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I was thinking about running an "advertisement" in the local RC archdiocesan newspaper inviting RC church groups (RCIA, CCD, Scouts, etc.) to learn about the Eastern Catholic Churches by celebrating with us at one of our Divine Liturgies... and of course, staying for food afterwords.

1.) Any comments postive of negative about pursuing this modest proposal? Has anyone been in a parish that's done something similar? Results?

2.) I need to locate the quote(s) by JPII regarding the responsibility of the Roman Church to learn about its Eastern brothers and sisters.

Thank you in advance.

A blessed Great Fast to us all.

While I don't know of any parish that has ever run an "advertisement" for the local Byzantine Catholic church, I think its a good idea. In keeping with His Holiness' wishes, we should do what we can to educate our Latin brethren.

About a week ago I was asked about my three-barred cross around my neck from one of my Roman Catholic co-workers. When I explained that I was a Byzantine Catholic, she admitted that she had no idea we existed. We aren't talking about an "in name only" catholic, she attends Mass every Sunday.

I say go for it.

Columcille

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
GLORY TO HIM FOREVER!

Hi Moncobyz!

The Baltimore parish has regular visits from the Catholic War Veterans and we have panachida for the only Catholic Chaplin from Maryland to be killed in WWII.

We also get visits from the various CCD and Catholic high schools who are preparing their students for Confirmation.

My advice is to invite or encourage visits during the "regular" liturgical year, not on a Feast day or during Great Lent. Following Divine Liturgy is confusing enough with the our chanting, incense, and other things without having to fumble thru the pewbook trying to find the tones and tropars for the Feast along with following the handout sheet. In short, been there done that....

The local Catholic girls high school came for a visit on St. Nicholas Day and we also had a baptisim AND a panachida. Needless to say, they got a full dose that day and made a mad dash for the door. Glad I reminded them of the steps...

Also, you may want to prepare a handout before hand to give them some idea of what's going on, what to look for, how to receive Holy Communion.

Have someone prepared to give "church tours" after Liturgy and to answer questions. You will get tons of them.

Good Luck!

mark

Dear Medved,

Please "bear" with me

I love giving such Church tours and, I am very happy to say, this has resulted in RC's formally joining our Church.

Today, I gave a tour to an Anglican who has had enough in his Church.

And he is signing up at our parish!!

I should have been a missionary!

Good ideas all around.

Alex

Hi Alex

I'm the "official" tour guide in my community also. They come and drag me up-stairs during our Festivals so I can give the "tour" and answer questions.

I have to admit that sometimes people are not happy when they hear the answer but, it's a learning experience.

so many eggs, so little time.....

mark

Dear Mark,

People aren't always happy with what you have to say?

I've been there, Bear Guy, I've been there

It happens to me all the time right here!

It's a learning experience for me as well. In my case, grovelling goes a long way.

Back to your eggs, get cracking . . .

Alex

I don't think there is any problem with the idea. We are attempting to start a column in the Grand Rapids RC monthly newspaper about the Byzantine Chruch, (it's just getting the time to compose it that's the problem).

The Roman Catholic Ordinary, Bishop Robert Rose has told our Bishop MICHAEL that he hopes to see a large and thriving Byzantine parish in Grand Rapids.

With Best Wishes;
Stefan

P.S. We recently had a group of 35 7th &8th graders visit our parish from another town. I quickly typed up a simple FAC's sheet for that age group to be handed out, and we had some icon holy cards on hand to pass out. The response was very favorable. Keep these ideas in mind.

[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: Stefan-Ivan ]

Alex wrote:"...In my case, grovelling goes a long way..."

Alex, my family gave up grovelling when we left Slovakia. If some don't like what they learn during "the tour" I usually just douse 'em with Holy Water and watch them snap, crackle and pop!

I've found that they also shun garlic and pysanky REALLY scare them!

so many eggs, so little time... 4 dozen and counting....

mark

Dear Mark,

Our Latin Catholic chaplain at my university invited one of our priests to celebrate the Byzantine Divine Liturgy at their chapel one Sunday way back when grass was something you mowed . . .

Our chaplain was a liturgical scholar in his own Rite and was very happy to expose his flock to our tradition.

But some Roamin' Catholics didn't like the experience and told me so.

I was crest-fallen and told Father about this.

He quickly snapped back, "Alex, they wouldn't know liturgical class if it jumped up and you know what to them in broad day-light!"

A great chaplain that. I'll call him today to see how he is . . . Thanks for reminding me.

Alex

Here are a couple things I've noticed locally:

The local RC Diocese runs rticles and advertisements in its papers for my Byzantine parish's activities, as do the RC parish bulletins. For example, folks are invited to attend our Divine Liturgies, Friday evening traditional dinners during the Great Fast (eat-in or take out pierogi and the like - yum!), the annual Slavic festival, etc.

Also, the new RC Bishop was invited to make a formal visit of the Byzantine parishes located within the geographic bounds of his Diocese. I don't know the details of how this was done - my guess is that the formal invitation came from our own Bishop. The RC Bishop did visit, a lot of Byzantines came out to make him feel welcome, and he participated in the traditional Divine Liturgy and a festive dinner afterwards with priests, deacons, and a lot of parishioners. Ever since, I've notice that there has been a lot of constructive back and forth between the communities, a lot more mutual interest and invites, and a lot more interest on the part of the Diocese's newspaper in educating the majority Romans about the equally valid and beautiful traditions of their Byzantine neighbors. I used to have to write a lot of letters to the editors of the Diocese's newspaper because they'd get details about Byzantine worship wrong - but lately, they've really been getting the story right. Its very cool!

[ 03-06-2002: Message edited by: Annie_SFO ]

Dear Annie,

As a Byzantine Franciscan, do you say the Franciscan Crown of the 7 Joys?

Just wondering . . .

Alex

Alex, I have prayed the Franciscan Crown (Rosary of the Seven Joys of Our Lady) for over 25 years...I make those too. Want any information on them? Pax et bonum!
Don

Dear Don,

To bead or not to bead.

With you, there is no question!

As you know, those who made prayerbeads were members of the Guild of Paternosters.

I'm going to call you a Paternoster as well.

I recommend Don to ANYONE who would like to have specialized prayer-beads made, including Jesus Prayer beads.

He does it all!! And with a !

Bless you, Paternoster Don!

Alex

Alex, you make me (supposed to be a blush).
Don

Dear Paternoster Don,

May the Lord bless your hands as you shape the beads that symbolize the prayers that our hearts send up to God.

As you know, the original "beads" were tied knots in a string.

The knots were very symbolic as they represented the idea that it is God who "unties" the knots of problems in our lives.

This was also behind the idea of the "Gordian Knot" that Alexander the Great cut through.

He just cut through all the "knot-sense" you know . . .

I wonder if all us Alexanders are hot-headed like that? We need to be kept in check, to be sure.

And to that end I thank you and the Administrator!!

Alex