Baghdad, IRAQ - Senior research fellow, Brian J. Grim, paints a harrowing picture of the ongoing persecution of Iraqi Christians.  The research expert on religion and world affairs with the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in Washington, D.C. reports that the situation for Christians in Iraq is worsening. 

“It is no small irony, of course, that the Shiite majority that's now a leading force in Iraq was brutalized and suppressed under Saddam, who extensively curbed the Shiites' religious freedoms. A State Department report in 2002 said Saddam's government ‘severely restricts or bans outright many Shiite religious practices.’ One might think that those fresh memories would be enough to ensure liberties for Iraq's religious minorities today. Yet that appears not to be the case,” writes Grim in his report. 

Iraqi Christians are part of historic indigenous communities that have been in what is now Iraq nearly since the time of Christ, several centuries before Islam came to the region. The majority of them are Chaldean Christians, an ancient religious group affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

This article is the third in a seven series discussion on the attributes of a Chaldean apostle.  A Chaldean apostle is patient and perseverant.  They are willing to accept in their mind and heart that they will be required to wait and endure for His sake.  By having such faith the Chaldean apostle’s behavior will naturally change and begin to better reflect the Kingdom of God.  Therefore, this series will examine the attributes of behavior that demonstrate the grace of our Lord and our choice to be a follower of Christ.  

The term "patience" has several meanings in the dictionary.   It can mean the bearing of pain or trials calmly and without complaint; not being hasty or impetuous; or being steadfast despite opposition or adversity and showing forbearance under provocation or strain.

Most think of patience as something benign, like not being hasty or impetuous.  However, unlike the popular definition of patience, the Holy Bible teaches us that pain, trials, adversity, and strain are also involved (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 2:20, Romans 5:3-4, 12:12).   In the Bible, perseverance is often mentioned in the same verse as patience (Matthew 24:13, Romans 5:3-4, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:23, 10:36, James 1:2-4). Why do these two traits go hand in hand? What is the difference between them?

Michigan, USA - Obama’s relations with Muslims were further stressed as a private back-door meeting spiraled downward over Jewish support.    Among over 150 African-American community leaders and a handful of Arab-Americans were invited to the private meeting.  An argument ensued between Obama and  Osama Siblani regarding the presidential hopeful’s public support of Israel. 

“The more people learn about him the more they feel he is like any other politician,” says Husam Abid, a Chaldean business man in Detroit, Michigan.  “I was told that the Arabs at the meeting made it clear that they want Obama to return to his roots and stand against Jews.  Others feel Obama is purposely alienating Muslims to mask his heritage and show he would not favor Islam.”

Chaldean community leaders, like Ramzi Dalloo, of Troy Michigan  are hopeful that Obama’s efforts to reach out to the two communities are reciprocated.  Nonetheless, tension between Jews and Obama grows.  A website sharing Jewish frustration titled, www.JewsAgainstObama.com is gaining national attention.  The site catalogs Obama’s anti-Jewish stance.  Danny Ayalon, Israel's former ambassador in Washington adds to the growing discourse in a published article in the Jerusalem Post.  Ayalon writes that the Democratic candidate wasn’t entirely forthright regarding Israel. 

الذكرى الاربعين للرسامة الكهنوتية للاركذياقون صبري قج

في الاول من حزيران احتضنت خورنة مار ميخا احتفالا بمناسبة الذكرى الاربعين للرسامة الكهنوتية للاركذياقون صبري قجبو. اقام الاحتفال اعضاء المجلس الخورني ، علامة شكر وتقدير للخدمة والعمل الدؤوب الذي يقوم به المونسنيور صبري خلال حياته الكهنوتية بدءا ببغداد مرورا بديترويت وانتهاءً بسان دييكو.

حضر الحفل كل من سيادة راعي الابرشية مار سرهد يوسب جمو، والاباء ميخائيل بزي، وبولس خمي، وفيليكس الشابي، واندرو  يونان. كما وايضا عدد من الاخوة الشمامسة، وجوق الكنيسة، وعدد من ابناء الرعية.

تضمن منهاج الحفل كلمات القاها كل من السادة كامل سالم رئيس مجلس الخورنة، والدكتور سامي جهاد اذ قرأ نبذة مختصرة عن حياة الاب صبري وخدمته الكهنوتية، ثم قام الشماس الانجيلي عصام يدكو بتلاوة التبريكات على راعي الخورنة، ثم قدم  الجوق هدية جميلة الى راعي خورنتهم.
واختتم سيادة المطران المنهاج بكلمة مؤثرة عن الخدمة الكهنوتية، اعقبها بصلاة ومباركة العشاء. 

مبروك للاركذياقون صبري قجبو ذكرى رسامته الاربعين، نتمنى ان يعينه الرب لتتميم مشواره ويعضده لخدمةكلمة الانجيل الح

California, USA - The Chaldean Diocese of the American West (St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Diocese for Chaldeans and Assyrians) celebrated the 40th anniversary ordination of Msgr. Sabri.  The event was hosted by St. Michaels Parish. 

Among the guests were Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, Fr. Michael Bazzi, Msgr. Paolis Khami, Msgr. Felix Shabi, and Fr. Andrew Younan, diocese deacons, parish choir, and both invited and faithful guests.

Michigan, USA - Protecting God's Children Workshop (PGC) is a professional development workshop organized by the Chaldean Diocese of Michigan.  The PGC workshop covers diocese wide policies and procedures for all church volunteers.  All church volunteers are required to attend the PGC professional development workshop. 

Mother of God Church will be offering the workshop on Friday, June 27, 2008.  The workshop begins at 6:30 PM and will end at 9:30 PM. 

To register for the event please CLICK HERE and complete the online form.  You must be a registered user of this website in order to complete the online form.  Once logged into the site, please click on the blue pencil (lower right) for the online form to appear. 

Michigan, USA - Chaldean American Professionals (CAP) invites Chaldeans and their business friends to a breakfast business network meeting.  The meeting will be held this Friday, June 27 in the Southfield Town Center 4000 LaTerrace Mediterranean Restaurant from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the morning.  For a map of the Southfield Town Center, CLICK HERE.

The event is open to both Chaldeans and non-Chaldeans.  The event is free to CAP members and only $5 for non-members.  The event will include continental breakfast and a literature table for business cards, fliers, and literature.   Guests are reminded to bring plenty of business cards and to where name badges. 

Michigan, USA - It is no coincidence that nearly 1,000 fathers had to lose their life 100 years ago for the right message to be heard. That message is that we love our fathers, but how and why did they lose their lives.  Most of those that died were Italian immigrants, writes Fr. Eugene Francis Briggs (1908-2006), a Catholic priest and a Fitchburg native who dedicated much of his life to the study of the Monongah disaster.  A tragedy by any standards, whereby on December 6, 1907, there was a mining disaster at the Consolidated Coal Company in Monongah, West Virgina that claimed their lives.  It is still considered the worst mining disaster ever.

In the spirit of those fathers that the First Father’s Day was born of the father’s role of provider and the risk he takes as a laborer throughout the country, being a primary wage earner.  “The same holds true to for our Chaldean fathers,” says Tom Issa, a father of three.  “Our Chaldean fathers literally climbed mountains and crossed oceans to provide and protect their family.”

Issa adds that Chaldean fathers continue to take incredible risks providing for their families.  “They work very long hours in some of the most horrible conditions, trapped in bullet proof and risking their lives.  It is good that we acknowledge, celebrate, and honor their sacrifice to our family and community.”  Issa speaks of the inaugural “Honor Thy Father” dinner hosted by Mother of God Church in Southfield, Michigan.  The dinner brought over 400 Chaldeans out for a night of dinner, entertainment, and applause for Chaldean fathers. 

{Must be a registered member of www.chaldean.org to view the photos of the 2008 Father / Son Celebration Dinner}

Michigan, USA - Mother’s Day began as a day to unite parents to improve the world for future generations.  The bond between mother and daughter is especially strong in the Chaldean community.  Chaldean mother and daughters are finding a very unique blend of mother-daughter moments. 

“I love mother’s day.” Says Athra Yakoo, a mother of three Chaldean young ladies and two teenage girls.  “I am so blessed with my daughters.  They are educated, respectful, and religious.  They give our family a very good reputation and make us very happy.”

The challenges Chaldean families face in Europe and America remain a top priority for Chaldean churches. Chaldean churches have focused on offering compelling sermons, lectures, and community wide events to strengthen and warn Chaldean families of growing cultural dangers in their host countries tearing at the family. Joining the call is the Ladies Social Group of Our Lady of Chaldean Cathedral, Mother of God Church in Southfield, Michigan. The group hosts an annual dinner to celebrate the loving bond between mother and daughter as well as organizes prayer breakfasts and outings for mothers and their daughters.  

This year the group held their 2008 Mother / Daughter Fashion Show Gala bringing nearly 700 women together to celebrate the importance of motherhood.  The feature rich event included dinner, three fashion shows, live entertainment, a crowd of vendors, silent auction, raffle prizes, and gifts. 

{Must be a registered member of www.chaldean.org to view the photos of the 2008 Mother / Daughter Fashion Show Gala}

The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) kicked off an initiative today to convince the legislature to add a 10-cent deposit for water bottles.   This is the same group that originally pushed for Michigan to become the first state to require deposits on pop bottles.

The idea has come under harsh criticism from Chaldeans and many others in the business community, mainly those that would be responsible for handling all the new empty containers. 

Michigan, USA – Many would say it is a rite of passage for Michigan Chaldeans to visit Frankenmuth.  The Bavarian village, dubbed “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” has rich cultural and historical significance and is one of the largest tourist attractions in Michigan.  The small town is now facing legal pressure to strip all religious symbols from their village.  The legal threats hope to end the all-year Christmas displays, removal of the Cross from the town shield, and the destruction of the Cross in the city park.

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State has taken steps to challenge the city for its use of religions symbols. In response, the City Council of Frankenmuth unanimously voted to retain the Thomas More Law Center to defend its unique historical and cultural heritage.  

Christian persecution in America is not necessarily physical abuse says David Haddad, a student of world history.  He asserts that it is more psychological and systematic intimidation that will eventually lead to physical abuse.  “When a Chaldean thinks of ‘persecution’ our minds turn to the humiliating and horrible conditions we faced as a people or the holocaust our people suffered during World War I,” Haddad adds. 

Summer months are upon us and Chaldeans are feeling the heat.  The summer scorchers causing beach sun burns may be the summer trademark, but other heat related illnesses are just as dangerous. 

Although Chaldeans are inherently from hot areas, current migration has placed Chaldeans in different environments.    Some places are dry and hot and others humid and hot.  The heat can be our friend, but it can also be very dangerous. 

These helpful tips can make the difference in ruining the family's summer:

California, USA  – “I am very excited and my entire family is ready,” says Nick Siman, San Diego County Fair’s self proclaimed biggest fan.   Over a million residents will be joining Siman as “the greatest indoor-outdoor show on Earth” opens their doors.

The San Diego County Fair opens Saturday, a 21-day extravaganza that costs nearly $140 million to put together. The 360-acre fairground was a disaster-relief center for horses and people evacuated during the October 2007 wildfires.

In a few short days, Chaldeans by the thousands will join the millions of other guest and flock to the sports themed fair.  Pop stars, celebrities, and professional athletes will be freely mingling with the crowd, signing autographs, and performing.  An estimated 1,600 entertainment acts will let the good times roll on nine stages.

London, UK - The Lord's Prayer will be read in Aramaic at a special Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at Westminster Cathedral next week in support of Iraqi Christians.

At a time when many of Iraq’s Christians have been forced to flee the volatile situation in their homeland, the Mass at 5:30pm on June 16 will offer an opportunity for bishops and worshippers to come together and stand in solidarity with the country’s Christian community.

In addition to the Lord’s Prayer being read in Aramaic – the language closest to Christ’s dialect – the Gospel will be sung in Arabic. The Mass will also allow people to pray for peace in Iraq and also for Iraqi communities here in England and Wales.

A Chaldean home filled with reading material is a good way to help our kids become enthusiastic (and proficient) readers. English is not the primary language spoken in most Chaldean households.  This challenge makes it a bit more difficult for Chaldean children to do well in reading and language arts.  To give your Chaldean child an additional boost you might consider these wonderful suggestions. 

First ask your kids about their interests. If they're too young to have a preference, visit your local library and ask a librarian to offer suggestions about age-appropriate books.

Here are some other wonderful tips shared by Chaldean parents Basima Kizzy, Joan Bazzi, Freddy Razooky, and Sabri Zora:

Michigan, USA - The Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals (CAAHP) will be sponsoring a Chaldean Community Health ‘O Rama on Sunday, June 8th, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.  The health fair will be held in the Mother of God Church, Southfield community hall and is open to the entire community. 

The event will feature physicians, medical specialists, the American Red Cross, and other related health professionals offering free health consultation, screening, and testing services to the community. 

High school and college students interested in health careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, or health administration are invited to volunteer for the event.  “This is a wonderful opportunity for both high school and college students to network with health professionals and pharmaceutical companies,” says Robert Kakos, assistant coordinator of the event.  “To gain admission to medical or dental school, or a quality health program; students will need to demonstrate community involvement and secure recommendation letters.  Volunteering at this event will go far in helping students reach their dreams.”