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To: Talking_Mouse; NYer

My father traveled all over war torn Europe as an MP escorting dignitaries or high value prisoners. Being a devote Catholic he always did his best to attend Mass, wherever he went he was instantly welcomed into the community and what little they had they shared gladly. He continued the tradition of visiting other parishes on our family vacations (mostly camping trips) and I noticed the same kind of instant welcome home feeling as we greeted other families leaving after Mass. I am doing the same with my family now and the strong feeling of being home has never diminished. It’s great to know that I can travel and never leave home

My Protestant friend calls the Catholic Church the McDonalds of churches. I don’t know if that is a compliment but I find that it’s the same Jesus at each parish I visit and I never leave hungry.

Thanks for the post NYer , I am a techie also but I have been blessed (thru the pervasiveness of remote control and DSL) with not having to travel much in my last few jobs.


8 posted on 11/03/2007 10:24:36 AM PDT by infool7 (Ignorance isn't bliss its slavery in denial)
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To: infool7
My Protestant friend calls the Catholic Church the McDonalds of churches. I don’t know if that is a compliment but I find that it’s the same Jesus at each parish I visit and I never leave hungry.

You should ask him!

It’s great to know that I can travel and never leave home.

On your travels, you may want to consider visiting some of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:

"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaldeans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.

PS - I maintain a ping list for those interested in Catholic news stories. Please freepmail me if you would like to be added to the list.

10 posted on 11/03/2007 2:52:49 PM PDT by NYer ("Where the bishop is present, there is the Catholic Church" - Ignatius of Antioch)
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