www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization St. Basil's update

An update for those who asked for it. Metropolitan Basil was in town this weekend at St. Basil's in Irving, TX. After a year without a pastor we are told that we should not expect one until at least the end of fall, but there are no plans at all for a new priest to come down. In effect: no one is coming any time soon.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of situation? What did you do to ameliorate it?

I'll be your pastor!!! Just have to finish my B.A. in Philosophy and you'll have to put me through the Seminary. Kidding aside I am discerning an inner call to the vocations.

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You could join together (with an Orthodox parish) for Vespers and the other hours, and go to another Eastern Catholic Church for your Sunday Obligation. Personally I would choose this option, and may I recommend ST. Mary the Virgin in Arlington in addition to any Eastern Cathilic Church you may decide to visit. It is a crown jewel of the Western Church.

Didymus the sometimes I have doubts, but they get resolved

That's pretty horrible. Do the Byzantines have that much of a priest shortage?

The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh has 77 parishes and 5 missions served by 52 priests and 17 deacons. 22 priests have 2 parishes, 3 have 3, 1 has 4.

So should we expect to get someone as soon as someone is ordained after graduating from the seminary?

I'm assuming they will shift some pastoral duties around, generally the first few years after presbyteral ordination, the young priest will work as an assistant at a parish to get the ropes.

If I were a bishop, I would caution sending new priests to an area that is not that densely populated with Eastern Christians, especially of a particular church; not just Texas, the one parish in Sheffield, PA is very rural and the parish only has at most a couple dozen parishioners. There is only one Roman Catholic Priest in town and the closest Byzantine Parish is in Erie, about 90minutes away. If I were a young priest, I would want to stay where I could have the assistance that I would need.

Some Bishops dont have the luxury of having so many priests they can do this. Some priests are luck to get a short spell as another priest's assistant and then they get put out there to run a parish. Thats when clergy fraternals are very important.

Christ is risen!

We had two periods within the past 20 years in DuBois, PA where we had a similar situation. The first time we lost our pastor because there weren't enough priests, but were served by any priest who was available, sometimes from the seminary, sometimes by a priest on leave or in transition. We never knew who (or if) would show. Later the pastor of Holy Trinity in Sykesville, just 7 miles away was assigned as Administrator.

Then several years later we had the same situation due to the pastor's medical leave, which became permanent.

It's a difficult situation; the laity has to pitch in...paying the bills, publishing the bulletin, providing maintenance and fundraising, etc. It led to declining membership for a while, but made us more independent and it was easier for the new Administrator because he didn't have to handle a lot of details. The priest's role became almost totally spiritual and worship directed.

How often does Fr. Elias come to Austin? Do you have anyone who may be a deacon candidate? Is the cantor well-versed and confident? How is the catechetical program? Strong leadership in these "positions" will keep the parish intact and position it for growth later when you get a pastor.
There are some "reader services" which are a poor substitute for Divine Liturgy but they will provide worship opportunities. If it hasn't already been done, your parish council should discuss these things with Fr. Elias.

If your finances allow, you might make an offer to Deacon Andrew providing travel money to come for reader services (and possible to train a layman to conduct services like the Hours, Akathist, and molebens.)

Be strong and take the role of a servant, as Jesus taught the apostles.

Fr Deacon Paul

That parish, though, is where I first found the east!

And the region seems blessed with an abundance of deacons . . . I think I could count the Masses and Divine Liturgies I attended over five years with no deacon serving on one hand.

hawk

Austin used to be served every week. Not so any more I'm told. Dallas is still served weekly but I expect that to change soon.

We have numerous deacon candidates, but I will leave out some of the unhappy history in getting them into the program.

The catechetical programs for children are good. The adult program has not quite taken off. I wish Pittsburgh offered something to the non-Pittsburgh area person towards the catechetical certificates.

I did write up a Reader's Vespers book that I got signed off on. I hope to use it in the coming weeks.

Thanks, Hawk for your kind comment. Be sure to visit us if you come back east.

Fr Deacon Paul

It sounds like you have a good core group. With this blessing you are sure to weather this trial. The Office of Religious Education http://www.archeparchy.org/page/archeparchial-offices/education.htm has an online course through Manor College for anyone who wants a FORMAL catechist certification ...see p.7 on this link http://www.manor.edu/Academics/course_descriptions.pdf

An low-cost alternative is to do self-study from the God With Us series, some of which is available here http://www.byzantines.net/byzantinepress/theology.htm and here: http://www.ecpubs.com/

With Fr Elias as your administrator you may already be aware of the above, but if not, I hope the info is helpful.

Adult education is difficult...we still haven't found a good formula for success. Until then, the homilies and our humble attempts classes will have to suffice.

Christ IS among us!
Fr Deacon Paul

Why not switch to the Ukrainian or Melkite Greek Catholic diocese? They seem to have enough priests. The parish in Tennessee just switched to the Ukrainian diocese. And the Ukrainians and Melkites would allow the Byzantine Liturgy. It is much better then the Pittsburgh Novus Ordo.

A difficult question to answer publicly especially considering our parish's particular history.

Parishes changing the Church they belong to is not a solution to any problem; we need to place our trust in our Bishops that they will make proper judgments regarding the administration of our parishes. We do not know all of the information regarding the administration of our church, nor do we need to know everything. There are always reasons why things do not happen in the time that we want them to.

Lady Byzantine, in regards to your comment about the liturgy I think it is totally uncalled for. The wording changes of the Divine Liturgy of the Ruthenian Church are nothing like the changes that occurred in the Latin Church with the promulgation of the Novus Ordo.