jamescarvin
17th June 2008, 02:55 PM
I have been living practically across the street from the Diocese of Palm Beach Cathedral now for about 7 years. I used to lead worship there in our little Word Among Us prayer community back in the 1980s, after attending St. Vincent de Paul Seminary as a layman. Those still living probably remember me there as the guitar toting mailman.
Well, life went on. I married a woman who really didn't like many of the teachings in the Catholic Church, even though we were married in the Catholic Church. And as for me, I was only interested in Catholicism as a convert to it from the perspective of a student and a simple man of God. I was very much blessed by holy communion and the communion of saints, as well as the sense, especially in the charismatic community, of the mystical body of Christ overflowing among all Christians on earth and in heaven.
But ironically, prayers to/with saints were never a problem for me as they were with her. So when later, (still the consummate student), I converted a second time, now to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, she still never was completely comfortable with it, which gives some background, but is not actually what I wanted your prayers and help with.
Understanding Christ as our unity, especially in the gift of matrimony, I have always understood in a very radical way that it is possible for people to be united in Him, yet disagree. And if there was ever a person to express opinion, it is my lovely wife. Not all unity is comprehended. My love for her and hers for me, has always been a very great sacrament for us and the world to see, even in these differences.
When I was forced to be rechrismated in the Orthodox Church I was asked to renounce the heresies of Roman Catholicism. This threw me for a bit of a surprise. I didn't know that these words were going to be in the rite. In the glance of a second I turned to the Lord and spoke to Him concerning this and he granted that I speak the words of the rite but with an conditional understanding - that to whatever extent it might be true that the Roman Catholic Church is in heresy, that I renounce. I say the same, of course, about the Orthodox and everyone else. I renounce all heresy - in a very humble way, of course, not thinking so highly of myself as a theologian that I have yet obtained omniscience or anything close to it, and knowing full well that I am in error very often in my life, including in the words I write at times.
Yet I understand that the Fullness of Truth dwells in me by Grace. I capitalize the "G" in Grace because I view this term as synonymous with the One who dwells in Me and makes me a new creation - probably not a very Roman Catholic way of looking at the term, but one that should be reconsidered.
But let me cut to the chase about what I want help with. First, I have been placed in charge of an online seminary as administrator. You may find the link in my signature file. Second, the reason I call myself James James is that when I was chrismated in the Roman Catholic Church I took the name James. When I was chrismated again in the Orthodox Church, I took the same name again. But I want to acknowledge both chrismations - because it is not a church that I belong to but Christ and the Spirit of God who gives me unity in Him is not divided. I did not reject the Holy Spirit when I was chrismated. Therefore I have always gone by James James, not just James. It is my affirmation of the Spirit of God's unity which is prior to our assent.
I have a much longer account of this fact that I have written in other places, which fills in the details. I won't go into that here. But I do think it is important for my purposes in asking for help in this forum.
I would like help with this seminary. I am afraid that I will not get a significant Catholic presence if I don't ask the right way. I am not a uniate nor do I intend to be. Papal supremacy is not something this little Orthodox Seminary is going to ever accept. However, we do think it is appropriate to express our unity in Christ where that is actually possible.
I am not looking for students so much as teachers at this time. Your prayers for this would be a help. And if you could be so kind as to tap anyone on the shoulder that you think could help me develop this curriculum in such a way that the local RC bishop Barbarito here would be likely to support it, then I think it could prove to be a very good support for the existing program at St. Vincent de Paul so that seminarians can receive a quality education and religious formation without costing so much money. The seminary is online but can offer satellite classes. And in fact, it can be used to raise funds.
I would be remiss if I failed to ask for this help as I prepare the new online curriculum. The ministry of restoration is deep on the heart of our Orthodox Christian Metropolitan Archbishop Haralambos. He has already received a knighthood from the pope in the Order of St. Gregory for his ecumenical work. Pray for reconciliation between East and West that is not just superficial. I believe this is one avenue of opportunity. Thank you for your help!:pray:
Well, life went on. I married a woman who really didn't like many of the teachings in the Catholic Church, even though we were married in the Catholic Church. And as for me, I was only interested in Catholicism as a convert to it from the perspective of a student and a simple man of God. I was very much blessed by holy communion and the communion of saints, as well as the sense, especially in the charismatic community, of the mystical body of Christ overflowing among all Christians on earth and in heaven.
But ironically, prayers to/with saints were never a problem for me as they were with her. So when later, (still the consummate student), I converted a second time, now to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, she still never was completely comfortable with it, which gives some background, but is not actually what I wanted your prayers and help with.
Understanding Christ as our unity, especially in the gift of matrimony, I have always understood in a very radical way that it is possible for people to be united in Him, yet disagree. And if there was ever a person to express opinion, it is my lovely wife. Not all unity is comprehended. My love for her and hers for me, has always been a very great sacrament for us and the world to see, even in these differences.
When I was forced to be rechrismated in the Orthodox Church I was asked to renounce the heresies of Roman Catholicism. This threw me for a bit of a surprise. I didn't know that these words were going to be in the rite. In the glance of a second I turned to the Lord and spoke to Him concerning this and he granted that I speak the words of the rite but with an conditional understanding - that to whatever extent it might be true that the Roman Catholic Church is in heresy, that I renounce. I say the same, of course, about the Orthodox and everyone else. I renounce all heresy - in a very humble way, of course, not thinking so highly of myself as a theologian that I have yet obtained omniscience or anything close to it, and knowing full well that I am in error very often in my life, including in the words I write at times.
Yet I understand that the Fullness of Truth dwells in me by Grace. I capitalize the "G" in Grace because I view this term as synonymous with the One who dwells in Me and makes me a new creation - probably not a very Roman Catholic way of looking at the term, but one that should be reconsidered.
But let me cut to the chase about what I want help with. First, I have been placed in charge of an online seminary as administrator. You may find the link in my signature file. Second, the reason I call myself James James is that when I was chrismated in the Roman Catholic Church I took the name James. When I was chrismated again in the Orthodox Church, I took the same name again. But I want to acknowledge both chrismations - because it is not a church that I belong to but Christ and the Spirit of God who gives me unity in Him is not divided. I did not reject the Holy Spirit when I was chrismated. Therefore I have always gone by James James, not just James. It is my affirmation of the Spirit of God's unity which is prior to our assent.
I have a much longer account of this fact that I have written in other places, which fills in the details. I won't go into that here. But I do think it is important for my purposes in asking for help in this forum.
I would like help with this seminary. I am afraid that I will not get a significant Catholic presence if I don't ask the right way. I am not a uniate nor do I intend to be. Papal supremacy is not something this little Orthodox Seminary is going to ever accept. However, we do think it is appropriate to express our unity in Christ where that is actually possible.
I am not looking for students so much as teachers at this time. Your prayers for this would be a help. And if you could be so kind as to tap anyone on the shoulder that you think could help me develop this curriculum in such a way that the local RC bishop Barbarito here would be likely to support it, then I think it could prove to be a very good support for the existing program at St. Vincent de Paul so that seminarians can receive a quality education and religious formation without costing so much money. The seminary is online but can offer satellite classes. And in fact, it can be used to raise funds.
I would be remiss if I failed to ask for this help as I prepare the new online curriculum. The ministry of restoration is deep on the heart of our Orthodox Christian Metropolitan Archbishop Haralambos. He has already received a knighthood from the pope in the Order of St. Gregory for his ecumenical work. Pray for reconciliation between East and West that is not just superficial. I believe this is one avenue of opportunity. Thank you for your help!:pray: