www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization New program at my parish

My parish has started an adult inquirers' program, mostly geared at Roman Catholics, but for anyone who wants to learn about Byzantines. (It was also correctly billed as a program for Byzantines who want deeper understanding.) It is led by a very knowledgeable deacon and is, well, most absolute and excellently cool. There is a good crowd.

They have also started an RCIA type program for folks who might want to covert from other religions.

Our church is always full (we're raising money to build it bigger) and there are lots of young people with kids.

I was wondering: Are our programs typical of other Byzantine churches? Is the church experiencing a growth spurt?

Annie,

Am I correct in guessing that the deacon in question is Fr. Deacon Nick Sotak? **sigh** No, tragically, it is not typical of our parishes. Count your blessings. God grant that you are starting a trend - tho' I'd be more comfortable if'n the primary target audience wasn't RC's.

Please give my best to Fr. Deacon Nick. He's dynamite.

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

Dear Sister Sharon --

This post hits very near and dear to my heart. I am thinking right now of how I could implement a program of outreach to the community around St. Ann's to create some interest in learning about the Byzantine Faith.

I also have heard that there is going to be a series of classes for Roman RCIA teachers and am planning on going this summer. Last year we did not have anyone to teach inquirers and I find that to be absolutely scandalous.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

Also, on a note (pun intended) which you might find interesting, I have become involved in the choir and some makeshift attempts to sub for our wonderful cantor, Jim Kushlan, when he is sick. Alas, the last time, the Antiphons got pretty badly butchered. Do you know of any upcoming cantor trainings/schools I could attend in my attempt to further my education in this area? Jimmy is working with me on my reading of the epistles and that is coming along nicely, but when he is absent, the whole service suffers, and I hate to see it.

Cordially in Christ,

Brother Ed

CHRIST IS RISEN!!! INDEED HE IS RISEN!!!

Br. Ed,

There are any number of good resources on evangelism available, as well as catechesis. I am not an authority on either - maybe someone here is. Both the RCs and the Orthodox are good sources. The RCIA leaders training sounds interesting. Good for you and GO FOR IT!

As for Cantor training, call the Metropolitan Cantor Institute & chat with Prof. Thompson. I don't believe there's anything before next Fall, but at least you can get on the list to get registration materials for next year.

Best,

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

No, Sharon, I'm afraid I don't know the good Fr. Deacon! I'm at Ephiphany in Annandale, VA.

Ah - just as an afterthought to my response to Sharon's post: I think they realized they have a real "audience" among RCs who are either coming home or who found their spirtual journeys led them Eastward. The church can't grow if it doesn't reach out to a willing and eager audience! The local RC diocese is a good one and true to its traditions, so this isn't a group of folks who are just looking to escape. They're honest inquirers. Also, the RC bishop visited the Byzantines to learn and he encouraged others to learn about the Eastern churches. We should have our doors open to inquiry! The deacon is doing a great job, too. I'm just thrilled.

Hmmm. The RCs attending Epiphany that I've spoken to have told me that the Arlington RC diocese isn't what it appears to be and that indeed, they were fleeing. (Granted, it's only a few people in my little sample, but I've not heard anything to the contrary, at all.) Without the RC "parishioners", I doubt that a new church in Annandale would be either a necessity or even a possibility. So why not try to increase this particular resource?

If these folks plan on staying around for a while, why not teach them a little bit about who the people were that founded the parish and the particular Church that they belonged to?

I'm sure that's true, but pretty much all of my friends and acquaintances seem to be just honest seekers.

I'm sure you are always going to have folks who aren't content in any organization- but maybe some of them will just be more spiritually at home in an Eastern church and maybe they should and will end up there after they learn more and spend more time in prayerful consideration.

After all, it is so very important for ALL of us to have a meaningful prayer life in community.