www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Mother of Churches in Roswell, Georgia

Dear John
The monastery has been there for many years. It has nothing to do with the vision sitings. The bishops never "approved" the visions, or whatever the correct term would be. So I never went, although I know people who did go. People came from all over the world. It all ended rather badly, there was fighting about land or money, or something. Maybe ChristTeen remembers.

denise

I know I'm getting a little off-topic here (don't we always?)

Since I was small the Roman Catholic churches I have attended have ALWAYS been like that, and I have been to a lot of parishes over the years. My parents were careful to cultivate that attitude in me as well, although I don't think that they were sure why. I think it has something to do with being focused on the Mysteries of the Lord, period. We did not dally to speak with anyone before or after mass, a pleasant "hello Fred!" or "Good morning Father!" or some such comment was basically it. While we might chat for an hour over the fence at home it just wasn't done at church.

I guess the idea may be your business at the temple is strictly your business between you and God.

I have often wondered why it was that way but I have to say that the effect is exaggerated in those large parishes. If everyone started yakking in the aisles or the parking lot (there's no Narthex to speak of) nobody could clear out in time for the next 200 cars for the following mass!

Just about any Sunday there was a 999 chance out of a 1000 that you would not personally know anyone around you in the pews at any given mass. I can remember when the Sign of Peace was introduced around Chicago. We had to shake everyone's hand! Jeepers! Then later they made us hold hands while we recited the Our Father, even stretching across the aisle's in some parishes. It pushed some people over the edge.

We just were not used to that kind of familiarity.

The Eastern Catholic Churches I attend occasionally these days do not have the same parish size or custom issues.

I still love the Latin church's mass (Novus Ordo, although it's the standard now), even more than the Tridentine mass. But my growing love and appreciation for the Byzantine Liturgy and sprituality is bringing me to a crossroad.

I love to see all the Eastern Traditions beginning to flourish, as at Roswell. Perhaps this is a key to re-evangelising our culture of disbelief.

Peace!!
Michael, sinner

Denise,

No, I'm sorry, I don't remember anything about the apparitions.

Michael,

What you say is true. In many RC churches I've entered (I've been to more RC churches than RC Masses) there are signs with things printed such as, "Please respect Catholic custom by not speaking in the church."

I'm sure this extends further than the RC churches as well. In my Methodist church, no one speaks at all in the sanctuary. If you so much as cough a gaggle of old ladies gives you stares that could make Hell freeze over.

ChristTeen287

I think the monastery everyone is referring to in this thread may be Holy Spirit Abbey. Not certain though.

http://www.trappist.net/

Michael

Dear ChristTeen,
I guess you would have a bit young at the time the "apparitions" were going on :rolleyes:

Dear Michael,
yes, that is exactly the monastery, thanks for the web address. I clicked on the "store" and up comes what looks like a stained glass modern Theotokos with Christ in her womb. It looks very Eastern except for its slight abstractness.

Wow, I can't believe how different the RC churches can be. One of the nearest ones to me is reportedly the largest in the metropolitan area. We went one Sunday and everyone was busy talking as they came in and sat down, talking amongst themselves and with other folks. Then the priest comes out with the microphone and starts "Hello everyone..... do we have any visitors? Where are you from?.... etc, etc" After Mass, everyone again started talking, and at the handshaking there was lots of Hi's, Hello's. I don't know if it's because we're so friendly down here in the South. (I couldn't wait to get back to our BC)

Even on weekday mornings, as soon as Mass is over at this particular RC, people get up and start chatting. Even if someone right next to them is still quiet with private prayer. It really bothers me that people will start chatting inside the church so that those that want to contine to pray do not have peace and quiet .

One Sunday my daughter went to a friend's Methodist church, and she said everyone was talking. Maybe it's just this section of town???

But I was not used to that my little Byzantine church. Even the littlest children know to not talk when you come into church. You could hear a pin drop, we're so quiet. But afterwards, in the narthax we all stay to chat and have coffe and doughnuts, and then to Sunday School. Everyone at the 8:30 knows everyone else. If someone is not present, you wonder if they are home ill.
denise

Dear Denise,

I have noticed myself that the chattiness level is up considerably around Chicago. I have had several occasions where I really, really needed to pray and lingered on my knees deep in prayer, only to have a couple of people stand RIGHT NEXT TO ME to talk about their vacations or lawns or recipes. I make a practice of going to my local RC parish about once a month and this Sunday they applauded the choir. Ten years ago that would not have happened here.

I do think that the region and culture plays a big part in peoples attitude in church though and it's not necessarily a bad thing, but for idle how-d'ye-do's the narthex or vestibule is more appropriate than the nave.

This could explain the little postings about observing Catholic custom that CT refers to above. I myself have never seen that.

Peace!!!
Michael, sinner

Oooh nuthin bothers me more than people clappin in the church. Lordy mercy.

ChristTeen287

P.S.- Denise, what RC church is that? Christ the King Cathedral?

Have you been to the FSSP Tridentine church. St. Francis de Sales, in Mableton? I've heard very good things about it.

ChristTeen287

ChristTeen
St Ann's in Marietta, but even in another local RC parish for weekday Mass the folks gab right there as soon as Mass is done. Since these are not my home parishes I haven't said anything to the priest. I just hope the extra effort to pray at these times sends our prayers up all the faster!
denise

This has been a fun thread for me to read because it brings back so many memories. You see, I grew up just outside of the little town of Tucker, GA when Atlanta was a cow town in which the tallest building there was the 9 story Sears Roebuck building and the Atlanta Crackers minor league team used to play in the old wooden stadium across from the Sears warehouse.

I just kept thinking to myself

"What in the WORLD would those folks down there say if they saw ONION DOMES!?"

"Billy Bob...whacha think thet straaaaage lookin' buildin' is?"

"I dunno, Joe Bob, maybe we better call the Grand Kleegle and find out what in tarnation's goin' on heah."

The more I thought of this imaginary conversation, the harder I laughed. You see, my last memories of the Atlanta area are just about that genre of time and people. Now I know that Atlanta today is a very cosmopolitan city and the "hub of the South"....but old memories die hard.

By the way, I took a look at the website for Epiphany of our Lord Church.

Very nicely done. Kudos to the webmaster.

Brother Ed - world's oldest and grayest altar boy!

Interesting you should mention that church. I remember seeing St. Ann's for the first time (this was right when I was beginning to become very interested in Catholicism) at my friend's bat mitzvah at the Reform temple Kol Emeth, which is right across the street.

Brian,

LOL, that's hilarious!

I don't know where Tucker is.

Let me tell you, the cosmopolitan feel of Atlanta is the exact thing that is such a put-off for me.

But I must admit I'm happy the Eastern Catholics have moved in! But that's all I want: Eastern Christians and some good ole Southerners.

And modern-day Atlantans sound like they're from upstate New York (most are, lol)!

ChristTeen287

I get called to Atlanta periodically for meetings at the CDC. Sometimes I stay downtown; other times out near Emery University. I must admit that downtown was kinda sorta a disappointment; not much going on when the offices close. A few restaurants on Peachtree and a goodly number of street people on the south side. There is, however, an RC parish on the north or west part of Peachtree. I think it's Sacred Heart? I went for Mass one Sunday evening and was very warmly welcomed by folks in the vestibule. I also noted collection boxes for food - for the poor and for those living with AIDS. I thought to myself: these are REAL good people here; they care for those in need and for us 'damned tourists'.

The suburban areas are certainly an urbanized South. In general, as elsewhere in the South, the folks are very friendly and talk with everyone either in the 7-11 or the Piggly-Wiggly. I like the South for this reason - although it is also found all over the country.

As for "silence" in the church, it wasn't what the first Christians did. At the time of the Apostles (and for a long time after), there was a "Jewish service" followed by an agape meal which was a kind of formal 'potluck' where even the poorest folks could have a meal even if they didn't bring anything to share. I'm sure that it served to cement the value of being an outcast Christian believer.

I believe that the "silence" aspect came about at the time when the theology of "Blessed Sacrament" or "Real Presence" became prominent in the West. While we in the East recognize the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, it is still primarily the "food" given to us by the Lord - the "esca viatorum" of St. Thomas Aquinas in the West. In the East, my understanding is if, for example, a church were on fire, folks would first attempt to retrieve the icons rather than the Eucharist. Of course, one would try to retrieve the Eucharist and the vessels, if possible, but in the East one would never jeopardize one's life for any physical thing in the burning church.

I am oftentimes reminded (especially now in Washington with 18 inches of snow on the ground!) of the Ukrainian Christians who sneaked out into the snowy woods for liturgy. It was the praying "folks" who were and are the most important. The Lord hears us, even tonedeaf in the shower. Though it is nice to pray in the Temple, it's OK to wait until one gets into one's car for that last little bit of prayer. Better to hug the widows and orphans; and the strangers who are visiting. The Lord seems to like that kind of stuff.

Blessings!

Blessings!

Dear Dr John
All the action and night life is in BUCKHEAD, or so they say. I prefer the quiet of home. Yes, Southerners are pretty friendly, we'll strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Although our little BC church doesn't have domes exactly, folks from Eastern Europe tell us it reminds them of the little country churches in their area.

I agree hugs are good after church.... but maybe because I work in a hospital, whenever I see someone on their knees praying after Mass/Liturgy
I always wonder if they have someone with a serious illness or some other crisis in their life. I want to respect their need for quiet. I can wait to give out hugs in the narthax. Hugs and donuts -- There's a sweet combination!

ChristTeen:
Maybe we can attract some more Eastern Christians down here with our more moderate climate -- we still have the four seasons -- but most winters we don't get snowed in like they've been this week, and with our more moderately priced homes. They can sell their small bungalows for $300,000 up there and come down here a buy a 4000 square foot home for the same price. I bet they won't believe that!

Thank you everyone on this forum. Ya'll are very kind and full of information and insights. I enjoy reading, but try to not get too addicted.
denise

Oh gosh, my parents have a lot of friends in Buckhead so they go up there a lot.

As far as the pricing goes...yup! But isn't it relative because people elsewhere make more money, but things cost more? I don't know, all I know is that a normal house in Cali is 4x as expensive as the same house in Georgia.

Denise, one of these days I'm going to have to come visit your church, even if it is a long drive! Then I can meet you and your family, if y'all would be willing!

ChristTeen287