Dear Friends,

I felt privileged to participate in the Whiting event on August 6, 2005. To me, it was the "start" of something very positive in our Church's history, if only that, as a grassroots effort inspired by the Holy Spirit, it peaked our interest in developing a far more "evangelical" posture within our respective churches.

I would propose that we consider another event in 2007. This event would be to train and equip others to evangelize. It would be to move beyond the "idea" phase and translate our calling to be "evangelizers" by virtue of our baptism and chrismation into holy action.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there a desire on the part of members of this forum and our churches to gather together to focus on Byzantine mission and evangelization in North America?

2. If so, when and where should such an event occur?

August? October? - we want to be sure to give enough time to plan...

Kansas City? Homer Glenn? Canton? Peoria? Parma? Bueller?

3. What topics would you say could be addressed at this workshop?

To me, this is precisely the kind of event BEMA was formed to help create. And it should be decidedly pan-Byzantine, IMHO.

Your thoughts?

Gordo

Gordo,

Excellent idea. Since signs of growth are occuring in mid America and since it is geographically "mid-America" I believe your location suggestions make sense.

Possible subjects: 1. "Recreating community life" 2. "Stewardship: Tithing" 3. "Stewardship of the Land"; 4. "Stewardship of Eparchial resources"; 5. "Renewal of minor orders"; 6. "Recreating liturgical life"**; 7. "How to start a Church"***: may be some topics that may be covered.

**Whiting is renewing to a great extent through the renewal of their liturgical life.

***Both Peoria, Il. and Ann Arbor, Mi. are showing signs that a new Church may evenually get planted.

CDL

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Hello Carson!
Two possible locations make sense to me:

Ypsilati MI, the location of Ave Maria college has facilities that could be used and it is close to Ann Arbor, which you indicate as a possible future mission planting.

Otherwise Steubenville Ohio, which would be much more accessible to individuals outside of the Parma eparchy who may wish to attend.

Both locations are near major metropolitan centers for air connections. I think you really should consider holding the event again, and inviting speakers experienced in mission planting (even if they are Orthodox) and speakers on the liturgical tradition and practices of the church.

It wouldn't hurt to have all the attending cantors come together and chant prostopinije! Even I would pay to witness that!

+T+
Michael

Hmmm....I like the idea of Steubenville! Wouldn't it be interesting to host something that many of the students could take an interest in?

Of course, we want to be sure that this is intended to be a training workshop on evangelization - not a catechetical outreach to the Latins.

Gordo

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Evangelizers,

Great idea about a Whiting, 2007 meeting. Ironically (or Providentially) a piece of BEMA (Byzantine Evangelization amd Mission Associatin) material will be arriving this week at parishes throughout out Metropolia. The BEMA spirit is alive and well and continuing to make a positive impact on our Church for the "New Evangelization." Visit our website: byzantineevangelization.com

Ann Arbor seems like a good location for a 207 meeting. Since "Light of the East Radio" is alread on Ave Maria radio we can probably get coverage of our event including interviews, etc. on Ave Maria Radio. This session should definitely be a training session to put visionary ideas into reality.

--Fr. Thomas J. Loya, STB.,MA.

Father Tom,

Ann Arbor sounds great! Interestingy enough, in Detroit they have the center at Sacred Heart Seminary dedicated to the New Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Detroit. (They actually offer an STL in the New Evangelization STL Course of Study [vocationsdetroit.org] .) It might be worth seeing if there could be an opportunity to collaborate somehow.

Ann Arbor is also, in many ways, the seat of charismatic renewal within the Latin Church. Do we not need a "kergmatic" renewal that is equally "charismatic" in so far as the charisms of the laity to evangelize that were granted in chrismation can be re-energized? (Like breath on a coal that has been lit in the censer!) We should pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit!

Dan,

I agree. I think there should be some emphasis on both stewardship and restoration. How about the following topics:

1. The New Evangelization and the Domestic Church (Father Anthony - you have great insight into this as well!)

2. Let Us Go Forth in Peace: Starting a Works of Mercy Apostolate

3. How Can We Be Saved?: The Byzantine Catholic Gospel

4. Theosis and Stewardship

5. eTOB and the Gospel

6. How to Pray a Typica Service - Training

7. Roots and Fruits: Faith and the Call to Personal Holiness

8. Starting a Byzantine Catholic Mission

9. Eastern Christian Mission and Evangelization: An Historical Perspective

10: Bearers of the Gospel: The Vocation of the Lay Faithful

If we look at October and November, the flights to Ann Arbor should be cheaper. Not to mention the fact that this will take some planning!

I also think that we should invite our Melkite, Ukrainian and Romanian brothers and sisters to this. It should be decidedly pan-Byzantine, and Michigan has quite the Melkite presence I believe. I also agree that the speakers could be either Orthodox or Catholic, so long as they experience/expertise in the topic.

Thoughts? Let's get this party started!

Gordo

There should also be something that focuses on evangelizing young people...they are, after all, the future of our Church!

Gordo

Here's some material to consider for the youth sessions ...

http://www.acrod.org/education/Encouraging%20Christ-Likeness.pdf

Wow, John. That's excellenet. Leave to you to find the good stuff!

Yes - that is exactly what I'm talking about.

Gordo

Gordo,

man, I was thinking about this for the last couple of weeks.

I would also add a seminar on educating the Roman Catholic Church about the Eastern Rites. Based on the Light of the East Document from JPII the Great.

Right now I am in process of getting a six week course worked out that myself and a couple of others can go into RC parishes and teach about the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Also it might behoove us to try to find ECs who aren't attending Byzantine Churches and bring them back home.

More later.

John

John,

I'm planning something similar in my area as well. Can you send me what you have done so far? Maybe we can share notes...

I agree - outreach to Latins in fulfillment of Orientale Lumen should be part of the training.

Gordo

I tell you what... lets make this a hostage exchange...

You send me what you have I will send you what I have

Also, I have already contacted a few RC parishes and the seem interested.

John

I'm working on it. I'm working on it. Nag. Nag. Nag.

CDL

Didn't even point at you... Carson

John