The Vatican, The Pope And YouTube

I have been following the release of the Vatican YouTube Channel for a week now. It's a project in progress. CBS News has some details:

It is certainly a case of the old being fused with the new, but will the Pope's partnership with Google be a match made in heaven?

That's a question Catholics are asking as organized religion continues to expand its reach onto the Internet.

The Vatican announced Saturday that its radio and television arms will be collaborating with the Internet search engine giant – which also owns video sharing site YouTube – to bring news of the pontiff, as well as video and text of his speeches to the World Wide Web.

The Roman-Catholic church provided scant details, but promised to release more information about the project on Friday at a media conference so big it has a title and a subtitle: "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship."

So, we must wait a few more days before we get more details about this exciting project.

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UPDATE January 23, 2009
Here's a link to the Vatican YouTube channel [Via MSNBC].

A Christmas Prayer

God of love and mercy,

in this season of Christmas we offer you our thanks and praise.

We want to spread the word of peace you give us through Jesus Christ.

May the birth of your Son overcome human suffering, calm our fears, and bring peace to our homes, our families and the world.

Amen,

Source: Sacred Heart League

The Joy of Christmas Cards

A woman walks into the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.

"What denomination?" asks the clerk.

"Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the woman. "Well, give me 50 Baptist and 50 Catholic and one Methodist."

Source: Comedy Central

Monks Gone Violent

When Jesus finished his journey on Earth, he probably didn't envision what happened today in Jerusalem:

Fighting erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Christ's crucifixion.

Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded kicks and punches at the shrine, said police.

Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to mark the annual Feast of the Cross.

Shocked pilgrims looked on as decorations and tapestries were toppled during Sunday's clash.

And what was this all about?:

The Greeks blamed the Armenians for not recognising their rights inside the holy site, while the Armenians said the Greeks had violated one of their traditional ceremonies.

It's very sad for this to happen at one of the holiest places of Christianity. It's worse to know monks started this brawl.

Prayer to Out Lady of Consolation

Dearest Mary, Mother of Consolation,

Be with me as I pray for the souls of those departed from this life.

Please, join your prayers with mine that our beloved deceased may behold Our Loving Father in heaven.

Please, guide them to the happiness you desire for all of your children.

Most kind and gentle Mother, who knew the loss of your husband and only Son,

Help me understand the passing of my loved ones as a new birth into a more complete life with Our Heavenly Father. And may this understanding one day lead me to peace and acceptance.

Amen.

Two Jesuit Priests Murdered In Moscow

Source: BBC News
Otto Messmer (left) and Victor Betancourt were murdered in Moscow.


We have some bad news from Russia:

The bodies of Otto Messmer, 47, leader of the Russian Jesuit order, and Ecuadorean priest Victor Betancourt, 42, were found on Tuesday night.

The door was found ajar and there were no signs of any theft from the flat in upmarket Petrovka Street.

Police said they had suffered severe head injuries and the bodies had lain undiscovered for at least a day.

The attack on Father Betancourt is believed to have happened at the end of last week as he did not turn up for mass as usual on Sunday, according to Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's chief press spokesman.

I didn't know there were any Catholics in Russia. I hope they find the murderers and bring them to justice.

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UPDATE NOVEMBER 8, 2008
CathNews reports the following development:

Russian police have detained a suspect in the killings of two Jesuit priests brutally murdered in Moscow last week.

Russia's Investigative Committee under the Prosecutor General's Office says the 38 year old Russian citizen was detained in the capital on Thursday, Associated Press reports.
[...]
The detainee's said he had killed one of the Jesuits because of "sudden dislike, while the second murder was committed in order to remove the witness, another Jesuit who happened to visit his colleague," the investigative committee told Tass.

The Exodus of Iraqi Christians From Mosul

During the last two weeks, there has been an alarming escalation in attacks against Iraqi Christians in Mosul. If you follow this blog, this news should come as no surprise to you. I've reported the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi Christian clergymen as it has happened in Mosul:

March 2008:
Chaldean Bishop Rahho Kidnapped Then Killed In Mosul.

October 2007:
The Kidnapping of Two Syriac Catholic Priests In Mosul.

June 2007:
The Murder of Fr. Ragheed and Three Deacons.

January 2005:
Iraqi Syriac Catholic Archbishop Is Released.

As more attacks took place against churches, clergymen and ordinary citizens, more Iraqi Christian families left the city.

But nothing compares to the last two weeks where at least 11 Iraqi Christians were killed in Mosul. This was followed by extremist campaigns to drive the small community out of the city.

There has been little reaction from the local and national government about these attacks -- not that the national government ever cared about what happens outside the borders of the Green Zone.

Everyone knows the remnants of extremists groups moved operations to Mosul. This also should come as no surprise. Each time the U.S. Army cleans a city of extremists, those groups move to another city.

According to different Iraqi Web sites, more than 500 families have fled the city so far. The CNN puts the number to 900. By the end of the week, there probably won't be any living Iraqi Christian families in Mosul.

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UPDATE I - October 13, 2008
Another Iraqi Christian has been killed in Mosul today as reported by AsiaNews:

Mosul’s Christian community experienced another attack yesterday. A store owner in this northern Iraqi city was targeted in what seems to be a strategy to drive out the entire community. Oarkis Alton, a records seller, was killed at work. His cousin was also wounded in the attack which took place despite an increased police presence around churches and in Christian neighbourhoods. A corollary of all this is the increasing attention paid by Arab media both within and without Iraq to the problem.

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UPDATE II - October 13, 2008
Ankawa Online reports the cousin has died today of his wounds.

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UPDATE III - October 25, 2008
Something to share with you. Courtesy of Ankawa Online.

رسالة من مواطن عراقي الى السيد المسيح

من أرض لم تعرف السلام أناديك يا ملك السلام.. من أرض
العراق أناديك.. قد قلت (أني آت سريعا') فتعال أيها المسيح..
أني أستعجلك المجيء.. أنا أعلم أنك ستأتي في يوم الدينونة ولكن أيها المسيح أنظر عراقنا.. أن الدينونة قد بدأت عندنا.. أن أبواب الجحيم قد فتحت علينا وليس من يسدها ويقينا نارها..

أيها المسيح لماذا ندان من الآن؟ هل سيدان العالم مرة وندان نحن العراقيين مرتين؟ هل أدين شعب على هذه الأرض مرتين؟
أيها المسيح أنك يوم رأيت الأعمى يصرخ اليك طالبا' الرحمة تحننت عليه ووضعت يديك المقدستين على عينيه وأعدت اليه نور عينيه وبصره وها أن حكامنا ورعاتنا وقادتنا قد أعمتهم أطماعهم وأحقادهم وحبهم للمناصب عن رؤية أنهار الدماء الزكية التي تجري كل يوم وأشلاء الأجساد البريئة المتناثرة على الأرصفة والشوارع مخلفة ورائها قلوب مثخنة بالحزن والأسى.. فتعال أيها المسيح وتحنن علينا وضع يديك المقدستين على عيونهم وأعد لهم بصرهم وبصيرتهم..

أيها المسيح أنك يوم رأيت أرملة نايين تمشي وراء نعش أبنها الوحيد تحننت عليها ولمست النعش وأحييت أبنها ودفعته الى حضنها.. فها نحن في كل زقاق لدينا أرملة تبكي أبنا' أو أبا' أو أخا' أو زوجا'، بل أن النعوش تكاد تصبح علامة فارقة ومميزة لشوارعنا.. فتعال أيها المسيح وتحنن على نسائنا وأراملنا وأرحمهن من هذا العذاب..

أيها المسيح أنك يوم رأيت المرأة الحدباء تنوء بحملها تحننت عليها ووضعت يديك الكريمتين عليها وقلت لها (أنت في حل من دائك) فعادت مستقيمة ومجدت الله.. فتعال أيها المسيح وأرفع عنا أحمالنا وأوجاعنا التي ثقلت على أجسادنا وأرواحنا ودعنا نمجد الله كما مجدته المرأة الحدباء..

أيها المسيح أنك يوم رأيت المجنون الذي سكنته الشياطين على شاطيء مدينة جراسا وهو يجرح نفسه بالحجارة ويتعذب وقفت أمامه بكل قوة وسلطان وأمرت الشياطين بتركه فولت هاربة مذعورة وشفيته في الحال.. فها أن شياطين الدنيا كلها قد سكنت في داخلنا فأصبحنا نجرح أنفسنا ونجلب العذاب لأرواحنا.. فتعال أيها المسيح بقوتك وسلطانك وأمر الشياطين الساكنة فينا بالرحيل وأنعم علينا بسلام العقل والروح..

أيها المسيح يوم أتتك الزانية الخاطئة وأرتمت على قدميك المقدستين معترفة بخطاياها وطالبة الغفران فأنك غفرت لها خطاياها وها أن أبنائنا وأخوتنا في السجون يعترفون كل يوم بآلاف الخطايا التي لم يرتكبوها ولكن ليس من يعطيهم الغفران وما زالوا في السجون وأنينهم يملأ السماء فتعال أيها المسيح وخلصهم..

أيها المسيح يوم أتتك نازفة الدم ولمست هدب ثيابك فقد شفيت في الحال وبرأت من دائها وها نحن نأتي اليك بنزيف دمائنا ودموعنا التي لا ينضب منذ سنين طالبين منك أن تلمسنا وتشفينا وتوقف هذا النزيف الذي يستنزف حياتنا وأرواحنا وأحلامنا..

أيها المسيح أنك وقفت على قبر صديقك لعازر الميت وأمرته بقوة وسلطان بالقيام وأعدت له حياته وبهذا قهرت الموت فتعال أيها المسيح بكل سلطانك وأقهر الموت الجاثم فوق مدننا ليلا' ونهارا' يسحق أرواحنا بلا رحمة أو شفقة..

أيها المسيح لقد شفيت المرضى.. جعلت العميان يبصرون والمشلولين يمشون والبرص يطهرون والموتى يقومون فتعال الينا أيها المسيح لأنه كما هو مكتوب الجسد مريض والنفس عليلة والقلب سقيم والروح من**ر.. ليس فينا صحة بل جرح وأحباط وضربة طرية.. تعال أيها المسيح أمنحنا سلامك.. أعد لنا حياتنا التي سرقت منا.. أمنحنا فرحك الذي لا يشبه فرح العالم.. أضىء ظلامنا بنورك البهي لكي ننشد مع ملائكة السماء: ((المجد لله في العلى وعلى العراق السلام وفي العراقيين المسرة))


Source: E-mail from an Iraqi friend

Gifts of Grace, The Book

Have you ever seen Mother Mary in a dream? Have you woken and not known if something was a dream or a visitation from Mother Mary? If the answer is yes, then this book is for you.

When I was less than six years old, Mother Mary came to me in a dream. In the dream, I walked from my aunt's home to ours. I also stopped by the bakery. Mother Mary and St. Joseph were sitting on the floor of the bakery. They had big warm smiles on their faces. They seated me between them. I felt loved and protected.

This was just a dream. Over the years, I've been through dangerous and hard situations and still survived them. I think both Mother Mary and St. Joseph always look after me.

A day or two before I accepted my new job in Dallas, I had another dream -- or possibly a visitation since it felt so real. In the dream, a small statue of Mother Mary sat on the bedside table and pointed in Mark's direction. Mother Mary looked as if she was trying to deliver a message to Mark.

Then, I felt her stand next to my bed. She covered me with a black garment. After a short time, sparkling diamonds and flowers appeared on the garment, which made me happy. I'm not sure what this means. I'm taking it as a sign of a hard journey followed by great success.

After reading the book, I had a better understanding of those two dreams. I'm blessed by Mother Mary.

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Gifts of Grace

Prayer to Saint Jude

O glorious Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,

The name of traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of.

Pray for me that I may receive the consolations and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings particularly (here make your request) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity.

Amen.

Source: St. Jude Shrine.

Peayer For The Departed

O loving Father and Savior,

send Your angels to carry the soul of Your servant from this earth to the heavenly place of eternal and everlasting life.

Let family and friends who have passed before in faith be reunited in joy with the departed.

Forgive any wrongs that have been committed and welcome this beloved spirit into the warm embrace of Your unending peace.

Amen.

Source: Maryknoll Brothers and Sisters

Words of Wisdom by St. Bernard

If you follow her guidance, you will not go astray.
If you pray to her, you will not give up hope.
If you think of her, you will not go wrong.
If she upholds you, you will not stumble.
If she protects you, you will not be afraid.
If she leads you, you will reach the goal.

-- St. Bernard

Source: Gifts of Grace

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Gifts of Grace

The Works of Mercy

Corporal Works:

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Visit those in prison.
Bury the dead.


Spiritual Works:

Instruct the ignorant.
Counsel the doubtful.
Admonish the sinner.
Comfort the sorrowful.
Forgive injuries.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Pray for the living and dead.


Source: September 2008 issue of St. Anthony Messenger.

Two Iraqi Christians Killed In Mosul

AsiaNews reports some sad news from Mosul:

Mosul (AsiaNews) - The Iraqi Christian community is again in the sights of Islamic fundamentalists in Mosul: today news came of the death of a 65-year-old doctor, Tariq Qattan, kidnapped recently by a terrorist group. AsiaNews sources say that his family had paid a ransom of 20,000 U.S. dollars. But it was not enough money to free Tariq Qattan, one of the many Christians kidnapped by fundamentalists for extortion.

Also in Mosul, two days ago - although the news has just been released today - another Christian, Nafi Haddad, was kidnapped and killed. It is not yet known whether or not a ransom was paid. Despite the small signs of improvement that seem to come from Iraq, the Christian community is still witnessing more violence: Mosul has long been the theater of a genuine slaughter, forcing more than two thirds of the faithful to flee elsewhere in search of safety.

This is reminder that the situation in Mosul hasn't improved much. It's business as usual for whomever is running the show in Mosul.

A Prayer For Healing

Our Lady, Counsoler of the afflicted,
please see me among the many who seek your love and comfort.

Please hear my prayers of healing and carry my needs to God.

As others have found solace in your embrace, please calm my fears and ease my pain.

Please, help me keep the strength of faith I need on my journey to renewed health.

Amen

Source: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Cancer Is Limited

It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the Resurrection.

Source: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Engineering In Hell

An engineer dies and reports to the pearly gates. St. Peter checks his dossier and says, "Ah, you're an engineer -- you're in the wrong place."

So, the engineer reports to the gates of hell and is let in. Pretty soon, the engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and starts designing and building improvements. After awhile, they've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is a pretty popular guy.

One day, God calls Satan up on the telephone and says with a sneer, "So, how's it going down there in hell?"

Satan replies, "Hey, things are going great. We've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this engineer is going to come up with next."

God replies, "What??? You've got an engineer? That's a mistake -- he should never have gotten down there; send him up here."

Satan says, "No way. I like having an engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him."

God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue."

Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah, right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?"

Source: Comedy Central

Oooolllllld Lawyer

A lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. To his dismay, there were thousands of people ahead of him in line to see St. Peter. To his surprise, St. Peter left his desk at the gate and came down the long line to where the lawyer was, and greeted him warmly.

Then St. Peter and one of his assistants took the lawyer by the hands and guided him up to the front of the line, and into a comfortable chair by his desk.

The lawyer said, "I don't mind all this attention, but what makes me so special?"

St. Peter replied, "Well, I've added up all the hours for which you billed your clients, and by my calculation you must be about 193 years old!"

Source: Comedy Central

World Youth Day 2008 And The Iraqi Youth

Next week, more than 125,000 international visitors will attend World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Unfortunately, the Iraqi Christians youth team has been denied the opportunity to meet with the youth from around the world.

BaghdadHope wrote on his blog:

On March 2007 Father Rayan P. Atto, parish priest of the Chaldean church of Mar Qardagh in Erbil, expressed a dream. Today, more than a year after, but less than two weeks before the start of the World Youth Day in Australia that dream has been broken.

Alternating sad and angry tones Father Rayan from Erbil explains to Baghdadhope the end of that hope: "Last week the Australian Embassy in Amman to which we referred to for the bureaucratic papers required for our attendance at the WYD told to Father Bashar Warda, our group leader, that the visas had been denied "

Why?

"Because of the fear that some of the participants of the Iraqi delegation would not return home seeking refuge in Australia"

Can you affirm that this fear is unfounded?
"Yes. I can affirm it. To be present at the World Youth Day in Sydney for young Iraqi Christians was not a system to leave their country. Most of the subscribers to the group come from north Iraq, a calm area. They have no reasons to flee and certainly would not have done it exploiting an opportunity linked to faith. We are not talking of a vacation, but of a sort of pilgrimage that would made those young people feel part of a community gathered to meet, exchange views, pray."

As an Australian citizen, I'm saddened by this news. In my opinion, this is bureaucracy in action. It's not that everything else is going well with the preparations for the WYD Sydney 2008. This simply puts icing on the cake.

16 Characteristics of Love

In the kingdom of God, love is (Corinthians 13:4-8):

1. Patient.
2. Kind.
3. Respectful of others.
4. Humble.
5. Open to others ot sensitive.
6. Courteous.
7. Helpful.
8. Understanding.
9. Forgiving.
10. Merciful or compassionate.
11. Truthful.
12. Ready to make allowances.
13. Ready to trust.
14. Optimistic.
15. Preserving or enduring.
16. Last forever or faithful.

Source:
St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church in Plano, TX.
Sunday June 8, 2008's homily.

Help Neven Pesa To Become A Priest

Neven Pesa is a young man who wants to follow in the footsteps of St. Peter and St. Paul. He simply wants to become a priest. He wrote in his email to me:

I recently got accepted to the Byzantine Catholic Order of Basilian Salvatorian Fathers in Massachussets - a semi-contemplative order of Catholics of the Eastern Rite. I belong to the Melkite Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary in Brooklyn.

I am supposed to start my Novitiate this September 2008, but I first need to pay off the large college student-loan debt I've incurred from attending Franciscan University of Steubenville for 4 years.

To remedy this - I just finished recording an original Catholic album to help raise money so that I become debt free in order that I may freely pursue my vocation, financially unhindered towards the priesthood.

He introduces us to his life via an article he published in The Catholic Exchange, where he wrote:

I'm a son of Croatian immigrants who first emigrated to Italy and subsequently to America in the 70's. Within two years of their marriage, my brother and I were both born.

My mother lovingly tells me that God willed very much that I come into this world because I came as a "happy surprise" to both my parents, having been conceived only 4 months after my older brother had been born.

My parents gave me the name of "Neven," which is a Christian name of some very early obscure saint, "Neven: meaning "everlasting" in Croatian. I was raised in a typical Catholic household and am happy to say that I enjoyed a particularly joyful childhood.

My Dad, whom I admire very much, had a noticeable handicap which was the result of an accident he had at the age of five. This left him with only one usable arm. His injured arm was permanently atrophied and was rendered almost useless. But this did not deter my father nor did he allow anyone to pity him. Although limited in his job options, he always seemed to find work. My mother was employed evenings as a cleaning lady at a Manhattan office building. This arrangement allowed for at least one of my parents to always be home with my brother and me.

The first peek into God's call on my life was when I was about 2 or 3 years old. My mother had walked in on me once in prayer, and saw me standing in front of a high table that had a number of Holy cards neatly arranged and splayed out. My mother took note of this occurrence and brings up the memory of it since it had obviously left a significant impression on her.

I promised Neven to publish his story and promote his music CD, which you can hear and buy by clicking on this link.

Please, spread the word to help Neven become a priest.

Prayer For Slowing Down

Loving God, you made the days and nights.
Sometimes it seems we never have enough time,
but you have given us all the time we need.

Help us to slow down
so that we may
see the smiles around us,
hear the music of laughter and words,
smell and taste the delicious food you give.

In noticing all these things,
we honor all that you have given us,
if we simply take the time,
which itself is a gift from you.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Source: My church bulletin

Prayer For Renewed Hope

Lord, renew our hope
when unexpected crises
throw us off the path,
When, like the disciples scattering to Emmaus,
we are discouraged and confused.

They had been hoping
that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel.
After his death, they could not see
the future they had expected.
They could not see him,
walking beside them, teaching them.

When we cannot see the path ahead,
shake use out of our expectations.
Help us to see that you are with us,
teaching us on the way,
breaking the bread that will sustain us.

Amen.

Source: My church bulletin

Fr. Yousif Adel Abodi Murdered In Baghdad

Source: Ankawa Online

Another day, another sorrow in Iraq. On Saturday, Syriac Orthodox priest, Fr. Yousif Adel Abodi, was murdered in front of his house in Baghdad. His murder comes a few weeks after the murder of Chaldean Bishop Rahho in Mosul.

Fr. Yousif was born in 1961. He earned a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and worked at the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation before he became a priest in 2001.

Zenit reports:

Speculation surrounding the murder links it to Father Adel's involvement in interreligious dialogue. The priest was the director of an integrated school attended by Christians and Muslims of both sexes.

AsiaNews reported that Father Adel had already been pressured to resign his position at the school by threats and intimidation.

The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano reported that Father Adel served the Church of St. Peter, whose parish priest, Father Doglas Youssef Al Bazi, was kidnapped in November 2006 and released nine days later.

Source: Ankawa Online

R.I.P. Fr. Yousif.

Chaldean Bishop Rahho Kidnapped Then Killed In Mosul

AP Photo / Courtesy of Rev. Amer Youkhanna

Chaldean Catholic archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho poses by St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Nov. 2007.


ORIGINAL POST - Feb 29, 2008
Ankawa Online reported Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Bishop of Musul was kidnapped this afternoon. Bishop Rahho was kidnapped when he left his home after attending Stations of The Cross at The Holy Spirit Chaldean Church in Mosul. His driver and two bodyguards were killed at the scene by unidentified kidnappers.

This is another setback to the dwindling Iraqi Christian community in Mosul. Last year, they lost Fr. Ragheed. They say, God doesn't give people more than they can take. I'm not sure how much more they can take. I'm yearning for peace in Iraq. But peace had turned its back on my native country a long time ago.

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UPDATE I - March 13, 2008
The terrorists who control the streets of Mosul didn't spare the life of Bishop Rahho. Their bloody spirit turned bloodier with the murder of Bishop Rahho.

Thanks to the American invasion, which turned Iraq into a nightmare. Another mission accomplished.

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UPDATE II - March 16, 2008
Below are reflections on the life and death of Bishop Rahho by Baghdad Hope:

Light a candle for Mgr. Faraj Paulus Rahho.
Touching remembrance of Mgr. Faraj Rahho.
Funeral mass in Karamles for Mgr. Faraj Paulus Rahho.
Karamles: another day of mourning.
Karamles: symbol of the fate of Iraqi Christians.
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."
Don't blow out the candles for Mgr. Rahho!
Death of Mgr. Rahho: tears and pain in Erbil.
Mgr. Faraj Pauls Rahho is dead!

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UPDATE III - March 16, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI addressed the Iraqi people during the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican {Via Zenit):

At the end of this solemn celebration in which we have meditated on Christ's Passion, I would like to recall the late Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, who tragically died a few days ago. His beautiful witness of fidelity to Christ, to the Church and his people, whom he did not want to abandon despite numerous threats, moves me to cry out forcefully and with distress:

Enough with the bloodshed, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in Iraq! And at the same time I make an appeal to the Iraqi people, who for five years have endured the consequences of a war that has provoked upheaval in its civil and social life:

Beloved Iraqi people, lift up your heads and let it be you yourselves who, in the first place, rebuild your national life! May reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and respect for the civil coexistence of tribes, ethnic groups and religious groups be the solidary way to peace in the name of God!

Psalm 23 (for work)

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that he is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.

His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!

When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I WILL BLESS HIS HOLY NAME.

Prayer For a Meeting With Christ

Loving God,
let me meet you today
as the Samarian woman met you at the well.
Surprise me in the middle of my work day.
Ask me for water, food -- any sort of help.
Talk to me, lead me to a new truth.

Keep me alert so that I can recognize you,
listen, question and drink your living water.
Let me hear your voice today,
that voice with which you speak to me every day,
the one I keep missing.

Press me to make time for silence
so that I won't miss you this time.
Show yourself in the people and events of the day,
and give my heart wisdom,
so that I can act wisely and bring good.
I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: My church's bulletin

Prayer For The Lenten Journey

God our Father,

you sent your Spirit to lead your Son Jesus into the desert to be tempted.

Be with us as we begin our journey through Lent.

Help us to see more clearly how we need to change so that we can resist temptation and grow in understanding.

Be with us as we plan our Lenten practices, and give us the resolve to carry them out.

Stir our desire to help the needy.

Help us discover ways to share what we have.

Speak to our hearts as well as our minds, and teach us to pray more sincerely and deeply.

We ask this through our model and teacher, Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Source: My church's bulletin

Prayer For Emmanuel's Peace

Give us peace, dear Lord,
the calm understanding that you are Emmanuel.
That you are with us.
You sent your Son to be the Prince of Peace.

Be Emmanuel in the heart of each one of your children in this world.

Be Emmanuel in our families who may be separated by distance or disagreements.

Be Emmanuel in our nation and Emmanuel in all the nations of the world, so that all may grow and manifest your love.

Be Emmanuel in the hearts of those who mourn, that they may experience what you promise during this blessed season.

Give us your peace, Emmanuel and good will toward all.

Amen.

-- Source: My church's bulletin.

Bless Us, O Lord

Bless the mothers and fathers of this world, who like Mary and Joseph, care for their children with love and do all they can to keep their children safe.

Bless the children of the world who give us hope in the future we try to create.

Bless all who have no family to support, nurture and love them.

Bless those who reach out to create bonds to unite us with each other.

Bless those who feel alone and give them comfort and solace.

Bless those who see all humans as belonging to one human family.

Bless us, O Lord.

Amen

-- Source: My church bulletin

Epiphany of The Lord In Iraq

Bless our house, dear Lord.
Bless every person who lives here.
Bless every person who enters our door.

Help us to welcome each one as though we were welcoming you.

We recall how the Holy Family received the three kings that day so long ago.

You example shows us that all are welcome in your heart and all are to be welcomed to our households.

Help us to make our home a place of peace.
Remind us that it is to be a center of joy.

Show us how to make it a home where love of God and love of others is lived each day.

Help us to be like Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Amen.

-- Source: My local church's bulletin.


On Sunday, I attended the Epiphany of the Lord mass at my local church in Beaumont, Texas. After mass, the parishioners were invited to a pancake breakfast at the church hall. All went peaceful and quiet.

In Baghdad and Mosul on Sunday, the Iraqi Christians' Epiphany of the Lord had a different color. The insurgents, who want to tear Iraq apart, paid their respect to Jesus with coordinated bombings of churches in Baghdad and Mosul. Fortunately, there were only four injuries.

The next day, parishioners attended mass at St. Paul's church in Mosul, which was the target of the previous day's attacks. The parishioners prayed for their trespassers and for peace in Iraq. That's the spirit of the Epiphany of the Lord as Iraqi Christians know it.

Mother Teresa:In The Shadow of Our Lady

Mother Teresa never fails to inspire me. Every time I read a book dedicated to her, I learn something new about my favorite saint. Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady is no exception.

I need to to make a confession. I got very busy with work. I had a limited time to read any books. I chose to read this book because it's short. It's less than 100 pages.

Things happen for a reason. This book is very different than the other books that focus on Mother Teresa's journey with Jesus. In this book, the author focuses on her journey with Mother Mary.

I never thought of the relationship between Mother Mary and Mother Teresa before reading this book. The book shows how the two saints lives intersected in many ways even though they lived in different times.

Now that I have read the book, I can draw parallels between the two saints. For that, I'm so glad I chose this book to read between my busy work and family commitments.

---

Mother Teresa:
In the Shadow of Our Lady

Count God's Blessings

The following words are from an email a friend sent me recently:

أراد رجل أن يبيع بيته لينتقل إلى بيت أفضل
فذهب إلي احد أصدقائه وهو رجل أعمال وخبير في أعمال التسويق...
وطلب منه أن يساعده في كتابه إعلان لبيع البيت وكان الخبير يعرف البيت جيداً فكتب وصفاً مفصلاً له أشاد فيه بالموقع الجميل
والمساحة الكبيرة ووصف التصميم الهندسي الرائع ثم تحدث عن الحديقة وحمام السباحة.....الخ....
وقرأ كلمات الإعلان علي صاحب المنزل الذي أصغى إليه في اهتمام شديد وقال..."أرجوك أعد قراءه الإعلان"....
وحين أعاد الكاتب القراءة صاح الرجل يا له من بيت رائع ..لقد ظللت طول عمري أحلم باقتناء مثل هذا البيت ولم أكن أعلم
إنني أعيش فيه إلي أن سمعتك تصفه ثم أبتسم قائلاً من فضلك
لا تنشر الإعلان فبيتي غير معروض للبيع!!!

هناك مقولة قديمه تقول..أحصي البركات التي أعطاها الله لك واكتبها واحدة واحدة وستجد نفسك أكثر سعادة مما قبل...
إننا ننسى أن نشكر الله لأننا لا نتأمل في البركات ولا نحسب ما لدينا...
ولأننا نرى المتاعب فنتذمر ولا نرى البركات. قال أحدهم: إننا نشكو لأن الله جعل تحت الورود أشواك...
وكان الأجدر بنا أن نشكره لأنه جعل فوق الشوك وردا...!!
ً ويقول آخر: تألمت كثيراً عندما وجدت نفسي حافي القدمين ...ولكنني شكرت الله أكثر حينما وجدت آخر ليس له قدمين...!!!

The Shepherds' Prayer, The Audio Book

I've been very busy at work lately. So, I decided to try an audio book. I can listen to the audio on my way to and from work. It worked well, and I enjoyed the experience.

Dec. 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. According to St. Matthew:

Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

"The Shepherds Prayer" looks at the birth of Jesus from the prospective of the people who witnessed the murder of the innocent children of Bethlehem. The book also sheds light on the faith of the shepherds who followed the star to the manger where Jesus was born.

Both aspects make it a good read for anyone who wants to deeply explore the birth of baby Jesus.

---

The Shepherd's Prayer
Audio Book

"Noel," Josh Groban's Christmas CD

Being a big fan of Josh Groban, I couldn't resist buying his Christmas music CD. He released it in October 2007.

I'm not into Christmas music. But, Josh's majestic voice can't be resisted. I've been listening to "Noel" since I bought it last month. The more I listen to the songs on the CD, the better they get. It's the best pre-Christmas gift I've bought for myself this year.

---

Josh Groban: Noel

No Christmas in Basra

Source: Ankawa Online
Basrawi Christians and Muslims attend the funeral of Maysoon, 42, and Osama, 45, Fareed At Mar Afram Chaldean Church in Basra, Iraq. The two siblings were killed by members of the Shia Militias on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.


By Queen Amidala
Basra, Iraq

Dear all,

With great sorrow, I bring sad news. The militias struck again. This time, they killed a brother and sister. The militias kidnapped them, killed them and then dumped their bodies away from their residence.

If it wasn't for the people who witnessed the murder and then collected the corpses, the dogs might have feasted on their bodies.

The victims names are Mayson and Osmam Fareed. They lived in our neighborhood and attended our church.

Neither one had any connections to the Brits. Mayson worked at a local clinic. Osama was a maintenance worker. They lived in a rented house owned by a Sunni family, who fled Basra. The militias wanted to evict them from the house. The siblings refused to submit to the militias' harrasment. People say the Shia militias wanted the house for a Shia family that was displaced from another part of the country.

The murder of Mayson and Osama hit the Basrawi Christian community very hard. Fr. Emmad, who collected their bodies and presided over the funeral, asked us to cancel any Christmas celebrations this year. In light of Mayson and Osama's death, we all agreed.

There is more disturbing news. Female university students who don't cover their heads are being threatened by students, who are members of the Shia militias.

My family, including myself, decided to flee the country as soon as possible. There's no safe place in Basra anymore.

Pray for us. I know you always do.

Regards,

Queen Amidala
Basra, Iraq

---

Related Links:

إلغاء احتفالات الميلاد في البصرة بعد خطف شابين مسيحيين وتصفيتهما
استشهاد شقيقين من أبناء الطائفة المسيحة في البصرة
مسيحين في البصرة يلاحقون من قبل المليشيات

Iraqi Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly

Source: Ankawa Online

When Pope Benedict XVI elevated Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly to the rank of a cardinal, I knew the Pope was highlighting the plight of the Iraqi Christian community. The Associated Press reports what I already knew:

Among them was Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly, 80, who received special mention in Benedict's homily.

"By calling the patriarch of the Chaldean Church to enter into the College of Cardinals, I wanted to express in a concrete way my spiritual closeness and my affection" to Iraq's Christians, Benedict said to applause.

"Our brothers and sisters in faith are experiencing in the flesh the dramatic consequences of an ongoing conflict and are living in an extremely fragile and delicate political situation," he said, adding that he was praying for peace and reconciliation in the country.
[...]
Delly had unusual vestments as well, because he is a patriarch from an Eastern rite church. Rather than wearing the red cassock with white lace or linen surplice that the other cardinals donned, Delly wore all crimson. He also received a round, black-trimmed red hat rather than the three-pointed red "biretta" that each of the other new cardinals were given.

Delly was mentioned by name in an introductory address to the pontiff by the highest-ranking new cardinal, Leonardo Sandri, who said he was carrying out his service "among tears and blood and the painful exodus of so many Christians from the land left by Abraham, our common father in faith and hope."

Cardinal Delly is the ultimate example of humbleness, faith and love of his country. It was evinced by him receiving the loudest applauds when he walked to received his biretta from the Pope. Thanks to the many Iraqis who traveled to Rome to attend the ceremony:

Among the thousands of pilgrims crammed inside the basilica were hundreds of Chaldean Catholics from Iraq, Syria, Jordan, the United States and Europe. Pilgrims who did not get inside the standing-room-only ceremony in the basilica watched in St. Peter's Square. One large group waved two immense Iraqi flags, devoid of Arabic script, cheering and ululating loudly when the pope announced their patriarch's name.
[...]
He [Cardinal Delly] said Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Kurds, Christians and other religious and ethnic representatives were in attendance to pay witness to the Iraqi government's desire "that we are still in a united Iraq and that I will continue to serve (my country) with all my strength to the last drop of my blood."

Congratulations to Iraq and Iraqis. Let's hope this elevation brings us closer to each other.

Amazing Grace, The Movie

This morning, I decided to stay home and watch the movie "Amazing Grace" on DVD. I couldn't have chosen a more inspiring movie to start my day.

I always liked the hymn "Amazing Grace". But, I never knew the story behind the popular hymn:

Amazing Grace (How sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snare,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be for ever mine.

Lyrics by John Newton

The movie focuses on the efforts of William Wilberforce to abolish the slavery trade in the British Empire during the slavery era.

William was part of a small group of courageous men and women who were vocal in their efforts to end the slavery trade. As you can imagine, nothing comes easy when trying to bring social change and justice.

I won't reveal the details in my review. I hope you watch the movie to understand that justice and change comes slowly even in the 21st century.

---

Amazing Grace

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.

---

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 ***

---

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.

---

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.

The Iraqi Christians of Falluja

My fellow Iraqi blogger Dr. Najeeb Hanoudi recently wrote an article about his Iraqi Christian friends from Falluja. Did you raise an eyebrow? I bet you did since most non-Iraqis are clueless about the fabric of the Iraqi society.

Dr. Hanoudi mentioned in his article that there were three Iraqi Christian families who lived in Falluja before 2004. One family were his friends, the Tomas family. My dear Dr. Hanoudi is unaware I'm related to one of the other two Iraqi Christian families who lived in Falluja for many years.

My first cousin and her family lived in Falluja since the 80s. My cousin's husband, an eye specialist, was a doctor at Falluja's hospital. He also had his own private clinic, which was well known in the city. Like the Tomas family, he was very well respected by the locals.

My cousin and her family fled Falluja in 2004 when all hell broke in the city. They finally moved to Australia two years ago. Like many doctors who immigrate to Australia, he needs to pass many exams and requirements before he can practice his profession. He's in his late 50s. He should be ready to retire and enjoy life with his wife. As it is, he has to rebuild his life from scratch.

The biggest losers of the war in Iraq are the most educated Iraqis.

The Luxury Life of Fr. Michael Jude Fay

*** Scroll down for updates ***

---

ORIGINAL POST: July 29, 2006
As many other priests work hard at their parishes, there are some who stain the title of a "priest" with their bad behavior. Sadly, the latter are the ones who make the news. The latest is Fr. Michael Jude Fay from Connecticut. The Associated Press reports:

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. Jul 28, 2006 (AP)- A priest who resigned from a church in an affluent Connecticut community misspent up to $1.4 million in parishioner donations to lead a life of luxury with another man, according to a church-directed investigation.

The Rev. Michael Jude Fay spent church money on limousines, stays at top hotels, jewelry, Italian clothing and a Florida condominium shared with the other man, auditors hired by the diocese found. About half the money he spent was kept in a secret bank account, according to their report, which was mailed Friday to 1,700 parishioners of the Darien church and obtained in advance by The Associated Press.
[...]
The report describes a parish finance council that did not meet regularly in recent years, largely because of Fay's health and absences from the parish. Fay was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and frequently cited his health when asked about church finances, the report states.

Read more...

He had cancer!!! I'm not surprised with the bad karma. The report lists more spending by Fr. Fay:

Fay shopped at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, drove a Jaguar, attended a sports club, bought jewelry from Cartier, spent $130,000 for limo rides for himself and his mother and stayed at hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Hotel De Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel, the auditors found. He spent tens of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and meals and more than $20,000 to mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination, according to the report.

None of the priests I know drives a Jaquar. The Jaquar should have made the parishioners question his financial habits.

---

UPDATE I - Sept. 14, 2007
Well, it looks like Fr. Michael Jude Fay came to his senses on Wednesday. The New York Times reports:

NEW HAVEN, Sept. 12 — The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, a Roman Catholic priest with a taste for high living, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal charges of defrauding his parishioners of nearly $1 million from 1999 to 2006, when he was forced to resign.
[...]
Now living in Florida in an ocean-view condominium he bought using church funds, Father Fay has been formally relieved of his ability to perform priestly duties. He remains a priest, according to Joseph McAleer, a spokesman for the Bridgeport Diocese, but court officials referred to him repeatedly as “Mr. Fay.”.

Surprisingly, Fr. Fay has admirers too. A Dave L. sent me the following e-mail on Aug. 28, 2007:

Yes. What Fr. Jude did was wrong. But did you ever hear what he did right? Did you ever attend one of his sermons and hear him speak? Did you ever feel the Spirit of Christ standing at the pulpit and speaking to the congregation? While it is correct to point out the wrongs of others - especially egregious wrongs - remember: everyone has "rights" that stand sometimes anonymously on their own.

Sure, even Hollywood script writers can write homilies that make you feel the Spirit of Christ. Parishioners expect more than words from their pastors. They expect good actions to follow in their daily lives.

Don't ever put all priests in one basket. There's a major difference between the luxury life of Fr. Fay and the sacrifices of priests like the late Fr. Ragheed Ganni.

---

UPDATE II: August 24, 2009
The Darian Timesreports the death of Fr. Fay:

The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, the longtime pastor who stole more than $1 million from Darien's oldest Catholic parish, died Saturday in a Butner, N.C., federal prison.

Father Fay, 58, was suffering from prostate cancer. He was 10 months into a 37-month sentence for the theft.

The Diocese of Bridgeport confirmed the death with The Darien Times, which was first to report the news Saturday. No other details were released by the diocese.

The West Bank Oktoberfest

Source: BBC News

Taybeh beer comes in a variety of different guises, from Dark to Gold, with a green-labelled non-alcoholic version in development.


The media is blamed for mostly reporting the bad news. So, when the media reports pleasant news for a change, especially from the Middle East, I have to give them credit. The BBC News reports:

Probably one of the things one least expects to come across on a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank is a high-spirited beer festival in full swing.

But that is exactly what visitors to the small Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh were treated to at the weekend.
[...]
One of the curiosities of the original Bavarian version is that it starts in September - something to do with timing of the brewing process.

This year, Taybeh's Oktoberfest also took place in September - although Mr Khoury [The brewey's owner] says he brought it forward out of respect for his Muslim neighbours, who begin their holy month of Ramadan this week.

I don't drink much beer. But, this festival sounds like fun.

When we lived in Dallas, we never missed The Grapefest. The pictures from the West Bank Oktoberfest reminded me of the good old days in Dallas when we attended the wine festival. Those were irreplaceable days and I miss them.

Spelling To Get Into Heaven

A woman arrived at the Gates of Heaven. While she was waiting for Saint Peter to greet her, she peeked through the gates.

She saw a beautiful banquet table Sitting all around were her parents and all the other people she had loved and who had died before her. They saw her and began calling greetings to her "Hello, how are you? We've been waiting for you! Good to see you."

When Saint Peter came by, the woman said to him, "This is such a wonderful place! How do I get in?" "You have to spell a word," Saint Peter told her.

"Which word?" the woman asked.

"Love."

The woman correctly spelled "Love" and Saint Peter welcomed her into Heaven.

About a year later, Saint Peter came to the woman and asked her to watch the Gates of Heaven for him that day.

While the woman was guarding the Gates of Heaven, her husband arrived. "I'm surprised to see you," the woman said. "How have you been?"

"Oh, I've been doing pretty well since you died," her husband told her. "I married the beautiful young nurse who took care of you while you were ill. And then I won the multi-state lottery. I sold the little house you and I lived in and bought a huge mansion. And my wife and I traveled all around the world. We were on vacation in Cancun and I went water skiing today. I fell and hit my head, and here I am. What a bummer! How do I get in?"

"You have to spell a word," the woman told him.

"Which word?" her husband asked.

" Czechoslovakia ."

Moral of the story:
Never make a woman angry... There will be Hell to pay later!

Written by Unknown Author

Prayer To Saint Joseph

God our father and Creator,

You bestow on us gifts and talents to develop and use in accord with Your will.

Grant to me, through the intercession of St. Joseph the worker, as model and guide, employment and work, that I may, with dignity, provide for those who depend on me for care and support.

Grant me the opportunities to use my energy and my talents and abilities for the good of all, and the glory of Your name.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Daily Prayers by Priests of the Sacred Heart

The Catholic Eco-Confession

Source: EDP24


I hadn't been to confession in a long time. I'm not sure why. Probably because I keep repeating the same faults over and over again. So, reading about the eco-confession caught my attention. The U.K. EDP24 reports:

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned… I have not recycled my tin cans and I have booked a holiday to Australia.

It may not be a typical confession, but it is exactly what you will hear next weekend when people line up to admit their green sins. The eco-confessions will be a new attraction at the Waveney Greenpeace fair, which will be attended by thousands of people.

And on hand will be none other than a Catholic priest, Fr Anthony Sutch, to hear confessions...

Fr Anthony joked: “I don't know what the bishop will say!”

When I lived in Australia, my neighbors and I took the recycling of cans, bottles and paper very seriously. Neither Dallas nor Beaumont are big on recycling. I feel guilty because I drink many bottles of water and Diet Coke. I hope my next neighborhood or city of residence is an eco-friendly place.

A Prayer For Healing and Hope

Almighty God, we give You thanks,
for You are the Creator
of all life and goodness.

We praise You for the world
You have made for us
to build up and enjoy.

Loving God, help us to be
faithful heralds of Healing and Hope.

Grant us the awareness of the healing
needs of those around us
and the compassion to respond
willingly to those needs.

We ask this through Christ,
our Healer and Source of all Hope.

Amen.

Source: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Little Girl and The Wrinkles

A little girl is sitting on her grandpa's lap and studying the wrinkles on his old face. She gets up the nerve to rub her fingers over the wrinkles. Then she touches her own face and looks more puzzled.

Finally the little girl asks, "Grandpa, did God make you?"

"He sure did honey, a long time ago," replies her grandpa.

"Well, did God make me?" asks the little girl.

"Yes, He did, and that wasn't too long ago," answers her grandpa.

"Boy," says the little girl, "He's sure doing a lot better job these days, isn't He?"

Source: Comedy Central

The Pope And The Iraqi Soccer Team

This week, the Iraqis partied, danced and laughed joyfully after their team won The Asian Soccer Cup. This rejoice caught the Pope's attention. AsiaNews reports:

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – “Just as so many times I have cried with the Iraqi people, on this occasion I rejoiced with them”: the Iraqi football team’s victory in the Asian Cup was unusually evoked today by Benedict XVI before he turned his attention once again to expressing his closeness to the war wracked nation. The Pope’s congratulations for a football event came at the end of his general audience, when Benedict XVI spoke of “the popular explosion of joy” across the country “in the face of this historic success for Iraq, for the first time football champions of Asia”. It was an “enthusiasm that spilled over onto Iraq's streets”, and “This experience of joyful sharing reveals the desire of a people to have a normal and serene life”. “It is my hope that this event, with everyone's support, may contribute to a future in Iraq of real peace in liberty and mutual respect. Congratulations!”

It feels good to know the Pope thinks of the Iraqi people, their suffering and moments of joy. It also helps that the German people are into soccer :-)

Saving Issa's Life

Issa before and after the start of his chemo treatment.


Ankawa Online brought the ordeal of Issa Adil to my attention, a 16-month-old Iraqi Christian baby from Al-Dora district in Baghdad.

As if life isn't hard enough for an Iraqi Christian living in Al-Dora, Issa's family must deal with young Issa being diagnosed with cancer.

I'm simply tired. Before publishing Issa's story, I told myself it's selfish to write about one sick baby when other millions are suffering too. But, the Star Thrower story reminds me that we need to at least try to help.

Click on the medical reports below to assess Issa's medical condition. Your help and suggestions are welcome. A prayer would help too.

Medical report - Section 1

Medical report - Section 2

Medical report - Section 3

Medical report - Section 4

Medical report - Section 5

Medical report - Section 6

Medical report - Section 7

Medical report - Section 8

Medical report - Section 9

Medical report - Section 10

Medical report - Section 11

The family is doing well financially. The issue is with his chemo treatment in Baghdad, where it's hard to travel to the hospital and the unavailability of the chemo shots at times. He'd be in a much better shape if an overseas hospital is willing to treat him before it's too late.

Priceless Pictures of The Iraqi Christians' History

Thank you so much to Iraqi Mojo, who shared these pictures with us. The complete collection can be found on Mideast Image Web site.

Read the cutlines to understand the diversity of the Iraqi Christian community. I now understand the meaning of the word "Priceless." These pictures are definitely priceless.



Source: Mideast Image

Photograph of the Celebration of the Christian Catholic feast of Corpus Christi in Baghdad in the 1920's. The Patriarch, Bishops, and Priests of the Chaldeans (the most numerous of Iraq's Catholics), the Syrian (Syriac) Catholic and Armenian Catholic Bishops are seen with their priests, deacons and students marching through the streets of Baghdad close to the old Christian Quarter of Aqd al-Nasara.



Source: Mideast Image

Post-card of celebration at the Syriac Orthodox Monastery in the Iraqi northern city of Mosul. The Syriac Christians ,known locally as Syriaan , belong to the Monophysite branch of Christianity,as do the Armenians and the Copts of Egypt ant Ethiopia.Their liturgy is Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, and their Patriarch resides now in Damascus. The seat of the Patriarch was at the Yellow, or Safron Monastery , known as Qasr al Za'faran,located few miles east of the ancient city of Madin,now in south-east Turkey and few miles north of the Syrian border.After centuries the Patriarch was forced to leave in the 1920's.Some Syriacs have acknowledged the Pope in Rome and became known as the Uniate [in union with Rome ]or Syrian Catholics.



Source: Mideast Image

Photograph, ca. 1905 of young students attending a school run by a Protestant mission, in the northern city of Mosul, in Iraq,during the Ottoman period. "There are few parts of the world so baffling to the ethnographic map-makers as the district which was once known as the Vilayet of Mosul.Not only do there dwell within its limits multitudinous sects,as little known, in many cases, as they are ancient; it is rare to find, as one ranges the great Mosul plain,two consecutive villages peopled by the same race ,speaking the same tongue,worshiping the same god ". Mosul and its minorities,Harry C. Luke,1924.



Source: Mideast Image

Some Armenian women and children who had escaped from the general massacre of their compatriots, took refuge in the British lines. The official efforts were admirably backed up by the local Armenian community, headed by Mr. M.H. Kouymdjian of Baghdad, and Mr. Dervichyan, O.B.E. ,Honorary Belgian Consul at Basra ". SIR ARNOLD WILSON, MESOPOTAMIA, A CLASH OF LOYALTIES 1917.



Source: Mideast Image

Baghdad's Jesuits House of Wisdom in the 1950.



Source: Mideast Image

Photograph by Bezaz Photo of the Latin Church in Baghdad. " The Catholic Church, the Latin Rite,better known as the Latin Chapel, was built in 1866 to replace a smaller one which has existed from 1721. It is a massive building with a large dome which can be seen from the roofs in any quarter of the city. The bell of the church rings daily at noon and at sunset. Permission to do this was granted about fifty years ago, previous to which time Christians were not allowed to employ bells." BAGHDAD THE CITY OF THE CALIPHS, Y.M.C.A 1918

A Piece of Cake

Sometimes we ask ourselves: What did I do to deserve this?
Why does God let these things happen to me?
Here is the explanation…

A daughter tells her mother how everything is going wrong for her. She probably failed her Math exam or her boyfriend just dumped her for her best friend.

In times so sad, a good mother knows just the thing to cheer up her daughter. ’I’ll make a delicious cake.’ In that moment the mother hugged her daughter and walked her to the kitchen, while her daughter attempts to smile.

While the mother prepared the utensils and ingredients, her daughter sat across from her at the counter. Her mother asks, ‘sweetheart, would you like a piece of cake?’

Her daughter replies, ‘sure, mom, you know I love cakes.’

‘alright’ the mother said, ‘drink some of this cooking oil.’

Shocked, the daughter responded, ‘what?!? No way!!’

‘How about a couple of raw eggs?’ To this the daughter responded, ‘Are you kidding?’

‘How about a little flour?’

‘No, mom. I’ll be sick!’

The mother responded, ‘All of these things are uncooked and taste bad. But if you put them together, they make a delicious cake!’

God works in the same way. When we ask ourselves why does he make us go through these difficult times, we don’t realize what or where these events may bring us. Only He knows and he will not let us fail. We don’t need to settle for the raw ingredients, trust in Him and see something fantastic come about!!

God loves us so much He sends us flowers every spring.

He makes the sun rise every morning.

And anything you need to talk, he is there to listen!

He can live anywhere in the universe. But He chooses to live in your heart.

Happy Moments
Praise God.

Difficult Moments
Seek God.

Quiet Moments
Worship God.

Painful Moments
Trust God.

Every Moment
Thank God.

-- Unknown Author

Thank You Pope Benedict XVI

I always liked The Pope. But my respect and admiration to him has increased lately. Why? Because The Pope is not afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the plight of the Iraqi Christians. Since he has gone public with his concerns, the mainstream media -- for a change -- started to pay attention to this subject.

Yesterday, The Pope met with the patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East to discuss the current situation of the Iraqi Christians. Here's some of the Pope's concerns as reported by the media:

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday he was greatly concerned about the fate of Christians in Iraq, returning to a theme he discussed with President Bush earlier this month.

The pope also denounced the slaying of a Catholic priest in Iraq as a "barbaric killing," and lamented the overall escalating violence in the Middle East for the second time in a week.

"Particularly in Iraq, the homeland of so many of the Assyrian faithful, Christian families and communities are feeling increasing pressure from insecurity, aggression and a sense of abandonment," Benedict said during an audience with the patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.
[...]
"Many of them see no other possibility than to leave the country and to seek a new future abroad," the pontiff said. "These difficulties are a source of great concern to me, and I wish to express my solidarity with the pastors and the faithful of the Christian communities who remain there, often at the price of heroic sacrifices."

The Pope extends his concerns to the plight of all Christians in the Middle East:

Speaking of the Middle East on Thursday, Benedict expressed "pain and concern over the delicate situation" in the region, and said the Holy Land, Iraq and Lebanon were very much present in the church's prayers and action.

"The long-sought and long-awaited peace unfortunately is still largely offended," by violence, the pontiff said. Violence "often degenerates into war, whether or not declared, and ends up becoming a pressing international problem, as is today," he said.

"I knock on the heart of those who have specific responsibilities to ask that they adhere to the important duty of guaranteeing peace to everybody indistinctly, setting it free from the fatal disease of religious, cultural, historic or geographic discrimination."

In a pilgrimage Sunday in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, Benedict made one of his strongest appeals for an end to the "horrors" of fighting and terrorism in Iraq and the Middle East, and decried "the illusion" that force could resolve conflicts.

Thank you Pope Benedict for your concerns. It means so much for me and the other Iraqi and Middle Eastern Christians.

The Vatican's "Ten Commandments" For Drivers

Today, The Vatican issued a "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" document. In case you missed it, here's the list:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

Sounds good to me :-)

The Kidnapping of Fr. Hani Abdel Ahad

For the last week, I've been busy covering the details of Fr. Ragheed Ghanni's murder in Mosul, Iraq. Three days later, Fr. Hani Abdel Ahad was kidnapped in Baghdad. AsiaNews reports:

Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Another Chaldean priest was abducted in Baghdad today. Fr Hani Abdel Ahad, in his early 30s, was taken in a north-eastern section of the capital called Suleikh along with five boys who were going with him to visit the city’s minor seminar.

The incident has plunged the Christian community in a state of gloom. Some faithful have reacted to terrible news saying that they have “the impression that they are all alone, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he felt abandoned by the Father.”

A day later, four of the kidnapped boys were released. AsiaNews reports:

Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Four of five Christian boys abducted yesterday with Chaldean priest Fr Hani Abdel Ahad were released today in good physical conditions. Sources told AsiaNews that the 33-year-old priest and the fifth boy are still in the hands of the kidnappers. All six were on their way to the minor seminar in Suleikh, in one of the capital’s north-eastern neighbourhoods.

It appears that the kidnappers are common criminals interested in money. Immediately after they took the priest and the five boys they sent a ransom note to Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly.

I'll keep you updated with the latest developments. Please, pray for the safe return of Fr. Hani and the fifth kidnapped boy.

---

UPDATE I - June 17, 2007
Ankawa Online reports the release of Fr. Hani Abdel Ahad. Thanks God for his safe return.

Happy Father's Day to all the hardworking priests around the world.