www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer Prayer needed for my family

If y'all could keep my family in your prayers I would appreciate it.

Last July we left the Episcopal church. We have found ourselves in a wonderful Byzantine Catholic community. We really have not felt part of the "group" yet. In time I hope that changes.

I am still looking ways for my children to find formation. At this time I don't really see any programs for them. I am not a huge pusher of program driven church, but I think we all can benefit from some sort of study / catechism class. I am sure they offer such programs. Maybe just not now? This really isn't a deal breaker.

Basically outside of our family "unit" we are friendless. I know my wife is lonely for a friend she can chat with or go to lunch with. She would like to have some family friends we can get together to cook our or play board games with. I would like this to.

I personally am wondering if we did the right thing. I miss my ministry that I stepped down from. I miss working with the youth. I miss serving alongside my dear friend and priest. I also feel weird wearing non clerical clothing. Like I am not myself. I think I am having Egypt syndrome. Like the Jews I am remembering the "good times".

Please pray for us that we find our place in the church. We have a party tomorrow night at the church. I hope it will help with establishing friendships.

Prayers!

O God of love, I pray that You surround Kirk and his family with friends at this time when they need them!

I can really identify! Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....oh wait that is the intro to Star Wars. Transitioning into a cultural church, can feel that way. Everything is foreign to us, literally. We in America as Protestants, I as a Southern Baptist, never had experienced a Mass, much less a Divine Liturgy. I remember hitting my husband on the arm when we went with his grandmother the first time (he was PNC) asking him if they thought we didn't get enough exercise. I was serious, I thought I was back in basic training.

Honestly, I think as converts all too often we have to reach out to them ;(.

The story for us has a beautiful ending. From our first year, people began coming up to my husband asking him if he didn't wan't to be a deacon. There was no such program. My husband entered the first class for deacons in the Ruthenian Church, though we had been in a Melkite parish because of employment for years, and was ordained to the diaconate.

Don't give up, and don't put away your clerics. God is faithful to complete the work he has begun in you.

My favorite verse...
Zephaniah 3:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Thank you everyone. The prayers are greatly appreciated.

@Pani Rose I know what you are saying about a cultural church. Growing up many in my family were in a cultural church. I know in time we will feel comfortable. I just am looking forward to that time. :)

Kirk how far are you from Houston?

It might be fun to take a pilgrimage and visit Fr Elias.

Prayers for Kirk, that he and his family find a spiritual home in which they are welcomed and at peace to build their new religious life.

Thanks everyone again everyone. Good news of the class front. Some sort of youth group or program is coming soon. That is a good thing. My children are home schooled. Church functions are their main activities.

Pani, I am about 5hours from Houston.

Oh yeah far away.

Have you gotten in with a solid Catholic homeschool group?

Thought I would search for some Byzantine homeschool pages for fun. I have not read these, but thought they might have some helpful ideas I home schooled two of mine.
Homeschooling [remnantofremnant.blogspot.com]
Homeschool groups and sports [home-school.com]
Pinterest [pinterest.com]

Thank you for the reply. We are in a homeschool group. I think we will be looking for another one. It is tied with a Church we were going to, but are no longer there. Overall the people don't mind, but it is hard. We feel disconnected.

There are two other Catholic groups that I know of. Possible a third phantom group that supposedly is really amazing. I just cannot find any information about it. So we will keep looking. thank you for the links I will definitely check them out when I am home from work.

Well, at a child, I was all over the map. Even though I was born and baptized a Roman Catholic, I had schooling in a Lutheran Church at first, then I went into PSR at the Roman Catholic Church when I figured it out that I was Catholic, then I became acquainted with the Byzantine Rite after my First Communion, both through the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, having met, then, Bishop Robert Moskal at St. Josaphat, then in the Ruthenian Byzantine Church shortly after, where I served. However, the Monsignor at the Byzantine Church I served at passed away, and felt my spirit in the Eastern Rite was misplaced, and I was up for Confirmation in the Latin Rite, but right now, I'm feeling that surge in spirit to return to the Byzantine faith, and I'm pretty sure ready to return to the Eastern Rite for good this time, let's hope.

Anyway, this is related to your story, trying to find a true Catholic identity in my life, even though the OP's is purely finding a true Christian identity in general, not just Catholic, but I think that you will find that if God provides you with a spirit, and a calling to join up, make sure it's long term, and commit to that particular Rite of the Church.