www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Byzantine Parish Closing in Lake Worth Fl

I have just recieved news that Holy Apostles Byzantine Catholic Church will celebrate their last Divine Liturgy, Tomorrow Sunday Jan 30, 2005. at 10:00 AM, at their parish center on Clock Rd in Lake Worth Fl. I heard that the Diocese has sold the property. I do not know any other details. If anyone from South Fla reads this post maybe we could join them

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

That really stinks. Any news on why it was closed?

Truly this is a sad development. They have a really great website too. From the pics it looked like a nice church as well. The site has great history links and some fun other things! Does anyone know why they closed though? From the website it just says that they closed and all future liturgies will be at a Maronite church.
Holy Apostles Byzantine Catholic Church [exsultet.com]
In His Name,
Stephen

Steve,

I agree it is sad. Reading the parish history [exsultet.com] , the parishioners and a series of hard-working clergy struggled long and hard for 30+ years to get to the point where they are. A lot of physical labor and funds have been expended during that time. Makes it even more difficult to understand.

The decision that the parish "will cease to exist" seems as though it may have been very recently made. There are copies of the Bulletin archived on-line through January 9 and as of that date they were still soliciting folks to sign-up for hosting the coffee hour after Liturgy during 2005. There is no mention made in those as to the closing. I note that the Pastor is retired and the other assigned priest is enrolled in an advanced degree program.

Sad. Prayers for the faithful of Holy Apostles.

Many years,

Neil

Ninety-familes!
What's the deal?

I hope djs is kidding.

Just for your information I know some of the parishioners are extremely mad about this. It has something to do with the land, which was donated, to the Church for a Church, which is now worth millions. It has been sold to a developer from what I understand and houses will be built soon. You would have to ask the parishioners for more information.

Looking at it from the Bishops standpoint if you don�t have the priest you can�t have the Church. Bottom line we need more priest. This should inspire everyone to bring home the vocations Icon because your church could be next.

In my humble opinion, this is a crisis of the laity. We simply have NOT prayed enough for vocations. I for one am the most guilty.

I am going to start praying more for vocations because my Church could be next!

sinnner
ray

The parish history doesn't give present data, but does mention growth to this number of families.

I was a frequent visitor at St. Macrina's in San Mateo, and was there the very day it was closed. It was never crowded on my visits; it may have been a marginal parish, but I think the fact that the location developed into a choice business site contributed to then Bishop Dolinay's decision to sell. Yes people were mad.

A new parish was established further down the penisula; which worshipped on the Maryknoll grounds in Los Altos (Eventually Maryknoll sold off considerable acerage for development; probably $1M townhouses.) Now St. Basil's is further south in Los Gatos. And St. Phillip's was started in Sacremento. Overall, it maybe the decision at St. Macrina's can be considered wise stewardship.

I hope that the community in Florida, which weathered so much, will be able to regroup and thrive.

Ray you are right about the shortage of priests. There is a nice story on the BCW online edition about some young men (including Nathan Hicks ) who spent a discernment weekend at St. C&M. Let's pray for them all.

And part of the immediate answer to this shortage will be regrouping parishes. Msgr. Balta is now handling both Conemaugh and Johnstown. In the days when people walked to church, both parishes were necessary. But now? This is a 5-10 minute drive.

That is CRAZY! Why can't they get a Roman Catholic priest get a Bi-Ritual faculty to celebrate Divine Liturgy for the Church? That's done more often than we think.

What is the Bishop thinking? Money?

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

Holy Apostles Mission in Wichita NICE Name, huh?

That explain$ everything.

Joe

I don't want my name in on this with the wrong message. Since I did bring it up I will clear up with what little I know.

I was told that the land was an old small airplane airport donated 30 years ago (approximately forty-three acres). The parishioners I have spoken with said the land was sold to a developer.

I really don�t think this had anything to do with money! Remember, three years ago their priest died and was not replaced. A retired priest and a bi-ritual priest have served them from the Roman Diocese of Palm Beach. I really don�t think there is enough priest to go around. The Roman Catholics have a priest shortage as well; let�s not forget that!

Let�s put our faith in Christ and our Shepard�s please and stop with $�s. I regret my orginal post.

Sinner
ray

It is really is too bad, it looked like a very nice church. Keep us updated in regards to any future developments.

In Christ,
Aaron

quote:

That explain$ everything.

Joe


Right on, Joe. I know my harsh opinion is sure to draw fire, but its my opinion.

I don't want to personally get caught up in the trap of being led to believe it always to be 'our own fault for not praying' for priests, our fault for not donating enough, etc. 40 or 90 or 200 families with no audible voice can't stand up against a million plus bucks in real estate sales.

There are potential priests out there- some with wives (horrors!), some without. Look to the Diaconate program as example! I don't believe lack of priests is the sole reason we have no growth. Lack of being able to think outside the box- now you're on to something! Lack of the ability to use the resources God has provided for fear of changing- hmm. Another possible reason.

There are many problems in our Church. Look at what has passed through the doors of our seminary over the last 30 years. There have been good honest men, and there has been a subculture of not so good Men. Is this our fault? Only because we let things go/don't stand up for ourselves/are kept in the dark. We have been trained in the pay/pray/obey mentality and we do it well. Who 'in authority' actually takes the man in the pew seriously? We have no voice. We have wallets and are expected to open them wide, but have no say in how our hard earned money gets squandered. (ex:lawsuits, excessive parish phone bills to 900 lines, etc). At the wave of a hand the community we have supported for generations gets sold for big bucks- where do those big bucks go? Retirement or pension funds, 'saved'>> buried in the ground<< in case the Master comes back> What was that parable about the buried talents????

We can pray continually. God could be answering our prayers. I believe many good men are and were passed right over in favor of the right type of vocation- whatever THAT is. Perhaps part of the problem is in the choosing of candidates?

I hate to say it, but I am beginning to believe our church had its day. We had better get used to the sight of For Sale signs in our midst. The deaf ear has been turned to the people in the pews for too many years.

My two cents-
Sam

People may yell, but money talks. Remember the days when pension funds were raided?

Joe

//... and there has been a subculture of not so good Men.//

Are you referring to the lavender mafia?