America's North Shore Journal

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hugh Hewitt hits it out of the park with this 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 [...]

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

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)