When Bishop John Michael asked me to introduce myself as the new Director of Communications I was equally nervous and enthusiastic. Nervous, because I am very much aware of the exposure this role entails (something that introverts run away from), but equally enthusiastic because I have been given the opportunity to embrace God’s call, to try to be more Christian than I am currently. This means to be more for others, a call to help be the change God wants to see within our Church. Consequently, here is my prayerful proposition to you:
Imagine a Church where Christ would be felt amidst the faithful, where our identity would start from Him, and everything we do would be for Him. Imagine a Church where the awareness of being together as a strong, dependent family, ready to overcome obstacles and enjoy the journey of it, would be manifested by inspiring communication both internally (among ourselves) and externally (around the world). Imagine a Church where the faithful, because of Christ and our efforts to communicate His life-giving energy with one another, will begin to collaborate on solving real needs that we face on a daily basis — by doing so we give testimony to whomever we encounter that we are disciples of Christ, on a mission, to make this world a better place.
Christ, Communication, Collaboration… impossible in this Church, right? But nothing is impossible with God… (Luke 1:37)
Now, for a minority, a group of roughly 5-6,000 Romanian Byzantine Catholic believers, of different cultures, generations, and mentalities, scattered all over North America, there may be quite a few of us who deep down desire to be more, and definitely do more, to increase good in the world. Yet, we may feel not only too small, isolated, and often abandoned, but also rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Since 2016, our collaborative efforts at the Eparchial level have been to try to “uninstall” this paradigm of insignificance, by being more visible on the “digital continent” (Pope Benedict XVI) whether through our website, Youtube channel, Facebook page or podcast (Refreshing Bread). The results of this form of new evangelization were surprising – people from all corners of the world seem interested in who we are and what we have to offer. We have so much to offer: our liturgy, spirituality, history, culture, food, humor, family-centeredness, hospitality, personal stories, etc.
Furthermore, in 2017, we started a partnership with Faith Catholic Publishing (number one in Diocesan publications in the USA) to change the way we communicate Christ. Hence, Unirea/Canton Newsletter is now a magazine, where everything we say and do should be a way to evangelize, to share the good news of our faith. This magazine that you are holding in your hands right now is the product of a constant effort to tell Jesus’ story and our own story in a meaningful, relevant way.
To be able to afford such an endeavor, we took one step further while God took nine steps towards us. His providence brought to us Our Sunday Visitor (OSV). Yes, the OSV. Through their financial support we are able to offer you four quarterly issues of Unirea/Canton magazine in 2018 at no cost, a fruit of Christ, Communication and Collaboration.
Finally, through the help of Faith Catholic and OSV, we are working hard on trying to launch an app that will enable us to communicate and collaborate better. The myParish App team will help us launch this app by Fall 2018, which means, each parish will have their own app/platform for internal communication and ability to receive relevant communication from the Eparchy.
But long term we are unable to sustain such an effort without your help. Together, we are the “Body of Christ.” So, to be with Christ, communicating in Christ, and collaborating for Christ, means, first of all, to be on this journey together. Powerful change begins when each one of us takes one step in the same direction. I pray God will inspire you to take that step right now and join us.