www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Byzantine Catholic churches in Chicago?

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I just moved to Chicago from North Carolina, and I'm trying to find a Byzantine-rite Catholic parish to call home. I've heard that eastern Catholic parishes in Chicago can be very latinized, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a parish that is faithful to eastern traditions (I was spoiled by SS Cyril and Methodius in Cary, NC). While I don't mind the ethnic factor, I don't want to feel ostracized because I'm not Ukrainian or Ruthenian. SS Volodymyr & Olha on Superior looks interesting, as does St Joseph's on Cumberland. Does anyone have experience with these two parishes?

I should add that I don't have a car, so Fr. Loya's parish is out of the picture. I have to find somewhere that's accessible via CTA from the Uptown neighborhood.

Thanks so much!

God bless,

Chris

Somewhat in your neighborhood Chris,

Romanian Catholic Mission [maps.google.com]

The Mission is in Logan Square.. if you live near Lawrence and Sheridan, this seems to be the quickest route to the church:

Walk
Walk 0.3 mile W from 900 W LAWRENCE AVE to LAWRENCE CTA (RED)

Take CTA RED LINE TRAIN (RED LINE - SOUTHBOUND)
Depart
at 08:53 AM:
LAWRENCE CTA
Arrive
at 09:03 AM:
FULLERTON CTA

Transfer

Take CTA BUS # 74 FULLERTON WESTBOUND
Depart
at 09:11 AM:
FULLERTON CTA BUS STOP
Arrive
at 09:23 AM:
FULLERTON & ALBANY




Also, if you are able - I want to invite you to the Syro-Malankara Church in Evanston (1208 Ashland Avenue Evanston, IL 60202). The services will be in English about once-a-month.

St. Timothy's Catholic Church (6326 N Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60659) hosts a Syro-Malabar Catholic Holy Qurbana every Sunday (I think the Syro-Malabar Cathedral may be a difficult travel for you). The main Cathedral in Bellwood is being rebuilt in Indian style and will be completed next summer - you must attend the consecration Qurbana!

They use the same Anaphora - the name escapes me - as the Assyrian Church of the East, right?

Thanks for the help, Michael. I'll try the Romanian mission tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I also really appreciate the invitation to the consecration; I've never been to a Syro-Malabar liturgy, so I'm looking forward to the experience!

Speaking of which, does St. Gregory the Great Syro-Malankara still exist? The "unofficial directory of eastern catholic churches" lists this parish within my zip code (60640), so I figured I'd check it out if it's still there.

Thanks again.

God bless,

Chris

Chris, St. Joseph has bi-lingual services. Sts. Volodymyr and Olha, while magnificent both physically and liturgically, is all Ukrainian. Worth a visit though to see the church, hear the choir, and meet Archimandrite Ivan.

Fr. Deacon,

When you say all Ukrainian, do you mean simply that the services are in Slavonic, or that I'd stick out like a sore thumb for being a non-Ukrainian?

I ask because I was a bit discouraged by my experience at the Romanian mission. I had never been to an entirely "ethnic" parish before, so I was unprepared for the feelings of complete confusion and bewilderment that characterized my visit. While I was able to follow the basic structure of the liturgy, I couldn't understand any of the prayers, I had no idea what the homily was about, and I couldn't communicate with any of the parishoners. In other words, I felt very much the outsider. Is this to be expected at most Byzantine churches in Chicago? Are there any that serve an English liturgy that's not recited?

If not, I'll just have to bite the bullet and learn some Ukrainian. Thanks for the help.

God bless,

Chris

Well at least now you know how immigrants feel in North America.
However, in my experience most Ukrainian churches in North America whether Catholic or Orthodox are not filled with immigrants who do not know English. We choose to worship in our ancestoral language and pass on that language skill to the following generations. In fact in Western Canada there are even fourth & fifth generation Ukrainian-Canadians.
Thus said, if you speak to someone in English I am sure the reply will be in English, so don't worry.

Orest,

After I submitted my last post, I started thinking the same thing. I sincerely apologize if I seemed insensitive in any way. As I mentioned before, I was bit spoiled by the English-language DL at my last Ruthenian parish, so the language difference is taking some adjustment. Upon further reflection, however, I think some exposure to another culture would be a good thing. Please pray for me, a boorish American southerner and a sinner!

God bless,

Chris

Chris,

The St. Gregory the Great mission is now St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Mission in Evanston.

Yes! Except the Malabarese keep the Institution Narrative, as it was forcefully inserted by the Portuguese Latins in the mid-1600s - but so do the Chaldeans (I don't know why exactly).

What about St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral down the Street from Sts Volodymyr and Olha?

I know they have an English Liturgy. (I believe they are headed away from Latinizations.)

-Paul

There are English Great Vespers on Saturday evenings and an English Divine Liturgy on Sunday.

Unfortunately, St. Nicholas is closed for renovations. Services are being held in the adjacent school (2200 Rice Street).

Having just returned from the 11:30 DL at SS Volodymyr & Olha, I must say that I was thoroughly impressed. The building itself is amazing, and the liturgy was truly a thing of beauty. While the language barrier was still an issue, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Next weekend Sept 8-9, SS V&O is having a Ukrainian Village Fest from 3 till 11 on Sat and 1 till 10 Sun $5.00 admission.

Thanks, Lawrence. I'll have to check it out. Sounds like a great way to meet a few people.