Page One

 

BEING A MAN – BEING A FATHER

Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo

 

There are basically two ways to understand ourselves, as human beings, and our surroundings:    

 

A- To use our intellectual capacity, thus noticing:

1) Planet earth and the universe were formed a long time before we existed; the Natural Law does not depend on us, but we should discover it, given the fact that at some point of the cosmos’ history, humans appeared on earth in the form of a family.

2) Our human constitution follows a design that is not of our own making, in which common and similar organs and systems are installed for a specific function and goal. A fundamental diversity between male and female is obviously observed, as well as a structural correlation between them, for the clear purpose of reproduction.

3) We also observe a connection, continuity of composition, and similar systems of functionality, between our human constitution and the world around us, and may recognize, therefore, the laws and rules of our existence and finality, which direct us to our Maker and to our own fulfillment.

 

B- To abdicate the use of our rational capacity to observe and connect the phenomena of the universe in their marvelous design, thus adopting such positions:    

1) Our existence and that of the cosmos is an accident of happenstance. No transcendent Maker, no primordial design, no ultimate purpose, no finality. Most of all: no sin there, nor virtue. We are born and die as dumb matter, the result of blind forces.

2) In regard to the human race and family: to be or become a male or female is a matter of personal elective choice, so is the composition of the kind of family to be formed by two persons, so is the kind of marriage that establishes that kind of family.

3) No laws rule us or precede us; we freely establish the rules that govern society and morality without restriction from any natural or divine law.

 

The summary result: Either we acknowledge God, the universal Father, fountain and final destiny of our being, and act accordingly, as exposed in proposition A, or adopt proposition B in which we end up choosing ourselves to be our own factual god. Ourselves, being no gods at all, end up most miserable and a destructive force for our society.

 

Family and Fatherhood:

In our time and country, which is a rich and mighty Superpower, basic choices are presented to us, similar to those presented to the citizens of the Roman Empire, in comparable position of wealth and might. Healthy reasoning, the collective conscience and wisdom of human generations, confirmed and enlightened by divine revelation, should guide us to recognize and abide by natural and divine laws, in which the right order of society, the wellbeing of community, and the fulfillment of individuals is based. The Maker made the human family male and female, man and woman, husband and wife; so they are made in their own constitution: biological, psychological, and spiritual. Based on that individual constitution is each one’s personal call and mission in this world. Fatherhood is where the initiative of new human life resides with a principal responsibility for the whole family and a rewarding blessing of achievement and fulfillment.

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Page Two

St. Peter Diocesan Clergy Meeting

San Diego, CA

In a great spirit of priestly brotherhood, under the leadership of HE Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, the Eparch of the Catholic Diocese of Saint Peter for Chaldeans & Assyrians, 16 priests of the Diocese, with the participation of HE Bishop Mar Bawai Soro, gathered in El Cajon, CA, for two days, May 13 & 14, 2009, to hold their periodic meeting with the Bishop. The following issues were discussed as part of the general agenda of the meeting:

(1) The upcoming Diocesan Symposium & Convention (in January 2010) on the occasion of the 1600^th Anniversary of the Synod of Mar Isaac in AD 410. (2) Comprehensive evaluation of the Church unity achieved in 2008. (3) The promotion of Marian & Other Saints’ Devotions in the Parishes of the Diocese. (4) Diocesan and Parish finances.

 

HE Bishop Jammo updated the present clergy about his recent trip to Iraq during which he participated in the Chaldean Holy Synod convened under the leadership of His Eminence Cardinal Mar Emanuel III Delly, Catholicos Patriarch, between April 28, 2009, and May 5, 2009 in Ankawa (Arbil).

The Bishop spoke in particular about the Chaldean Hierarchy’s commitment to defend the Chaldean National Identity and Rights in all of Iraq, in accordance to Article 125 of the Iraqi Federal Constitution. He further elaborated about the many challenges that face the Church faithful inside and outside Iraq, in particular the proselytism that specifically targets Chaldeans in order to divert them from Catholicism to various religious sects.

Bishop Mar Sarhad, at the same time, conveyed the prayers, love and support that the Chaldean Hierarchy have for all members of the Chaldean Church, in particular the Chaldeans and Assyrian Catholics who live as one community of faith and culture in the fraternal bonds of the One Catholic Church, in Iraq, the Middle East and the Western Countries.  He expressed the Bishops’ blessing and support for the new movement of church unity of Assyrians who have joined the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Father Andrew Younan

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اجتماع اكليروس أبرشية مار بطرس للكلدان والاثوريين الكاثوليك في أميركا

 

عقد اكليروس أبرشية مار بطرس للكلدان والاثوريين الكاثوليك في اميركا اجتماعه الدوري في مدينة سان دييكو بولاية كاليفورنيا خلال الفترة 13-14 آيار 2009 لدراسة امور ووضع الخورنات والمؤمنين ومختلف مشاريع الأبرشية من أجل ارساء اسس العمل الكهنوتي المشترك في حضن الأبرشية الاُم.

ترأس الاجتماعات سيادة المطران مار سرهد يوسب جمو راعي الأبرشية بحضور سيادة المطران مار باواي سورو الجزيل الاحترام مع 16 كاهناً، وهم: 

- الأركذياقون صبري قجبو، الخوراسقف فيليكس الشابي، الأب اندرو يونان، الأب كمال بيداويد، الأب ميخائيل بزي، الأب يوشيا صنا، الأب شموئيل دنخا، الأب مايكل باروتا، الأب بولس الراهب، الأب نوئيل الراهب، الأب اندراوس الراهب، الأب اوراها الراهب، الأب بطرس الراهب، الخوري بولس خمي، والأب بطرس لورانس.

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Page Three

 

The Diocesan Congregation of the Workers of the Vineyard
welcomed two new members to their community

إبراز النذور البسيطة لشابتين كلدانيتين

في الجمعية الرهبانية "فعلـة الكـرم"

سان دييكو، كاليفورنيا

احتفلت أبرشية مار بطرس الرسول للكلدان والاثوريين الكاثوليك في غرب أميركا، مساء الجمعة 15 آيار 2009، والذي يصادف فيه عيد العذراء حافظة الزروع، بمراسيم إبراز النذور البسيطة لشابتين كلدانيتين (ماندي بطي 21 عاماً، ومادلن عربو 19 عاماً)، وانضمامهما الى الجمعية الرهبانية "فعلة الكرم" في سان دييكو- كاليفورنيا.

بدأ الاحتفال في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بالزياح والدخول الى كاتدرائية مار بطرس الكلدانية حيث أقام سيادة المطران مار سرهد يوسب جمو الذبيحة الالهية، وبحضور سيادة المطران مار باواي سورو، مع عدد من الآباء الكهنة، والشمامسة والشماسات، والأخوات راهبات الكلدان، وراهبات فعلة الكرم، وتلاميذ سمنير مار آبا، وجوق الانشاد، مع جمع المؤمنين من بينهم أهالي الشابتين.

من ثم دخل الجميع الى قاعة الكاتدرائية لتقديم تهانيهم الى العزيزتين ماندي ومادلن، طالبين من الرب يسوع ان يباركهما بنعمته لتكميل رسالتهما في خدمة المسيح وكنيسته، وبشفاعة امنا العذراء مريم حافظة الزروع، كي تكونا من الفعلة الصالحين في كرم الرب.

وسـن جـربوع

المركز الاعلامي الكلداني

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Third Annual Chaldean Food Festival

& Business Fair in San Diego

 

On Friday, May 1, 2009, the Knights of Columbus hosted their third annual Chaldean Food Tasting Festival. There were vendors from different businesses around El Cajon and San Diego who came to promote their services along with great, authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine. An eventful evening for the community, the Chaldean Food Festival was a great success that brought everyone together. The proceeds from the Festival are going towards the newly opened Seminary of Mar Abba the Great.

 

 

المهرجان السنوي الثالث للطعام الكلداني
في سان دييكو

في مساء الجمعة 1 أيار 2009، اكتظت قاعة مار بطرس في الكهون- كاليفورنيا بما يقارب الـ 1000 زائر من كل نواحي سان دييكو للمشاركة بمهرجان الطعام الكلداني الذي اقامته اخوية مار توما لفرسان كولومبس.

استمتع الحاضرون بتذوق اشهى الأكلات والمقبلات والحلويات التي يحتويها المطبخ الكلداني. هذا بالاضافة الى مشاركة العديد من اصحاب الأعمال التجارية من الكلدان والامريكان، بالاعلان عن أعمالهم وخدماتهم التجارية التي تفيد المجتمع في مختلف المجالات.

كما وشارك العديد من الحضور بالدبكات الشعبية على انغام الموسيقى والاغاني المنوعة.

خصص ريعه هذا العام لمعهد“مار آبا“ الكهنوتي الجديد.

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Page Four

 

Mothers Day Celebrations 

In honor of all the mothers, The Ladies of Hope organization hosted a mother daughter event on May 07, 2009 at the Crystal Ballroom in El Cajon, CA. This joyful fundraising event was open to all members and non members. The proceeds go toward the many charitable programs this organization offers, especially helping the new refugee families in our community. Hundreds of Grandmothers, Mothers and their daughters came together to celebrate an evening full of love, laughter, music, dinner and prizes.

           One of the contests was to pick an essay written by a daughter to her mother and sent via email to The Ladies of Hope. The winning essay was written by Heather Jarbo, to her Mom, Wasan Jarbo and they were both called to the stage to receive a nice prize.

Another prize was given to a mom who had the closest birth date with her daughter. The last  prize was given to a mom who has the most number of children and grand children.  It was a fun filled evening. The following was the chosen essay:

“The Ultimate Woman”

By: Heather Jarbo

 

A mother always talks about how she sees the glow in her children’s faces. She loves them unconditionally despite any flaws that child might have. Well, how about the glow we see in our mothers? Every time my mother laughs, her face brightens up and I see how genuine and innocent her heart is. Some might say a mother’s duty is to care for, nurture and love her family entirely. My mother is just that, and so much more.

 

She is truly a superhero. She does nothing for her own benefit. She always puts others before herself, and never takes credit for her accomplishments. She is very patient. I think with four needy kids like my mother’s, even Superman would go crazy! It’s always “Mom, can you do this? Mom, I need that now!” following her usual answer of “Of course.” She sacrifices. I know that she has the grace of God in her. She is the most humble and peaceful woman I have ever met in my entire life.

 

Her love for us is what keeps our family going. With a mother so giving and full of love, it’s hard to break away. I know she is an angel sent from heaven. God-willing, the day she leaves this earth, her wings will be given back to her.  

 

She is so graceful. She has this optimism in her, that wherever she goes, she has a smile on her face. She never sees the bad in people, only the good. She wears her heart on her sleeve and offers a helping hand to anyone who needs it. She truly is a caregiver.

 

There are so many different things people look for in finding that perfect friend: Trust, loyalty, patience, sincerity, humor and just plain coolness. Well lucky for me, I have that friend. Better yet, she’s my BEST friend. Someone I can confide in. Someone I can run to when I’m having a bad day, and know that she will always be there to put a smile on my face and tell me that everything will be okay. I’m even luckier to have this woman around all the time, because, well, she’s my mom!

 

She is a champion. She can withstand the weight of the world on her shoulders, plus all my complaints!! This is my mother, the ultimate woman.

 

She has always told me that, “Truth strikes like thunder.” Well, hear the thunder rolling because here’s the truth mom. I love you more than words can describe. I appreciate the love and care you’ve given me and the rest of the family all these years. Here on earth, there’s no way to repay you for your pure and beautiful love. But I pray to God that you will make it to enter the gates of heaven, the ultimate gift. I am not one to judge but with such a strong faith and life lived according to the word of God, I think you deserve it. I thank God for such a blessing to have you as my mother, my friend, my heaven-sent gift. Who needs the lottery, I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I love you mom.

 

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M.O.M.S. Appreciation Day

“We are blessed by wonderful women!”

On their regular weekly meeting, the Mothers of Ministry Sharing group at St. Peter Chaldean Cathedral had a pampering day on Tuesday May 12th in celebration of Mothers Day. Suha and Vicky prepared a wonderful Hawaiian setup with their creative touch. There were many fun games and delicious food. The MOMS had a special time sharing their heartwarming testimonies of what this group has meant to them. They all agree that they have a real treasure of a group.

It’s never too late to discover and join this really powerful group of young moms. They meet every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Old Rectory.

Report by Wasan Jarbo

 

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A Woman’s Role
Sr. Miskenta Mariam

There is much talk these days about what it really means to be a woman. Being in a public setting, I hear a lot of complaints about women not having enough responsibility in the Church. As a religious sister, I simply tell them jokingly, “believe me, I have a lot on my plate!” One day, after telling my professor those exact words she said, “well, you can’t celebrate the Mass!” I was shocked at such a response, but that day I realized something very interesting. Many feminists, as they would call themselves, believe that being a woman means that she should be able to do the things that man is able to do. However, that is unfair to men because they are not able to do things that women are able to do. For instance, men are not gifted with the ability to bear children, nor are they able to be the bride of Christ, a symbol of the Church (a female figure).

Women have many privileges, some of which are hidden behind a veil. Things that are hidden are usually most beautiful and mysterious and sometimes we won’t understand them right away. The first privilege women have is the gift to bear children. We do not know when or how, but it is seems as though God has touched a woman in a mystifying way when she conceives, for he places a soul within her womb. It is not surprising that women have a natural tendency to nurture their young and be so close to them. What a privilege it is to naturally know how to nurture God’s creature. God willed for a child to be conceived in a woman’s womb and he willed for her to know how to take care of it perfectly. God has created us as a mystery and woman is able to carry that mystery within her, just like Mother Mary carried the greatest of Mysteries within her womb. Just as Jesus is in all of the baptized, God is also present in the child carried in the womb; therefore, woman is carrying the image of God.

It comes more naturally for a woman to be submissive, than it does for a man. Some may see this as a disadvantage rather than a privilege, for it seems as if being submissive means that one is good at taking orders right away. However, if we look at submission from a Biblical point of view, it is quiet the opposite. Let us consider our greatest model of submission, the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the angel Gabriel came to her, she did not immediately accept his offer; rather the Bible states “she was greatly troubled and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.” She not only questioned herself, she also questioned the angel after he proposed God’s plan. Many people think that submission is a disadvantage because it places women lower than men, but that is not what submission is meant to do. It is a form of inner contemplation and acceptance of God’s will. One must remember that submission is an act of humility. When asked to do something for another, we are gaining by our submission. Therefore, if women are more submissive by nature, this is truly a privilege.

            Women are known as the “weaker sex.” Yes, this may be touching some sore spots, but it is undeniable that women are physically weaker than men. Unfortunately, many people consider the term “weaker” to mean less intelligent, less consistent, less gifted, etc. However, this word that is so misunderstood has some good and bad descriptions behind it. Women are indeed delicate, vulnerable, breakable and sensitive and sometimes this isn’t a good thing. All the tears of women from the beginning of the world could fill up a sea, whereas men’s tears would fill up a pond. Women are much more likely to be wounded because they have more of a capacity to be hurt; for they are more in tune with their emotions. For example, in the Bible, we are told to take care of widows but widowers are never mentioned. Nevertheless, women must be honored because of their frailty, for the very frailty of women can turn out to be their strength. Like Saint Augustine, when realizing after many years what a terrible sinner he was, women can shed countless tears for their sins and feel much sorrow for them.  Not only this, men and women are complements of each other; women help men perceive the sensitive and emotional. Because women are so emotional, they are ready to love and when one has strong love she also has strong power.

            Looking at the different aspects of women’s privileges, a connection can be made. By a woman being who she is meant to be, she is representing the Blessed Mother. The Blessed Mother has a huge role and that is to lead others to Christ. She leads others to Christ by conceiving him through her submission to God’s will and giving her son back to the Father for the salvation of the world. Her sign of weakness was his sign of weakness, which was represented on the cross. Therefore, women should follow the example of Mary by submitting to the will of God and giving Christ back to the world. In humility, it is fit for women to accept their roles, even if it means being called the “weaker sex.”

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 Page Six
 

A Unique Musical Event in Our Diocese

 

The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale, in cooperation with St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, presented Middle East meets West. The event was held at St. Peter Cathedral Hall and was hosted by the Knights of Columbus, Mar Toma Council on Friday, May 29, 2009. The concert featured music that celebrated the joining of two world cultures, East and West.

For the first time ever, Grossmont Symphony Orchestra performed pieces from our Chaldean (Eastern) culture. The melody of the first piece, Marya (from Psalm 141), was composed by Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo and orchestrated by Luay Yousif. In the second piece, Romance No. 2 in F minor, op. 50 by Beethoven, Luay Yousif was featured as the soloist, playing the violin. The third piece, Al Pasha, was composed by Raed George and included both European and Middle Eastern instruments. The sounds of the Raq (Tambourine), Tar (Persian Percussion), Ney (Flute), and Qanoon (Dulcimer) added flavor and zest to this beautiful piece. Four other pieces by Aram Khachaturian, were performed by Grossmont Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Randall Tweed, Music Director, did a wonderful job in conducting the symphony and in educating the audience about the pieces, instruments, and musicians/artists. Several Dignitaries were present at the event, both from the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the City of El Cajon. Hundreds of people from the community joined together to witness this first-time cultural and artistic event centered on the Chaldean community. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to everyone who participated.

Renee Jarbo

 

حفـلاً موسـيقياً رائـعاً لأول مرة في أبرشـيتنا

" كروسمنت سمفوني اوركسترا وماستر كـورال"

أقامت الفرقة السمفونية لكلية كروسمنت " كروسمنت سمفوني اوركسترا وماستر كـورال" بقيادة المايسترو الدكتور راندل تويد حفلاً فنياً موسيقياً على قاعة كاتدرائية مار بطرس الكلدانية في الكاهون، كاليفورنيا، مساء الجمعة 29/5/2009. تخلل الحفل عدد من المقطوعات الموسيقية ومنها مزمور 141 "ماريا" من ألحان سيادة المطران سـرهد يوسب جمو، والتوزيع الاوركسترالي للفنان لؤي يوسف، أدتها الفرقة بشكل رائع جدا.

رحب قائد السمفونية بالحضور وأبدى إعجابه وفرحه الكبيرين بهذه المقطوعة الموسيقية المميزة بتأليفها الفني الرفيع وتوزيعها الرائع.  

تخلل الحفل ايضاً عزف انفرادي للفنان لؤي يوسف على آلة الكمان مع الفرقة السمفونية لاحدى المعزوفات الرائعة بعنوان " رومانس F ماينر"  من تأليف الموسيقار الشهير بيتهوفن. كما كان للفنان المبدع رائد جورج دور في منهاج الأمسية حيث عزفت الفرقة السمفونية احدى تأليفاته الموسيقية وهي "الباشا"، والتي احتوت عزفا منفرداً على آلة القانون والناي بمصاحبة آلتي الرق والطار.

كذلك كان للفنان أرام قجتريان وسمفونيـته الثانية نصيب في المنهاج حيث تم عزفها وهي من أروع السمفونيات التي كتبها.

حضر الحفل عدد كبير من الشخصيات المحبة للفن الأوركسترالي ومنهم سيادة المطران مار سرهد يوسب جمو والمطران مار باواي سورو وعدد من الآباء الكهنة الأفاضل بالاضافة الى عدد من مسؤولي كلية كروسمنت و كلية كيوماكا مع شخصيات اخرى من بلدية الكاهون. كان هناك ايضا حشد جماهيري كبير من أبناء شعبنا الكلداني أتوا للأستماع الى أنغام الفرقة السمفونية لكلية كروسمنت التي أبهرت الجماهير وشنفت آذانهم بالأنغام الجميلة وعزفها الرائع. قام بتنظيم الحفل أعضاء أخوية مار توما لفرسان كولومبس.

إستطعنا في هذه الامسية الجميلة ان نستقطب الجمهور الأمريكي ليتعرف على حضارتنا العريقة وتراثنا الأصيل من خلال تلك القطعتين المميزتين الباهرتين من تراثنا الكلداني والشرقي.

نشكر الجميع على حضورهم ودعمهم لمثل هذه البرامج الفنية.

 

الفنان لؤي يوسف

 

 

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احتفالات شـيرا كنيسة مار كوركيس- اورنج كاونتي

 

بتاريخ 24 ايار 2009 احتفلت كنيسة مار كوركيس- اورنج كاونتي- كاليفورنيا، بعيد (شيرا) مريم العذراء حافظة الزروع وشيرا سلطانة مهدخوت وتخلل الحفل مفاجآت ومسابقات أبهجت الحضور.
وقد صورت فضائية عشتار جانباً من الاحتفال. نطلب من اللـه ان يحفظ شعبنا المسيحي اينما كان، و بشفاعة سلطانة مهدوخت امنا العذراء  ان يحل السلام والأمن في كافة أرجاء المعمورة.

 

لجنة كنيسة مار كوركيس

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Page Eight
 

ܫܠܝܼܚܘܼܬܵܐ ܕܡܗܘܼܡܢܹ̈ܐ ܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ

 

ܟܘܼܪܐܲܦܸܣܩܘܿܦܵܐ ܫܡܘܼܐܹܝܠ ܕܸܢܚܵܐ

 

ܡ̣ܢ ܥܕܵܢܵܐ ܠܥܕܵܢܵܐ ܒܸܩܝܵܡܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܚܲܕ̄ ܦܵܘܚܵܐ ܕܒܸܗܘܵܝܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܥܸܠܬܵܐ ܕܒܘܼܠܒܵܠܵܐ ܩܵܐ ܕܐܵܢܝܼ ܕܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܝܢܵܐ، ܘܒܸܓܪܵܫܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܥܲܡܹܗ ܐܘܼܦ ܠܚܲܕ̄ܟܡܵܐ ܡܗܘܼܡܢܹ̈ܐ ܕܓܵܘ ܥܹܕܬܵܐ. ܘܡܲܥܓ̃ܒܵܢܬܵܐ ܝܠܵܗ̇ ܟܡܵܐ ܒܦܫܝܼܛܘܼܬܵܐ ܘܒܓܲ̃ܠܕܘܼܬܵܐ ܐ̄ܢܵܫܹ̈ܐ ܕܗܲܝܡܵܢܘܼܬܵܐ ܒܸܢܦܵܠܵܐ ܝܢܵܐ ܬܚܘܿܬ ܡܲܥܒܕܵܢܘܼܬܵܐ (ܟܵܐܪ) ܕܬܲܚܡܲܢܝܵܬܹ̈ܐ ܕܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܘܟܘܼܬܵܫܹܗ. ܘܗ̇ܘ ܡܸܢܕܝܼ ܒܘܼܫ ܡܲܥܓ̃ܒܵܢܵܐ ܝܑܼܠܹܗ ܕܗܵܕܟ̣ܵܐ ܬܲܚܡܲܢܝܵܬܹ̈ـܐ ܘܚܸܠܡܹ̈ܐ ܐܝܼܡܵܡܵܝܹ̈ܐ ܨܘܼܠܡܸܢܹ̈ܐ ܥܲܠ ܠܵܐ ܢܸܣܝܵܢܵܐ ܦܘܿܠܘܿܛܝܼܩܵܝܵܐ، ܘܠܵܐ ܝ̄ܕܸܥܬܵܐ ܒܐܲܝܟܲܢܵܝܘܼܬܵܐ ܕܐܸܣܟܹܐܡܹ̈ܐ ܦܘܿܠܘܿܛܝܼܩܵܝܹ̈ܐ ܕܟܹܐ ܦܵܝܫܝܼ ܙܩܝܼܪܹ̈ܐ ܓܵܘ ܚܸܫܟܵܐ، ܟܹܐ ܗܵܘܝܼ ܥܸܠܬܵܐ ܕܡܲܪܚܲܩܬܵܐ ܕܡܗܘܼܡܢܹ̈ܐ ܡ̣ܢ ܥܹܕܬܵܐ ܘܣܪܵܒ̣ܬܵܐ ܕܗܲܝܡܵܢܘܼܬܵܐ ܘܡܲܢܫܵܝܬܵܐ ܕܫܠܝܼܚܘܼܬܵܐ ܦܲܪܨܘܿܦܵܝܬܵܐ ܕܡܗܘܼܡܢܹ̈ܐ. ܚܲܕ̄ ܡܗܘܼܡܢܵܐ ܫܲܪܝܼܪܵܐ ܓܵܪܲܓ ܦܵܪܸܫ ܒܹܝܠ ܦܘܼܠܚܵܢܵܐ ܥܵܠܡܵܝܵܐ ܘܦܘܼܠܚܵܢܵܐ ܥܹܕܬܵܢܵܝܵܐ. ܡܵܪܢ ܐ̄ܡܸܪܹܗ؛ ܗܲܒ̣̄ܠܘܼܢ ܡܸܢܕܝܼ ܕܩܹܣܲܪ ܩܵܐ ܩܹܣܲܪ، ܘܡܸܢܕܝܼ ܕܐܲܠܵܗܵܐ ܩܵܐ ܐܲܠܵܗܵܐ. ܝܲܥܢܹܐ ܠܵܐ ܚܵܒ̣ܛܝܼܬܘܿܢ ܩܸܣܲܬܹ̈ܐ ܥܵܠܡܵܝܹ̈ܐ ܒܩܸܣܲܬܹ̈ܐ ܕܦܘܼܪܩܵܢܵܐ ܕܒܲܪܢܵܫܵܐ.

 

ܡ̣ܢ ܩܵܕ̄ܡ ܐ̄ܣܲܩܬܵܐ ܕܡܵܪܲܢ ܠܫܡܲܝܵܐ، ܒܘܼܩܸܪܘܿܢ ܡܸܢܹܗ ܬܲܠܡ̈ܝܼܕܘܼܗܝ؛ ܡܵܪܲܢ، ܒܐܵܗܵܐ ܙܲܒ̣ܢܵܐ ܒܸܬ ܡܲܕܥܸܪܸܬ ܡܲܠܟܘܼܬܵܐ ܠܝܼܣܪܵܝܹܠ؟ ܡܵܪܲܢ ܐ̄ܡܸܪܹܗ ܐܸܠܵܝ؛ ܠܹܐ ܝܠܵܗ̇ ܕܕܝܼܵܘܟ̣ܘܿܢ ܠܝܼܕܵܥܵܐ ܙܲܒ̣ܢܹ̈ܐ ܝܲܢ ܣܝܼܩܘܿܡܹ̈ܐ ܐܲܝܢܝܼ ܕܒܵܒܵܐ ܡܘܼܬܒ̣ܵܝܠܹܗ ܬܚܘܿܬ ܫܘܼܠܛܵܢܵܐ ܕܓܵܢܹܗ. ܐܝܼܢܵܐ ܒܸܬ ܩܲܒܠܝܼܬܘܿܢ ܚܲܝܠܵܐ ܐܝܼܡܲܢ ܕܐܵܬܹܐ ܪܘܼܚܵܐ ܕܩܘܼܕܫܵܐ ܥܲܠܵܘܟ̣ܘܿܢ، ܘܒܸܬ ܗܵܘܹܝܬܘܿܢ ܣܵܗ̈ܕܹܐ ܐܸܠܝ، ܓܵܘ ܐܘܿܪܸܫܠܸܡ، ܓܵܘ ܟܠܵܗ̇ ܝܼܗܘܼܕ، ܓܵܘ ܫܵܡܪܝܼܢ، ܘܗܲܠ ܡܲܪ̈ܙܵܢܹܐ ܕܐܲܪܥܵܐ. ܦܪܲܟܣܝܼܣ 1؛6-8. ܘܗܲܡܘܼܢܹܐ ܝܘܸܢ ܕܐܵܗܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܓ̃ܘܼܘܵܒ ܕܡܵܪܲܢ ܩܵܐ ܟܠ ܚܲܕ̄ ܡܸܢܲܢ، ܕܐܸܕܝܘܿܡ ܝܵܘܡܵܐ ܠܹܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܦܪܵܫܵܐ ܒܹܝܠ ܦܘܼܠܚܵܢܵܐ ܥܵܠܡܵܝܵܐ (ܦܘܿܠܘܿܛܝܼܩܵܝܵܐ) ܘܦܘܼܠܚܵܢܵܐ ܥܹܕܬܵܢܵܝܵܐ.

 

ܚܲܕ̄ ܡܗܘܼܡܢܵܐ ܟܹܐ ܐܵܬܹܐ ܠܥܹܕܬܵܐ ܩܵܐ ܕܦܵܬܸܚ ܠܸܒܹܗ ܩܵܕ̄ܡ ܐܲܠܵܗܵܐ، ܘܫܵܡܸܥ ܫܸܚܕܵܐ ܕܦܘܼܪܩܵܢܵܐ، ܘܚܲܝܸܕܠܵܗ̇ ܓܵܢܹܗ ܥܲܡ ܡܵܪܲܢ ܒܫܩܵܠܬܵܐ ܕܦܲܓ̣ܪܹܗ ܘܕܸܡܹܗ، ܘܦܵܠܸܛ ܠܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܘܗܵܘܹܐ ܣܵܗܕܵܐ ܕܡܫܝܼܚܵܐ ܠܐܵܢܝܼ ܕܓܵܘ ܚܸܫܟܵܐ ܒܸܚܕܵܪܵܐ ܝܢܵܐ. ܒܘܼܬ ܕܐܵܗܵܐ ܐܝܼܡܲܢ ܕܒܸܥܒ̣ܵܪܵܐ ܝܘܲܚ ܒܬܲܪܥܵܐ ܕܥܹܕܬܵܐ، ܓܵܪܲܓ ܥܵܒ̣ܪܲܚ ܒܚܵܬܸܪܓܵ̃ܡܥܘܼܬܵܐ ܒܬܸܪܘܵܝ ܐܲܩ̈ܠܵܬܲܢ، ܠܵܐ ܚܕܵܐ ܐܲܩܠܲܢ ܓܵܘ ܥܹܕܬܵܐ ܘܗ̇ܝܜ ܐ̄ܚܹܪ̄ܬܵܐ ܩܵܕ̄ܡ ܬܲܪܥܵܐ، ܐܲܝܟ̣ ܕܐܸܢ ܟܹܐ ܒܵܥܲܚ ܠܐܵܠܵܗܵܐ ܐܝܼܢܵܐ ܗܲܪ ܒܗ̇ܝܜ ܥܕܵܢܵܐ ܠܹܐ ܒܵܥܲܚ ܕܫܵܪܲܚܠܵܗ̇ ܓܵܢܲܢ ܡ̣ܢ ܒܘܼܠܓܵܢܹ̈ܐ ܕܥܵܠܡܵܐ. ܐܝܼܡܲܢ ܕܓܵܘ ܥܹܕܬܵܐ ܝܘܲܚ، ܓܵܪܲܓ ܣܵܦܩܲܚܠܹܗ ܠܸܒܲܢ ܡ̣ܢ ܟܠ ܬܲܚܡܲܢܬܵܐ ܕܫܵܩܠܵܐܠܹܗ ܫܵܘܦܵܐ ܕܐܲܠܵܗܵܐ، ܩܵܐ ܕܡܵܨܲܚ ܕܫܵܘܬܸܦܲܚ ܥܲܡܹܗ ܒܕܸܟ̣ܝܘܼܬܵܐ ܕܬܲܚܡܲܢܬܵܐ.

 

ܩܸܛܪܹ̈ܐ ܘܬܘܼܪ̈ܩܵܠܹܐ ܒܟܠ ܥܕܵܢܵܐ ܒܸܬ ܗܵܘܝܼ ܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܘܓܵܘ ܥܹܕܬܵܐ، ܣܵܒܵܒ ܣܵܛܵܢܵܐ ܐܝܼܬܠܹܗ ܐܘܼܪ̈ܚܵܬܹܐ ܨܢܝܼܥܹ̈ܐ ܠܡܲܥܒܲܪܬܵܐ ܕܫܸܟܘܼܬܵܐ ܓܵܘ ܬܵܚܡܲܢܬܵܐ ܕܡܗܘܼܡܢܹ̈ܐ. ܐܝܼܢܵܐ ܚܲܕ̄ ܡܗܘܼܡܢܵܐ ܓܵܪܲܓ ܡܲܦܠܸܚ ܗܵܘܢܹܗ ܘܨܲܚܨܹܐ، ܐܸܢ ܐܵܗܵܐ ܒܲܪܙܲܪܥܵܐ ܕܦܝܵܫܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܙܪܝܼܥܵܐ ܓܵܘ ܥܵܠܡܵܐ ܚܸ̈ܛܹܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܝܲܢ ܙܝܼܘܵܢܹ̈ܐ.

ܘܐܵܗܵܐ ܝܠܵܗ̇ ܐܘܼܪܚܵܐ ܕܡܵܪܲܢ ܡܲܚܙܘܼܝܘܿܗ̇ ܝܠܹܗ ܩܵܬܲܢ؛ ܐܝܼܡܲܢ ܕܦܘܼܪܡܹܐܠܲܢ ܕܡܫܝܼܚܵܐ ܝܘܼܗܒ̣ܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܩܵܬܲܢ ܚܕܵܐ ܫܠܝܼܚܘܼܬܵܐ، ܘܥܲܝ̈ܢܲܢ ܬܸܠܝܵܝܠܲܢ ܥܲܠ ܕܗ̇ܝܜ ܫܠܝܼܚܘܼܬܵܐ، ܒܗ̇ܝܜ ܥܕܵܢܵܐ ܡܲܬܘܼܒ̣ܵܝ ܝܘܲܚ ܐܲܩ̈ܠܵܬܲܢ ܥܲܠ ܐܘܼܪܚܵܐ ܕܫܪܵܪܵܐ، ܘܗܲܝܘܼܪܹܐ ܝܘܲܚ ܠܐ̄ܚܹܪ̈̄ܢܹܐ ܕܐܵܙܠ̄ܝܼ ܒܐܘܼܪܚܵܐ ܕܫܪܵܪܵܐ، ܘܫܲܪܟܵܐ ܕܦܘܼܠܚܵܢܵܐ ܕܡܵܪܝܵܐ ܝܠܹܗ ܕܡܲܟܡܸܠܹܗ. ܐܵܡܹܝܢ.

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Page Nine
 

كنيسة اريزونا في حج ديني الى معبد لوريتو

(مدينة سانتا فيه، ولاية نيو مكسيكو الامريكية)

 

في يومي الجمعة والسبت المنصرمين 1 و2 ايار 2009، إنطلقت كنيسة اريزونا للكلدان والاثوريين الكاثوليك في حج الى "معبد لوريتو" في مدينة "سانتا فيه" بولاية نيو مكسيكو الامريكية. رتبت الرحلة وكل ما يخص بالحج الاخوات الراهبات بنات مريم الكلدانيات في اريزونا. استغرقت الرحلة في الباص مدة 8 ساعات تقريبا بمسافة تزيد على 1000 ميل ذهابا وايابا.

في رحلة الحج هذه، اشترك ما يقارب 40 من مؤمني الكنيسة، كان المنهاج هو زيارة المعبد اولا، ثم التوجه الى كاتدرائية المدينة التي بنيت بجوار المعبد على مسافة ربع ميل تقريبا. الكاتدرائية مبنية على اسم القديس فرنسيس الأسيزي، يمنع فيها التصوير بالفلاش خوفا على الايقونات والزخارف والالوان البهية والقديمة التي تتزين بها الكنيسة.

 شارك في رحلة الحج كذلك كل من الخوراسقف فيليكس الشابي، والأب بولس الراهب، والأخوات الراهبات كلوتيلدا وفرح، وشمامسة كنيسة مار اوراها.

استمتع الجميع بهذه الرحلة الطيبة والمفيدة والتي تنعش الروح وتعطي دفعة للمؤمنين لان يختلوا بالتأملات والصلوات والأعاجيب التي يعملها قديسو الرب ومحبوه.

 

معبد لوريتو:

كابيللا لوريتو مشهورة في عموم امريكا، وفي دول العالم بما يسمى "بالدرج العجائبي" اذ تحكي القصة ان ديرا للراهبات بني هناك، وبني في معبد الدير طابق مرتفع للجوق، ولكن بشكل او بآخر لم تبنَ سلالم او درج لمكان الجوق. فبدأت راهبات الدير بالصلاة الى القديس يوسف شفيع النجارين لكي يحل لهم هذه المشكلة. وفي احد الايام قدم احد الرجال الى الدير مُدعيا أنه نجار، وقام ببناء درج للمعبد، دون ان يستخدم اي مسمار او حتى اي مسند يربط الدرج بالأرض. وفور انتهائه من بناء الدرج اختفى هذا النجار دون ان يطلب اي اجرة من الراهبات بالمقابل.

يعتقد بأن هذا الشخص كان مار يوسف نفسه، لانه ولحد الآن لم يتم التعرف على نوعية الخشب المستعمل في بناء الدرج في عموم امريكا، ولا يعرف أصله أساساً. 

 

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كنيسة القديسة بربارة في لاس فيكاس تطفىء شمعتها الاولى

 

في نهار الأحد 24/5/2009، احتفلت الكنيسة بإطفاء شمعتها الاولى وذلك بحضور سيادة المطران مار سرهد يوسب جمو راعي أبرشية مار بطرس في غرب أميركا، وبحضور جمع غفير من المؤمنين.

ابتدأ القداس الالهي بزياح الصليب دخولا الى الكنيسة، وأثناء القداس إفتتح سيادته صورة المذبح المتمثلة بقيامة الرب من بين الاموات. ثم اقتبل اثنان من شباب الخورنة وتسعة من بنات الخورنة درجة القاريء. بعد القداس خرج الجميع بالزياح الى قاعة الكنيسة، حيث شارك سيادته بمباركة الطعام المعد من قبل اعضاء الكنيسة.

بإسمي وبإسم لجنة الكنيسة وشمامستها وجوقها نقدم التهاني للمرتسمين، ونهنيء الجميع بمرور السنة الاولى على افتتاح الكنيسة وضياء مذبحها المقدس بالصورة المشعة. وليبارك الرب جميع من ساهم في إعمار الكنيسة وتقدمها نحو الأمام.

ولمزيد من المعلومات والصور يرجى زيارة موقع الكنيسة على: www.saint-barbara-church.org

 

                                                     خادمكم الأب اندراوس توما

                                                     راعي كنيسة القديسة بربارة

 
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Page 10

 

The Handmaid of the Lord

By: Simon Esshaki

 

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.”

 

For most of my life, I have been praying the rosary every day with my family.  I never knew the meaning of this great prayer until I started to get closer to God through His mother, Mary.  I would always get distracted while praying it and it would seem boring at times, but one day my dad told me what Pope John Paul II said about the rosary.  He said that “The Rosary is meditating with the Blessed Mother on the mysteries of her Son.”  I thought about this for a while and realized how much I had been missing by not praying the rosary in a holy way and actually meditating on the mysteries. From his birth to his baptism to his passion and death to his resurrection, the rosary is just a way for us to meditate on the life of our Lord, with his holy mother. We go through her joy, through her pain; we go through everything she went through in her life with her son. We become a part of her; a part of Christ. Fr. John Corapi says, “The Rosary is the prayer of the Gospel.” We are just meditating on the Gospel of Christ, while praying the two prayers of the Gospel, the “Our Father” and the “Hail Mary.” 

            St. Padre Pio said, “Love the Blessed Mother and pray the rosary, for her rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today.” Today’s world is being attacked in a great way by the powers of hell. With abortion, contraception, pornography, and all the media influences that kick God out of society, the world is in a very bad place. The rosary is truly our weapon against evil and should be used by everybody to counter the great attacks that are on our world today. Praying the rosary every day makes me such a strong Catholic. I can resist temptation so easily with this wonderful prayer. I truly have Mary on my side when I pray the rosary. The devil hates anyone who prays the rosary every day, but the love and humility of Mary will outweigh the hate and pride of Satan as he tries to get our souls to hell. She will be there to defend us if we pray this prayer. She is always there to defend me. She has made me see my call from God and to except it like she did. 

            When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, in the first mystery of the rosary, and told her she was going to be the Mother of God, she was scared and shocked. She had her whole life planned ahead of her and suddenly an angel is telling her otherwise. She humbly accepted God’s call of her by saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.” Meditating on this has helped me accept God’s call for me to join the seminary. I joined the seminary about five months ago and I know that I could not have done it without her in my life. Her interceding for me before her Son made my decision so much easier and has helped me endure all the trials I have endured. I know that with her help I will follow whatever God wants me to do for him. She did that, and she is the greatest person that ever lived, besides Jesus, because she followed his call. We can be great if we follow His call, no matter how hard it will be or how many struggles we will endure. We just have to keep Mary on our side, by praying to her, and by praying her wonderful prayer, the Most Holy Rosary. 

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Bite of Faith
By: Rhonda Alkatib

Weekly visits to my grandma’s house are a must. Typically Sunday is family day and the 30 of us crowd around a small room spending hours catching up on each other’s lives. Once a week visits aren’t enough for me though, since I hardly get to talk to Bebe when moms are cooking, kids are running, and the house gets turned upside down. One day driving back from work, I decided to stop by and enjoy a few hours with my grandma instead of heading to an empty house where I would wind up just lazily sitting in front of the tv.

As I walked in, I kissed Bebe and spent the usual first hour convincing her that I had already eaten enough and could possibly eat no more. But alas, I had to have some Dolma and at least a cup of Chai to make her happy. We spent a few minutes talking and the clock struck 5pm. She immediately hushed me and said that everyday at 5pm, she watches the Mass in Rome through her Arabic satellite. She asked me to stay and watch with her, so I sat back and began watching. When it came to the Gospel readings, there were several priests in line waiting to read. She explained to me that they read the Gospel and homily in different languages, first with Italian, then in Arabic. So as the Italian Priest began, we took a short break. I got up to clean my mess that I left in front of me on the table. I was brushing crumbs into the trash can with my hand, and as I looked down I noticed something sitting on the remote control. I looked closer and saw that it was just a regular potato chip, so I bent my arm down to pick it up and throw it away.

Suddenly my grandma grabs my arm and in Arabic I hear “No, Rhonda don’t!” I turned and said “Bebe, whats wrong!? I was just cleaning the table, there’s food on the remote!” She turned to me laughing a little and said “Habibi, that is my Qurbana! I keep a bag of potato chips by my side, since the pieces are small, circular and even the same color as Qurbana. Everyday I pull one out during the Mass and eat it when the Priest begins giving it out, since I cannot actually make it to church.” She said this and I sat back down, staring at her in awe. A wave of shock and inspiration hit me from all sides. My grandma has been unable to physically attend church for some time, but if anything her dedication and love for God has only grown. Within a second, this little potato chip became the greatest symbol of faith. While others can quickly find excuses to not go to church, this woman shows us that all it takes is a little faith and church is with you. How incredible a person must be to have so much strength and love for the Lord. May we all find it within ourselves to go beyond making excuses and instead find unconventional ways to keep peace and love all around us. Thank you Bebe.

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