2010 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY : "YOU ARE WITNESSES TO ALL THIS" (LUKE 24:28)..........

Ecumenism, the interdenominational and interreligious dialogue between the different Faith traditions in the world, has been one of the great fruits to emerge during the past century. The ecumenical endeavor between Christians of different persuasions, began in earnest one hundred and two years ago, in 1908, with the Octave of Prayer For Christian Unity. That eight day experience of praying for the reuniting of all Christians was the beginning of what has become an annual observance of prayer, pulpit exchanges, and shared worship services, between different congregations in the United States and around the world, focused on what we share in common, Christian Faith, One Lord, Who is the Living and True God, and Our Baptism in Jesus Christ. Originally scheduled during the week of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, the Week of Prayer For Christian Unity, is now held each year between January 18-25, which concludes with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. And so this week we are observing this octave of very special prayer that our divisions as Christians may be reconciled and our Unity as Believers and Disciples of the One Church founded by Jesus, may be realized anew. The theme of this year's Christian Unity Week is, from Luke's Gospel Chapter 24, Verse 28, "You Are Witnesses To All This". For over a decade and a half ,I have had very positive interactions with the pastors and people of other, non Catholic congregations, that for me is rooted in my study as a seminarian of the Vatican II 'Decree On Ecumenism', which was one of the Ecumenical Council's 16 Documents, and was promulgated in 1964. In Woodland, Yreka, Oroville, Citrus Heights, South Sacramento, Arden Arcade, and now East Sacramento, it has been my pleasure and privilege to participate in Ecumenical worship servides, pulpit exchanges, ministerial association meetings, as well as attending Sunday services, in the Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, and Community churches, as well as Jewish synagogue/temples. And these experiences have not only been insightful interactions with other faith traditions, but has led to interpersonal relationships that have allowed us to work together effectively for the common good of the whole local communities. I have been very warmly welcomed by the other pastors and their congregations, and always enjoy being present at their worship services, or afforded the opportunity to preach in the pulpit exchanges I have participated in. In Yreka and Oroville, my involvement with other church congregations facilitated our working together on projects of community wide concern, in solving problems facing our mutual congregations. This Week of Prayer For Christian Unity, as I settle into being In Residence at Sacred Heart Parish in East Sacramento, I have made contact with Faith First United Methodist Church at 36th & J Streets, and Lutheran Church of the Cross, at 45th & H Streets, and will be attending worship services with their congregations for Ecumenical Sunday 2010. I encourage you to pray for Christian Unity and to do something pro-active to promote ecumenism and the interreligious dialogue that can lead us ever closer to the reconciliation and reunification of the Community of Believers, into the ONE Body of Christ, Jesus founded His Church to be..........In The Spirit Of Christian Unity As Witnesses To Jesus The Lord Of The Sabbath, Fr. Troy