Mission accomplished!

A dream came true today for the parishioners of St. Stephen's and Emmanuel Church. They have now become Chrismated into the Orthodox Church. These are now officially "Western-Rite" Churches, having entered into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

We became familiar with their quest in February, as they were in preparation for this endeavor in accordance with (Acts 11:26) "The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch."
Located in Warren, MA , is Emmanuel Orthodox Church, which is just outside of West Brookfield. While St. Stephen's Orthodox Catholic Church is in Springfield.

We have been there on at least a half dozen occasions, meeting with Fr. Ken and Deacon Chris, and got to know some of the parishioners as well. We were interested in observing the Western-Rite parish, having converted some twenty-two years ago from the Roman Church, also established by St. Peter, but in the eastern tradition.

Hundreds of people were received into the Church today from both St. Stephen's Orthodox Catholic Church, in Springfield and Emmanuel. We observed the prayers said by the priests as they formed the cross on the forehead of each person who has received the Holy Chrism, placing a white cloth on each, and in the end, they came back with their candle, illuminated. This included babies as well as parents and the elderly.

The mass is closest to what Roman Catholics are familiar with, in that it is the unchanged version derived from the early church established through St. Peter some two thousands years ago, before the split. The western-rite differs culturally from the eastern liturgy. Such as: Music. In the east, their is no organ and sometimes just a cantor, and at times, no choir. Western is usually all in English, while eastern can vary according to nationally, and can be both at times.

They have, in their own words "come home." It was a thrill to be there watching each of their happy faces, especially Fr. Ken's son.

It was tough, a long year of bible study, understanding the tradition handed down, meetings, discussion groups, rosary's, stations of the cross, and many first steps toward this transition. Some had received confession for the very first time, by our parish priest, Fr. Peter, on Friday.

In the eastern tradition, we receive the "Body and Blood" of Christ directly from the priest on a spoon. They receive a wafer. The music sounds like going to the "Spencer Abbey Monastery," if you are familiar with it.

We witnessed the marriage between Fr. Ken and Sharon Devoie, and Fr. Chris, also exchanged vows with his wife. This Sacrament of marriage proceeded the ordinations, which we are hoping to be able to attend in Worcester.

You can find more information on these churches here!

The word I heard hundreds of times today is Peace. This is where I will leave it. Because they have, after all is said and done, received the peace, the only peace that matters, there isn't a better gift to be given than the Peace of Christ. And may this Peace be eternal. God grant them many years!