Known as the City Different, Santa Fe has been a unique, holy place since people settled in the region which is the site of the oldest church in North America. The members of Holy Trinity church exemplify both aspects of Santa Fe - unique and religious. Attending church at this beautiful adobe style "temple" was the perfect start to Mother's Day. Holy Trinity was con
consecrated in 2006 and their Priest, Father John, was elevated to Archpriest. We arrived at 9:30 and left at 1:30- the time just flew. Father John Bethancourt embraced us, with his parishioners following suit. This parish is the definition of Christian Family. For instance, they eat lunch together after church EVERY SUNDAY. We enjoyed homemade lasagna and a wonderful fellowship....Father invited Keith and I to share our Mission to Alaska and insights about the OCMC. As a matter of fact Father's daughter-in-law had participated in an OCMC Mission. This parish holds a special place in their hearts for the missionary work of OCMC and is very supportive of the Mission!This community of Christians have come to the Orthodox faith from variety of backgrounds. Most of them are relatively recent converts to the Faith. It is obvious these parishioners work daily to deepen their faith. "Weary of spiritual fads, on the one hand, and the emptiness of atheistic materialism that the world has to offer us, on the other, we have sought the "ancient path" in which the Prophet Jeremiah foretold that we would find rest for our souls". They chose to name their parish after the Holy Trinity because their life is focused on worshiping the triune God by entering into communion with the Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. They are very proud of their "new" church ( it was originally a house, and is now transformed into a church). I commented on the Iconostasis being plywood and emanating the brilliance of God as much as any other very formal, intricate Iconostasis...It made me think about my Dad the "woodworker". He would have loved to have built this for the Church and in his retirement made many items of wood for the church. The service started with a Catechumen of a young man-Jordan. (Read more below about this lovely process.) It was a beautiful service that all of the parish participated in....reminding everyone of their own baptism/conversion. I love that Father incorporated it into the Sunday worship for all. The choir was superb and rotated while receiving communion (not all at one time) so not to loose the choir voices during the service. While Liturgy Books were available at the door, no one used them-they knew the words, responses and prayers as well as dear Father John! The sermon was powerful. Father John spoke about the Paralytic-the fourth Sunday of Pascha. The children and several adults sat on a large carpet in front of the alter to listen to the sermon. Father shared that we are all in paralysis of some sort and he noted 2 types: 1) our connecting link is severed and there is an absence of movement and 2) we loop round and round with negative thoughts and can't get out of our way to connect in a healthy Christian way. I felt certain Father was speaking specifically to me..how can we break these negative thoughts that in one way or another take its toll on our health- mentally or physically. Father John suggested healing by: 1. ending the negative thoughts by "stepping away", use the free will God gave us to stop and 2. do something- whether it is physical (take a walk) or mental (talk to someone). Sever the negative thoughts and reconnect with God! And yes, Father John believes you can teach an old dog new tricks- so it is never to late to change and grow toward Christ.
Another first to observe as a part of liturgy was the "request for prayer"- people gave Father their specific requests whether for them self, family, friends, safe travel, safe surgery etc. He shared with all of the parishioners then called the people that made the special request to the center of the church. He prayed over each one of them regarding their special request. As I said the time flew! Father then shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming visit of their Bishop -Bishop Basil of Wichita and Mid-America. He explained the simple protocol of how to be with the Bishop. This lesson for all of us was welcome and gives most some confidence in meeting the Bishop. Good idea for the prep...and the plan of ALL of THE CONGREGATION participating in the cleaning and sprucing up of the church and property in preparation for the Bishops visit.
This smiling and happy Priest reminded us that "the person who has himself as a spiritual father is a fool". Thank you for introducing us to Father Paul in Homer, Alaska (we will spend 4 days there after our Mission on Kodiak). Thank you to the Parishioner who offered her parents home on our trip through Canada to Alaska. Amen to all of you and to Father John. You have taught Keith and me a deep meaning of Family and Fellowship.
What It Means To Be A Cathechumen
Having turned from the world to Christ, one is enrolled as a Catechumen.
This begins with the Membership Class, if you are not an Orthodox Christian (Membership Class is also attended by Orthodox Christians who transfer to our parish).
This is a very ancient Christian initiation as a learner about the life in Christ, daily prayer, Scriptures and ethics, and generally the way of life of the Orthodox Christian.
At certain churches, the Catechumenate generally lasts for a full liturgical cycle, about a year, as the Catechumen not only learns more about Christ, His Church, and the Bible, but also the feasts and fasting periods of the Christian life, tithing, responsible speech and actions in the public arena, and what it means to be a member of Christ's Holy Church.
It is important to remember that, although many Gentiles were converted during the years the New Testament was being written, no where in the New Testament does a Gentile or other new convert preach or teach. Even the inspired Apostle Paul waited many years before being sent on his missionary journeys, and even then, he was sent with Barnabas!
Staying on the spiritual 'straight and narrow' is simple, but not always easy, especially for those new to the Christian faith as a way of life.
We take the time for newcomers and catechumens to discover the challenges of Christian life, and give them the love and tools necessary to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Once the Catechumenate is completed, the Catechumen is prepared for Holy Illumination - entrance into Christ's Holy Church, by Baptism and Chrismation.
Take a look at the website for The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: http://goarch.org/
Having turned from the world to Christ, one is enrolled as a Catechumen.
This begins with the Membership Class, if you are not an Orthodox Christian (Membership Class is also attended by Orthodox Christians who transfer to our parish).
This is a very ancient Christian initiation as a learner about the life in Christ, daily prayer, Scriptures and ethics, and generally the way of life of the Orthodox Christian.
At certain churches, the Catechumenate generally lasts for a full liturgical cycle, about a year, as the Catechumen not only learns more about Christ, His Church, and the Bible, but also the feasts and fasting periods of the Christian life, tithing, responsible speech and actions in the public arena, and what it means to be a member of Christ's Holy Church.
It is important to remember that, although many Gentiles were converted during the years the New Testament was being written, no where in the New Testament does a Gentile or other new convert preach or teach. Even the inspired Apostle Paul waited many years before being sent on his missionary journeys, and even then, he was sent with Barnabas!
Staying on the spiritual 'straight and narrow' is simple, but not always easy, especially for those new to the Christian faith as a way of life.
We take the time for newcomers and catechumens to discover the challenges of Christian life, and give them the love and tools necessary to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Once the Catechumenate is completed, the Catechumen is prepared for Holy Illumination - entrance into Christ's Holy Church, by Baptism and Chrismation.
Take a look at the website for The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: http://goarch.org/
Happy Mothers Day!
Keith and I are both blessed with had/having wonderful Mothers. May Alice Collins Memory Be Eternal and May the go
od Lord continue to bless my Mom Mitzie! I know many of you are equally blessed- make sure your Mom knows t
hat too! I really enjoyed Pleep's card....Buba says Pleep is worried about cementing his place in the hierarchy before arriving in Chicago and meeting up with LouLou. He's worried LouLou might try and chew on him because he's so small and cuddly.
od Lord continue to bless my Mom Mitzie! I know many of you are equally blessed- make sure your Mom knows t
hat too! I really enjoyed Pleep's card....Buba says Pleep is worried about cementing his place in the hierarchy before arriving in Chicago and meeting up with LouLou. He's worried LouLou might try and chew on him because he's so small and cuddly.
