St. Paul Assyrian- Chaldean Catholic Church
Newsletter

13050 Vanowen St. North Hollywood, CA 91605 (Tel: 818-765-3665)
          (Year One, Issue One, Number 1)

We’re very excited to announce the printing of the First issue of St. Paul’s newsletter on this day November 1, 2005.
We have undertaken this challenge for the benefit of our parishioners and we hope that you find it useful and interesting. At the same time we hope that you would help us with your contribution to its publication. Your contribution could come in many different ways as of writing articles, translation to/from different languages used in our community and so forth. Please contact Fr. Noel in if you’re interested to contribute in it’s publication.

Message for month of November:
By Fr. Noel Gorgis

Peter’s Confession about Jesus

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them,” But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter Said in rely, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16: 13- 19

Our Confession through Simon- Peter

            After confession of who Jesus was came from Shemoon- Peter, although Jesus said to him “My heavenly Father who revealed this to you,” he gives him the significance title “Rock” .ܟܐܦܐ Kepa in our language, Petros in Greek, Rock in English. You are Kepa-ܟܐܦܐ     upon thisܟܐܦܐ  Kepa   , I will build my church. To call somebody a rock was the greatest of compliments, because the Kepa ܟܐܦܐ    , rock in Old Testament is God himself as we hear in Psalm 18:2, “Who is a  ܟܐܦܐ Kepa      , except our God.” Or in 2 Sam 22:2 “The Lord is my Kepa ܟܐܦܐ      “but here used the word  ܟܐܦܐ Kepa to himself. It is as, St. Augustine said: “If Jesus said you areܟܐܦܐ  Kepa; and on myself as Kepa  ܟܐܦܐ  I will found my church,” there is anther explanation for Kepa ܟܐܦܐ . Kepa is Kepa’s Faith, that is to say: rock is Peter’s faith.
Yes, it is very true, on the faith of Rock_ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܐ ܕܟܐܦܐ   the church is founded, he is the first stone of the whole church and the first member too,  ܥܕܬܐ church not as institution and organization with building and offices, but here church as the community of believers  ܟܢܫܐ ܕܡܗܝܡܢ̈ܐ ܘܥܡܐ ܕܡܪܝܐ , as the people of the Lord in what Simon Peter declare in his confession.

Contacts: Parish Priest (Fr. Noel Gorgis (818) 765-3665); Parish Council (Mr. Fathollah Thomassi (818) 341 4113); Social Activity (Mr. Ashour Khowsroabadi (818) 486 3129); The Sacred Heart (Mrs. Azhar Neesan (818) 957 2331)

Announcements

The Social Activity Group is planning to have an early Thanksgiving celebration on Sunday, November 20. The main course will be Rish-e-Aghli (کله پاچه ) or as it’s known in Iraq, Pacha. After the meal there would be a Backgammon competition in the small hall while there would be music and dance in the main hall. Those who’re interested in participating in the competition, please see Mr. Sargon Yadegar in order to register early. There is a $10 participation fee for every one, except our returning champion from last year.
The cooking will be started on Saturday 19th of November in evening around 6 PM. Those who would like to help in cooking, please see Sargon.

حضور همه برادران و خواهران عزیز:
گروه فعالیت اجتماعی به اطلاع میرساند که د ر روزیکشنبه بتاریخ بیستم نوامبر سال جاری در نظر دارد  با ارایه کله و پاچه به پیشواز روز شکرگذاری Thanksgivings برود. در این روز بعد از صرف نهار موزیک و رقص در سالن اصلی اجرا میشود. همزمان با این برنامه در سالن کوچک نیز تورنمنت تخته نرد برگزار خواهد شد. علاقمندان به شرکت در این تورنمنت لطفا با آقای سرگون یادگار تماس بگیرند. مبلغ ده دلار جهت تدارکات و خرید جایزه مسابقه از هر شخص گردآوری خواهد شد. 

            From Parish Council: In order to increase the participation of our dear parishioners in Sundays Holy Mass who have young children of age one through five we have decided to establish a day care through the hours of The Mass. This would allow the parents to participate in Holy Mass while the children could gather and learn and play together. In order to achieve this goal we’re asking for your help in two folds. We need Volunteers who could take care of kids each Sunday for two hours. We propose two persons for each Sunday. If you’re interested to help, please see Fr. Noel. We are also asking for your help in providing the environment for the day care. Your help could be in form of financial aid, toys, children’s books and movies, children furniture and so on. Please let Fr. Noel know if you can help.

            Sunday School: Our 2005-06 class for the children who will receive the First Communion has just started. If you would like to enroll your child please contact Fr. Noel as soon as possible.

            The Youth Groupis planning to present another wonderful play in form of a Musical in December. This program would be presented in conjunction with the Choir group of St. Peter Cathedral of San Diego. The date and time would be announced later on.

            St. Paul Church has purchased a credit card processing machine, which would allow you, dear parishioner to use your credit card in order to pay your annual Church membership and purchase tickets for the events or even pay for your purchases in Gift Shop.

            As we’re drawing to close another year the time for celebrating the New Year is creeping in. Our Social Activity has planned a great New Year party with lot of surprises. The tickets will be available for purchase from December 4 and we encourage you to obtain your tickets early on so you won’t miss the party.

What did happen last month?

Sunday October 9

Visit of His Grace Mar Toma, (The Bishop of Urmi and Salmas)
            His Grace Mar Toma visited our parish and performed the Holy Mass. His annual visits to United States always is a joyous occasion for all of us, especially those who are from Urmi & Salmas.
 

Art exhibit by: Paul Batou
Book signing by: Rosie Malek-Yonan

Artist Paul Batou in his first art exhibit in St. Paul Church introduced us to a great master. He brought an extensive collection of paintings and candles for this exhibit, which was greatly received and praised by parishioners.

Long awaited book “The Crimson Field”, the story of Urmi Assyrians in the advent of the First World War, is published and its author Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan along with her sister, Monica the book’s editor, came to St. Paul Church for the book signing. Rosie, an accomplished pianist, actress, figure skater, and now author welcomed each parishioner with warmth and signed each one’s book.

Left to right: The Crimson Field author Rosie Malek-Yonan, artist Paul Batou, Father Noel Gorgis, Monica Malek-Yonan, Sargon Yadegar

October 9, 2005

Ms. Malek-Yonan has depicted the tragedy of 1914 events, which resulted in lost of about ¾ million of the Assyrian population at the time. The book it’s a must to have in each Assyrian family, especially those from Urmi. It would be a great birthday or a Christmas gift to your family members or friends and by purchasing this book you support a fellow writer who is introducing our community to the world.