FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Encounter 2012 regional committee meets PARMA, Ohio — The Mid-West Regional Planning Committee for Encounter 2012 of the Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States and Canada met for the second time on Jan. 7 at the chancery of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. Plans are well underway for this year’s Encounter, which will be held in three locations across the United States: Parma, Ohio (Sept. 20-23); Hillsborough, N.J. (Oct. 11-14); and Los Angeles (Nov. 1-4). The Core Committee for Encounter 2012 - Bishop Nicholas Samra, Father John Lucas, Dr. Barbara Lutz and Father Gregory Noga - is responsible for the overall planning, setting the theme and securing nationally-known speakers. Each regional planning committee is responsible for implementing the Encounter in its area. The Mid-West committee devoted the meeting to working on assignments for the various sub-committees, among which are Liturgical Services, Hospitality, Accommodations, etc., needed to ensure that the Encounter runs smoothly. The Mid-West Encounter will take place at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 20 and 21, will be days specifically for bishops and clergy. Laity are invited to the Encounter, beginning with registration for distant participants Friday evening, Sept. 21. Presentations will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23. The Encounter will be an exciting mix of top-notch speakers, religious services in the various Eastern Catholic traditions, displays by exhibitors and hospitality time for getting to know each other. Encounter 2012 is titled: “Together in Christ.” The theme is: “The Spirituality of Discipleship: A Call to Holiness.” Throughout the weekend Eastern Christian perspectives will be presented to assist the People of God in living the Gospel. Unlike the previous Encounters, Encounter 2012 is open to all clergy and laity interested in discipleship. “I am suggesting that the order of the laity, the holy People of God, need to rediscover their priestly work of sharing the Gospel, of “going out” to make disciples. For too long, we Eastern Catholics have relegated everything to the priest. We need to hear anew the call to serve Christ. AND, we need to serve Christ together … ,” wrote Father Justin Rose, Melkite Encounter delegate, in his reflection “Crises/Decisions.” Watch for details and registration information at www.eced-eca.org, eparchial newspapers and church bulletin announcements. Questions regarding Encounter 2012 may be directed to Sister Marion Dobos, OSB (mdobos1@gmail.com) or Archpriest John Kachuba (John@Kachuba.com), regional Mid-West coordinators.

http://www.eced-eca.org

Encounter regional committee meets Loretta Nemeth, Eparchy of Parma director of communications 216-741-3312; viscom@parma.org. Mid-West regional committee works on the Cleveland area Encounter 2012. (From left) Regional Coordinators Benedictine Sister Marion Dobos (Ruthenian Archeparchy of Pittsburgh) and Mitred Archpriest John Kachuba (Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma); Basilian Sister Olga Marie Faryna (Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat); Loretta Nemeth (Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma); Most Rev. John Michael Botean (Romanian Eparchy of St. George); Father Bryan Eyman (Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma); Father Damon Geiger (Melkite Eparchy of Newton); Father Paul Voida (Romanian Eparchy of St. George); Basilian Sister Margaret Ann Andrako (Ruthenian Archeparchy of Pittsburgh); and Charles Works (Romanian Eparchy of St. George). (Photo by regional committee member Jenifer Nemeth, Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma)