Western Rites Conference Takes Place in Upstate New York

The 2011 Western Rites Conference of the Western Rites Vicariate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) has successfully taken place in upstate New York with the participation of Bishop Jerome (Shaw) of Manhattan and clergy and faithful of the Western Rites Vicariates of both the ROCOR and the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America.

The Conference discussed pastoral issues in the life of the Western Rites parishes and included the daily celebration of the divine services, including a pontifical Mass in Latin celebrated by Bishop Jerome. More on the Conference's proceedings can be found here.

Roman Catholic Anglican Ordinariate in the UK Launches Website

The new Anglican Rite ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has launched its website.

Forward in Faith in Australia Begins to Join the Roman Church

Forward in Faith in Australia has become the first part of the Anglican Communion to initiate the process of their clergy and faithful being received into the Roman Catholic Church under the offer of Pope Benedict XVI of Rome to form Anglican Rite ordinariates for Anglo-Catholics disaffected by recent developments within the Communion. More here.

On Halloween

A great article on Halloween by Fr. Mark Sietsema of Holy Trinity Church in Lansing, Michigan, can be found here. I'd add to what he's written by saying that Halloween as it's observed in North America is a cultural holiday, but is also the eve of All Saints' day for Orthodox Christians following the Roman or Anglican Rite and therefore a holy day in and of itself.