www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Would you participate?

I tend to prefer that the East stay East and the West stay West... they are equally valid in their traditions, but people risk losing their community identity if they go shopping and picking and choosing. As the kid of an Orthodox Christian and a Roman Catholic, I would feel spiritually cheated if I were not given equal time by "both sides" in experiencing honest tradition in their respective churches. The traditions of each are rich and holy and worthy.

Very well-said, Annie.

God bless,

Karen

Normally I wouldn't weigh in on a subject like this. Still, I'll give my $0.02.

If the situation is as reported, this priest needs to be reported to the bishop - AFAIC he's crossed two very big red lines. NO canonical priest should be protesting the Latins outside their chancery, no matter how bad the local diocese is. He also has no business following the Latin calendar or running Latin feast days (assuming the same feast days don't exist in the UGCC calendar).

If this guy wants to join the SSPX, go. His job is to shepherd a Ukranian flock, not to pursue his own agenda and remake his flock in a way out of line with his Church, the UGCC.

What would I do? I would participate. I can easily switch my Latin and Melkite hat as necessary. I love any attempt to grow closer to God.

BUT, I draw the line in two places. One is when it's obvious that the purpose of so-called worship is a narrow prideful sectarianism. Two is the abandonment of the local Church's tradition.

Lay leadership is important in any parish. I'd also gather some Byzantine/UGCC-minded fellows, and petition the priest to have Orthros next Sunday morning. We'd all show up, with or without the priest, and if he weren't willing we'd hold reader's Orthros. I'd also try to organize an Akathistos prayer sometime.

The Ukrainians retain the Feast of the Sacred Heart on their calendar as the Feast of Christ the Lover of Mankind. So a Moleben or Akathist to the Sacred Heart would not be out of place, as their is nothing Latin about these services other than the title. The Moleben to Christ the Lover of Mankind (Sacred Heart) is still sung every year at Uniontown during the candlelight procession.

Fr. Deacon Lance

"Furthermore, the Western devotion of the Sacred Heart is not something that is really acceptable in the East; Jesus is to be worshiped as a whole Person, and therefore it's not considered proper to worship parts of His body. That's the rationale, anyway..."

The Sacred Heart is a symbol, a metaphor for Christ. Worshipping Christ under the Sacred Heart is no different than our many hymns to His Life-giving Cross or Life-bearing Tomb. Are we worshipping the Cross and the Tomb or the Person of Christ and what He accomplished through these mediums?

Fr. Deacon Lance

I'm glad you said that, Fr. Deacon Lance. I love the Sacred Heart-- I think it's a beautiful and much-needed reminder of God's love and mercy. I was sad to think that if I dox, I wouldn't be able to have it anymore. But when you put it like that...

God bless,

Karen

I think that this situation is a travesty. But I live over 2000 miles away from our beloved UC so what can I do? I'll pray that this situation gets corrected.


Which Eparchy is this in?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Annie_SFO:
[QB] I tend to prefer that the East stay East and the West stay West... they are equally valid in their traditions, but people risk losing their community identity if they go shopping and picking and choosing. As the kid of an Orthodox Christian and a Roman Catholic, I would feel spiritually cheated if I were not given equal time by "both sides" in experiencing honest tradition in their respective churches. The traditions of each are rich and holy and worthy.
[QUOTE]

Perhaps then I should stop trying to incorporate Eastern Christianity into my spiritual life as I do not intend to change rites, which would be impractical for me in any case?

St. Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago.

-uc

Have you called Fr. James, the Chancellor, and talked to him about it? He's always been nice to me when I talk to him. Hey, it turns out that we are in the same Eparchy!

Today was the celebration of the Feastday of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The procession and enthronement, along with various consecrations of countries, etc., all took place at the 8:00am English Divine Liturgy, which is exclusively attended by Tridentines.

At the 10AM Ukrainian DL, the priest's homily covered the history of the cult of the Sacred Heart, how each family should be consecrated to it, some St. Margret Mary, some French Synod of Bishops in 1700 something, Fatima, and indulgences, etc.

There has been new additions of sacred (he)arts in the church:

http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/bambula/

Sigh...

-uc

Oh, UC, how sad. Not that I have anything against the Sacred Heart or anything (God forbid), but I do have a lot against Latin traditions in the public devotional life of the Byzantine Rite. They don't belong there!

It really bugs me that your parish is being taken over and Latinized by Tridentince Catholics... if the pastor won't listen to you, this issue should be brought to the attention of your bishop.

God bless,

Karen

The problem with this is also the the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on the first friday after Corpus Christi. The proper celebration would have been on 23 June 2006. This celebration at UC's parish was on a sunday! His priest didn't get the day right.

UC,

At least they aren't statues! What is the bishop's take on this priest and his seeming reLatinization of the parish???

I am sad that UC's Parish 'appears' to be in a 'competition' for the building - that's the way it seems from what I am reading, and the priest is disloyal to the Ukrainian Traditions, for whatever reason.

I am a former novus ordo choir director/organist/guitarist (no laughing!!!) reverted back to Tridentine, and I have attended both Ukrainian & Tridentine for maybe 6 years now, fence sitting, if you will. I LOVE BOTH!!! My Husband & girls have come to all, but, they decided to stick with the Tridentine. I know my husband is sincere, but, the girls perhaps are just vegetating instead of participating in silent prayer at the Tridentine. Thus; we are not all on the same page these days; and that is tough. I am drawn to the Ukrainian Byz Rite, and not all of us are just 'fleeing' to a BC to make it Latinized; I believe there are more people like me who really find a deeper spirituality at the BC, and yes, I am guilty of wanting to maintain some private RC devotions, such as The Way of the Cross, the Rosary, etc... on my own time. They are beautiful prayers! Although, I believe it is enriching to pray these devotions privately, I also believe it is not good to share a church building! I know I would not like to attend a church where Latinization is occurring; I can get that at the other RC parish (at least for now; Buffalo's new Bishop (I pray for him) is closing parishes left & right)!!! (PUN INTENDED!)

At the 'indult' Tridentine where we attend, it is a novus ordo parish & priest that was 'assigned' the Tridentine as a service to the UnaVoce Members who organized 30 years ago to obtain it. It has been around in other parishes before this one, but, the (former) Bishop was 'encouraged' to provide it by Rome, thus, even within a RC building, there is competiton and emnity amongst parishioners of both factions. I cannot imagine the ill winds blowing for UC's church!!! My sympathies!!! Petition to separate!!! My prayers are for you and with you. Many years!!!

PS - Trads and Indulters are not of the same mindset, and there is even division there! Indulters are approved and in communion with Rome - never left!!! Many years!!!