- Aug 4, 2013
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Two weeks ago I sent a letter of resignation to my UCC parish. As of yet, the priest has not responded. There is an OCA mission parish five minutes from my house. The interesting thing is that they are meeting in my wife's parish in what is called "the old church." She was raised by Dominican nuns and the first time I mentioned my interest in Orthodoxy, her hair stood up on end and caught fire.
When I mentioned the mission parish a couple of weeks ago, I shared with her that Fr. Barkett, whom she very much respects, has allowed the Orthodox church to use the old parish. She was very quiet and thoughtful. Since then, I have mention the mission parish a couple of times and she seems to have quietly accepted this.
I told my spiritual father that I am going there to sit down, shut up, and learn to be Orthodox. I will not be volunteering for anything. I will happily do whatever I am asked to do, but I one thing that has become painfully clear to me over the last Lent was that everything I have done, thinking it was for Christ, was really for my own self-satisfaction. Now I need to learn how to be a true believer. Orthodoxy can do this for me if I will listen.
I have a very dear friend in Pennsylvania who was the cantor at the Ruthenian church for 25 years. I used to sing in the choir at St. Ann's under his direction. He doxed two years ago. I spoke with him a couple of days ago. He was delighted to hear of my decision and told me how joyful it is for him to be in the OCA parish he is in. I have visited his parish for Liturgy and it is a energetic and growing parish. I wish I could be there to join them. I have about a dozen old friends from St. Ann's who have made the journey across the Bosphorus. May I be next.
So....your prayers are desired. I have spoken on the phone with Fr. Deacon Matthew, who is the contact person for the mission parish. I look forward to meeting him and Fr. Sean, who is listed as the priest at the mission.
When I mentioned the mission parish a couple of weeks ago, I shared with her that Fr. Barkett, whom she very much respects, has allowed the Orthodox church to use the old parish. She was very quiet and thoughtful. Since then, I have mention the mission parish a couple of times and she seems to have quietly accepted this.
I told my spiritual father that I am going there to sit down, shut up, and learn to be Orthodox. I will not be volunteering for anything. I will happily do whatever I am asked to do, but I one thing that has become painfully clear to me over the last Lent was that everything I have done, thinking it was for Christ, was really for my own self-satisfaction. Now I need to learn how to be a true believer. Orthodoxy can do this for me if I will listen.
I have a very dear friend in Pennsylvania who was the cantor at the Ruthenian church for 25 years. I used to sing in the choir at St. Ann's under his direction. He doxed two years ago. I spoke with him a couple of days ago. He was delighted to hear of my decision and told me how joyful it is for him to be in the OCA parish he is in. I have visited his parish for Liturgy and it is a energetic and growing parish. I wish I could be there to join them. I have about a dozen old friends from St. Ann's who have made the journey across the Bosphorus. May I be next.
So....your prayers are desired. I have spoken on the phone with Fr. Deacon Matthew, who is the contact person for the mission parish. I look forward to meeting him and Fr. Sean, who is listed as the priest at the mission.
