Thanks For Your Time

I made this blog to collect my spiritual thoughts in one place. I still managed to have a reader or two who keeps coming back and read my collections. The following story is for the readers of this humble blog:

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.


2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.


3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.


4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.


5. You mean the world to someone.


6. If not for you, someone may not be living.


7. You are special and unique.


8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.


9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.


10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.


11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.


12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.


13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.


14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

To everyone who reads this blog, "Thanks for your time."
 

Catholic Jokes

An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers.

The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more.

This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. "I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"

'Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies, "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."

The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.

Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening - he orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.

The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all..."

The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, "You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well... It's just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."

For more Catholic jokes, click here.
 

Order of Friar Servants of Mary

While reading the Feb. 17th entry of "365 Saints"book, I came across the story of "Order of Friar Servants of Mary".

Here's an excerpt of their history:

Before the Servites ever existed as an official religious Order, seven prosperous men came together in the city of Florence, Italy. As a reflection of the penitential spirit of the times, it had been the custom of these men to meet regularly as members of a religious society established in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. Eventually, the seven left their comfortable homes, put aside their finery and went to live together in a ramshackle building. The holiness and penitential lifestyle of the seven quickly attracted visitors and others who wished to join them in their newly found joy of fraternal living for the sake of the Gospel. The entire group moved to more peaceful surroundings, and established a hermitage on the summit of a nearby mountain, Monte Senario, sometimes known as the "sounding mountain."


Coming to be known as the "Friar Servants of Mary," others joined the first seven on Monte Senario, and as the group continued to grow, the seeds of the new religious Order took root. The Friar Servants of Mary were approved as a religious Order by the bishop of Florence sometime between the years 1240 and 1247. In the year 1304, the Order of Friar Servants of Mary received definitive approval as a religious Order in the Church by the Holy See.

Read more...

The author of 365 Saintswrites:

While the Servites acknowledge their need to serve by their very name, we are all called to be servants. We are placed on earth, not to amass wealth and prestige, but to care for and minister to our fellow human beings. Although most of us wouldn't want to leave our homes and families to join a religious community as the founders of Servites did, we can always find ways to serve others in our everyday lives. Even when it's as simple as thanking the clerk checking out our groceries or holding open the door for someone with a package, we can always find a way to serve.

That's very true.

---

365 Saints

ChaldoAssyrian Winners In The Iraqi Elections

I'm getting a lot of hits from search engines looking for ChaldoAssyrian winners. So, here are the ChaldoAssyrian winners:

• Iraqi National Assembly:
  1. Mrs. Wijdan Michael.
  2. Mrs. Jacklyn Qosin Zomaya.
  3. Gorael Isho Khamis.
  4. Yonadem Yousif Khanna.
  5. Abelhed Afram Sawa.
  6. Saleem Potrus Elias.
  


• Kurdistan National Assembly:
  1. Mrs. Bayzar Melko Rohan.
  2. Mrs. Klaweez Shaba.
  3. Anderyos Yokhana Korkis.
  4. Romeo Hakari.
  5. Jamal Shamon Elia.
  


• Arbil (hawler) Province Council:
  1. Ms. Sanaa Yagoub Fillo.
  


• Mosul Province Council:
  1. Jefara Zeya Youkhana.
  ** I think Jefara is a female. But, I'm not too sure.
  


• Dehuk Province Council:
  1. Mrs. Shammeram Misho Zyro.
  2. Korkis Shlaymon Khani.
  


• Kirkuk Province Council:
  1. Ms. Silvana Boya Nasir.
  

[Source: Ankawa.com]

Yonadem Yousif Khanna was the only direct winner. He ran under the ChaldoAssyrian Al-Rafidain List. The rest ran either under the Kurds Alliance or Iraqi Alliance List led by Iyad Allawi.

I'm happy to see females on the winners lists. Pretty cool.

Last Fatima Virgin Witness Dies

Our Lady of Fatima is very popular among Iraqi Catholics. Most Iraqi Catholic churches have a special mass on Saturdays dedicated to her. I never knew one of her witnesses was still alive until her death was reported in the news two days ago:

The last surviving witness to whom the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in a series of apparitions in Portugal in 1917 has died aged 97.

Sister Lucia de Jesus dos Santos died at the convent where she had been living since the 1940s, the Roman Catholic Church said.
[...]
Sister Lucia was just 10 when she and her two younger cousins, Francisco Marto and his sister Jacinta, are said to have seen the Virgin Mary above an olive tree near the central town of Fatima.

She was the only one who claimed to have heard clearly what the Virgin Mary said.

While her cousins both died within three years of the apparitions ending, during the flu pandemic, Sister Lucia went on to write down what she had been told.

The first two parts of the prophecy were known for decades and interpreted as predicting the world wars.

Read more...

For more information about Our Lady of Fatima, check this link.
 

St. Valentine's Day

I tried to find the best story of St. Valentine's Day. Here's the most popular story I found on the net:

St Valentine's Day was supposedly started in the time of the Roman Empire. In Ancient Rome, the date of February 14 was a holiday to honor the Queen of Roman Goddesses and Gods, Juno. Juno was known as the Goddess of women and marriage. The next day February 15 was the first day of the Festival known as the Feast of Lupercia.

On February 14 is was said that the young boys and girls of the villages would write down the names of every girl and place these names in a jar of which each young man would have to draw a name of a girl and this particular maiden would be their partner for the duration of the festival. Sometimes these parings would last a year and end up in marriage.

These rituals under the laws of Claudius were banned as the Emperor believed that the reasons why men would now go to war were because they did not want to leave their lovers or families. As a result all marriages and engagements were canceled as a result Saint Valentine a Roman priest was said to have married these couples in secret and for this he was executed on the 14th day of February.

While St Valentine was in jail it is said that he fell in love with the jailers daughter. By a miracle or some say by the prayers of Valentine she gained her sight and as a last farewell in a note he was to "From Your Valentine".

Read more...

---

UPDATE I - Jun. 5, 2006

The Tidings report:

The man behind Feb. 14, when lovers around the world exchange cards and gifts, has been largely forgotten on his own feast day.

Such little significance is attached to the memory of St. Valentine that even in the Spanish capital of Madrid in 2005 only a handful of people visited the Church of St. Anton, where what is believed to be his skeleton is kept on a side altar in a glass-fronted baroque case.
[...]
At least one St. Valentine existed, as evident from third-century Roman cults. The "Roman Martyrology" mentions two St. Valentines, one a priest and one a bishop. Both were put to death on the Flaminian Way on a Feb. 14 between 269 and 273, although some scholars have argued that the cults point to the saints being the same person.

The relics in Madrid are said to be those of the bishop of Terni, Italy, who was just 20 years old when he was consecrated by St. Felician of Foligno, Italy, in 197 on the orders of Pope Victor I. For 73 years, this St. Valentine built up his diocese in the face of persecution: preaching, tending to the sick and visiting Christians jailed for refusing to renounce their faith.

Read more...

He continues to be a mystery.

Ash Wednesday

Lent started yesterday with Ash Wednesday. I found the following Lent-related article that made me laugh:

If you're a Catholic, you traditionally give up something for Lent. That usually means comfort food, just at the time of year when you need comfort most, especially from food. So it's goodbye, chocolate, goodbye, Cheez Whiz nachos. Me, I give up meat, and also cream in my coffee. That means that I spend the entire 40 days of Lent (and, hey--it's actually longer than 40 days, because Sundays aren't counted) starving and thinking about steaks and latte. As the weeks pass, the steaks get thicker, the latte more foamy. I can always slip inside a church for distraction. That's great. No flowers, a bare altar, dirges for hymns. It's the season of penance. The priest wears depressing dark-purple vestments. He says a prayer that thanks God for "this season of joy." What joy? There are only two fun things about Lent. One is Mardi Gras. The other is checking out the foreheads of people at your job on Ash Wednesday to see whether they got ashes at the church that morning ("I didn't know you were a Catholic!").

Read more...

I know I should be more serious during Lent. But, I had to share the article with you.
 

Happy Fat Tuesday

I can't believe it's that time of the year again. It came too early this year. I even forgot the three days of Baoutha. Sis, don't tell my parents. I don't need them to lecture me at age 38.

As usual, New Orleans has the best celebrations for the day. For Australian readers, this Mardi Gras is very different than Sydney's Mardi Gras parade.

It's hard to think of what to give up for this Lent. I decided to give up eating out. In other words, I'm giving up eating kobab. Yes, I love kobab A LOT. Last year, I gave up rice and bread. That was really a bad idea. It's like asking a fish to live out of water. It didn't work well. I cheated a bit.

My husband doesn't participate in religious rituals. So, he dreads this time of the year. Sorry dear, it's for better and for worse. That's how it works.

In Iraq, Lent starts on a Monday. We don't have Ash Wednesday. I got accustomed to the Western calender after moving to Australia. While growing up in Basrah before Iran-Iraq war, part of the Christian community in Basrah would have a big picnic at Al-Sindbad Island on Monday to celebrate the day before Lent. You can think about it as a tiny version of Fat Tuesday without the parade.

Have a nice Fat Tuesday. If you're from New Orleans, enjoy the celebrations.

Can Anyone Understand Women?

I know this blog is kind of serious. So, here's joke for a change:

A man walking along a California beach was deep in prayer. All of a sudden, he said out loud:

Lord grant me one wish!

Suddenly the sky clouded above his head and in a booming voice the Lord said:

Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish.

The man thought for a minute, then said:

Build a bridge to Hawaii, so I can drive over anytime I want to.

The Lord said:

Your request is very materialistic. Think of the logistics of that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of another wish, a wish you think would honor and glorify me.

The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said:

Lord, I wish that I could understand women. I want to know how they feel inside, what they are thinking when they give me the silent treatment, why they cry, what they mean when they say 'nothing', and how I can make a woman truly happy.

After a few minutes God said:

You want two lanes or four on that bridge?

Secret Recipe to Happiness

Today, I received a secret recipe to happiness from my sister-in-law:

One day, one friend asked another, "How Is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said, "I know the Secret!"

"What secret is that?"

To which she replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others."

"The Secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."

The questioner's first thought was, "That's too simple!" But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, a simple gift from God.

I can't agree more. Best times of my life were the laughing and smiling moments I spent with family or friends.
 

Followers vs. Disciples

Someone once wrote explaining the difference between a follower and a disciple:

It is impossible to be a follower of Christ without being a disciple.

It means that one is a camp-follower, without being a soldier of the King.

One is not pulling one's weight, or playing one's part. One is simply a hanger-on in a great work. One is a talker and not a doer.

Once someone approached a famous professor about a young man, and asked:

So and so tell me that he was one of your students. Is that correct?

To which the professor replied:

That man did indeed attend my lectures, but believe me he was never a real student of mine.

It is one of the supreme handicaps of the church that in it there are many people who follow Christ at a safe distance. But very few are real disciples. That is people who actually do what he said.

Sharing Produce and Profit

Two brothers worked at a family farm, sharing produce and profit. One was married, and the other wasn't.

One day the single brother said to himself:

It's not fair that we should share the same produce equally. I am alone, but my brother has a family to support.

So at that night he took a sack of grain from his bin, crept over the field between the houses, and drummed it into his brother's bin.

Meanwhile, his brother has a similar idea, and said:

It's not right that we should share the produce equally. I have a family whereas my brother is all alone.

So at night he took a sack of grain from his bin, and quietly dumped it into his brother's bin.

This went on for several years. Each was puzzled how his supply never dwindled. One night they bumped into each other in the dark. When they realized what had been happening, they dropped their sacks and embraced each other.

Suddenly a voice from heaven said:

Here I build my temple.
For where people meet in love,
there my presence shall dwell.

-- Author unknown
 

Letter to The Virgin of Guadalupe

I received the following prayer from my friend in Jordan. I like to share it with you:

Beautiful Virgin of Guadalupe,

I ask you on behalf of all my brothers and sisters of the world, that you bless us and protect us.

Give us proof of your love and kindness and please receive our prayers.

Oh pure Virgin of Guadalupe, give me, through your Son, forgiveness for my sins, blessings for my job, and cure for my diseases and needs.

All that you deem necessary, I ask for my family and my country.

Oh Holy Mother of God, do not disdain the pleas we present to you in our needs.

Friends Prayer

God our Father,

I ask You to bless my friends reading this right now.

I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.

Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.

Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage.

Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision.

Raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them.

Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.


-- Author Unknown
 

Iraqi Syriac Catholic Archbishop Is Released

The last 24 hours were stressful for me. I'm sure they were stressful for all Iraqi-Christians who heard about the kidnapping of Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa. I prayed, lit a novena candle and went to bed early. In my humble mind, I hoped to wake up to the news of his release. Yesterday, I couldn't write about his kidnapping because of my mixed feelings of fear and anger.

Thank God this crisis is over. Archbishop Basile told reporters after his release:

As soon as they found out I was a bishop, their attitude changed ... I think that my abduction was a coincidence. In recent times, there have been numerous kidnappings around here.

Based on the conversations I had with them (the kidnappers), it didn't appear to me that they wanted to strike at the Church as such.

I'm sure his kidnappers knew he was a religious figure when they decided to kidnap him. But, this is a good example of how Iraqi Christians over the years acted as peacemakers during good and bad times. Something I can't explain with any words.

This is not the first time an Iraqi-Christian clergyman has been kidnapped. Recently, two Chaldean monks of the Dora monastery in Baghdad were kidnapped by unknown individuals and released two days later.

Living in Mosul has become unbearable for many Christian families. Many Christian families have either left the country or moved back to live in small villages to avoid the hardships of being a Christian in Mosul. I'm not making up these facts. My sister-in-law's uncle, who lived in Mosul most of his life, has moved his family to a small village. Still, it didn't mean he was safe enough. A few weeks ago, he was kidnapped in front of his house in Mosul. He had returned to pick up a few things from the house to take them back to his new residence at the village. His family was forced to pay his kidnappers $40,000 U.S. before he was released.

That's why I lived with fear in my mind for the last 24 hours. I had those dark scenarios in my head. One of them was the kidnappers may behead Archbishop Basile. Knowing my people, they would've packed their bags and left to Jordan or Syria. I know moving to those two countries wouldn't guarantee them asylum in any countries. So, their future would've been bleak.

I sometimes feel my minority is cursed. Most of the time we're accused of being Westerners just because we share the same religion as the American troops. Most of the time, the Americans don't recognize our existence as they don't want to look like they favor one minority over the rest of the country. So, what's our fault in this mayhem. Should we stay and suffer or leave and still suffer.

Could someone from The White House, The Pentagon or The State Department tell this minority what to do next.

I know every sector of Iraqi society has its own problems these days. But, we're the one minority that neither side wants to protect. Very soon we won't exist on the Iraqi census. That's why I encourage every Iraqi Christian living aboard with a nearby voting center to go and vote. Be the voice of the ones inside the country who can't make their voice heard.

Isn't It Strange?

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

It's strange isn't it?

-- Author Unknown

Barbershop Dialogue

My friend sent me the following inspirational story last year:

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He began to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched on the subject of God.

The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, it's so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God exists, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but he didn't respond because he did not want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long hair and a beard. It was very long, and a long time since he had his hair cut and he looked dirty and unkempt. The customer entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber:

"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say they don't exist?" asked the surprised barber. " I am here and I am a barber. Why I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who is outside."

"Ah, barbers do exist. What happens is that people do not come to me."

"Exactly!", affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God does exist. What happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Daily Prayer For Vocations

God, our father, we trust in your loving kindness and ask you to hear the prayers we offer for Your Church.

Through your grace, we seek men willing to generously offer their lives to You in the priesthood and religious life.

Bless and guide those who are discerning Your call. Help us be the water and sunlight that help vocations grow.

And, remember those who have answered your call. Keep them close to you.
 

Crying Out For Recognition

People today are crying out for recognition. They want to be persons. They want to be noticed, not in a showy way or because they have money or status, but because they are human beings.

Each of us is on a pilgrimage. We are seeking to encounter others who have the same needs as ourselves.

The greatest need of all is the need to be loved. But we pass one another by without noticing, without the slightest sign of recognition.

As Christians we are united by a close bond. So close that St. Paul called the Christian community "The Body of Christ."

It is time we begin to notice one another. Each person is a brother or sister in Christ. Each person then must be recognized. Each person must be given some sign of friendship, be it only a smile or a node of the head.

-- Catherine De Hueck Doherty
 

St. Anthony Prayer

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek (mention your request here).

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever by yours.
 

Christmas Is About Giving

Merry Christmas everyone. I know it's very late. But, I needed to take a break from blogging and enjoy the short holiday.

The best Christmas story I found during the last few days was of a man who walked into a homeless shelter and handed the homeless people $100 each. That's the spirit of Christmas. Read the story here.

How Christmas Works In Iraq

I was going to write about the difficulties facing Iraqi Christians this year. Then, read Dilnareen's post and thought she's right. Let's forget about war and talk about Christmas during perfect times. I moved my Christmas post from last year here. This way, people new to this blog would have the chance to read about Iraqi-Christians' Christmas traditions.

One thing I noticed, many Iraqi-Christians are turning Christmas into a commercial festival of Santa Claus and gifts exchange. I'm not against dear Santa. He really works hard during Christmas season. But, I like the "Pure Christmas." The Christmas I remember from when I lived in Iraq.

As Fr. Yousif said in his e-mail to me:

In this Christmas, nobody can be more near the first Christmas as the Iraqis. Cold, fear, strangers, but we know the Lord is between us, this is our joy and hope.

Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy the reading.

ORIGINAL POST: 12/22/2003
American Christmas preparations are more simple than Iraqi preparations.

Most Iraqi Christians, Assyrians in special, would fast from December 1st until Christmas day. Almost every year, I fast the week before Christmas. Christmas feels different when I fast. Christmas in the Middle East is more spiritual than the commercial Western Christmas.

For at least two weeks before Christmas in Iraq, Christian families shop for koleicha (Christmas sweets) ingredients. Iraqi Christian women are so proud of their secret recipes to make the best koleicha. Ingredients would include white flour -- French white flour was always the best. Fillings include walnuts, dates and a special kind of filling made of butter, sugar, flour and special spices. Each woman has her own secrets on how to make the best dough for their koleicha and will not reveal it to anyone. Yes, it's a family recipe secret.

Now, you would think our mothers would settle for a pound or two of flour. Hell no. My mom's standard was 20-30 pounds of flour when we were still a big family. After my brothers and sisters left the country, my mom reduced her standard to 7-10 pounds.

To make all this amount of sweets you better have good friends and relatives to help you with your big koleicha day. This is how it works: friends and relatives that you could count on would decide a schedule, so you could help them the day they make theirs in return for their help to you. My task changed from one year to another. I always found the easiest task to do -- like cooking lunch for these hard working women. My mom -- being my mom -- would always keep the cooking sheets for me to clean after all is done. Great. I can't complain anyway.

The next episode is to give a plate of koleicha to your neighbors. If you are working, another plate goes to your colleagues at work. My Muslim friends would get their share too as I WANTED my share during their Eid. The postman and trash collector were always on our list of "who gets koleicha this year?"

This happened every year of my life -- even during worst years of Iran-Iraq war in Basrah. For Iraqi Christians, Christmas is not Christmas if you don't make koleicha.

The few days before Christmas are devoted for cleaning the house and putting up the Christmas tree. This part of Christmas is identical to Christmas in any other part of the world, except we don't exchange gifts. Good plan. You could keep your budget under control during Christmas.

The most popular Iraqi Christian food for Christmas is pascha. Well, this is one other food not easy to make and our mothers would not allow anyone to help them with preparing this meal, another family recipe secret.

Most people would go to the midnight mass, come home and break their fast with eating pascha. I think that's the best part of Christmas, and I really miss it. These masses are very long (about 2 to 3 hours). Me and my sister, who moved to America after she got married, would attend the last mass on Christmas day. This is usually the shortest mass. It has a disadvantage though. You can't eat your favorite pascha until you come back home from church. It is kind of a temptation so you would have something to tell the priest if you ever go to confession on Christmas day.

We have many churches in Iraq where Christian populations are high. In Basrah, we have two Catholic churches, Latins, Syrian Catholic and others have their own churches too. Baghdad has lots of churches as most Christians lives in Baghdad. Mosul, Dehuk, Sulaymania, Arbil and kirkuk governorates have their own share of churches.

Christians make 3% of Iraq's population. The most popular sector is the Chaldean Catholic church, which is a branch of the Roman Catholic Church.

The family usually gathers for Christmas lunch at the parents house. You would invite a family or two that would invite you for next Christmas lunch.

OK, now you think by this we're over with Christmas and could have some rest. No, so far we had "The Fellowship Of The Food". Playing next at a home near you, we have the sequel, "Return of The Christmas Visits".

Every Christmas, the parents would make sure they remember which families visited us first, and which families didn't visit last Christmas and were supposed to visit. People who visit includes best friends, family members, uncles, aunts and sometimes first cousins. This works exactly like Christmas cards work in Western countries. If someone visits you this Christmas, you return their visit this Christmas. If someone didn't visit you last Christmas, you actually don't visit them this Christmas. You have from Christmas day till 6th of January to finish this task.

Let me tell you, this is not an easy task if you have a big family like mine. I used to escape most of this exercise by staying home with my grandma, also to take care of any visitors while my parents are visiting other families.

Christian Iraqis in Australia haven't changed much of these traditions after moving to Australia except that Australian Christmas is during summer and pascha is not a favorable meal for hot weather.

So, anytime you think your Christmas is full of stress, just appreciate not living in Iraq were there are two many things to do.

I love Christmas in Dallas, all I have to do is buy gifts, wrap them, put them under the tree, attend Christmas mass and have dinner with my family-in-law. How hard is that compared to Big Fat Iraqi Christmas.

Have a nice Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah everyone.

I believe In Death

I believe in death,
I believe that it is a part of life,
I believe that we are born to die,
to die that we may live more fully;
born to die a little each day
to selfishness, pretence, and to sin.

I believe that
we taste death in moments of
sorrow and disappointment,
when we are afraid,
have courage, and give up,
when we see our dreams broken,
and every time we say goodbye.

I believe that
we are dying before our time
when we live in bitterness,
in hatred and in isolation.

I believe that
each day we are creating
our own death by the way we live.

To those who believe in Christ,
death is the gateway to eternal life.


-- Author Unknown

For Every Living Creature

May I be a protector to those without protection,
A leader for those who journey,
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.

May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.

May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.

Just like space
And the great elements such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the boundless creatures.

And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space.


-- Author Unknown

Love of Family and Friends

Lord, it was you who planted us on this earth. You fenced us around with the love of our families and friends. Their care towered over us. Under the shelter of this tower we grew in safety and peace.

We put out early blossoms. We filled up with leaves. People had great hopes for us. You had great hopes for us.

But now the year of our life is passing. The harvest is approaching. What have we to show? What fruit have we produced?

What if, after all this care, we should be found to be without the fruits of love? What if we had nothing to offer but your grapes of indifference, selfishness and neglect?

May you, Lord, have mercy on us, and with your patient urging help us to return your love.


-- Author Unknown

Instruments of The Lord

I found the following words on my church bulletin few years ago. They're as good as when I first read them:

This was the farewell command of Christ.
He has no body now on earth but ours.
He has no hands but ours to raise up the fallen.
He has no feet but ours to seek out the lost.
He has no eyes but ours to see the silent tears of the suffering.
He has no ears but ours to listen to the lonely.
He has no tongue but ours to speak a word of comfort to the sad.
He has no heart but ours to love the unloved.
Christ often picks the little unknown people to do his greatest work.

St. Nicholas - The Real Santa

Dec. 6th is feast of St. Nicholas in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other parts of Europe. The best way to learn about this saint is by learning the difference between him and Santa Claus. So, here are the differences as published on St. Nicholas Center web site.

Santa Claus is round and plump;
St. Nicholas is tall and thin.

Santa Claus wears a stocking cap;
St. Nicholas wears a bishop's hat.

Santa Claus comes December 25th;
St. Nicholas comes December 6th.

Santa Claus is often seen in stores;
St. Nicholas is often seen in churches.

Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth, caring for those in need.

Santa Claus, for some, replaces Jesus at Christmas;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to Jesus at Christmas.

Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better!


-- C. Myers & J. Rosenthal

Browse their web site. It includes good information about this saint.

Strength For The journey

I'm not sure who sings this song. If you know the singer's name, please let me know:

There is a road meant for you to travel.
Narrow and steep is the Shepherd’s way.
And as you say “Yes”, letting me guide you,
I will be strength for the journey.

There is a cross meant for you to carry.
There is a cross meant for you alone.
And as you bow down in humble surrender,
I will be strength for the journey.

How many times have you doubted my word?
How many times must I call your name?
And as you say “Yes”, letting me love you,
I will be strength for the journey.

Two Traveling Angels

By Unknown Author

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

God Still Answers Prayers

I'm not sure the following story is true. I post it here for its good meaning and message:

A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey." As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience.

He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street. This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will".

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either the businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

"Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here. "He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep.

"What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk , "Here, I brought this to you. "The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I asked Him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.

Mary Did You Know

It's nice to listen to Christmas songs at this time of the night. So, I thought to share with you the lyrics of Kenny Roger's song "Mary Did You Know:"

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you've kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding, is the great I AM.

Spirit of The living God

Here's another piece of inspiration I found in my old folders. I'm not sure who wrote the piece:

In the fields, patches of green are appearing, new patches on an old garment. But, given time, spring will weave a completely new garment.

Yet spring is only a facilitator. It doesn't make anything happen. It merely creates the climate in which things can grow.

We too need to grow as human beings and children of God. But growth is slow and painful. We do not easily let go of the old garment, woven out of the old habits and attitudes.

But we have been given a wonderful Facilitator, namely, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit awakens us to mysterious power within us, bids us live, and helps us grow. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us.

Renew Prayer

Gracious God and Father,
We are your people embraced by your love.
We thank you for your presence
with us throughout all time.

Create us anew through Jesus Christ your Son.
Liberate us from all that keeps us from you.
Send your Holy Spirit, enabling us to recreate our world and restore justice.

Heal us from every form of sin and violence.
Transform us to live your Word more profoundly.
Reconcile us so enemies become friends.
Awaken us to the sacred; nurture our relationships.
Enliven our parishes; reunite our families.

Fill us with joy to celebrate the fullness of life.
Empower us to be a community of love
growing in your likeness
by the grace of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of The Holy Spirit

Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity.

Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love.

Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.

May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day.

Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation.

Something To Think About

Last week was full of surprises in my household. A regular reader sent me the following story. It really helped me when I needed it the most:

A poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said, "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "O.K." He said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bow ed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said grudgingly, "I can't believe it."

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance. So he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list. It was a prayer which said, "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands".

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.

The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of it."

Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy :)
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride. We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son:

Let nothing discourage you,
nothing depress you.
Let nothing alter your heart or countenance.
Also do not fear any illness and vexation,
anxiety or pain.
Am I not here who am your mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of life?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle,
in the crossing of my arms?
Is there anything else that you need?

-- Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, Dec 12, 1531

Presence of God

The author of the following viewpoint is unknown. Sorry :-(

Martin Luther King tells how he had his own labor. In the height of the struggle for civil rights for the black people, one night he suddenly reached a rock bottom. He felt he could not go on. He was tired of the insults and injuries. In the state of exhaustion and despair, he threw himself on his knees before God and prayed like this:

Lord, I have taken a stand for what I believe is right.
But now I'm afraid.
The people are looking to me for leadership.
If I stand before them without courage or strength,
they too will falter.
But I am at the end of my powers.
I have nothing left.
I've come to the point where I can't face it alone.

He said at that moment he experienced the presence of God in a way he had never experienced before. On the strength of that experience, he was able to continue the strength.

Saint of The Little Ways

I recieved the following by e-mail. I thought to share it with you:

Saint Therese of Lisieux is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses. May everyone be blessed who receives this message.

Prayer of St. Therese of Lisieux

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God
Let this presence settle into our bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.

Prayer For Our Family

Heavenly Father,
you have given us the model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
intensely eucharistic,
revived with joy.

Help us to stay together in joy
and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families,
especially in their distressing disguise.
May the eucharistic heart of Jesus
make our hearts humble like his
and help us to carry out our family duties
in a holy way.
May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each other's faults
as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and give whatever you take with a big smile.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.


-- Mother Teresa

Pathways To Peace

Here's another inspirational presentation from the makers of "The Interview With God". Again, the chosen words are the best:

Pathways to peace:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
- Matthew 5:9

Integrity:
"Integrity is one of several paths. It distinguishes itself from the others because it is the right path and the only one upon which you will never get lost."
- M.H. McKee

Joy:
"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive."
- Eleonora Duse

Kindness:
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
- Mark Twain

Faith:
"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light."
- Helen Keller

Courage:
"This is courage… to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends."
- Euripedes

Hope:
"Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark."
- George Iles

Charity:
"We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are."
- Desire-Joseph Mercier

Love:
"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love."
- Mother Teresa

Patience:
"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on, Hold fast, Hold out. Patience is genius."
- Comte Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon

Determination:
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Gratitude:
"A single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer."
- Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Humility:
"Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right."
- Ezra Taft Benson

Forgiveness:
"Forgiveness is the answer to the child's dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is again made clean."
- Dag Hammarskjold

Peace:
"We must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Interview With God

Read the poem first. Then watch the presentation. The author of the poem is unknown.

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

So you would like to interview me? God asked.

If you have the time I said.

God smiled. My time is eternity.
What questions do you have in mind for me?

What surprises you most about humankind?

God answered...
That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.

That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.

That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.

That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.

God's hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...
As a parent, what are some of life's lessons
you want your children to learn?

To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.

To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.

To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.

To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.

To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.

To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.

To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.

To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another,
but they must also forgive themselves.

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"

God smiled and said,
Just know that I am here... always.

Shared Prayer

I found the following story on beliefnet and thought to share it with you:

When I was growing up, I lay in my bed every night and silently said my prayers. In synagogue, during the time for private contemplation, I could not hear a whisper, a sigh, or a plea from those around me -- only the organ playing. As an adult, I prayed late at night, my head under the covers. For me, prayers were private, on the list of taboo topics, along with sex and money.

When my friend Bev asked me if I wanted to be prayer partners, I stared at her.

"What does that mean?" I asked her.

"We pray together every week," she said. "We each write down our prayers, then read them aloud to each other."

"Read them aloud?" I repeated. That seemed like some sort of heresy—blithely stating my deepest spiritual thought to another mortal.

"It's quite powerful," Bev assured me. "It adds energy to your prayers." My palms were wet, my mouth was dry. I was both scared and curious. Bev and I held different religious doctrines: hers was Catholic and mine was Jewish. We would be directing our prayers to different names —- Bev to her Jesus, me to my God. Bev was used to praying with others; but I had never done so. What would it be like to pray together? How could I reveal even to a friend my very private conversations with God? Yet I had been reading about the power of collective prayer and the idea intrigued me. I agreed to try it.

We met a week later, early in the morning, before work. Our chapel was a coffee shop. Our spiritual music was supplied by the espresso machine. Bev had a short list of nondenominational responsive readings as a warm-up. How odd, to sit over a cup of coffee and read, "I surrender. I know that I need God's help." How unusual to sit among the bagels and pastries and ask out loud for help and forgiveness.

"Now, think of things you usually pray for and write them down," Bev instructed. My mind went blank. Though I prayed every night, those prayers seemed too childish and mundane to write down.

I smoothed my paper and fiddled with my pen. The cash register clanged. The red-cheeked baby across from me threw her pacifier on the floor. It tumbled near my feet. I picked it up and handed it to her mom. Behind me a newspaper rattled as a woman with wild gray hair turned to the features section. "You're not listening," a blond woman told a silver-haired man two tables over. Usually when I prayed, the world stopped or at least seemed to. But this time my prayers were not cloistered and hallowed; they were just another conversation in this busy coffee shop.

I picked up the pen and wrote "I pray for self-love." I took a deep breath. "I pray for more fun," I wrote. "I pray for meaningful work." I forced myself to put at least five prayers on my list. Was that too many, too greedy? I wondered.

"Are you done?" Bev asked.

I nodded, my voice in hiding.

"Want me to go first?" Bev asked. I nodded again. Bev read, "I thank God for my blessings. I pray to check in with God throughout the day and to listen to God's guidance."

As I wrote down her words, I savored the prayer. What a good idea, checking in with God. I had never thought to make that desire so intentional. Then I wondered, was there a copyright on prayers? How would Bev feel if I added that prayer to my list? She read another prayer: "I want to embrace beauty and order and release clutter with ease and grace." I thought of my kitchen, my garage, my basement-teaming with clutter. Yes, that too. I was practically bouncing in my seat as I read Bev's prayers back to her.

When it was my turn to read my own prayers it took me three tries to get the first sentence out. Bev wrote it down. I stumbled over the second sentence and marched my way through the third. I felt I had conquered something large when I finished reading her my list. It was quite remarkable, listening to her read aloud my sacred secret prayers as though they were already true.

"I love your prayer for a more compassionate world," she said. "I'm going to add that to my prayers."

I smiled, as if I'd just landed on my feet after a triple somersault.

We were just finishing when Carol, one of my coworkers, walked up to our table, to-go sack in hand, newspaper tucked under one arm, laptop slung over the other. "Hey, you seem pretty intent. What are you doing, cramming for an exam or something?"

I felt as if I'd just been caught peeling off my panty hose in public. I put my arm over my list of prayers and thought of saying, "We're just talking." But telling even a little lie during a prayer time seemed ill advised.

"Well," I said, looking at Bev for guidance, "we're, uh, praying." I watched Carol's face carefully.

"Good for you. I used to pray with a group on Saturday mornings. I really miss that," Carol said and walked away.

"Want to meet again next week?" Bev asked, putting her papers in her briefcase.

I nodded. I was already thinking of all the prayers I was going to add, real-life stuff that I wanted help and support for.

Bev and I have now been praying together for nine years. I still love silent prayer and I still do a lot of it. But I also love the vulnerability and openness of sharing my prayers. Writing down my prayers makes them more real for me. Saying them aloud makes me feel closer to God. Hearing Bev echo back my deepest spiritual desires makes me feel like they are already coming true.

Beyond the individual prayers, I like our intention: a Jew and a Catholic, gathering to make a "joyful noise unto the Lord," praying for ourselves and for a kinder, more compassionate world.


-- Deborah Shouse

Let's try to pray together?

Native American Prayer

O Great Spirit
whose voice
I hear in the winds,
and whose breath
gives life to the world,
hear me.

I come to you
as one of many children
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.

May I walk in beauty.
Make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.

May my hands respect
the things that you have made,
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that
I may know the things that
you have taught your children,
the lesson that you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

Make me strong, so that
I may suprior to other people,
but be able to fight my greatest enemy,
which is myself.

Make me ever
ready to come to you
with straight eyes so that,
when life fades as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you
without shame.

Divine Shepherd

This is probably my favorite psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still water;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff --
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

Nuns In Action

I found this piece of humorous news on Reuters' Oddly Enough section.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Two German nuns took the law into their own hands and recovered a picture of the Virgin Mary stolen from their Franciscan hospital, police said Tuesday.

The engraving vanished Saturday and Sisters Georgia and Isabella decided not to leave the case just to the police.

"The two nuns took a car and scoured the local area on Sunday morning," said a police spokesman. "They got lucky and found the picture at a flea market."

"When the seller asked for 500 euros they said they would have to ring to get someone to bring the money. Instead they called the police," he said.

The seller is being investigated for handling stolen goods.

Nuns ROCK.

The Meaning of Prayer

The other day, I found the most inspiring post I've read in a long time. I thought to share it with you.

I think it is true for every cancer patient to think, “Why did this happen to me?” I know I did. Why couldn’t Osama binLaden get cancer and die in some cave in Afghanistan? Why did G-d allow me to get cancer and not some scumbag terrorist?

I don’t have an answer to that. The best thing I can come up with is, it just is. We live in an imperfect world, and sometimes you get hit in the noggin with a curve ball.

Read more...

No matter what your religion is, prayer is an important part of our lives.

Seeds of Faith

By Unknown Author

Parents, teachers, priests and many others spend much of their lives implanting words. Naturally they want to reap the harvest. But the harvest is often slow in coming.

This is also true of God's word. Since the days of our youth, this precious seed has been falling into the soil of our hearts. Yet what results have we to show? Perhaps very little. But we must not despair.

A handful of grains of wheat was found in the tomb of one of the kings of ancient Egypt. Someone planted and watered them. To the amazement of everyone, the grains came to life and began to grow, after five thousand years lying in a tomb.

The word of God, once dropped into the human heart, Never dies.

Ur In The Land of Chaldeans

While browsing books at a bookshop few months ago, I grabbed "The Poetry of Pope John Paul II."To my surprise, I discovered The Pope wrote a poem about my people, the Chaldeans:

Ur in the land of the Chaldeans

There was a time when people
continually wandered.
surrounded by herds, they went where abundance beckoned:
where the earth, like a fertile mother,
could feed the flocks,
where people pitched their tents and began to dwell.

Today, why do we seek out this place
in the land of Chaldeans,
which Abram, the son of Terach,
left behind with other nomads like himself?
Perhaps he asked: Why must I leave this place?
Why do I have to abandon Ur or the Chaldeas?
Is this what he was thinking?
Did he feel the sadness of the break?
Did he look back?
We do not know. All that we know is that he heard a Voice, which told him: GO!
Abram chose to follow the Voice.

The Voice said: You will be the father of many nations.
Your offspring will be numerous as the sand on the seashore.
How could the promise be fulfilled, thought Abram,
since nature has denied me the gift of fatherhood?
My wife, whom I have loved from the days of my youth, gave me no son. It pains us both.

But the Voice kept saying: You will become a father,
you will become the father of many nations.
Your offspring will be numerous as the sand of seashore.

That was very nice of him.

---

The Poetry of Pope John Paul II

Prayer For Inner Peace

Slow me down, Lord.
Ease my pounding heart.
Quieten my racing mind.
Steady my hurried steps.
Amidst the confusion of my days,
give me the calmness of everlasting hills.
Help me know the restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking time-off,
of slowing down to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend,
to read a few lines from a good book.

Remind me each day that there is more to life
than increasing its speed.

Let me look into the branches of a towering oak,
and know that it grew tall and strong
because it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord.
Teach me to be gentle and humble in heart,
and thus I will rest for my soul.


-- Unknown Author

Popular University of St. Thomas Aquinas

The following is the proposal for Popular University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Baghdad, Iraq. check here for more details.

PROPOSAL
The Popular University of St. Thomas Aquinas For Human Sciences Studies

Established and Supervised by: The Dominican Fathers in Iraq
Prepared by: Fr. Yousif Thomas Mirkis

Ph.D. degree in Theology (The University of Strasbourg-France)
M Sc. degree in Ethnology (The College of Nanter-Paris10-France)

PROJECT TITLE:
The Popular University of St. Thomas Aquinas For Human Sciences Studies.

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
   The association of the Dominican Fathers, in Iraq, has on a world basis been highly concerned with cultural studies since the 13th century. And when the Dominican Fathers in the year 1750 open up a work in the region of Mosul (Nineveh) it wasn't long before they started in the field of education and thus opened many cultural schools in Mosul, Dohouk and the surrounding areas.
   
   During the last 20 years the Dominican Fathers have intensified their efforts in Baghdad the Capital of Iraq through theological courses. These courses have been attended by thousands of youth and they have been held in the Roman Catholic (Latin) Church of St. Joseph, Hay al Wahda, Baghdad.
   
   The Dominican Fathers are now looking towards the future. A future based on their past experiences and the particular needs in the field of education for the Iraqi youth. The Dominican Fathers believe that the future of Iraq should be built on something new that will be brought about through the creation of a new cultural foundation.
   
   Throughout the last number of years the Dominican Fathers have sent many young graduates to Europe and the U.S.A to receive the very best in terms of post-graduate education. The goal has been to see these same young people return and make their new-found education fit into the frame of a society that owes very much to a civilization that has been around for several millennia. With their new-found skills and capabilities coupled with those of the Dominican Fathers everybody is confident that they have been able to build a team that will be able to instill today's youth with the best in terms of education given on their "home-turf". As the university will offer the education free of charge and during hours (afternoons and evenings) that will not interfere with professional people's working-hours they know that youth who earlier due to various circumstances were not able to continue their studies during the years of the earlier regime will receive a welcome new opportunity in their lives.
   
   It's the desire of this "Popular University" project to be an integral part of the development of a new society that has started functioning during the aftermath of the war of Spring 2003.
   
   As the humanistic sciences in Iraq during the former regime showed a great weakness while being under total governmental control the change in this country has brought about an opportunity to give people in Iraq an education, which is independent and free from government interference.
   


2. TARGET GROUPS/LOCATION
   Target groups, beneficiaries:
   The project serves a wide range of people of different ages -- 20 to 50 years.
   
   The students will have to prove university entrance qualifications in order to qualify for further studies. They will be both men and women; they will be chosen and then distributed into classes according to their capabilities and subjects that they have applied for.
   
   The lectures will be in Arabic and English. There will be further lectures in French for those who will have a good knowledge of that language.
   
   After work "the evening university" will give a new opportunity for this portion of the population, and many are those who crave for an opportunity to continue their studies after having had to break them off due to the hard economical circumstances.
   
   The beneficiaries will be secondary school graduates and students will be accepted regardless of ethnic or religious background.
   
   Location:
   The Dominican Fathers own a site, which is currently used for the Dijla Secondary School for Girls. This site is located in Hay Al Wahda / District No. 904 / within a residential area situated not very far from the center of Baghdad. With the beginning of the school year 2004–2005, the school premises can be used for the Popular University classes to be held in the afternoons and early evenings.
   
   After the completion of the residential building extensions planned for the site, the Dominican Fathers will be joined by yet other post-graduates who will share their residence quarters. The professors and lecturers residing there will also be joined by different local full time professors, part time professors and instructors not residing on the site as well as by guest-lecturers.
   


3. OBJECTIVES/PLANS/ACTIVITIES
   Overall Development Goal:
   The overall goals are to serve the academic needs of the country and thus also the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq. The Popular University will of course depend on a local staff with the possibility of having other global members to help us in our humanitarian mission. We have already made contacts with many universities around the globe who showed their pleasure and deep interest in helping us on many, many levels.
   
   After the many years of oppression and countless wars we can honestly say that one of the basic goals in establishing this popular university is to help in the real reconstruction of Iraq and that the most important part is to meet people's spiritual needs. Without a spiritual approach we will not be able to start the true restoration of the Iraqi people, so this will certainly be our guide-line.
   
   This project will give the opportunity for a considerable portion of men and women, to have a new start in their lives to see some of their dreams of attending high education come true, after many years of being isolated from true education and actually from the rest of the world, as there is no doubt that all cultural and human sciences in this country suffer from a dangerous cultural gap that has been created due to that isolation and the intense effort of the former regime to stop any kind of personal initiative and creativity. Due to the classes being held after working hours the students will not come under an extraordinary economic stress but will find in the right environment a way of enhancing their knowledge and find opportunities to really continue their intellectual pursuit.
   
   The Popular University will also stress educational opportunities especially for women in our society. We do believe that the women are not only the people who bring new physical life into the world, but that they are an important part of the new Iraqi society that we yearn to see come out of the ashes.
   
   Yes, our Popular University will serve all Iraqis, regardless gender or religious beliefs.
   
   Plan/Activities:
   This project is unique in Iraq. The program will be much different from all the human sciences programs of the current governmental Iraqi universities and colleges.
   
   These current governmental colleges programs have been very weak, isolated from the world, and of such a low level most intellectuals would not even consider them when applying to university.
   
   The Dominican Fathers want to serve the important portion of the society who has not had the opportunity to attend high education because of the hard economical situations during the previous years in Iraq. While working hard in their jobs they will now receive this new opportunity to go on with their studies. The previous 20 years' experience in giving lectures at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baghdad where 600-1000 persons attended yearly on a weekly basis have given the Dominican Fathers the right background to go ahead with the founding of this Popular University.
   
   The Dominican Fathers have pictures and documents to prove that about 13000 persons attended these theological courses during the years 1984 through 2003. The Dominican Fathers think that many of their previous students, who are very thirsty for further theoretical and academic life, will rejoin this university, besides the many new students who will join the university.
   
   One of the most important 'pillars' is the library, which will be opened to the public through the Popular University project. The Dominican Fathers have a 7,000- book library in Baghdad and a 35,000-book library in Mosul. The Dominican Fathers will also have a web site to make it possible for many to surf the Internet and in this way make use of our library.
   
   To give further opportunities to people there will be lectures during holidays and weekends for the public, especially for those who cannot attend the university on a daily basis.
   
   The Dominican Fathers' history in Iraq witnesses to the fact that they have played a continuous active role in preaching, teaching and educating in many fields like theology, philosophy, history, languages, human rights, arts (including literature, music and theater), medicine, media and many other technical and information services.
   
   The Order of the Dominican Fathers is an international order and is neither a governmental, nor a political association. It's the desire of this association to remain thus, as it continues to own and run more than 40 universities and academic centers around the world.
   
   Impact/Expected results:
   A future very qualified people in human sciences will fill the present gap of spiritual and cultural awareness in the Iraqi society, which is partly due to the lack of serious independent studies apart from those assigned by consecutive governments. It is expected that 250 students will benefit from this "evening university" during the first year of operation.
   
   This project meets the following overall development goals:
   
   
   
   • Help individuals with further education, as a result of persecution, sanctions and war.
   
   
   • Assist Iraqi authorities and administrative structures to render appropriate service to the population.
   
   
   • Build relationships of mutual exchange and cooperation with local organizations and churches in order to promote conflict resolution and strengthen civil society.
   
   
   
   Main Objectives of this project:
   
   
   
   • Give people possibilities for further studies.
   
   
   • Raise awareness of Human Rights.
   
   


4. STARTING UP
   There will be two stages:
   
   The constructional stage:
   This stage includes completing the whole building requirements according to the drawing plans that have been designed by an architectural and engineering consultant office. As this is a costly stage that will demand a larger sum of funds we have decided that during the opening year the emphasis will be on the academic working stage.
   
   The Dominican Fathers will try to finance the building program in several phases from other donors throughout the years. (Not part of this project proposal!)
   
   The Working Stage:
   The Dominican Fathers want the college to develop on a step-to-step basis. Firstly they will depend on other global universities, as they have already received many positive responses from different important universities in USA, Europe, and Asia, who are happy to help academically by providing additional professors and skills.
   
   However, the Dominican Fathers predict that the need for foreign academic inputs will decrease in the future, as the college will start depending almost totally on its own professors and lecturers, who have received their post-graduate education outside Iraq. There are still more to come and when those post-graduates will be back in Iraq they will certainly enhance the level of education at the Popular University.
   


5. GENDER
   The university will encourage women to enter into further studies.
   


6. LOCAL CONTEXT/LOCAL FOUNDATION
   A management group will be established for the university. This group will make decisions on the running of the university, admittance and registration of students.
   
   The courses will be arranged according to academic need and contents by the professors in conjunction with the management group.
   
   The curriculum will be of international standard and content.
   
   The library will have a professional librarian, as will the internet facilities.
   
   The university will also employ a professional accountant and maintenance workers will also be employed.
   
   There will be cooperation with the Ministry for higher Education and the University of Baghdad, so that the curriculum will be recognized as valid for higher studies, giving the graduates recognized academic degrees.
   


7. IMPLEMENTATION/FINANCIAL ASPECTS/COORDINATION/SUPERVISION
   
   Implementation:
   The university will cater for an estimated 250 students initially.
   
   It is envisaged that the university will start working fully within a period of two years and have more than 400-500 students provided that funding will be available by other donors for the full building program.
   
   The engineering and architectural report refers to a multi stage project. The Popular University project can, however, be started this year with the existing buildings and then gradually complete the building projects as planned.
   
   The Dominican Fathers has already started organizing the staff and preparing for the new year of the new university.
   
   The consultant architectural and engineering office has also started submitting the drawing plans to get the necessary building licenses.
   
   Financial aspects:
   There will be no rent to pay, as the Dominican Fathers are the landlords.
   
   With all these factors and after building some essential building extensions the Dominican Fathers can have a partial start within a month.
   
   The university project is not a too complicated project, especially when some professors are ready to give their efforts almost free of charge at the beginning.
   
   The students can possibly afford to give a small payment that can partially fulfill the starting requirements.
   
   There are also some non-governmental and charity organizations who are happy to support the Dominican Fathers in the beginning.
   
   We are going to make a serious campaign to introduce our college and its humanitarian goals through the media and especially in the local newspapers.
   
   Co-ordination:
   The university management group will coordinate the project.
   
   
8. TIMEFRAME/PHASING OUT PLANS
   It must be made clear that the donor will only support the university for the first year. However, it will not be out of the question that further financial support can be given. All efforts must be made by the university to gain financial support elsewhere for the future or make itself sustainable by collecting fees or other ways of obtaining the necessary funds.
   

What Does Faith Do?

The following words were published in the weekly bulletin of my church in Sydney, Australia:

Some people think that if you have enough faith, life will be plain sailing for you.

This of course is not true. The fact that you can swim doesn't give you control over the sea. It doesn't prevent you from getting knocked about. In some way, faith doesn't shield us from the hard knocks of life or death.

What then does faith do?

It enables us to live in a topsy-turvey world without getting lost or giving in to despair. It gives us bearings.

Just us swimmers trust that if they don't panic and if they do a few simple things, then the power of the sea will uphold them. So, believers entrust their lives to a power greater than themselves, a power greater than us all.

That's very true.

Take Time To Think

Mother Teresa tells us in her book "Simple Path"of a sign on the wall of the children's home in Calcutta that reads:

Take time to think
Take time to pray
Take time to laugh

It is the source of power
It is the greatest power on Earth
It is the music of the soul

Take time to play
Take time to love and be loved
Take time to give

It is the secret perpetual youth
It is God's given privilage
It is too short a day to be selfish

Take time to read
Take time to be friendly
Take time to work

It is the fountain of wisdom
It is the road to happiness
It is the price of success
Take time to do charity
It is the key to heaven

Her words ring true in today's world.

---

Simple Path

Why Me?

I received the following story by e-mail. I'm not sure it really happened. Still, I like the message it sends us.

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:

"Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease?"

To this Arthur Ashe replied:

The world over --
5 crore (10 million) children start playing tennis,
50 lakh (100 thousand) learn to play tennis,
5 lakh learn professional tennis,
50,000 come to the circuit,
5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon,
4 to semi final,
2 to the finals,

When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?"
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD "Why me?"

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrow keeps you Human,
Failure Keeps you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But only God Keeps you Going.

Forgiveness Works The Miracle of Change

When Abraham Lincoln was asked why he did not destroy his enemies. He replied, "If I make my enemies my friends, do I not thereby destroy them?"

The art of forgiveness consists of having a humble spirit.

When you forgive, you change yourself and other people as well. You free yourself from the burden of bitterness, and you loose others from chains of guilt.

Forgiveness works in two ways: You must forgive in order to be forgiven. Those who cannot forgive, break down the bridge over which they themselves must pass, for everyone needs to be forgiven.

Forgiveness should start now. Putting it off only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness.

Life is short, time is fleeing. Today is a day to forgive.


-- Author Unknown