Togetherness

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as you always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.

Let my name be the household name it always was. Let it be spoken without the shadow of a ghost in it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. What is death but a negligible accident. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight. All is well, nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before.

Source: Companions of St. Anthony

We Remember Them

In the rising of the sun,
and its going down,
we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind
and in the chill of the winter,
we remember them.

In the blueness of the sky
and in the warmth of the summer,
we remember them.

In the beginning
of the year and
when it ends,
we remember them.

When we are lost
and sick at heart,
we remember them.

So long as we live,
they too shall live,
for they are now
part of us, so
we remember them.

Source: Companions of St. Anthony

The Kidnapping of Two Syriac Catholic Priests In Mosul

On Oct. 13th, Fr. Pius and Fr. Mazin were kidnapped on their way to church in Mosul. AsiaNews reports:

The two priests were on their way to say mass in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in al-Faisaliya district, when they were taken. AsiaNews sources in Mosul say that until now there has been no claim of responsibility and recall that already their bishop Msgr. Basile George Casmoussa was kidnapped two years ago and later released.

Fr. Pius Affas, around 60 years old, was a fellow seminarian of Msgr. Casmoussa and a Bible studies professor at the seminary. He had been the director of the Arab language magazine “Christian thought” in the past. Fr. Mazen Ishoa is 35, and was newly ordained just a few months ago. He entered the seminary following his degree and on completion of military service.

As usual, the Iraqi government is silent. It doesn't intend to rescue the priests. However, we've learned not to expect such good gestures from the Iraqi government.

The Pope pleaded for their safe release in his Sunday homily. Dear Pope, it's about money and terrorizing the small Iraqi Christian community. That's the kidnappers' goal. No more; no less.

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UPDATE - Oct 21, 2007
Some good news for this Sunday. Fr. Pius and Fr. Mazin are back to their parishes. They were released by their kidnappers on Sunday. I'm guessing a big ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Such is the state of law and order in Iraq these days.

The Iraqi government didn't say a word about the kidnapping. Who cares about two kidnapped priests? That's not the government's problem. The government is busy with it's Shia/Sunni/Kurdish agenda. NOW, that's their problem.

Canticle of The Creatures

All praise be yours, My Lord,
through all that you have made.
And first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day....

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright and precious and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air....

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night....

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,
Who feeds us...and produces various fruits
With colored flowers and herbs....

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.

Source: St. Francis of Assisi: Early Writings and Biographies.

Books From Baghdad

© Mark M. Hancock

*** Scroll down for updates ***

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ORIGINAL POST: Nov. 22, 2006
A few days ago, I received an unexpected package from Iraq. Fr. Yousif Thomas sent me four books published recently by the Chaldean Church in Iraq.

Last week, I was thinking how much I miss reading books in Arabic. Then came those books. Christmas has arrived earlier this year :-)

Thank you to Fr. Yousif and the Iraqi Chaldean Church for keeping the good work under the worst conditions. May God bless you all.

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UPDATE I: Oct. 2, 2007
Fr. Yousif has made arrangments with "Les editions du Cerf”, a French Dominican brothers publishing house, to sell the Arabic books on their website.

Click here to access the Arabic books main page on their website. You can purchase with checks or credit cards.