Afraid to join an eastern parish because I’m Irish Italian descent

[Herculees]

Please have no fear. I am of British/Irish descent and went to a few Melkite Masses
before I found my way to a Maronite parish. I grew up in the Latin Church. I felt as
though I found home at the Maronite parish, and formally joined the Maronite church
in 2018. Parishioners questioned why I decided to join, but they did not frown upon
it. I felt they were sincere in just wondering why I chose to worship there and formally
transfer from the Latin rite.

 

[phil19034]

I’ve really been looking into the East for months now! I really wanna go to a Melkite parish in Atlanta but when I look at photos online it seems like it’s a lot of Greek people. I’m a red headed Irish guy so I’m afraid if I go it’ll be frowned upon because Greek isn’t my cultural background. I was wondering if anyone has any advice. Thanks

Have you tired the Latin Mass?

If not, I challenge you to attend 10 consecutive High Masses in the Extraordinary Form.

The FSSP has a parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta & they have a High Mass every Sunday (except in July) at 11:30 AM.

https://fsspatl.com/

God Bless

 

[phil19034]

My understanding was that the various Churches aren’t keen on people switching from one to another unless you have a really, really solid reason.

I think this is less a thing in the South, where the OP is posting from.

For example, in some parts of the Northeast - where SOME neighborhoods are still very ethnic, yes it could be an issue.

I know of a town in coal country ¶ where a town of 2000 people used to have 4 Catholic Churches. In 2012 or 2013 the Italian Parish, Slovak, & Irish parishes all merged. The Ruthenian parish stayed independent of course. The Italians, Slovaks & Irish were at each other’s throats (figuratively) and many could not accept this. A few years later, their combined parish then merged with a parish from another town and now the only Catholic parish left in the town in the Ruthenian Parish.

My point - while there are areas where ethnic blood still runs deep & hot, the OP should be fine in the South. Plus - most places are not like my extreme example at all.

 

[babochka]

know of a town in coal country ¶ where a town of 2000 people used to have 4 Catholic Churches. In 2012 or 2013 the Italian Parish, Slovak, & Irish parishes all merged. The Ruthenian parish stayed independent of course. The Italians, Slovaks & Irish were at each other’s throats (figuratively) and many could not accept this.

This reminds me of a story that my pastor tells of a man stranded on an island. When he is rescued after he has spent many years alone on the island, he has built a life for himself. He has built a small village with a few buildings, including two beautiful and identical churches. He shows them one of the churches and says, “This is where I go to church.” When the rescuers ask him about the other Church, he explains, " That is where I don’t go to church."

 

[Jragzz123]

Yea that’s where I attend now! I think the liturgy is very pretty but it’s not just about the liturgy for me! I like the spirituality as well!

 

[phil19034]

Yea that’s where I attend now! I think the liturgy is very pretty but it’s not just about the liturgy for me! I like the spirituality as well!

Ok. Well, as long as it’s Catholic you should be good.

I just like to see people try the Latin Mass before going East, but looks like you are already doing that.

The best way to find out is to attend their Divine Liturgy on Sunday (if you haven’t already)

 

[George720]

I just like to see people try the Latin Mass before going East,

I am told one will look a long time trying to find the old traditional Latin Mass…

Were that one still extensively celebrated, I doubt many would be turning East…

geo

 

[dochawk]

I just like to see people try the Latin Mass before going East, but looks like you are already doing that.

If you think people primarily turn east for that reason, you are grossly misinformed.

Yes, we get the occasional visitor upset with the OF–and I can’t recall a single one that stuck around for three weeks, ever.

Those of us that stay here do so not in frustration, but because we’re drawn to the East itself.

While there are probably people that would be drawn either to the EF or to the East, they are a tiny fraction.

And, by the way, the implicit suggestion in your statement that the EF is somehow superior or preferable to Eastern Catholicism is both offensive and contrary to Papal teaching,.

 

[phil19034]

And, by the way, the implicit suggestion in your statement that the EF is somehow superior or preferable to Eastern Catholicism is both offensive and contrary to Papal teaching,.

I apologize, that was NOT my intention. The Church has two lungs and the Latin Church is not better than any of the Eastern Churches.

My LIMITED experience with people thinking about going East (which is NOT as vast as yours) is typically people who are frustrated with the OF.

I have no issue with anyone going East as long as it’s still in the Church. The reason I like Latin Catholics to consider the Latin Mass first is simply to make sure they are doing all their homework. Because whatever move they make, it should be the last. No one wants to see “Rite hoping.”

But again, I know your experience far out weighs mine in regards to this subject.

God Bless

 

[dochawk]

My LIMITED experience with people thinking about going East (which is NOT as vast as yours) is typically people who are frustrated with the OF.

seriously, those folks don’t hang around us.

Those that come (like me) and stick around are drawn by the theology or liturgy.

There is a huge difference from those trying to “come from” and those “going to” . . .

They get disgusted quickly by our failure to reject the OF, and dismiss us when we explain that that’s not why we’re here.

They appear apparently expecting us to gush over their rejection of RC, and try to explain to us that that’s why we’re here.

I think we had one, once, show up a third time at my parish, and that’stwice more than usual.

 

[Elvis_George]

O please man! We do not judge! I am Syro Malabr and in our churches it is often a common to see white people attend our Qurbana! Now if you want to join the Melkite church,you might be questioned but I don’t think those questions would intimading or anything

 

[George720]

I would only add that unless one is called by God to either so-called “Rite”, that personal rejection of either is no justification for running away to the other… Which does not justify bad “Rites”, mind you! We tend to feel at home in the Services in which we grew up as little children, affirming full participation by little children in the Reception of the Body and Blood of our Lord… But the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil and St. Gregory and the traditional Latin Mass are the ones we have had from the beginnings, and that changing the Divine Services from these to something else has consequences…

'Nuff!

geo