www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West EC's attending RC Mass

Brad,

Here's a full listing of the Byzantine parishes in Toronto, including the Melkite and Romanian parishes, as well as the Slovak and Ukrainian that you've identified:

Byzantine Parishes located in the Toronto area [ca-catholics.net]

This page has links to pages listing the other (non-Byzantine) EC parishes:

Links to non-Byzantine EC parishes in Toronto [ca-catholics.net]

Many years,

Neil

Dear Intrigued Latin,
I am an EC with no access to an EC parish to attend on a regular basis (unfortunately, there are none in SC). I have been going to a RC church since I've moved to SC.

I can't speak as knowledgably as the others on this forum. I can only go by how I feel after mass is over. I feel much more uplifted after attending an EC mass than the RC one. Personally, I think it has to do with singing the whole mass.

JMO,
Sahm

Sahm,

Slava Isusu Christu.
Glory to Jesus Christ.

Where in South Carolina are you located?

Have you thought of attending a Divine Liturgy in an Orthodox Church?

Michael (a sinner)

I am an RC with no interest at all in the Latin Mass or pre-Vatican II anything. The last two dioceses I lived in had their bishops removed due to the sex scandals. I also have been privy to information not available to the general public that deviance is entrenched in the American priesthood (if not throughout the world). This has nothing to do with Vatican II, as my father, a police officer, was arresting priests back in the 1950's for child molestation. When I found out that Byzantine priests could marry, I decided to attend a Divine Liturgy as a possible remedy to the rampant abuse in the Roman Church. From my first experience at a Divine Liturgy, I truly feel a more rewarding form of worship and attend when I can. Now don't you think the Eastern Catholic Church can be a home for me?

Agua Secreta:

You are one of us many raised Latin rite Catholics that have learned that you have choices. Welcome! And, your time and efforts are urgently needed for evangelization and education. Absorb everything you can on the Eastern Church and share it with others.

I would respectfully tell you that Eastern Christian priests cannot marry. However, they can be ordained if they are married. Once you recieve holy orders you maynot marry or marry again!

Again, learn and share!

In He who sends us,

Smar

Agua Secreta,
Here is an excerpt from the homily of PJP II given at the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. This is where I find my salvation.

"If you love Jesus, love the Church! Do not be discouraged by the sins and failings of some of her members. The harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame. But think of the vast majority of dedicated and generous priests and religious whose only wish is to serve and do good! There are many priests, seminarians and consecrated persons here today; be close to them and support them!"

In Christ,
Brad

Aqua Secreta,

As an RC please allow me to welcome you to our family.

Here we are a very mixed bunch as you have probably realised. We are all interested in the East for different reasons - but I think most of us come to it for it's spirituality.

There is something , to my mind , much deeper in the Divine Liturgy than I have experienced at Mass.

I make no apology for saying that - I also have no experience of Mass in Latin or indeed a Tridentine Mass .

Many people as well as you ,have said that you think a married Priesthood is the solution to the RC Church's problems - but it's not - look at the Protestant Churches.

We welcome you here - but please do not think that the East is a home for you because of the problems in the West.

Once you start running from something you will find it difficult to stop.

When you can run to the East because you are convinced that that is where God is calling you - then you will be at peace.

My brothers 'Intrigued Latin' and 'Smargiassi' have made valid points - do please stay with us and learn of us .

I frequently end my posts by saying " Let the education commence" and it does

Anhelyna, -- the very lopsided Latin who loves the East and wishes with all her heart to be part of it.

Dear Diak:

They have a VERY impressive website as well!

Alice

Dear Aqua:

Will you please elucidate on this?

Thanks.

Amado

Oh Amado - do we have to open this can of worms all over again - it's been discussed ad nauseam on various threads in the past.

It's surely time to move on and ensure that it never happens again

Sahm,

Was just about to repost the info on our new mission in Charleston, but I see that you saw my earlier message to you and replied to it yesterday. Congratulations on the new little one and may God grant (him/her)? many years in health and happiness. With a 1 year old and a 3.5 year old, I know what you mean about the difficulties involved in getting on-line.

Many years,

Neil

Hi all,
I agree that the aesthetics(sp?) of EC churches is very powerful(the church I'm interested in is the most beautiful church I've ever attended), but what happens if , if Latin churches return to their former beauty and majesty?Will those RC's who coverted to EC wish they could return?

Brad, you do realize that though the RC and by extension the EC would welcome your wife to take eucharist, that it is unacceptable to most OC, and in order for her to join EC she would not be making a simple change, but completely leaving OC? (What a shame there's no union...yet.)

I've noticed that most EC churches are in the east coast, and I'm concerned that if I leave my state for job reasons the nearest EC church may be many hours or even days away. I'd have no choice but to attend an RC church for Eucharist.
With that in mind, would it be considered unfair of me to join the church near me and remain a memeber even if I may have to leave five years down the road?

Peace

Excellent point made to Brad: If his wife and daughter recieve the Eucharist in a Catholic Church, of any sort, as Orthodox Christians they may be open to excommunication. The Orthodox Church does not allow this, although the Catholic Church allows the Orthodox the ability to receive.

Gaudior, who hopes one day there will be a reunion.

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Hello Indigo!
I should hope not! It is unfortunate that the externals of worship might be considered more important than the theological expression of the faith. The Divine Liturgy depends directly on the particular theology and people who don't get it just aren't paying attention.

In my opinion if one isn't internalizing the theology the DL is just a show: sounds good, looks good, smells nice etc. but the meaning of something must be escaping them and they need to do some adult ECF.

So my point is that they shouldn't be changing enrollment if they are uncertain about the theology, the aesthetics alone are not a good enough reason to change canonical enrollment. If they decide to register with a "new and improved" Roman parish later they will just be returning to kindred spirits, so to speak, and God Bless them.
I wouldn't give it a second thought. Follow you convictions.

Set your mind on God's kingdom and His justice before everything else, all the rest will come to you as well. So do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself. Each day has troubles enough of it's own."
Mt 6:33-34

You might find yourself worshipping among Roman Catholics if you simply must relocate. A great many EC's are in just that situation, it is not a betrayal of anything, it is a situation to be addressed if it happens. You might be just where God wants/needs you at that time.

Secondly, as I understand it EC's are permitted to attend OC Liturgies in their own tradition according to the Code of Canons for the Eastern churches in order to help maintain their own liturgical practice. If I found myself in that situation I would occasionally do just that, and also maintain a relationship with a good EC priest as a confessor or Spiritual Director who can be contacted or met with occasionally.

And last, under difficult circumstances a Vespers will be acceptable as meeting the "Sunday obligation" of an Eastern Catholic so an EC parish might be a long drive away, but if one can make Vespers on Saturday evening some distance away he/she will have satisfied the need to worship. I think that is one of the best reasons for EC's to restore Vespers, in order to help reach the "diaspora" in those distant spots.

I know that in many locations none of these other options will work, but we need to leave it in God's hands.

God be with you always,
Michael, that sinner

I completely understand. I don't think my wife would have a issue as she hasn't received the Eucharist since we got married 8 years ago.
As far as my daughter is concerned, I think that taking her to an EC Church as an infant is the only way that both her and I can receive, I am denied in a Greek Orthodox Church.
That said... why was I given communion at my wedding in a GO church ? Do different rules apply during the sacrament of marriage ?

Brad