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DO YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IS
IMPORTANT TO YOU?
We usually are not quiet about things we truly enjoy. We read a fantastic book or we see a wonderful movie, or we find a special restaurant no matter how small, and we open-up our mouths and tell the world. Sometimes we do that to the detriment of the very thing we love and enjoy. For instance, we tell everyone about our favorite little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and soon it becomes very popular and we have to wait and wait to sit down to dinner. Our worse yet, it grows and loses all its charm and perhaps even that which made it so good. When a young lady gets a ring on her engagement finger, no matter how small the stone, she wears that ring so proudly and usually with such care that you cannot help knowing she is engaged.
How important is Jesus to us? We say that He is the most important part of our life, but is that mere words? Have we ever told anyone about Jesus? Have we ever invited anyone to know about Him?
How real and important is your faith commitment? Is it a Sunday thing? Is it lived at home? In your workplace? In every place and everything you do? During leisure times? Do you merely say you are a disciple, and then do nothing at all about it? How real is your faith commitment?
Being a disciple of Christ, means living it day-in, and day-out! Being a disciple and putting Christ first, means being so proud of that discipleship that you want and try to share it with others.
Like all other Catholic Christian Communities throughout our country, our parish RCIA Team is now taking names and interviewing those who would like to know more about us Catholic Christians. If there is someone in your life that you would like to bring to Jesus, now is the time to invite him/her/them. Possibly there is a person who was baptized a Catholic Christian but not raised in the faith. Invite that person too!
Also, this is the time to contact a Fallen Away Catholic Christian you know, and invite him/her to come home. Our Welcome Home Team is also interviewing those who have an interest in coming home.
Our next RCIA Program for converts to the Catholic Christian Community of Faith, begins on the second Monday of September, the 11th. To sign-up, please give Jenifer Carmichael a call at 805 - 497 - 2551, or Nancy McAvoy at 805 - 480 - 4031.
Our next Welcome Home Program for returning Catholic Christians, begins on the last Monday of September, the 25th. To sign-up or to seek answers to your questions, please call Deacon Joe Manion at the Parish Pastoral Office: 818 - 889 - 1279, ext. 219.
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LITURGICAL QUESTIONS?
"Who", "What", are Eastern Catholics?
Before Vatican II, the Eastern Churches were usually known as "Eastern Rites". However, Vatican II rightly restricted the word "rite" to designate a way of performing a ceremony. E.g., the Rite of Baptism, Funeral Rite, etc.
There are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches that are in communion with the Church of Rome, and with one another. These Churches are of apostolic origin, and manifest the same oneness characteristic of the Apostolic Church by virtue of their common bond with the Successor of St. Peter. These Churches had their origins in the eastern half of the Roman Empire, or beyond the Empire's eastern frontiers in Armenia, Mesopotamia within the Persian Empire, Ethiopia, and the Malabar Coast of southwest India.
In the course of history, these Churches did not develop the liturgical and disciplinary changes adopted over the centuries by the Western Church of Rome. These Churches continue today many of the ceremonies used during the first centuries after the Roman persecutions. The Roman Church made many changes over the centuries, including adopting the Latin language in the fourth century and the ceremonies of Charlemagne in 800 a.d. The Eastern Catholic Churches almost uniformly reflect an older, apostolic form of Christian worship. And were always celebrated in the language of the people.
The Eastern Catholic Churches are divided into seven traditions: Armenian, Byzantine, Coptic, Ethiopian, Assyro-Chaldean, Antiochene Syrian, and Malabar. Eastern Liturgies are notable 1) because of the amount of singing during every Liturgy; 2) because of their frequent use of incense; 3) because of the frequent responding back and forth between the clergy and the gathered assembly; 4) and because of their length. Many of these Churches, to emphasize the sacredness and mystery of the Liturgy, celebrate the most sacred part of the service (the Eucharistic Prayer - the Anaphora) behind a curtain or a barrier. The sumptuous of their symbolism, vestments and ceremonial --- the beauty of their chant, the rich iconography of their churches --- combine to make an almost overwhelming sensual impact on the worshiper. Their prayers are very Trinitarian, and very personal. There is also a strong monastic stamp.
Those entering the church always make a profound bow out of respect for the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus. Genuflections are never made in the Eastern churches. The gathered assembly stands or sits throughout the entire Liturgy. Kneeling is unknown in the Eastern Liturgies (the Presider kneels on both knees at the Epiclesis, only in the Maronite Liturgy; no one kneels in any other Liturgy). The Eucharist is always received under both Species. Infants are blessed during the Communion Rite by placing the Ciborium over/on their heads in many of the Eastern Liturgies.
Some other noticeable differences: Babies receive all three Sacraments of Initiation when presented for Baptism
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