5
5Loaves
Guest
Encounter 2012 Mid-West Liturgy on Youtube.
- Status
B
ByzCathCantor
Guest
Just got home from Encounter 2012 - East.
Some observations, as promised.
The conference took the form of a series of speeches on a common theme, emphasizing the role of laity in the life of the Church. Most appropriately, this message was delivered in an Eastern fashion, emphasizing the sacramental mysteries, most especially our common baptism and priesthood.
The days also included prayer and liturgy featuring various traditions, most prominently Melkite and, to a lesser extent, Maronite.
Of course, vendors were present hocking their wares, including most of the “usual suspects” in U.S. Eastern Catholic circles.
Overall, I’d have to say that the conference exceeded my expectations. While all the speakers gave strong presentations, by far IMHO, Bishop Peter Libasci of the [RC] Diocese of Manchester, NH stole the show. Among his resume points, he has a deep love and appreication for Byzantine Liturgy and tradition, and has bi-ritual faculties in the Ruthenian Church. He was able to blend his own experiences with his passion for the East, and spoke vividly, passionately and credibly about the “two lungs” of the Church.
The event was very professionally hosted by the pastor and parishioners of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church (our gratitude and admiration!). The pastor, Fr. Ed Cimbala, is currently the Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Passaic sede vacante, and also served as the Eastern regional chair for Encounter 2012. His parishioners did an amazing job of making everyone feel welcome.
Attendance was strong, and there was diversity both in terms of the particular Churches and generations represented. There was a solid contigent of young adults, interested in supporting the life of their Churches and parishes, which was very encouraging.
On the negative side, with well over 200 laity present, it was disappointing that there were no opportunities to interact more formally with the bishops present. A Q&A / comment session was held at the end of the first day, but only two of the four speakers were present to field questions, and none of the hierarchs. IMHO, a missed opportunity, as many valid concerns and thoughtful suggestions were made in the course of that session by many a passionate and well-spoken participant. Also, while the Year of Faith was discussed as a topic, there was not much substance offered in terms of how the Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S. intend to embrace it.
Overall, I do hope that future sessions are planned, and would highly recommend participation by any and all, including our Latin Catholic brothers and sisters (several of whom were present for this session, as well as a few from other Christian denominations). It was a real glipse of the best of the Light of East, even for us cradle Eastern Catholics who attended.
Some observations, as promised.
The conference took the form of a series of speeches on a common theme, emphasizing the role of laity in the life of the Church. Most appropriately, this message was delivered in an Eastern fashion, emphasizing the sacramental mysteries, most especially our common baptism and priesthood.
The days also included prayer and liturgy featuring various traditions, most prominently Melkite and, to a lesser extent, Maronite.
Of course, vendors were present hocking their wares, including most of the “usual suspects” in U.S. Eastern Catholic circles.
Overall, I’d have to say that the conference exceeded my expectations. While all the speakers gave strong presentations, by far IMHO, Bishop Peter Libasci of the [RC] Diocese of Manchester, NH stole the show. Among his resume points, he has a deep love and appreication for Byzantine Liturgy and tradition, and has bi-ritual faculties in the Ruthenian Church. He was able to blend his own experiences with his passion for the East, and spoke vividly, passionately and credibly about the “two lungs” of the Church.
The event was very professionally hosted by the pastor and parishioners of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church (our gratitude and admiration!). The pastor, Fr. Ed Cimbala, is currently the Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Passaic sede vacante, and also served as the Eastern regional chair for Encounter 2012. His parishioners did an amazing job of making everyone feel welcome.
Attendance was strong, and there was diversity both in terms of the particular Churches and generations represented. There was a solid contigent of young adults, interested in supporting the life of their Churches and parishes, which was very encouraging.
On the negative side, with well over 200 laity present, it was disappointing that there were no opportunities to interact more formally with the bishops present. A Q&A / comment session was held at the end of the first day, but only two of the four speakers were present to field questions, and none of the hierarchs. IMHO, a missed opportunity, as many valid concerns and thoughtful suggestions were made in the course of that session by many a passionate and well-spoken participant. Also, while the Year of Faith was discussed as a topic, there was not much substance offered in terms of how the Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S. intend to embrace it.
Overall, I do hope that future sessions are planned, and would highly recommend participation by any and all, including our Latin Catholic brothers and sisters (several of whom were present for this session, as well as a few from other Christian denominations). It was a real glipse of the best of the Light of East, even for us cradle Eastern Catholics who attended.
5
5Loaves
Guest
Great. Thanks for this!
This was a concern I had when I realized most of the clergy are unlikely to be present when we laity will be there on Sat/Sun. The presence of so many clergy at Orientale Lumen Conferences is a reason I wanted to return to those.
Trinity-St. Nicholas Russian Catholic Church, our sister Russian parish in Victoria, Australia, 10/14, posted this link to “Eastern Christians in Australia since Vatican II”, an excellent document to read as we embark on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and this Year of Faith. We’ve added the link to our Facebook, along with the link to Orientalium Ecclesiarum the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Eastern Catholic Churches for reading at the start of this Year of Faith.
Maybe we should start a new thread for ideas for what our ECCs should be doing in this Year of Faith.
B
ByzCathCantor
Guest
Great idea! Please get us going with an OP, and I’ll be happy to contribute (along with all the usual suspectsMaybe we should start a new thread for ideas for what our ECCs should be doing in this Year of Faith.
).
C
CDB1718
Guest
I’m transcribing the notes I took during Encounter 2012 West. Here are links to the Google Docs I already completed.
Bp. Nicholas (Samra)'s Introduction at Encounter 2012 West
Abouna Justin Rose’s talk at the Encounter 2012 West
Deacon Sabatino Roberto Carnazzo’s Talk at Encounter 2012 West
Fr. Edward Cimbala’s Talk at Encounter 2012 West
Bp. Nicholas (Samra)'s Introduction at Encounter 2012 West
Abouna Justin Rose’s talk at the Encounter 2012 West
Deacon Sabatino Roberto Carnazzo’s Talk at Encounter 2012 West
Fr. Edward Cimbala’s Talk at Encounter 2012 West
- Status