Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
My own Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Parish in Lublin, Poland (
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat )is an example of how one can be both ethnic and open to the other people in an evangelical way. Everything here is done in Ukrainian
- rare occasions excluded: for instance, our
Pastor greets Polish visitors in Polish while speaking to the faithful after the Apolysis/Vidpust, Polish sermon may occur during celebration of an ethnically mixed marriage.
However, the spirit of our community (which is merit of our Pastor from the most part) is so open that no one (of whatever background) would consider himself excluded or unwelcomed. In a Parish of about 90 people we have three married couples in which the Latin part transferred to the UGCC (my wife is the newest example
).
Of course, there are various folks here in Poland.
About a year ago I published in the Ukrainian Weekly "Nashe Slovo" ("Our Word") an article about
the UGCC in Poland and her perspectives in the New Millenium (see the text at:
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/ps5.html ). I made a proposal to publish a prayerbook with two paralell texts: the Ukrainian in Polish phonetical translation and the Polish translation NOT FOR LITURGICAL USE, BUT FOR UNDERSTANDING. Such a prayerbook might be very useful for those linguistically assimilated and for visitors.
There were two replies, both very polemical and accusing me in pursuing some anti-Ukrainian polical goals in a Christian cover (my replies see
at:
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/ps4.html and
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/ps10.html ). Some other people really misunderstood me and cried why did I tend to Polonize the Liturgy. Such an enormous sensibility could be easily crtiticized by the Americans whose historical fate has been completely different - but one, if wants to be honest, should always remember about how difficult Ukrainians' history was. Our
exclusivism, if occurs, is based on our experience.
Sincerely,
Reader Peter
Who Has 1) A Wife Transferred From The Latin Church But Eccellently Integrated Into Her New Community...
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/foto2.html )
...And 2) A New Cassock
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/lektor.html My webpage:
http://www.mateusz.pl/goscie/grekat/psalmist.html [ 11-23-2001: Message edited by: Piotr Siwicki ]
