Mission Statement

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Byzantine Catholic Community of St. Mary's, rooted in the rich tradition and spiritual heritage of the Kievan Church of Ukraine, acknowledges the command from Christ to "Go, therefore, and baptize all nations" thereby recognizing that God is the Father of us all, Christ the Brother of each one, and that the Holy Spirit call us to unity. For this reason we will always strive to be a LIVING Christian community that:

• Reaches out to those seeking a loving God and supporting community, and let them know that at St. Mary’s all are welcome, and that each is equally valuable both in the eyes of God and in our Parish Community.

• 'Will be active Christians, serving one another, consoling one another, affirming one another, and accepting one another as we are, just as our God accepts us. We will challenge each other to grow, and we will do all of this in the spirit of love that Christ commands in the Gospel: "Love others as I have loved you."

• 'Will not judge others, but accept them into our community recognizing that all are weak and all are sinners. Rather we will work together, learning how to forgive one another as Jesus taught us through the Lord's Prayer "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US," and we will learn to forgive each other "seventy times seven" just as our God forgives us.

• Will always have a special place in our hearts for the Holy Mother of God, she is our mother and the patroness of our Parish Family. We will promote devotion and love toward Mary, our intercessor, and one whom we can always turn to in time of need. She is gentle, loving, and cares for her children. We acknowledge that sincere devotion to Mary strengthens our relationship with Christ, it does not diminish it.

• Reaches out in a special way to the elderly, the infirm, the depressed and sorrowing, to children and youth, and to all those who need to know that they are of value. We are all children of the One God, and we all must learn to live as children, trusting one another, loving one another unconditionally, and supporting one another regardless of what has caused the need to arise.