www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Are our Churches open to converts?

I don't think that any conversion to Orthodoxy should be an "automatic response". I would suggest that in regard to converts and evangelization that a model of ontological piety and Christian charity be presented as the hallmark of ones approach. With Patristic foundation and a LIFE OF PRAYER IN A TRADITION BASED COMMUNITY, this leads one to Orthodoxy. To clarify, it isn't a matter of a "show" or a nominal, ethnic Christianity but an evidence of a life of prayer, piety and personal encounter with Christ Jesus which characterizes ones approach to and acceptance of others cast in His image. Be the language Latin, Greek, Slavonic, vernacular, etc. what makes this all effective is an ontological expression which voices the way of the Master, the eternal and the otherwordly. One can sift through Scripture ad nauseam, write dead expositions of the Fathers or play mind games with fear or logic but if one does not LIVE and SHOW the vibrancy and PERSONAL SUCCESS OF THAT FAITH, which should be seen as a walk in the abiding Presence of Christ, then one simply engages in vanity. In a word, the effectiveness of ones evangelization and ones conversion and/or "lure" of converts is to love and in that love give glimpses of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

Hi,
I'm unchurched and since I'm carless in a large southern city, I've contented myself with reading abut different denominations.

I admit I never heard of Byzantine Catholics before this year(I attended Catholic high school) and I'm over 30 and from Wash. DC. (Every Christian and Jewish denomination has a major church in Wash. DC) Now that I think about it I've passed by signs of byzantine Rite churches for years and thought they were ethnic secret societies like Masons!Two major Greek Orthodox churches were near me, but I had no idea they were any different from Catholics.

I would like to attend a Byzantine Catholic service, but to be honest the intense ethnic ties make me hesitant. Folks like to hang with their own(understandable) and since introducing their faith isn't necessary or encouraged in their native countries it isn't realized until too late how necessary pr it is to survive in the USA.

A study of denominations that are effective and successful at welcoming outsiders would probably help EC churches develop some strategies for introducing folks to the ECC.

Perhaps greeters could be appointed to usher in visitors and give them pamphlets explaining the liturgy etc. Afterwards the greeter could make sure they're looked after. Though judging from some of the posts Eastern hospitatlity seems to be very gracious.Studies have shown that if a visitor is left unattended after service,feels like he's an outsider at a family reunion or ,what's worse, leaves unnoticed chances are high that the vistor will never return.

It would also be helpful to have open houses and Learn About Eastern Catholicism nights in which the neighborhood is blitzed with flyers.Attendance in interfaith and ecumenical groups would also increase visibility.

college students could hold information evenings in the student union.
Just some ideas.

Peace

Indigo,

Welcome to the forum. You seized on an older thread on this topic, there was a more recent one in which some of the points you raised (e.g., greeters) were suggested.

I'd love to tell you that I knew of a parish of one of our Eastern Catholic Churches in Dallas, but a quick check of the online directory doesn't show a single one. Nearest is probably St. Basil the Great Ruthenian Catholic parish in Irving, which is a bit of a trip without a car as I recollect.

St. Basil the Great
1118 East Union Bower Road
Irving, TX, 75061
Phone: 972-438-5644

Many years,

Neil

Neil,
It was gracious of you to look up church locations , thank you.Reading through the posts I'm struck by the gentle graciousness of the byzcaths.

It turns out that two gentlemen in a benedictine spirituality group I attend are members of St.Basil the Great in Irving ,Texas. They've kindly offered to help me find a way to make a Sunday visit.

I'm curious as to how many Black Americans are members or attend Eastern Catholic churches?(no disrespect, but not including Carribeans or Africans because their mentality and history is completely different)

Peace,
Indigo

Indigo,

That's great news.

As to your question, there are, of course, those who are emigrants from nations in the Alexandrean sphere (e.g., Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea), who are most commonly found in the Copt, Ethiopian, and Melkite Catholic Churches and their Orthodox counterparts.

I know a Haitian couple and a few others of Caribbean heritage, but I can only think of one Black American Eastern Catholic whom I know personally. He is a Melkite and came to our parish about 8-10 years ago when he married a young woman of Lebanese-American descent. As I recollect, Will's family religious background is High Church Anglican/Episcopalian. We also have at least one other member here (Reznut/Michelle, who posted back near the beginning of this thread) who is a convert to Eastern Catholicism (Ruthenian IIRC). Mike C., another poster to this thread, mentioned an African-American couple in his Ukrainian parish. So, it's safe to say that they are out there - although probably not in large numbers.

Thanks to you for your kind words.

Actually, looking up a location was a snap - if you ever need to do so:

Unofficial Directory of Eastern Catholic Parishes in US [crosslink.net]

It's not absolutely up-to-date, but pretty close, and certainly more so than any other site you'll readily access. As to our gentle graciousness :rolleyes: here: we truly do try, although sometimes our passions get the best of us - but thank you for noticing how it is on our good days .

I was re-reading your original post and noticed a comment I hadn't remembered:

Hopefully, your concern will be alleviated by the fact that you already know two members of Saint Basil's. As to the sentence which I've highlighted, it is indeed a major concern; Melkites heard that 35 years ago from our beloved Archbishop Joseph (Tawil), of blessed memory, in a pastoral message:

The Courage To Be Ourselves [melkite.org]

I can't speak for others, but I think we Melkites have worked at it (i.e., being open to newcomers) reasonably well in the interim, although the pr aspect that you mentioned could be improved upon.

Many years,

Neil

Dear Indigo:

According to the latest USCCB's statistics, as of the end of 2002:

This is a combined figure for Latins AND Eastern Catholics. Since the statistics do not distinguish between Latin and Eastern Catholic memberships, I suspect that an overwhelming majority are Roman Catholics.

Of course you know that the current President of the USCCB is no other than Bishop Wilton Gregory, an African-American, but Latin.

It seems that the paucity of African-Americans in the Eastern Catholic side is an "effect" of their relative "minority" number in the Latin side.

I think this underscores the need for stronger evangelization efforts on the part of the Catholic Church in the U.S. as a whole, but more so on the part of the individual Eastern Catholic Churches.

Amado

Neil and Amado,
Your comments and info were very helpful, thanks.
I read Father Tawil's speech(Courage to be ourselves) and thought of a wonderful book on revitalizing the Catholic church (that would really apply to any church) called Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. He speaks of the dwindling numbers of church members etc., and chalks it down to the need to actually live the teachings and become saints.

With this book on my mind that's why I'm so impressed with your graciousness.Actions truly speak louder than words. As a result, I'm really looking forward to attending a byzcath service.

Peace,
Indigo

Indigo again. Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit St. Basil's in Irving Texas, and really, really liked the liturgy.It spoke to me. the parishioners and priest were very warm and welcoming. Eastern Rite is definitely for me.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

That is definately nice to hear!

Welcome Indigo!

Michael, that sinner

Indigo,

I was just skimming threads that I had lost track of when I was off-line for a few days last month and saw your final post. So glad that you felt welcomed and enjoyed your experience at St. Basil's. Please stay with us here and post any questions you have as you continue your exploration of the East.

Many years,

Neil

The second part of the original topic here makes me think: "Why aren't we growing?"

I have also been very welcomed in both Byzantine Churches I have attended. So I think lack of hospitality is not the only problem in why there is lack of growth, because generally there is hospitality and some, if not all, who welcome visitors.

I think maybe lack of nurturing would be more appropriate. Welcoming them is one thing, but keeping them there another. Strong community spirit is important but so is some kind of pastoral guidance and education in the Eastern liturgy, traditions, and ways. It is to love and die for, but needs to be shared and needs to be learned and experienced. There is so much that happens just by experiencing the Divine Liturgy, but one must be encouraged by others to give it time. And prayer - a parish should be praying about how to foster growth and perhaps under the leadership of the pastor work at stategies to make newcomers get the nurturing they need.

Something else which can discourage newcomers is that of a community which is too close knit -- where new people are made to feel they are imposing on and not really part of a private, family scene. Encouragement, inclusion, prayer,support, and nurturing are all factors worth considering-- without which we will simply continue to witness the passing parade.


In Christ,

Porter.