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Ok so...

I just moved to Guthrie Oklahoma (I'm in Job Corps) and I was searching online and came across a mission in the city located at Bishop McGuinness High School. I get to the door, go into the gym and I ask where they were meeting. The lady at the counter looked at me like I was crazy....LOL.

So to everyone in Oklahoma City, all of you byzantines here in the area, is there a parish or a mission here in the city?? There are about what, 500,000-600,000 people in the metro? We should get something started here if there isn't anything, how does it all work?!?! I'll do whatever I can to help out, and try to attend liturgy (if there is something here), just let me know

Mark

There is not currently a mission in the area anymore - I asked recently. (I used to live thereabouts).

I believe there is still a parish in Tulsa, however.

Yes, St. Athanasius still has Divine Liturgy on Saturday evenings in Tulsa. The Oklahoma City mission has been inactive for some time.

You can print the Byzantine prayers online, google: Byzantine prayers, and say them in the dorm. If you don't have any icons, get to a color printer and print off an icon of Christ and Mary. Tape the icon of Christ on the right side and Mary on the left and pray standing. Also, if you have a Rosary you can say the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." on each bead. This prayer is central to the Eastern Churches that use the Byzantine Rite. Most likely you will not be able to get to Tulsa, so have transportation take you to Mass at the local Roman Catholic parish for communion and confession and do Byzantine prayers in your dorm room. Google: the Eastern Church fathers, and start reading them in a prayerful mood and live a chaste and pure life and that will guide you to the East, eventually, if that is the path you want to take. I presume you are a Latin Catholic--so there is no need to become Byzantine Catholic right now--after a few years in a Byzantne parish if you still want to change Churches there is a process the priest will explain to you in order to do that. All Catholics of whatever Church, Eastern, Oriental, or Latin, can pray the prayers from any Catholic tradition--they are the inheritance of the Universal Church--so enjoy! The key to living the Gospel is the same in both the Eastern and Roman Catholic Churches. This "key" comes from the very words of Jesus: "If you love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Keeping the Law of God, prayer, and receiving the sacramental Mysteries, will keep you firm in your faith. I am praying for you. God bless.

Robert

I take it from your previous post that you are no longer Orthodox, Robert?

I am Catholic. God bless.


Robert

Robert, that's what I have been doing since I've been here (I don't have a rosary here, but I do say the Jesus prayer frequently still!). The parish in Guthrie was the first one built in the state if I'm not mistaken, it's beautiful, God knows I'm here for a reason, a good one at that.

I left the church about a little over a year ago, and started going to the local greek orthodox parish in my city. I found out about the byzantine church and after a couple of months or so afterwards, I decided to come back into communion with Rome, and have been trying to get closer to areas that have byzantine parishes.

I thank you for your reply and will definitely take the advice you were kind enough to give.

Yours in Christ,
Mark

Mark:

After you get out of Job Corps I would definately look for a job in a city with Byzantine Catholic Churches. If you really want to make a commitment to this, becoming Byzantine, I would deeply consider moving, so you can have all the offerings of the liturgical life in an Eastern parish. It's a big decision that only you can make, but will be well worth it. I pray that God will guide you.

In Christ,



Robert

Mark, you should try to contact Fr. Philip Seeton; he was recalled back to the Oklahoma City diocese recently and has bi-ritual faculties. Perhaps he can help with starting something closer to your location. I believe he is at St. Charles Borromeo parish currently. If you are looking for religious items, there are very nice small icons that can be purchased if you are not yet in a permanent location (Nikita Borisov carries some nice ones at http://www.religious-supply.com/index.php3 , and as Robert has mentioned there are numerous prayer resources on the Web in various Eastern Christian traditions.

Robert,

Your pm box is full. I don't wish to derail this thread so could you please send me a pm?

CDL

For some reason when I try to send a PM it says: "private messages disabled." Don't know what that means. My main email is rhorwath@gonzaga.edu

Email me if you wish.

Robert

Robert:

You can enable your "Private Messages" function by clicking on the "My Stuff" on top of your screen, then click "Preferences," and toggle down to the question regarding your willingness to accept private messages from forum members.

Click "Yes" and, finally, click "Submit."

Amado

Thank you. Sorry for the technical question.

God bless.

There is a parish in Irving, Texas if you are up for a road trip; it's Saint Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church. Although, Tulsa may be closer where St. Athanasius Byzantine Catholic Mission is.

I used to live in Lawton, OK; southwest of OKC. I live in Detroit, MI now. Most Byzantine churches here are too latinized for me, and I may have to move away soon because of the economy. So I may end up in your neck of the woods.

God Bless,

Robert,

I wanted to ask you a question about Ave Maria, Fla. I sent an email.

CDL