In most of the Western World many think of the Catholic Church as one Church, with one type of worship under The Pope of Rome. However, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium) the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches" united with the Pope of Rome who serves as the guardian of unity.

Presently, there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, customs, and theological perspective. There is only one Western Catholic Church, which is officially known as The Latin Church. The Latin Church is the Catholic Church which most are familiar. All of the Churches in the Arch-Diocese of Galveston-Houston, for example, are members of the Latin or the Western Catholic Church. The Latin Catholic Church is the largest of the Catholic Churches, and is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff.

The 21 other Catholic Churches are not members of The Latin Church or its dioceses. Since the 21 other churches originated in the east, they fall under their own diocesan or eparchial structure from which they came. In the United States, they have their own dioceses or eparchies. While the Latin Catholic Church is immediately subject to the Pope of Rome who serves as the Western Catholic Church Patriarch, the Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by their own Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. The Eastern Catholic Churches are connected to the Pope through the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Churches who then works with the Roman Pontiff to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

As Our Lord said, "In my Father's house there are many rooms, "the Catholic Church is a Church of “diversity in unity," of many “rooms” (Churches) of one “house” (the Catholic Church). All are Catholic, be it Latin, Melkite, Maronite, etc. All provide the true Eucharist and satisfy the Catholic obligation. All are Catholic under the headship of the Pope of Rome. All are a part of one.

Of the 22 Catholic Churches, there are eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, even though they are distinct autonomous Churches. For instance, the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Melkite Catholic Church, and the Ruthenian Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies but they all use the Byzantine Rite. St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church is a Ruthenian Catholic Church under the Ruthenian Metropolitan Basil. The church uses the Byzantine Rite. Since the majority of the church population at St. John Chrysostom’s Church is not Ruthenian, the church identifies itself by the Rite it uses, the Byzantine Rite, hence the name St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church.

For more information about the Byzantine Rite, the Eastern Catholic Churches, and a wider understanding of the Catholic Church as a whole, visit St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church for Sunday Liturgy at 10:00A.M., then visit with some of the parishioners, speak with Fr. Deacon Andrew or Fr. Deacon Edward, and speak with Fr. Elias.