Anaheim
California
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Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church
History:
By the mid sixties many parishioners of both St. Mary's in Van Nuys and St. Nicholas of Fontana had relocated in the Orange County area. By 1968, plans were made to establish a mission parish. Thus, in July 20, 1969, Fathers Eugene Chromonoga and Joseph Ridelia celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in St. Catherine's Military School Chapel, Anaheim. They attended to the needs of the new community until the appointment of Father Stephen Balogh as pastor in September 1969. After the departure of Father Stephen in early 1972, the parish was cared for by Father Michael Warady (a retired priest of the Passaic Diocese who lived in Pasadena), Father Joseph Radvansky of San Diego and Father Basil Schott , O.F.M. of Sybertsville, Pennsylvania.
In May of 1972, Father George M. Kuzma was appointed pastor. In 1973, a house at 319 North Harbor Boulevard was purchased. The two story Spanish-style house (formerly the home of Darla of 'Our Gang' comedy fame) was remodeled to provide pastor's quarters upstairs and a chapel, office and parish kitchen downstairs. The large garage was renovated into a hall and cultural center. Landscaping beautified the grounds, with much of the work done by parishioners. The city of Anaheim designated the building a historical site, and twice it won the 'House Beautiful Award' from the City. While St. Catherine's Chapel continued to be used for Sunday Liturgies, Father Kuzma began to raise funds and search for a site on which the community could build its own church. Several possibilities were explored over the years, but nothing promising materialized.
The parish has given the following to the service of the Church: The Reverend Deacon Michael Savko, Sister Cecilia Livingston and Sister Jane Livingston; both members of the Daughters of St. Paul, Sister Ancilla of the Carmelite Order, and the Reverend James R. Barrand. The ordination on April 21, 1994 of one of our very own sons, Fr. Robert Pipta, to the sacred priesthood is a yet another indication that we have "come of age" as a parish family. In 1997 the former pastor, the Most Rev. George Kuzma, celebrated his tenth anniversary as Bishop of our Eparchy. Also in 1997, Father George Vida celebrated his fortieth year in the priesthood.
The maturity of our church is reflected in the strong liturgical life of Annunciation, the expanded religious education program for both adults and children, and the rich social program of the congregation. None of this would be possible without the generosity and dedication of the members of the parish. Late in 2000, we celebrated the dedication of the first of our new parish facilities: our new hall where we can socialize, learn and celebrate the important events of our life together, and a bell tower to call the faithful to worship. Our next goal is to build a sanctuary in which to offer Him our praise. Until it is ready, we will celebrate our liturgies in the social hall. It is much regretted that some of the cornerstone members of our parish family are no longer with us at this exciting time. Nevertheless, we join their spouses, children and grandchildren in remembering their many contributions as we lay the foundation for our new church.
About Us:
we are Catholics in union with the Bishop of Rome whom we recognize as the visible Head of the Catholic Church. We are recognized as being "Catholic" by the local Roman Catholic Bishops and the Bishops of the United States and the whole world.
Having said that we are "Catholics", we must now state that we are not Roman Catholics, but Catholics who are identified as being Eastern Catholics. As Catholics, we eastern and Roman Catholics share the same faith and have the same seven sacraments. The difference is that we, Eastern Catholics, have a different way or rite of expressing our faith in regards to Liturgy and customs.
By the mid sixties many parishioners of both St. Mary's in Van Nuys and St. Nicholas of Fontana had relocated in the Orange County area. By 1968, plans were made to establish a mission parish. Thus, in July 20, 1969, Fathers Eugene Chromonoga and Joseph Ridelia celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in St. Catherine's Military School Chapel, Anaheim. They attended to the needs of the new community until the appointment of Father Stephen Balogh as pastor in September 1969. After the departure of Father Stephen in early 1972, the parish was cared for by Father Michael Warady (a retired priest of the Passaic Diocese who lived in Pasadena), Father Joseph Radvansky of San Diego and Father Basil Schott , O.F.M. of Sybertsville, Pennsylvania.
In May of 1972, Father George M. Kuzma was appointed pastor. In 1973, a house at 319 North Harbor Boulevard was purchased. The two story Spanish-style house (formerly the home of Darla of 'Our Gang' comedy fame) was remodeled to provide pastor's quarters upstairs and a chapel, office and parish kitchen downstairs. The large garage was renovated into a hall and cultural center. Landscaping beautified the grounds, with much of the work done by parishioners. The city of Anaheim designated the building a historical site, and twice it won the 'House Beautiful Award' from the City. While St. Catherine's Chapel continued to be used for Sunday Liturgies, Father Kuzma began to raise funds and search for a site on which the community could build its own church. Several possibilities were explored over the years, but nothing promising materialized.
The parish has given the following to the service of the Church: The Reverend Deacon Michael Savko, Sister Cecilia Livingston and Sister Jane Livingston; both members of the Daughters of St. Paul, Sister Ancilla of the Carmelite Order, and the Reverend James R. Barrand. The ordination on April 21, 1994 of one of our very own sons, Fr. Robert Pipta, to the sacred priesthood is a yet another indication that we have "come of age" as a parish family. In 1997 the former pastor, the Most Rev. George Kuzma, celebrated his tenth anniversary as Bishop of our Eparchy. Also in 1997, Father George Vida celebrated his fortieth year in the priesthood.
The maturity of our church is reflected in the strong liturgical life of Annunciation, the expanded religious education program for both adults and children, and the rich social program of the congregation. None of this would be possible without the generosity and dedication of the members of the parish. Late in 2000, we celebrated the dedication of the first of our new parish facilities: our new hall where we can socialize, learn and celebrate the important events of our life together, and a bell tower to call the faithful to worship. Our next goal is to build a sanctuary in which to offer Him our praise. Until it is ready, we will celebrate our liturgies in the social hall. It is much regretted that some of the cornerstone members of our parish family are no longer with us at this exciting time. Nevertheless, we join their spouses, children and grandchildren in remembering their many contributions as we lay the foundation for our new church.
About Us:
we are Catholics in union with the Bishop of Rome whom we recognize as the visible Head of the Catholic Church. We are recognized as being "Catholic" by the local Roman Catholic Bishops and the Bishops of the United States and the whole world.
Having said that we are "Catholics", we must now state that we are not Roman Catholics, but Catholics who are identified as being Eastern Catholics. As Catholics, we eastern and Roman Catholics share the same faith and have the same seven sacraments. The difference is that we, Eastern Catholics, have a different way or rite of expressing our faith in regards to Liturgy and customs.