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THE CHRISTIAN CROSS IN ITS MULTIPLE FORMS
FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK:
ST. PETER CHALDEAN CATHEDRAL EL CAJON, CA
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ST. MICHAEL CHALDEAN CHURCH EL CAJON, CA
Parish Notes: ˇ Sep 30, 2006: First day of Catechism Classes.
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ST. PAUL ASSYRIAN CHALDEAN CHURCH NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA • There were 2 baptisms: ( Mariam Maroki / and Luis Suliaman ). God bless them both.
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ST. ABRAHAM CHALDEAN CHURCH SCOTTSDALE, AZ • There were 2 baptisms: ( Jude, Jacob Khoshaba / and Zakai, Nathaniel Hebron ). God bless them both. • There was 1 death: Adwar Paul. May he rest in peace.
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Chaldean Community Person of the Year Awards
The Community Relations Committee of the Diocesan Advisory Council is pleased to announce the Chaldean Person of the Year award program. The award recognizes outstanding and talented people from our community who have outstanding achievements in the following areas (one award per area):
Applicants must submit a résumé and supporting documents to: Chaldean Community Person of the Year Awards, 1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA, 92019 to deliver the package to St. Peter’s Chancery Office. Note: Community members can nominate and submit applications on behalf of candidates. Submission Deadline: Postmarked or delivered by Friday, September 29, 2006. Awards will be presented by his Excellency Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo during the Annual Bishop’s Dinner on October 14, 2006 at St. Peter Hall. For further information, please contact: Dr. Noori Barka, Chairman, Community Relations Committee at: (619) 846-9553 or email him at: nbarka@calbiotech.com
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Active YO U t h Bowling , anyone?
For information call St. Peter Cathedral @ (619) 579-7913.
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Youth Convention Update. . . On August 25, 2006 there was a reunion for the youth group from St. Peter Cathedral who participated in the July 2006 youth convention in Los Angeles. The boys and girls shared their opinions and comments about the convention; how they liked it? And what they would like to see in future conventions. They all agreed that it was a nice experience meeting other Chaldean and Assyrian youth from the other parishes. During the reunion, there was a slide show prepared using pictures taken by the youth from the convention. The youth were also able to purchase the professionally prepared DVD of the 2006 convention at St. Paul Church in LA. • Interested in purchasing the DVD? Please contact your parish for more information.•
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Breath of Life Youth Group
The last Saturday of every month, the Breath of Life Youth Group prepares about 200 sack lunches for the homeless women and children in Downtown, San Diego. If anyone would like to donate anything or help, please contact John Bachoua @ (619) 322-6796. We welcome youth to join us every Saturday evening @ 7:00 pm at the old rectory.
“Pray not for a lighter load, but for stronger shoulders” - St. Augustine of Hippo
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SPIRITUALITY AT LARGE
Nearly 1000 people arrived at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral on August 18-19, 2006 to attend the “Mother of Life” conference with Fr. John Corapi. Attendees came from Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Texas, Canada, and San Diego, to celebrate this wonderful event. It was an event of spiritual retreat and prayers, Fr. Corapi preached about a) The love for the blessed Virgin Mary which leads us into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ b) The love for the Holy Eucharist from Holy Mass to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and c) The love for the Holy Father and the teaching of the church. Fr. Corapi and the attendees were very welcomed by our Chaldean parish. They were interested to learn about Chaldeans and the Eastern Rite by witnessing in person, our Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, celebrating the Divine Liturgy. (Fr. John Corapi was ordained a priest on May 26, 1991 by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Fr. John Corapi’s videos are on Eternal Word Television Network on Saturdays and Sundays).
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Diocesan Announcement
Diocesan Advisory council
The Chancery of St. Peter the Apostle Eparchy announces the formation of the Diocesan Advisory Council (DAC), effective July 1, 2006. The mandate of this council is the following, but not limited to:
• Providing advice to the Bishop on civil matters of the Diocese. • Promoting civil, cultural, and educational programs, concerning the needs and the well being of the Chaldean and Assyrian Community. • Representing the Diocese on governmental and community events. • Giving advice on financial matters, and organizing fundraisers for diocesan project. • Organizing social diocesan events.
The Diocesan Advisory Council at the present time consists of nine members appointed by the Bishop; though it may be enlarged later to twenty-one members, to include representatives from all the parishes and the missions of our Diocese.
The following are the extant members:
Front row (right to left): Najib Oram, Aziz Razoky, Bishop Sarhad Y. Jammo, Najib Konja, Manal Naoom. Back row (right to left): Arkan Somo, Noori Barka, Tony Oshana, Thomas Meram, Nashat Damman.
The Diocesan Advisory Council members met with the Bishop on Thursday, July 13, 2006; the council was briefed by the Bishop of their role, duties and responsibilities regarding the issues related to our Diocese. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Bishop, acting on the recommendation from the members of the council, appointed Aziz Razoky, chairman of the Diocesan Advisory Council for a period of three years.
At the August 4th, 2006 scheduled meeting, the Advisory Council members agreed to the formation of the committees within the council. These committees will have a mandate and a specific role to play in order for the diocese to accomplish its goals and become quite effective in dealing with issues of concern to our community.
The present committees are as follows:
a. Public Relation Committee for Community Affairs (PRCCA) :
Chairperson, Noori Barka Co-chair, Tony Oshana
The PRCCA has the following community issues to be as the essential part of its mandate:
1. Refugee programs 2. Community Awareness Programs 3. Youth Programs 4. Job Placement 5. Media Center 6. Community organizations
b. Public Relation Committee for Governmental Affairs (PRCGA) :
Chairperson, Arkan Somo Cochair, Nashat Damman
1. Short Term Goals/Objectives
a) Articulate our Position regarding is sues of importance to our community and our Church. b) Identify ourselves as an Ethnic group that would like to be an important part of this great country. c) What are our needs as a Church and Community d) Arrange meetings with elected civil officials
2. Long Term Goals/Objectives: As we move forward, the PRCGA commit- tee needs to form a vision and have a working plan to achieve it.
a) Invite elected officials to speak to our community about a particular issue. Not a fundraiser. b) Voter Registration
c) Voter Guide
d) GOTV ( Get Out The Vote)
e) Candidate Forum
3. How will the PRCGA implement its plan
a) Invite a diverse group of our community to serve on the PRCGA. b) The committee will arrange meetings with elected officials and invite the Bishop and the Chairman of the Advisory Council to attend these meetings.
c. Social Committee (SC) :
Chairperson, Manal Naoom
The primary functions of this committee is to organize social events for our diocese such as Annual Bishop’s Appeal fundraising event; this event is scheduled for October 14, 2006 at St. Peter Chaldean hall, tickets are on sale now for $100/ticket. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Other functions will be planned for the future such as Wine & Cheese and Silent/Live Auction and other social events.
Manal is in the process of formation of her committee in order to be able to serve our Diocese for the upcoming social events. Please call her if you are interested in volunteering for her committee.
d. Finance and Fundraising Committee (FFC) :
Chairperson, Najib Konja Co-chair, Najib Oram
This committee will be responsible for giving advice on financial matters of our diocese including the fundraising required to provide the financial support for our diocesan projects.
The next scheduled meeting of the Diocesan Advisory Council (DAC) is September 21, 2006. Our members are fully committed to help our Bishop and to strengthen the progress that we have achieved during the last four years. Any constructive comments will be greatly appreciated by the chairman and the members of the council.
God bless you all.
Aziz Razoky, Chairman Diocesan Advisory Council
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المجلس الاستشاري الابرشي
تعلن الدائرة الاسقفية لابرشية مار بطرس الكلدانية الكاثوليكية في سان دييگو، كاليفورنيا، عن تشكيل المجلس الاستشاري الابرشي، برعاية سيادة المطران مار سرهد يوسب جمو، اعتباراً من يوم الاول من تموز 2006، ومن صلاحيات هذا المجلس: ˇ تقديم المشورة لسيادة المطران بخصوص القضايا المدنية المتعلقة بالابرشية. ˇ تحقيق البرامج المدنية والثقافية والتربوية التي تلبي حاجات مجتمعنا الكلداني والاشوري. ˇ تمثيل الابرشية فيما يخص العلاقات العامة في المجالين الحكومي والاجتماعي. ˇ تقديم المشورة في الامور المالية وجمع التبرعات لمشاريع الابرشية. ˇ تنظيم المناسبات الاجتماعية للابرشية. المجلس الاستشاري الابرشي، في الوقت الحاضر، مكوّن من تسعة اشخاص معينين من قبل سيادة المطران وهم: نجيب اورم، نوري بركة، توماس ميرم، توني اوشانا، منال نعوم، عزيز رزوقي، نجيب قونجا، اركان صومو، ونشأت دمان. على ان يوسع هذا المجلس لاحقاً الى 21 عضواً فيشمل كافة الخورنات والارساليات التابعة للابرشية. وفي يوم 13 تموز 2006 عقد اجتماع المجلس الاستشاري مع سيادة المطران، وقدّم سيادته شرحاً مختصراً عن واجبات المجلس للسنوات الثلاث القادمة، وفي نهاية الاجتماع تم بالاجماع انتخاب المهندس عزيز رزوقي رئيساً للمجلس الاستشاري الابرشي. المهندس عزيز رزوقي رئيس المجلس الاستشاري الابرشي
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اجتماعات الوفد الكلداني في واشنطن تثمر بقبول حالات اللجوء الصعبة
شارك الدكتور نوري بركة (رئيس المؤسسة الكلدانية الامريكية) في الاجتماعات التي عقدت في واشنطن العاصمة مع مسؤولين من وزارة الخارجية الامريكية/ قسم الهجرة، والهيئة العليا لشؤون اللاجئين التابعة للامم المتحدة UNHCR، واعضاء من المؤسسات غير الحكومية NGO التي تعمل في مجال دعم اللاجئين. للفترة 25 - 23Aug لدراسة وضع اللاجئين وخصوصاً وضع الاقليات الدينية العراقية في الدول المجاورة للعراق. جاءت هذه المشاركة ضمن وفد كلداني ضم بالاضافة الى الدكتور نوري ممثلا عن سان دييكو، كل من السيدين جوزيف كساب (المدير الاداري للاتحاد الكلداني/ قسم الهجرة)، والسيد سالم بولس (مسؤول شؤون المهاجرين في المجلس العربي الامريكي والكلداني) ممثلين عن ديترويت. هذا وكان الاتحاد الكلداني قد قدم تقريراً مفصلاً عن وضع اللاجئين المسيحيين شمل ملخصاً للاستمارات التي قدمها اهالي اللاجئين في امريكا، حيث تم جمع اكثر من 1300 استمارة من جميع الولايات الامريكية شرحت وضع المسيحيين والصعوبات التي عانوها في العراق. تم خلال الاجتماعات وضع آلية للعمل المشترك بينUNHCR والاتحاد الكلداني يتم خلالها استقطاب الحالات الصعبة فقط من بين اللاجئين واتخاذ الاجراءات اللازمة بشأنها وتقديمها الى دائرة الهجرة في الخارجية الامريكية. وقد أبدت الخارجية الامريكية استعدادها للنظر في طلبات الحالات الانسانية الصعبة ليتم قبول لجوء المستحقين منها. هذا وكانت الادارة الامريكية قد اوقفت النظر في قبول طلبات اللجوء للعراقيين P1)) لسنين عديدة. فهذا الانجاز يعتبر حدثاً مهماً جداً جاء بعد عمل دؤوب واجتماعات ومناقشات مع الادارة الامريكية وUNHCR إستمرت اكثر من سنة. نشكر جهود كل الخيرين من ابنائنا الكلدان الذين شاركوا وساهموا في تحقيق هذا العمل الانساني لأنقاذ ابنائنا من براثن التشرد والضياع. سوف نوافيكم بتفاصيل وشروط قبول طلبات لجوء من تشملهم هذه الحالات حال توفرها لدينا. كما ونرجوكم عدم الاتصال بدائرة الكنيسة لحين ابلاغكم بالخبر اليقين.
المؤسسة الكلدانية الامريكية Chaldean American Foundation
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المأدبة السنوية لدعم مشاريع المطرانية
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Youth In Pilgrimage By: Leena Somo
From time to time, I like to go on a retreat for spiritual nourishment. This year, I had the privilege to go on a unique retreat: a pilgrimage to France, Spain and Portugal. I would like to share my journey with you.
France The first city was Paris; I saw the shrine of the Miraculous Medal where St. Catherine Labore’s incorrupt body is kept. I also saw a famous place called, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, a huge cathedral with amazing architectural work. The second town was Lisieux; I saw the house where St. Therese of Little Flower lived after the death of her mother, a Basilica where her parents were buried, and finally we visited her convent where she died. The third place was the Mont-Saint-Michael. The unique characteristic of this monastery is that it looks like a castle in the middle of a sandy flat surface. In the winter, all the surroundings fill with water; it appears to be like an island; and actually no cars can travel to this monastery. The forth village is Pontmain; Our Lady of Pontmain appeared on the night of January 17, 1871 in the sky; showed herself to young children and gave a message of prayer and hope. The apparition had five different images of Our Lady; the most known one, Mary wearing a blue dress with gold stars, a crown on her head and holding red cross.
The fifth town was Never; we went to The Sisters of Charity convent, where St. Bernadette lived as a nun and her incorrupt body is kept. The sixth city was Paray Le Monial, a convent of St. Margaret Mary, a nun who received a message of the Heart of Jesus; and we also saw a great Basilica close to the convent. The seventh place was Ars; I learned about a humble priest, St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, patron of parish priests. The eighth place was La Salette, where Our Lady of La Salette appeared on September 19, 1846 to two young children of Crops in the French Alps, Maximin Giraud 11, and Melanie Calvat 14. The ninth stop was Lourdes, the most beautiful place, I think, throughout my trip; I just could not get enough of the Grotto image, a cave where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette on February 11, 1858, a total of 18 times.
Spain Now heading to Spain, the first city I saw was Saragossa. According to a venerable and extremely old tradition, when the Virgin Mary was still living in Jerusalem, prior to her glorious Assumption, she came to Saragossa to console and comfort James the Apostle who was feeling discouraged in his work teaching the Gospel. Since time immemorial these events have been said to have occurred on the night of January 2, in the year 40 of the Christian era. This, however, is coming and not an apparition of the Virgin, when she was still living in Palestine: “With no other nation did she do such a thing” states the liturgy of the 2 January, day of the
festival of the Coming of the Virgin. Furthermore, the Column or Pillar that Our Lady herself brought to build the first chapel was used in the first Marian temple in the Christian world. A piece of big rock still exists; ones can touch it and smell the unique rosy scent. I saw the Basilica that is known as Our Lady of the Pillar. The second place was St. Therese of Avila. I could not believe that I was seeing a place of one my favorite saints. I saw her monastery, particularly her tiny room.
Portugal Our first long stop was in Fatima, another well known apparition of the Virgin Mary to three children on May 13, 1917, Jacinta 7, Francisco 9, and Lucia 10. Note that Jacinta and Francisco died shortly after the apparitions, but Lucia just died last year. The time was remarkable; August 15, 2006, on the Assumption day, I attended mass in Fatima. Then we went to the Capital, Lisbon; I saw two significant places, the miracle of the Eucharist and St. Anthony’s Church, where he lived, again in another tiny room.
My Refection I really consider myself very honored to have the opportunity to see all the holy places and significant figures. I could summarize my experience by three points. First, the amazing architectural work reflects on the genuine love of the early Christians toward God; they truly gave the best of their abilities. I am sure if we were to build one Basilica now, it would cost billions of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
