From: "Most Rev. John Michael Botean" To: ; Cc: "George D. Gage" Subject: RE: petition for Easter, please read! Date: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 11:15 AM Dear friends, Though it has taken me some time to respond, I did want to let you know, as I have also informed our Father George D. Gage, that I am most certainly in agreement with the petition. Further, I will make it a point to offer at least one liturgy a month for this specific intention. Would that more Christians would even see the scandal of the Easter date issue, but I fear that, in our era, one date is as good as another for most people, who simply do not care about when the Church celebrates the Lord's resurrection. One half-way measure we have taken is to encourage our missions, our newest communities, to retain the old calendar paschalion. Our established parishes had all changed to the new date before the creation of our diocese, so I have not even discussed the matter with them. Hence, we celebrate two Pascha's in one diocese! Thus, the pain of this separation remains a very real one for us. May God, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother, bless you and the work you do. With my own blessing and best wishes, I am Yours in Christ-God, +John Michael ____ (Most Rev.) John Michael Botean, Bishop Romanian Catholic Diocese of Canton PO Box 7189, Canton, OH 44705-0189 330-493-9355 fax 330-493-9963 mailto:jmbotean@romaniancatholic.org -----Original Message----- From: basela2@netzero.com [mailto:basela2@netzero.com] Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 7:13 AM To: Most Rev. John Michael Botean Subject: petition for Easter, please read! In 2005, 35 days will separate this Feast of Easter amongst Catholics and Orthodox. This difference, unfortunately, divides Christian families of mixed denominations. It is also an embarrassment when it is celebrated at different dates in other cities, towns and countries. What can we do about it ? Join the Holy Father's prayers. Fast. Offer up your fast for the sake of Christian Unity and specifically for the unity of the Feast of Easter. Jesus was crucified ONCE. This scandal of multiple celebraions causes confusion in the minds and hearts of anyone who is attracted to Christianity and to the non-believers. You can offer up your masses to this intention. The Clergy can also add this intention along with all the usual ones during Mass. As for the laity, every time we have communion, you can pray for this special intention in your hearts. "...that they all may be One, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also be One in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (Jn 17,21) ________________________________________________________________________ ______________________ YES it is time to celebrate together the Feast of Easter amongst ALL Christians, particularly between Orthodox and Catholics. UNITY OF HEARTS, UNITY OF CHRISTIANS, UNITY OF THE FEAST OF EASTER. GOD SAVES ME, JESUS ENLIGHTENS ME, THE HOLY-SPIRIT IS MY LIFE, THAT IS WHY I FEAR NOTHING. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- THE CHURCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVENS ON EARTH. HE WHO DIVIDED IT HAS SINNED, AND HE WHO REJOICES IN THE DIVISION HAS ALSO SINNED. PLEASE SEND US AN E-MAIL IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS PETITION FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND E-MAIL ID ARE PROVIDED. our address is: soufanieh@sympatico.ca