Pontifical visit

Following lunch, the delegates heard from James Kalustian, who spoke about this fall’s visit by Catholicos Karekin II. The visit, he said, is not only a way for parishioners to get to know their faith better but also to focus attention on the Armenian community as the Catholicos tours the parishes. When he visits, Kalustian said, the non-Armenian community would hear about the visit and learn about the Armenian people. This is especially true in the many smaller, newer parish communities that will be visited by the Catholicos.

A key focus of the tour will be for the Catholicos spend time, both formally and informally, with the youth. “That way they have an opportunity to get to know His Holiness and understand him,” Kalustian said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the younger generation to meet His Holiness, and vice versa.”

The Catholicos will also perform Home Blessing ceremonies in homes throughout the Diocese. The Diocese is making an effort this year to encourage all Armenian families to take part in this ancient tradition.

He will visit throughout October. His tentative schedule includes stops in New York City, New England, Washington, Charlotte, St. Petersburg, South Florida, Dallas, Houston, Cleveland, Chicago and Wisconsin, Minneapolis, and Detroit.

“You’ll see some of the more established communities but also some newer communities. We want His Holiness to see what the Diocese is like today, how it has evolved,” Kalusian said.

“We’ve had very little difficulty getting people to volunteer. People have done it willingly and enthusiastically,” Kalustian said of the support being gained throughout the Diocese.

Delegates asked that videos, photos, and other resources be made available to the parishes which will not be visited to expand the reach of the visit. Kalustian said the Diocesan website will be used to stream videos and photos to highlight the visit.

“This trip is a perfect opportunities for us to reach out to our brothers and sisters from Armenia who are living in our communities so they can come meet with the Catholicos and be brought in,” said Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian.

The Primate encouraged local organizers to arrange meetings between the Catholicos and parish leadership to strengthen the dialogue between the two groups. He also encouraged local communities to hold receptions rather than banquets to allow more direct interaction between the Catholicos and his flock.

“You can meet with him, speak with him, and if there’s any concerns or questions, tell him,” the Primate said. “He is wonderful one-to-one, so I want you to have the opportunity for you to speak one-by-one with him. Meeting with parishioners is the priority.”

Posted by Jake at May 5, 2007 02:25 PM