth (Ephesians 4) how closely configured to the Mystical Body of Christ is the Byzantine Catholic Church today?

--Fr. Thomas J. Loya

Father,

I'm thankful that you pointed out both our need for preparation and for the very important point that the method is guided by a particular question. You will be casting a vision of what that question means when we gather. The Holy Spirit will then guide and inspire us in the answers.

dan l

Amen!

Father,

Could you give us some day by day guidance in fasting and prayer for this week of preparation?

Dan Lauffer

Dear Friends,

The Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church held its May meeting this year in Winnipeg, with many clergy and lay persons of the Canadian Church participating.

They spent a lot of time discussing evangelization. The Archeparchy of Winnipeg has posted a summary of ideas thet were discussed.

Perhaps there may be some ideas, some ways of looking at things, in this list, that August 6th participants have not yet considered. Perhaps a different way of phrasing the question, or the answer, that you might have in mind, but have not yet put the words together.

http://www.archeparchy.ca/archeparchy/events/encounter05/summary_synthesis.htm

Prayers for a fruitful meeting.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Thanks for the post John. Interesting info to consider.

I just finished speaking with Father Loya. I'm getting so excited about the possibilities. We have people coming from all over the country. We even have some people coming in from the newest mission, that I know about. It is going to be a very fruitful and exciting day.

I've been in and guided meetings like this at various times in my ministry. I know what God has done through these kinds of meetings.

I feel like when I used to run in races, never to finish very fast, just to finish. The energy and tension would build up and up. Runners would run short sprints just to try to keep loose.

I remember just before worship I'd begin to pace and want to sing. That's how I feel now. Virtually everything is ready. Many have made arrangements for overnight stays on either Friday or Saturday night.

I can hardly wait.

Lord, focus our hearts and minds upon your will and way that we do nothing without you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dan L

Profound prayers are with you all.
Do post a full report of this most significant convocation.

Thank you for this link. We and our Canadian Ukrainian brothers have much in common.

May the Holy Spirit create a "new Pentecost" at your convocation. I shall continue to pray for Bishop John, Father Tom and all the participants that a spirit of wisdom be granted them.

Father Tom's initiative and the burning zeal which has been exhibited by all of you have been very inspirational to me.

In my own parish I have initiated a welcoming committee who will assure that visitors are not ignored. In your posts I have recognized my parish's shortcomings and shall work with God's help to improve.

Please continue to keep us all informed.

May the most Holy Trinity envelope you and our Heavenly Mother protect you.

Deacon Paul

Rev Deacon,

You are most gracious. We all need help from each other almost as much as we need it from our Lord.

We will be posting reports subsequent to the meetings. Keep us in your prayers.

Dan L

Ray,

Please say hello to my brother deacon Tim Tkach.
I look forward to seeing him in Uniontown.