
Bishop Imad Al Banna, the acting bishop of Basrah, explained that St. Efram is one of two kindergartens in the country sponsored by the Chaldean Church to combine children of mixed religions in one learning environment.
“They are the future and hope of Iraq,” Banna said of the children. “It’s very important that they grow together with peace, love and good ideas.”
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Tags: basra iraq, Basrah Iraq, Bishop Imad Al Banna, Chaldean Catholic elementary school, Chaldean Catholics in Iraq, Chaldean Rite, St. Efram Elementary School
Posted in Catholic Church, Iraq, Rebuilding, Religion, War on Terror • Comments Off

A Catholic Mass was celebrated in the Chaldean Rite by the acting bishop of Basra Aug. 8 in honor of the Soldiers serving here.
Unlike regular services held for Soldiers here, Bishop Imad Al Banna, a priest and native of Basra, spoke Aramaic, an ancient language spoken in Palestine in the time of Jesus, and still spoken in parts of Iraq.
Al Banna, who visited with Multi-National Division – South leaders in early July, led the Catholic service, hosting nearly 50 people in the small room.
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Tags: Aramaic, Bishop Imad Al Banna, Bishop of Basra, Chaldean Rite, Christians in Iraq
Posted in Catholic Church, Iraq, Religion, War on Terror • Comments Off
After he was injured in Iraq, Vakoc developed a large following among caregivers and volunteers who often joined him in prayer, first at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and then at the nursing home. Eventually, he was able to speak a few words, but mostly communicated with looks and touch, his friends recalled.
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Tags: Father Tim, Henry T. Vakoc, Major Vakoc, military chaplain
Posted in Catholic Church, Heroes, Military, Religion • Comments Off
The United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., sent one of its own, a Catholic priest, to the front lines to minister to the border-watching Long Knife Brigade.
Chaplain (Capt.) Timothy Valentine is the only Catholic priest assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to provide spiritual fitness to Soldiers at the many bases and outposts in the tri-province areas of Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna.
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Tags: 1st Cavalry Division, Catholic priest, Chaplain (Capt.) Timothy Valentine, United States Military Academy, West Point
Posted in Catholic Church, Iraq, Religion, War on Terror • Comments Off
The ruckus over the kidnapped Eucharist at the University of Central Florida continues. Now the admitted kidnapped has filed hazing charges against the Campus Ministries religious group. The University bans forced eating or drinking as hazing. The kidnapper maintains that being told to consume the Eucharist at Mass and not to leave with it constitutes hazing.
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Tags: anti-hazing policy, Catholic Campus Ministries, Diocese of Orlando, Eucharist, University of Central Florida, Webster Cook
Posted in Catholic Church, Commentary, Original writing, Religion • 2 Comments »
Hugh Hewitt hits it out of the park with this comment.
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Posted in Catholic Church, Islam, Other Bloggers, Religion • 1 Comment »

Hornell Evening Tribune
story by Rob Montana, photo by Lynn Brennan
June will mark four years since Father Patrick VanDurme first arrived in the Canisteo Valley — it also will mark his departure.
VanDurme, 42, made the first public announcement of his departure at Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. Mass at St. Ann’s Church, and will tell parishioners the same [...]
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Tags: army chaplain, canisteo valley, hornell evening tribune, priests
Posted in Catholic Church, Military, Religion • 2 Comments »

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq — A rosary hangs from the protective vest of a Marine in Iraq. Many deployed servicemembers carry a memento or keepsake with them as a reminder of home or a source of strength.
Photo by: Sgt. Wayne Edmiston
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Posted in Catholic Church, Marines, Military, War on Terror • 1 Comment »

BAGHDAD – An altar boy eagerly rings a bell to celebrate Christmas at the conclusion of mass held at the St. John’s Chaldean Church in Doura. After receiving the sacrament, the congregation’s children were treated to a visit by Santa Claus. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kirk Luedeke, 4IBCT, 1ID)
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Posted in Catholic Church, Iraq, Religion, War on Terror • Comments Off