Breathing with two lungs: Maronites and Roman Catholics form partnership at St. Louis parish

This is something exceptional, via Facebook: 

Last night, Archbishop Robert Carlson met with the parishioners of St. Elizabeth of Hungary to discuss a long-term plan to secure its future and grow the parish community. His message, in part, was:

“After much work and consideration by both the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Maronite Catholics of St. Raymond’s, St. Elizabeth of Hungary will begin a new partnership with St. Raymond’s under the Catholic Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon-Los Angeles. The coming months provide us with the opportunity to welcome the Catholic Maronite faithful, to support this mission of unity, and to more thoroughly define what this joint initiative will mean for the larger community that St. Elizabeth will soon become.”

The St. Louis Review has full details, including how the new pastor will be a Maronite priest and noting “all Roman Catholic Latin Rite sacramental needs of the parishioners of St. Elizabeth will continue to be fulfilled.”

Maronite Catholics are in full communion with Rome; Maronites can attend Roman Catholic liturgies and receive the Eucharist, and Roman Catholics can attend Maronite liturgies and do likewise.

Read all about it here. 

Photo: St. Elizabeth of Hungary website