Overcoming ethnicity in Eastern Catholic parishes

[ConstantineTG]

And the problem with being a welcomed visitor is what?

Its hard to accomplish things you want to do for the community if the community doesn’t embrace you as one of their own.

My interest in the parish and the Byzantine Rite is more than just attending Divine Liturgy.

 

[mariyka]

We’ve had many families “adopted” into our church. The more involved they are, the more quickly they become part of the parish. I have a hard time telling the difference between second and third generation Ukrainians and the non-Ukrainians. Even the names don’t really matter, since there is a lot of intermarriage. You don’t have to be Ukrainian to be part of the “family”!

 

[FredM]

I understand what you mean. I think you visit some other parishes (if there are any in your area). I’ve found one particular EC Church to be very welcoming.

 

[5Loaves]

Don’t forget St. Andrews in El Segundo! The Russian Catholic capital of Southern California!

Oye veh! :doh2: My bad! Maybe all this dairy is affecting my brain. :whacky: I could pretend I was just waiting to see if anyone would notice…

 

[ConstantineTG]

I understand what you mean. I think you visit some other parishes (if there are any in your area). I’ve found one particular EC Church to be very welcoming.

I visited a second one today. There’s 4 UGCC parishes in the area. Although this parish is literally on the other side of town. I met the priest there some while back and promised I will visit his parish and got that opportunity today. There were only a few people at Divine Liturgy today.

 

[5Loaves]

I visited a second one today. There’s 4 UGCC parishes in the area.

Glad to hear it. I’ve wondered if you have any Orthodox parishes in the area you could go to for services that are more orthodox in their praxis than the parish you’re been describing. Have you been able to connect yet with a spiritual father? That will make a difference in all of this for you.

There were only a few people at Divine Liturgy today.

We had a priest, a deacon, an altar server, 7 or 8 choir members and 3 of us faithful “in the pews” (we have no pews ). It was a beautiful Feast. No traffic. Forty minute drive each way.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Glad to hear it. I’ve wondered if you have any Orthodox parishes in the area you could go to for services that are more orthodox in their praxis than the parish you’re been describing. Have you been able to connect yet with a spiritual father? That will make a difference in all of this for you.

There are Ukrainian Orthodox parishes as well as an OCA somewhere further East.

I’m thinking about asking the priest whom I visited today if he can be. Although he’s been not-so-subtly asking me to be a regular in his parish instead. But its too far away. Its close to where I work, but its not like I want to drive all the way there on a Sunday. The Cathedral I go to is a 12-minute drive and is a 1/3 of the distance to that parish. But I think I would relate more with that priest, because we was already born and raised here, and he has an interesting life. Also I feel that ever since he asked me to visit his parish, its some sort of sign from God.

We had a priest, a deacon, an altar server, 7 or 8 choir members and 3 of us faithful “in the pews” (we have no pews ). It was a beautiful Feast. No traffic. Forty minute drive each way.

No cantors at that parish today sadly, so we had to recite the Divine Liturgy. Too bad, I mentioned the priest had an interesting life, he does stage musicals professionally before becoming a priest. Would have been interesting to hear him chant. But even his regular speaking voice is the stuff of radio voice-overs.

 

[Cecilianus]

We had a priest, a deacon, an altar server, 7 or 8 choir members and 3 of us faithful “in the pews” (we have no pews ). It was a beautiful Feast. No traffic. Forty minute drive each way.

We’re so blessed that churches will continue doing services when so few people show up. I’ve been to Matins said by a priest, deacon, and subdeacon, two acolytes - and only myself in the congregation. As Father said in the homily later that morning. “Matins was a success - people showed up, and graces were given.”

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

CTG! Merry Christmas!

I know what you mean about ethnicity. I approached my pastor about this. For the longest time I thought he was Middle Eastern because of he was dark complected but I found out he was Portuguese! He suggested I just jump in and introduce myself to the parishioners. After delaying this for a few weeks I finally got up the nerve and began introducing myself to people at vespers since they were the regular faces I saw at every liturgical service. To my surprise everyone was nice. One old woman thanked me for introducing myself and since has regaled me with wonderful stories of the saints and the faith every time I see her. Her husband is a nice man as well. You don’t have to meet everyone at once. Just one person or two per liturgical service and by the end of the month you will begin to feel more comfortable and know people. That’s my best advice.

Best of luck to ya!

 

[ConstantineTG]

CTG! Merry Christmas!

I know what you mean about ethnicity. I approached my pastor about this. For the longest time I thought he was Middle Eastern because of he was dark complected but I found out he was Portuguese! He suggested I just jump in and introduce myself to the parishioners. After delaying this for a few weeks I finally got up the nerve and began introducing myself to people at vespers since they were the regular faces I saw at every liturgical service. To my surprise everyone was nice. One old woman thanked me for introducing myself and since has regaled me with wonderful stories of the saints and the faith every time I see her. Her husband is a nice man as well. You don’t have to meet everyone at once. Just one person or two per liturgical service and by the end of the month you will begin to feel more comfortable and know people. That’s my best advice.

Best of luck to ya!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year LBL!

I’ve officially registered with the parish.

I never had problems with the people, everyone is warm and welcoming. Its just that at a time like Christmas and they are celebrating Christmas the Ukrainian way, you kind of lose yourself in the midst of it, being someone who’s not Ukrainian. Reminds me of this business trip to China once and there was a company event that Saturday. During lunch I was inside a banquet hall with about 30 people and everyone was talking in Chinese (Mandarin, Shanghainese, who knows?). Its not that I don’t enjoy being there (you don’t know Chinese food until you’ve been in China) but there’s just some things that make you feel not a part of it.