www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Parishes/Missions in Central Virginia?

It has been a while since I’ve posted (apologies — I haven’t made checking these forums part of my routine), but I just wanted to express again how interested I am in this possibility! As far as mission needs go, if we do end up making some progress toward Liturgy, I would be very happy to assist by serving at the altar and/or as a reader (I have done both before in the Melkite Church, though service as a reader was in a time-to-time, non-ordained capacity). I’m also willing to write to anyone to confirm my interest, if that would help.

For those in this thread who are in the Richmond area, should we perhaps meet up? Form a Bible study and/or prayer group? There are also Orthodox churches nearby that we could likely attend together for Vespers and other services, particularly during the Nativity season (maybe Paraklesis?). If there’s interest in that, I’d also be willing to help arrange things.

Fr. Sean, do please keep us posted on any relevant info from Fr. Mark or Sayidna Nicholas (whom I believe is visiting HT today?). And thank you for your willingness to get involved!

God bless, all.

Howdy Jason! I think a prayer group would be a fantastic idea. I have some buddies at my parish that would join in as well, so we could get the "Richmond Eastern Catholic" group off and running with that, and then hopefully start having Liturgy soon after. Let me know your thoughts and how you want to proceed! Maybe we could bug Fr. Labat at leading this prayer group (Vespers perhaps?) when his schedule permits!

God bless!

These all sound like great ideas...waiting to hear back, I do not want to act before all parties are on same page.
sjl

Wonderful - keep us in the loop Father!

Of possible interest to those in this thread, I've gone ahead and created a Facebook group, "RVA Eastern Catholics and Friends," which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/606417390414048. I intend to also invite members of the "Ukrainians in Richmond" Facebook group. Hopefully this will be a spot where we can gather a decent number of people together and perhaps work something more out? Please join and/or let me know what you think about this.

Thanks!

Did you ever find a parish?

yes

Hey it’s been a while but did you ever find a parish in the area? I found out last year that the Ukrainian Greek mission started up again in short pump at a Methodist church. Liturgy is completely in Ukrainian but the priest offered confession in English.

Greetings,
I've been meaning to get back (especially to 'No TrueScotsman' - but anyone else interested!) ... this is Fr. Sean LaBat writing. I have been offering Melkite - English language vespers about twice per month in Richmond. It is a 'spur' off of Holy Transfiguration in McLean. Typically, we have vespers 2nd and 4th vespers at the Maronite church in Richmond. We are however, reassessing, we may move to one week a month - vespers on Saturday and liturgy the following morning...we need to arrange space for that.

Would love to see you involved! Let me know and we can chat futher.
In XC,
Fr. Sean

Vespers held at 5pm 2nd and 4th Saturdays, that is...