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#233 From: clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:49 am
Subject: File - RECALL. clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com
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Dear Syriac Catholic Youth Club member, this forum has three goals:




Be a forum for all Syriac Catholics living in Canada and the USA, that gives the
opportunity to our youth and our members to exchange views and expertise, and
coordinate their activities for their personal interest and that of the
community. Roman Catholics and Syriac orthodox are very welcomed in this forum
Club.


Promote and publicize the teaching of Syriac studies that relate to the syriac
language, history and culture or to it's spiritual and scientific heritage in
order to protect and preserve them.


Promote a constructive image of the Syriac community and people and reflect that
to the outside world.


Therefore, emails must be with in one of the three following topics:

1- A Subject about Syriac Culture, language or History.

2- A Subject that concerns Eastern Christianity or Arab Christians.

3- An Activity sponsered By the Syriac Catholic Youth Club.


Emails have to usually correspond to one of these three topics and Must have
eather an English or French version.

We have an other Yahoo ! goup address : Syriacyouth@yahoogroups.com for sending
jokes, general comments, news, wishes and topics like that.


Thank you for your Cooperation, The Syriac Catholic Youth Club Committee.

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#231 From: Andrew Hannouche <andrewhannouche@...>
Date: Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:08 am
Subject: Un excellent article sur la passion du Christ, hannouchefamily
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An Excellent article on the passion of Christ was written in the French newspaper LE FIGARO.

Un Excellent Article sur la Passion du Christ :

"Religieusement correct"

un excellent article de
Michel De Jaeghere [LeFigaro.fr - 10 mars 2004]

L'Inquisition re�ut ce nom parce qu'elle introduisait une nouveaut� dans la proc�dure m�di�vale : celle de faire pr�c�der toute condamnation d'une enqu�te au cours de laquelle le suspect serait entendu, tandis que seraient examin�es les preuves de son crime. Nous n'avons plus de ces d�licatesses. Ce qui �tonne dans l'�trange proc�s qui a �t� fait � Mel Gibson � l'occasion de la sortie de son film, c'est tout de m�me le nombre de condamnations �manant d'autorit�s ou d'individus qui ne l'avaient pas vu.

Le fond de l'acte d'accusation en dispensait, il est vrai, les accusateurs. Parce qu'il se r�sumait � ceci : d'avoir pr�sent� les autorit�s juives comme �tant responsables de la condamnation et de la mort du Christ. Nul ne soup�onne en effet la bonne foi de Mel Gibson. Nul ne l'a accus� d'avoir donn� un physique d�plaisant aux personnages juifs de son film, nul ne l'a soup�onn� d'avoir r�duit leurs caract�res � des arch�types caricaturaux : c'est la trame m�me de l'histoire qu'il raconte qui a �t� mise en cause, le fil du sc�nario (dont les procureurs n'avaient du reste qu'une connaissance impr�cise, gr�ce au vol d'une premi�re �bauche du script) qui a �t� stigmatis� comme fauteur d'antis�mitisme, parce que ce sc�nario pr�sentait le grand pr�tre et le clerg� juif du temple de J�rusalem comme les instigateurs de la condamnation � mort de J�sus. Point n'�tait donc besoin de voir le film. Il suffisait de savoir qu'il mettait en sc�ne cette vision scandaleuse de la Passion du Christ.

On a dit, on a r�p�t� qu'il y avait l�, de la part de Mel Gibson, un inacceptable obscurantisme. Que le concile Vatican II avait r�cus� une fois pour toutes l'id�e d'une culpabilit� des autorit�s juives dans la mort de J�sus. Le probl�me est que cela est faux. Par sa d�claration Nostra Aetate, les P�res conciliaires se sont born�s � affirmer que �ce qui a �t� commis durant (la) Passion ne peut �tre imput� indistinctement ni � tous les juifs vivant alors, ni aux juifs de notre temps�. C'�tait r�pudier la tradition patristique selon laquelle le peuple �lu porterait, depuis la mort du Christ, le poids de la mal�diction divine : ce que l'on a appel� l'accusation de �d�icide�. Refuser l'id�e d'une responsabilit� h�r�ditaire et collective (la bizarrerie est qu'on invoque d�sormais une telle responsabilit� pour inviter les chr�tiens � la repentance pour les fautes que leurs anc�tres auraient commises � mais cela est une autre histoire).

La m�me d�claration conciliaire n'en rappelait pas moins que �des autorit�s juives, avec leurs partisans, (avaient) pouss� � la mort du Christ�. Comment aurait-elle pu dire le contraire ? Le fait figure en toutes lettres dans les quatre Evangiles !

�Voici que nous montons � J�rusalem et le Fils de l'Homme va �tre livr� aux grands pr�tres et aux scribes ; ils le condamneront � mort et le livreront aux pa�ens pour �tre bafou�, flagell� et mis en croix, et le troisi�me jour, il ressuscitera.� (Matthieu, 20 18-19)

�Alors les grands pr�tres et les anciens du peuple s'assembl�rent dans le Palais du grand pr�tre qui s'appelait Ca�phe, et se concert�rent en vue d'arr�ter J�sus par ruse et de le mettre � mort� (Matthieu 26 3-4)

�Or les grands pr�tres et le Sanh�drin tout entier cherchaient un faux t�moignage contre J�sus en vue de le faire mourir.� (Matthieu 26 59)

�A dater de ce jour, ils furent r�solus � le tuer.� (Jean, 11-48)

�Alors le grand pr�tre d�chira ses tuniques et dit : �Qu'avons-nous besoin de t�moins ? Vous avez entendu le blasph�me� (...) Tous prononc�rent qu'il m�ritait la mort.� (Marc 14 63)

�Ayant convoqu� les grands pr�tres, les chefs et le peuple, Pilate leur dit : �Vous m'avez pr�sent� cet homme comme poussant le peuple � la r�volte ; or j'ai instruit l'affaire devant vous et je n'ai trouv� cet homme coupable d'aucun des crimes dont vous l'accusez (...) Vous le voyez, cet homme n'a rien fait qui m�rite la mort. Je le rel�cherai donc apr�s l'avoir ch�ti�.� Mais eux se mirent � vocif�rer tous ensemble : �A mort cet homme. Et rel�che-nous Barrabas�. (...) Pilate, dans son d�sir de rel�cher J�sus leur adressa de nouveau la parole. Mais eux lui criaient : �Crucifie-le, crucifie-le.� (...) Alors Pilate pronon�a qu'il fut fait droit � leur demande. Il rel�cha celui qui avait �t� mis en prison pour �meute et pour meurtre, et il livra J�sus � leur bon plaisir.� (Luc 23 20-25).

Faut-il rappeler que, tout au long de la semaine sainte, les catholiques entendent debout la lecture de ces textes parce qu'ils les tiennent pour la parole de Dieu ?

Surnaturellement, les chr�tiens savent qu'ils sont, par leurs propres p�ch�s, les vrais auteurs de la mort du Christ, venu donner sa vie pour nous racheter de nos faiblesses, de nos trahisons, de nos indignit�s. Ce que Mel Gibson a manifest�, d'une fa�on saisissante, en voulant que sa seule apparition � l'�cran soit celle de sa main tenant les clous qui s'enfoncent dans les paumes du Christ, lors de sa mise en Croix. Historiquement, cette mort a cependant �t� provoqu�e, voulue, consentie par des individus, par des �tres de chair et de sang qui, sauf � admettre qu'ils aient �t� victimes d'une pr�destination par laquelle le Cr�ateur les aurait condamn�s � se faire les ex�cuteurs des basses oeuvres de la justice divine, sont rest�s jusqu'au bout libres de leurs actes : Judas, qui a livr� J�sus, les grands pr�tres qui l'ont condamn�, Pilate, qui leur a pr�t� le concours de la force publique.

Si raconter cela, c'est faire acte d'antis�mitisme, alors, c'est l'Evangile qu'il faut d�sormais interdire.

On dira (on a d�j� dit) que mettre en cause les grands pr�tres, c'est n�gliger le poids de l'occupation : le fait que les autorit�s juives n'auraient pu mettre � mort elles-m�mes le Christ sans l'aval des autorit�s romaines. On n'est pas si regardant lorsque l'on juge les condamnations que l'Eglise faisait ex�cuter, au Moyen Age, selon le m�me proc�d�, par le bras s�culier. Ce que dit l'Evangile, ce que saint Paul confirme (�Ce sont les Juifs qui ont fait mourir le Seigneur J�sus et les proph�tes�, Thessaloniciens 15-16) c'est que la mort du Christ a �t� voulue par les autorit�s juives, parce que, selon les paroles de Ca�phe, �il vaut mieux qu'un seul homme meure pour le peuple� (Jean 18-14)

Marc-Olivier Fogiel s'est demand�, sans rire, si Mel Gibson avait le niveau intellectuel requis pour traiter un sujet aussi complexe, et l'on a vu fleurir, ces derniers jours, th�ologiens et docteurs de l'Eglise l� o� on les aurait le moins attendus. Le cin�aste n'avait-il pas, ici, pris des libert�s avec le texte des Evangiles ? N'avait-il pas commis au contraire la faute (aggravante) de le retranscrire ailleurs � la lettre ? Des libertaires ont donn� leur avis sur la th�ologie de la Passion. Des agnostiques se sont �tonn�s de la modestie de l'�vocation de la r�surrection. La foi de Mel Gibson, a tranch� Patrick Sabatier dans Lib�ration, rel�ve d'une �variante chiite du christianisme�.

Pr�fet de la congr�gation du clerg�, et donc l'un des tout premiers collaborateurs du Pape, le cardinal Castrillon Hoyos a estim� quant � lui apr�s avoir vu le film : �Je troquerais avec joie nombre des hom�lies que j'ai prononc�es sur la Passion contre juste quelques minutes de ce film. (...) C'est un triomphe de l'art et de la foi. Je voudrais que tous les pr�tres catholiques, dans le monde, le voient.�

On a accus� Mel Gibson de violence gratuite. On est moins d�licat d'ordinaire, et il n'y a pas longtemps que certains c�l�braient la repr�sentation d'un viol de treize minutes comme un miracle de cr�ation artistique. Mais quelle violence fut moins gratuite que celle qui fut subie, accept�e par le fils de Dieu pour le rachat de nos p�ch�s ? Si elle nous choque, c'est peut-�tre que nous avons pris l'habitude de ce que la Passion du Christ, la flagellation, le couronnement d'�pines, la crucifixion soient pour nous des mots vid�s de sens. Nous les r�p�tons sans r�aliser pleinement ce qu'ils signifient. L'Eglise interdisait autrefois les repr�sentations de la Croix qui oblit�raient les marques de la souffrance du Crucifi�. Nous avons oubli� le Christ de douleurs de Mathias Gr�newald, nous nous satisfaisons du Christ lib�rateur de Salvador Dali : sur la Croix, il semble avoir d�j� ressuscit�.

Dans un monde satur� d'images de violence et de d�tresse, la croix du Christ a cess� de nous appara�tre pour ce qu'elle est : l'instrument du plus douloureux et du plus infamant des supplices, �scandale pour les Juifs, folie pour les pa�ens� (Corinthiens, 1-22), l'autel du sacrifice sanglant qui a assur� la r�demption du monde et que perp�tue de fa�on non sanglante le sacrifice de la messe (comme le sugg�re dans le film un flash-back associant la Croix � la derni�re c�ne dans une parfaite conformit� � la th�ologie d�finie par le concile de Trente). Or cette violence est pour les Chr�tiens le signe m�me de leur esp�rance : c'est elle qui leur fait comprendre qu'il n'est pas de crime dont le ch�timent du Juste n'ait valu l'expiation. C'est � son aune que se mesure l'amour du Christ. C'est elle aussi qui rend si vaine la recherche des responsables de sa mort sur la Croix : par le caract�re unique, exceptionnel du martyre pardonn�, consenti par celui qui a dit �Aimez vos ennemis�, elle nous fait sentir que ce qui fait pleuvoir les coups sur les �paules de la victime, peser la Croix sur son dos, couler le sang sur son front, ce n'est pas la m�chancet� des Romains ou l'infid�lit� des Juifs, ce sont les n�tres.

On a incrimin� Mel Gibson pour avoir interpol� dans son r�cit une sc�ne absente des �critures, mais inspir�e des r�cits d'une voyante mystique du XVIIIe si�cle, la Bienheureuse Anne-Catherine Emmerich. On y voit des charpentiers juifs fabriquer la Croix de J�sus. Qui voudrait-on qui la fabrique ? Le fond des choses est que tout le monde, ou presque, dans cette histoire, est juif : les grands pr�tres et la foule qui hurle � la mort, mais aussi les ap�tres, les saintes femmes et le bon larron, la Sainte Vierge et le disciple rest� seul, avec elle, au pied du crucifix. Les pa�ens n'apparaissent qu'en contrepoint dans l'Evangile : deux centurions, Pilate, une Canan�enne, les soldats qui flagellent le Christ ou tirent au sort sa tunique.

Telle est, aux yeux des catholiques, la destin�e singuli�re du peuple �lu qu'il a �t� choisi pour offrir, comme en un microcosme de la Cr�ation tout enti�re, ceux qui livreraient le Christ � la mort et ceux qui formeraient la primitive Eglise ; qu'il lui a m�me �t� donn� de compter parmi les siens l'Homme-Dieu venu racheter l'humanit� par son supplice. R�duire ce myst�re � notre mesure pour en nourrir nos pol�miques a quelque chose de d�risoire. L'antis�mitisme est un sujet trop s�rieux pour qu'il soit tol�rable qu'on en instrumentalise la menace � des fins �trang�res � la s�ret� des Juifs. Qui peut croire qu'elle soit menac�e aujourd'hui par un renouveau identitaire du christianisme ? Qui imagine vraiment qu'un tel film pourrait pousser des chr�tiens exalt�s � pers�cuter des juifs au motif que leurs grands pr�tres ont fait mettre � mort, il y a deux mille ans, le Christ ? La l�gislation fran�aise r�primait, sous la Restauration, le blasph�me. La suppression de ce d�lit fut consid�r�e par les Lib�raux comme une grande victoire. Un si�cle et demi plus tard, la censure nous est pr�sent�e comme une id�e neuve.

Le paradoxe est que le blasph�me de Mel Gibson tient au seul fait d'avoir proclam�, sans �gard pour les mots d'ordre du �religieusement correct�, la pl�nitude de sa foi catholique.

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#230 From: "hairpin260" <hairpin260@...>
Date: Thu Mar 25, 2004 2:03 pm
Subject: perfect catholic partner hairpin260
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Welcome to the Catholic Community, the best place on the net to meet
and explore the Catholic Faith, Truth and Happiness.
http://www.geocities.com/catholicland2000

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#229 From: Antoni <Abayda@...>
Date: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:17 am
Subject: Thank you !!!!!! antoni_b2002
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I read all your previews mails

Thank you Mr Abdelmalek for the great texts you are sending over

really full of wise and philosophical materials

Antoni

Montreal

----- Original Message -----

From: Abdelmalek, Raymond J

Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 10:30 AM

Subject: {clubsyriaque.org} Your Desires Tell You What You Are

Your Desires Tell You What You Are

Do you really want to know what you're like? Study your desires. What things does your heart habitually seek?

Desire is like a thermometer that actually measures your spiritual life. Worldly desires lead to a life of worldliness. Sensual desires make a sensual person. Self-centered desires cause a mediocre and selfish life.

If your desire for God is only half-hearted, you're leading a tepid Christian life. You're suffering from spiritual mediocrity and you're a long way from perfection of the First Commandment. If your desire for God is consistently ardent, you're making progress. If it's ever on the increase, you're making great progress in holiness.

God loves great desires. If a man ceases to desire God and the things of God, his soul is in a tragic state. Earthbound, tied to earth by a hundred shackles of sensual and worldly desires, he seems incapable of any spiritual ambition or aspiration for God. Spiritually he is a walking corpse! He needs a miracle of resurrection to awaken his soul to its need for God. Such people, incidentally, usually are a burden to themselves and to their friends.

God loved Daniel because he was a man of desires. He loves anyone who has great desires, Christlike ambitions, or longings for the spread of God's Kingdom. These are the timbers used by God to ignite the world with His love. Why is a cloistered contemplative like St. Theresa named "Patroness of the Missions?" Because of her overwhelming desire for the conversion of all souls to God!

Desire is always the first step of your soul toward God. If there's no desire for Christian Perfection...if your soul experiences no deep need of God, obviously you'll expend no great effort to achieve union in love with Him. That's why the study of Christ is so basic to a fervent Christian life. In meditation He is seen to be totally desirable both as God and man. There the desire to follow Him is ignited and stimulated. So, if you want to know what you are really like, take out fifteen minutes for some serious soul-searching and make this test...

Think of those things or objects in life that you consider most desirable. Be very honest with yourself and make an objective list. What are those things upon which your heart has become attached? This list will uncover the depth of your vanity, your pride and your sensuality. It will also point up any secret avarice, envy, or any other species of selfishness. Of course, it will also be a measure of your fervor and love of God.

Is God just an afterthought in your life? Do you use Him just to call on for the fulfillment of your own desires? Do you strive to bend your will to His, rather than to try to get Him to conform His Sanctifying will to your own? Do you really consider the perfect love of God as the greatest and most desirable object in life? Do you have any longing for greater union with our Lord? What do you do about it?

An honest appraisal of one's self is always the first step towards self-improvement. Any psychiatrist will add that it's also the foundation of emotional maturity. So face up to your habitual desires. Find out just what does motivate your usual activities. Compare these desires with the Beatitudes given by Christ in His Gospel. Then, you'll know whether your desires need intensification or reformation!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.

May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.

Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/
To Subscribe:
FellowshipofBelievers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><
"Life is an opportunity to serve, love, and forgive as God, himself, has done for us."

VISIT OUR WEBSITE : VISITEZ NOTRE SITE: CLUBSYRIAQUE.ORG

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#228 From: "mike. e e.man" <mike4mvp@...>
Date: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:18 am
Subject: RE: {clubsyriaque.org} New file uploaded to clubsyriaque mike4mvp@...
Send Email

What does this exactly mean?? i have no clue to what it pretains too!!
thank you for your help!


>From: clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com To: clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: {clubsyriaque.org} New file uploaded to clubsyriaque
>Date: 23 Mar 2004 02:06:45 -0000
>
>
>Hello,
>
>This email message is a notification to let you know that
>a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the clubsyriaque
>group.
>
>   File        : /RECALL.
>   Uploaded by : clubsyriaque <clubsyriaque@...>
>   Description : When Sending a Message...
>
>You can access this file at the URL
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubsyriaque/files/RECALL.
>
>To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit
>
>http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files
>
>Regards,
>
>clubsyriaque <clubsyriaque@...>
>
>
>
>

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#227 From: "Abdelmalek, Raymond J" <abdelrj@...>
Date: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:30 pm
Subject: Your Desires Tell You What You Are r_abdelmalek
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Your Desires Tell You What You Are

Do you really want to know what you're like? Study your desires. What things does your heart habitually seek?

Desire is like a thermometer that actually measures your spiritual life. Worldly desires lead to a life of worldliness. Sensual desires make a sensual person. Self-centered desires cause a mediocre and selfish life.

If your desire for God is only half-hearted, you're leading a tepid Christian life. You're suffering from spiritual mediocrity and you're a long way from perfection of the First Commandment. If your desire for God is consistently ardent, you're making progress. If it's ever on the increase, you're making great progress in holiness.

God loves great desires. If a man ceases to desire God and the things of God, his soul is in a tragic state. Earthbound, tied to earth by a hundred shackles of sensual and worldly desires, he seems incapable of any spiritual ambition or aspiration for God. Spiritually he is a walking corpse! He needs a miracle of resurrection to awaken his soul to its need for God. Such people, incidentally, usually are a burden to themselves and to their friends.

God loved Daniel because he was a man of desires. He loves anyone who has great desires, Christlike ambitions, or longings for the spread of God's Kingdom. These are the timbers used by God to ignite the world with His love. Why is a cloistered contemplative like St. Theresa named "Patroness of the Missions?" Because of her overwhelming desire for the conversion of all souls to God!

Desire is always the first step of your soul toward God. If there's no desire for Christian Perfection...if your soul experiences no deep need of God, obviously you'll expend no great effort to achieve union in love with Him. That's why the study of Christ is so basic to a fervent Christian life. In meditation He is seen to be totally desirable both as God and man. There the desire to follow Him is ignited and stimulated. So, if you want to know what you are really like, take out fifteen minutes for some serious soul-searching and make this test...

Think of those things or objects in life that you consider most desirable. Be very honest with yourself and make an objective list. What are those things upon which your heart has become attached? This list will uncover the depth of your vanity, your pride and your sensuality. It will also point up any secret avarice, envy, or any other species of selfishness. Of course, it will also be a measure of your fervor and love of God.

Is God just an afterthought in your life? Do you use Him just to call on for the fulfillment of your own desires? Do you strive to bend your will to His, rather than to try to get Him to conform His Sanctifying will to your own? Do you really consider the perfect love of God as the greatest and most desirable object in life? Do you have any longing for greater union with our Lord? What do you do about it?

An honest appraisal of one's self is always the first step towards self-improvement. Any psychiatrist will add that it's also the foundation of emotional maturity. So face up to your habitual desires. Find out just what does motivate your usual activities. Compare these desires with the Beatitudes given by Christ in His Gospel. Then, you'll know whether your desires need intensification or reformation!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.

May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.

Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/
To Subscribe:
FellowshipofBelievers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><
"Life is an opportunity to serve, love, and forgive as God, himself, has done for us."

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#226 From: clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:06 am
Subject: New file uploaded to clubsyriaque clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com
Send Email

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the clubsyriaque
group.

   File        : /RECALL.
   Uploaded by : clubsyriaque <clubsyriaque@...>
   Description : When Sending a Message...

You can access this file at the URL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubsyriaque/files/RECALL.

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit

http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

clubsyriaque <clubsyriaque@...>

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#224 From: "Mays !" <m_yacoub@...>
Date: Sat Mar 20, 2004 11:29 pm
Subject: RE: {clubsyriaque.org} HELP HELP HELP!!! m_yacoub@...
Send Email

Good luck and God be with you

Sweety Mays

>From: "Ask Me!" >To: clubsyriaque@yahoogroups.com >Subject: {clubsyriaque.org} HELP HELP HELP!!! >Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 21:12:29 -0000 > >Brothers & Sisters, > >I am doing something VERY VERY VERY important now, and it will change >my whole life!!! > >And I really want it to work!!! I need it!!! > >I really need your prayers!!! Please pray for me!!! > >Remember me in your prayers!!! >

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#223 From: "Ask Me!" <jakjok185@...>
Date: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:12 pm
Subject: HELP HELP HELP!!! jakjok185
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Brothers & Sisters,

I am doing something VERY VERY VERY important now, and it will change
my whole life!!!

And I really want it to work!!! I need it!!!

I really need your prayers!!! Please pray for me!!!

Remember me in your prayers!!!

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#222 From: "Gerges, Behnam" <BGerges@...>
Date: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:59 pm
Subject: FW: T�l�rama: une autre critique - Khoury et Yalo BGerges@...
Send Email

Behnam Gerges
Statistics Section
Tel.: (514) 954-8219 (Ext.: 6715)
Email: bgerges@...

-----Original Message-----
From: de Zwart, Tanny
Sent: March 19, 2004 12:52 PM
To: Gerges, Behnam
Subject: T�l�rama: une autre critique - Khoury et Yalo

http://livres.telerama.fr/edito.asp?art_airs=Airs009303&srub=1

<<T�l�rama.url>>

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#221 From: "Gerges, Behnam" <BGerges@...>
Date: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:48 pm
Subject: FW: Elias Khoury � L'�criture est pour moi un voyage vers l'Autre et une �coute � BGerges@...
Send Email

Behnam Gerges
-----Original Message-----
From: de Zwart, Tanny
Sent: March 19, 2004 12:38 PM
To: Gerges, Behnam
Subject: Elias Khoury � L'�criture est pour moi un voyage vers l'Autre
et une �coute �

http://www.aloufok.net/article.php3?id_article=970

<<Elias Khoury � L'�criture est pour moi un voyage vers l'Autre et une �coute �.url>>

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#220 From: "Gerges, Behnam" <BGerges@...>
Date: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:48 pm
Subject: FW: culturebase.net The international artist database Elias Kho ury BGerges@...
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Behnam Gerges

-----Original Message-----
From: de Zwart, Tanny
Sent: March 19, 2004 12:26 PM
To: Gerges, Behnam
Subject: culturebase.net The international artist database Elias Khoury

Bonjour,

Un article �crit par Elias Khoury.

Tanny

http://www.culturebase.net/artist.php?827

<<culturebase.net The international artist database Elias Khoury.url>>

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#219 From: "hairpin260" <hairpin260@...>
Date: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:06 am
Subject: friendship,love,marriage hairpin260
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Welcome to the Catholic Community, the best place on the net to meet
and explore the Catholic Faith.
http://communities.msn.com/catholicland

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#218 From: "SECRETAIRE GEN�RAL" <syriaque@...>
Date: Sat Aug 18, 2001 4:39 pm
Subject: Les �v�nements de Hassak�-The Hassake events. actualitesyr...
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Chers amis et membres du club des jeunes syriaques catholiques, je vous transmet la publication (revue de presse) qui a �t� faite par l�Assyrian Democratic Organisation, une association qui entretient d��troites relations avec notre club, sur les derniers �v�nements survenues en Syrie.

Dear Syriac Catholic Youth Club members and friends I am forwording you the publication (press release) made by the Assyrian Democratic Organisation concerning the last events that took place in Syria.

ENGLISH VERSION FOLLOWS.

Ces derniers jours, la province d�Hassak� (nord-est de la Syrie) a connu de violents affrontements entre des groupes kurdes et les forces de l�ordre, qui ont co�t� la vie � une dizaine de personnes et ont engendr� une centaine de bless�s.

Tout commen�a vendredi dernier, dans le stade de Qamishli, lors d�un match de foot qui opposait l� �quipe local al Jihad de Qamishli et al Futuwa de Deir Azor : les supporters d�al Jihad sont essentiellement des Kurdes alors que ceux d�al Futuwa sont surtout des Arabes. Ces derniers lanc�rent des slogans provocateurs dans lesquels ils exprimaient leur soutien � l�ex-dictateur Saddam Hussein et leur hostilit� aux dirigeants kurdes irakiens, le conflit a acquis ainsi une connotation politique; les deux groupes s�affront�rent. La police syrienne est brutalement intervenue et a provoqu� la mort de plusieurs personnes.

Le lendemain lors des fun�railles des victimes, la situation d�g�n�ra et il y eut d�importantes manifestations kurdes. Les forces de l�ordre ont rapidement perdu le contr�le de la situation et ce fut l�anarchie � Qamishli et dans les villes avoisinantes. Des groupes kurdes parcourant la ville ont sem� la confusion dans les h�pitaux, d�truit des b�timents publics, le centre des services de s�curit�, des �coles etc. M�me en Europe il y eut des troubles : le samedi 13 mars, l�ambassade de Syrie � Bruxelles a �t� attaqu�e par des Kurdes.

Tout en d�sapprouvant ces actions men�es par des groupuscules kurdes, aussi bien en Syrie qu�en Europe, l�Organisation D�mocratique Assyrienne (ADO) condamne �galement la mani�re dont les autorit�s syriennes ont trait� cette affaire. L�intervention de forces de l�ordre n�a fait que jeter de l�huile sur le feu.

En effet, ce conflit trouve son origine dans la n�gation du r�gime syrien de la r�alit� historique et sociologique des pluralit�s ethniques, linguistiques et religieuses constituant la mosa�que arabe, assyrienne, kurde, arm�nienne �.de la soci�t� syrienne.

Afin que ce conflit ne d�borde pas et � l�initiative de l�ADO, une d�l�gation compos�e de chefs religieux et de notables, est intervenue, � plusieurs reprises, entre les partis kurdes et les autorit�s syriennes afin de servir d�interm�diaire et de calmer la situation.

Il est n�cessaire d�instaurer une commission nationale ind�pendante qui enqu�tera et tra�nera tous les responsables de ces �v�nements tragiques devant la justice.

L�ADO lance un appel aux autorit�s syriennes ainsi qu�� tous les citoyens syriens : la solution de ces conflits ne r�side ni dans une politique d'oppression, ni dans les tentatives des composantes nationales dominantes d'assimiler de force les minorit�s. Faute de solution pacifique satisfaisante, ces conflits d�bouchent souvent sur une exigence de s�cession, voire de d�composition, porteuse d�instabilit� et donc d�affrontements en cha�ne. Ces attitudes plongent le pays dans un tourbillon de fondamentalisme religieux et de fanatisme nationaliste, menant � plus de mis�re, de sous-d�veloppement et de terrorisme mettant en p�ril le processus de stabilit� r�gionale et internationale �branl� d�j� par d�autres conflits sanglants.La reconnaissance de l'existence nationale de chaque composante et de ses droits l�gitimes ne signifie pas diviser la soci�t� ou faire obstacle aux int�r�ts communs de l��tat syrien, mais au contraire: contribuer � la suppression des conflits , consolider la confiance en des principes de d�mocratie, de citoyennet� et de modernit�s politique, �conomique et sociale de tous les groupes ethnique du pays, selon des bases stables de dialogue, de compr�hension et de respect mutuel afin de renforcer l'�difice de unit� dans la diversit� de la Syrie.

L�ADO demande aux Etats europ�ens de suivre avec attention la situation et de prendre et /ou soutenir toutes initiatives en vue de r�tablir le calme et la paix et d�acc�l�rer le processus de d�mocratisation en Syrie.

15 mars 2004

---------------------------------------------------E N G L I S H--------------------------------------

In the past days the province Hassake, in the northeast of Syria, was the scene of violence between Kurdish groups and Syrian police. This has triggered a spiral of violence resulting in tenths of deaths at both sides.

The violence started last Friday after a football match in the city of Qamishli between supporters of the team al Jihad (from Qamishli) and al Futuwa (from Deir Azor). The supporters from al Jihad are primarily Kurds and those from al Futuwa are primarily Arabs.

The riots started when the Arab supporters started to yell provocative slogans, in which they stressed their support for ex-dictator Saddam Hussein. The conflict became political and both groups attacked each other. The Syrian police intervened violently and killed several persons.

The next day, during the funeral the situation got out of hand. The police had no control over the situation and complete anarchy broke out in the city of Qamishli and surrounding cities. Kurdish groups went through the city and destroyed hospitals, government buildings, buildings of the security services, schools etc. In Europe there were also incidents. On Saturday 13 March some Kurds stormed the Syrian Embassy in Brussels.

We condemn the destructions by the Kurdish groups in Syria as well as in Europe, because they do not serve the interests of the Syrian population. Every idea which threatens the unity of the Syrian society is condemned by us. We condemn the way in which the Syrian government has tried to solve this conflict. The harsh reaction by the police has only aggravated the situation.

We also emphasize that this conflict has a deeper background in Syrian society. Different ethnic groups as the Assyrians and Kurds do not feel that their rights as minorities are fully guaranteed. The undemocratic Syrian society must change.

In order to guarantee that this incident does not get out of hand we strongly urge all peoples in Syria, namely Arabs, Assyrians and Kurds to let peace return and not to give room to those in Syria as well as outside Syria to destroy the unity in Syria.

Therefore it is necessary that an independent commission is installed which will investigate the unrest and will punish those responsible in an appropriate way.

We urge the Syrian government to speed up the process of democratization and to include the different ethnic groups in this process. A broad dialogue between the different ethnic groups must start, in which fraternity, patriotism and the unity of Syria must serve as a basis. Only then a political program will evolve in which political interaction is possible, in a society in which there will be peace and a flourishing economy.

A delegation of the Assyrian Democratic Organisation (ADO) and the Syrian Orthodox Church have held meetings with Kurdish parties and the government in the city of Qamishli, in order to mediate and pacify the situation.

We ask the European states to monitor the situation closely and to support the democratic developments in Syria. We, as the Assyrian Democratic Organisation (ADO) stand for a Syria in which democracy and equality for all ethnic groups is a central element.

The Assyrian Democratic Organisation (ADO)

15 March 2004

PS: Le club des jeunes syriaques catholiques ainsi que le secretariat g�n�ral ne se sentent nullement pas li�es par les positions prises par l'Assyrian Democratic Organisation (ADO) ni par aucune position prise dans cette d�claration.

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#217 From: "Abdelmalek, Raymond J" <abdelrj@...>
Date: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:09 pm
Subject: Are You Weary and Seeking Rest?! r_abdelmalek
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Are You Weary and Seeking Rest?!

Weariness is like the weather-it affects everyone, and there's no escape from it. It hits us all, at least occasionally, and sometimes it enshrouds us like a wet blanket. It's rarely any fun, but it can have a redemptive value. It doesn't have to be utterly frustrating, for it can be sanctifying.

Weariness played such an important part in the life of our Blessed Lord that we must conclude that God has a special compassion and love for those who are heavily burdened. Perhaps this is why Christ made Himself the personal refreshment of those in need of rest. "Come to Me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

Most of us labor, practically all of us are burdened, but too many of us fail to get refreshment demanded by the human spirit because we fail to go to Christ. Yet, He offered his invitation to all. Our Lord was more than a man acquainted with weariness; He was a God who told us-and showed us-how to use it well.

When Christ spoke of weariness He spoke as One who had been its constant companion through-out His life. Not just three years of exhausting public missionary work of preaching, healing, comforting and admonishing. Not just three hours of agonizing weariness on the cross. But a lifetime of thirty-three years with very few moments free from work or suffering.

How many times He must have been bone-tired by the four-day walk on the hot and dusty highway between Galilee and Judea. The Gospel mentions how weary He was when He rested at the well at Sichar. Imagine how exhausted He was the time He was sleeping in the boat during the storm on the sea of Galilee. You have to be pretty tired to sleep through a storm that frightened tough fishermen like the Apostles!

How wearied He must have been after His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was the vision of our sins and the preview of His suffering that caused this exhaustion. And what about that seemingly unending trek along the Way of the Cross...why He must have felt as though the weariness of all humanity was poured into his very bones and muscles.

Any scientist or doctor can tell you that the most fiendish test of a man's ability to withstand weariness is the cruelty called crucifixion. This grueling torture annihilates a man's energies and completely exhausts his body's resources. Yet again the God-man didn't hesitate to pour out His life's blood through His five precious wounds that we might be refreshed with the life of God.

Our greatest cross is not in being tired, or weary, or burdened with the trials of this life. It's in failing to use them well, in being ignorant of the true source of refreshment and peace, in failing to go to Christ when we need Him most. He can only give us rest if we approach Him with faith and confidence. It's the kind of rest and relaxation that the world cannot give!

He invited you to escape the tensions of the modern age when He said: "Come into a quiet place and rest a while." He did much more. He asked you to make Him a part of that refreshment of body and soul that we must all have: "Come to Me...and I will refresh you." Weariness is redemptive when borne for love of God. It will never crush you when shared with Christ. Why not share it with Him...and bear it for Him?

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.
Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/
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#216 From: "Haddad, Rita" <rhaddad@...>
Date: Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:45 pm
Subject: TR: I witnessed (ALL) rhaddad@...
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Bonjour � tous,
Ce message m'a touch�e. J'esp�re que vous l'appr�cierez.
Rita Haddad
-----Message d'origine-----
De: gisle ghossein [mailto:ghosseingi@...]
Date: 2004 mars 17 08:36
�: carl.atiyeh@...
Objet: Fw: I witnessed (ALL)




                      To all My friends,

> >
> >             Hi again, I am sending to you in one  document  the six emails I
sent to you about what I witnessed in Beirut.
> >
> >             They are in order, and like this if you want to share them with
someone, it will be much easier to forward one email, or one attachment.
> >
> >             Hope you like this.
> >
> >
> >             NB: give the  (4) pictures some time to open
> >
> >             Hadi Halabi
> >             Photoholic
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

   _____

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#215 From: "Yuhannon" <yuhannon@...>
Date: Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:22 am
Subject: Cardinal Sfeir Says Gibson's Film Isn't Anti-Semitic yuhannon
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BEIRUT, Lebanon, MARCH 15, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Nasrallah
Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, says that Mel
Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" is "not anti-Semitic at
all."

The prelate also said the film is "very tied to the facts, very
moving and painful" to watch, according to AsiaNews.

Some Jewish groups branded the film, which depicts Jesus' passion and
death, as anti-Semitic.

The Lebanese patriarch commented on Gibson's film after attending a
special screening in Jounieh.

"The scenes of Christ's last 12 hours of suffering before being
crucified are very realistic indeed," he said. "Now, Lebanese have
the opportunity to see just how much Christ suffered and had to pay
to forgive all the sins of mankind."

In Brazil, Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo of S�o Salvador also lent
his support to the film.

"The film is a faithful rendition of Jesus Christ's passion and
death," said Cardinal Agnelo, president of the Brazilian bishops'
conference. He saw it in a private viewing Tuesday in the capital,
Brasilia.

By the third weekend after its release, "The Passion" took in a
staggering $264 million in North American theaters, according to
Agence France-Presse.
ZE04031523

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#214 From: "RITA B" <brasilena@...>
Date: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:47 pm
Subject: l'ESPOIR brasilena
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Le seul survivant d'un naufrage s'�choua sur une minuscule �le inhabit�e. Il se mit � appeler Dieu � l'aide avec ferveur, tout en scrutant chaque jour l'horizon � la recherche des secours, sans aucun r�sultat. �puis�, il finit par se r�signer � construire une hutte avec les restes de l'�pave. Il r�ussit au moins � se mettre � l'abri des �l�ments. Mais un jour, de retour de la chasse, il arriva � sa hutte pour la voir en proie aux flammes, de larges volutes de fum�e s'�chappant dans le ciel. Le pire �tait arriv� : tout �tait perdu. Il �tait frapp� de consternation et de col�re. "Seigneur, comment as-Tu pu me faire �a !", cria-t-il. Le lendemain matin, toutefois, il fut r�veill� par le bruit d'un navire approchant la plage. Ils venaient � son secours. "Comment avez-vous su que j'�tais l� ?", s'�tonna l'homme � la face des secours. "Nous avons aper�u vos signaux de fum�e", r�pondirent-ils.

Il est facile de se d�courager quand les choses vont mal. Mais nous ne devrions pas perdre espoir, car Dieu travaille � la r�alisation de nos vies, m�me dans la douleur et la souffrance. Souvenez-vous que la prochaine fois que votre petite hutte br�le, cela pourrait bien �tre les signaux de fum�e qui vous am�neront le Grand Secours de Dieu

Rita

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#213 From: Andrew Hannouche <andrewhannouche@...>
Date: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:20 am
Subject: Brazilian night hannouchefamily
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Dear Syriac Catholic Youth Club members and friend,

An Amazing party (Samba, Reggae, Latin, Hip Hop ....) is being organised on March 26 at 10:00 PM, at the Syriac Community Center by the Scout St-Ephrem for Only 12:00 $ called :

Brasillian Night

LIVE BRASILLIAN BAND !

For any Info click on the links :

GENERAL INFORMATION:

BAND INFORMATION:

SEE THE LOCATION ON THE MAP

R E S E R V E Y O U R T I C K E T N O W !

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#212 From: "Abdelmalek, Raymond J" <abdelrj@...>
Date: Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:08 pm
Subject: How to Overcome Discouragement! r_abdelmalek
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How to Overcome Discouragement!

Most of us at one time or another are tempted to discouragement. The spiritual combat gets too tough and we'd like to call it quits. It seems so hard to keep on trying-especially when we don't seem to be going anywhere. Or when just about everything seems to be going against us.

It may help to know that the saints had the same struggle. At times they had to grind out their acts of faith, hope and charity through clenched teeth. Don't think they were swept along without effort. They waged an uphill battle against discouragement, failure and despair. They became saint not by never failing, but by refusing to give in to their falls.

At times the saints even experienced a repugnance for the things of God. They didn't deny this condition, but rather faced up to it. Our Lord never said to deny that a cross exists, or even to say that it didn't hurt. He told us to "take it up." And to do it daily.

Maybe you feel spiritually "beat." Everything seems just too hard. You don't feel like praying. You feel the need for God, but He seems beyond hope and charity-and just about everything else! This can be a greater mortification than some of the bodily austerities of the saints.

Be assured-you may be much closer to God than you think. It's not thinking of God that is the most important. Nor the feeling that He is near. Or even wanting to pray. It's just trying to pray. And wanting Him-even when you think you've lost God. God permits this rough going, because we hang onto Him more fiercely at a time like this.

Don't say to yourself: "It's no use. I just don't have what it takes." OF course, you haven't! But none of us have. God is a merciful supplier who will supply just what is needed when you need His help. Don't sit back and hang your head in discouragement. Lift up your heart and approach Him exposing your need like a begging child.

I think that the trouble often is not so much lack of courage as lack of correct vision. We haven't lost our backbone-but we're just looking in the wrong way. We are looking too much at ourselves and not enough at God. He told us that "to those that love God ALL things work unto good." Not "some" things or "most" things. He excluded absolutely nothing!

Really, what is there to be discouraged about? Past mistakes, no matter how serious, are erased by the merciful forgiveness of God. Possible future troubles haven't even arrived. Spiritual success, at least, is available. Happiness can be yours for the asking-if you are willing to set your heart on the right things.

Discouragement can be the sign that we have trusted too much in our own abilities and not enough in God's. Or that we are taking ourselves too seriously. Or perhaps overemphasizing our importance in the scheme of things. Or it could be that we want things that aren't good for us and God simply refuses to let us have them. If He shakes us up it's only because He wants us to find Him more perfectly.

So, don't be discouraged over your failures-or anything else. Whatever the cause of discouragement, lift up your eyes and your heart. Your eyes to make you see that there's never an excuse for self pity, for one who is loved by a God of love.

Your heart to make you realize that you shouldn't feel sorry for yourself as long as you are an object of His tender concern. Our need is the perfect invitation for God to take over in our lives. Let us not be afraid to ask Him to do so!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.

May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.
Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/
To Subscribe:
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#211 From: Valia R <vroumy@...>
Date: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:24 pm
Subject: bonjour v3r2002
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#210 From: "SECRETAIRE GEN�RAL" <syriaque@...>
Date: Fri Mar 12, 2004 11:41 pm
Subject: El simple hecho de ser Espanol, The simple fact of being Spaniard actualitesyr...
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Un ataque contra el simple hecho de ser Espa�ol �

An attack against the simple fact of being Spaniard.

Une Attaque contre le simple fait d'�tre espagnol.

ENGLISH FOLLOWS THE SPANISH VERSION:

LA VERSION FRANCAISE SUIT LES VERSIONS ESPAGNOLES ET ANGLAISES :

Queridos miembros y amigos del club de los j�venes sirios cat�licos, en el nombre de todo el consejo ejecutivo quiero dar las condolencias a nuestros miembros espa�oles, y amigos de Espa�a. Ayer fue un d�a de duelo y horror para nosotros todos, amigos y enamorados de Espa�a. El ataque de ayer era contra el hecho de ser espa�ol, el hecho de ser europeo, el hecho de ser cristiano y sobre todo el hecho de vivir en libertad y armon�a como se vive en Espa�a. Los terroristas quieren que doblemos la rodilla y bajemos la cabeza, no lo vamos a hacer.

Espa�a ser� cristiana o no ser�,

Espa�a ser� libre o no ser�

Espa�a ser� democr�tica o no ser�,

PS: la lista de los martirios que fallec�an sigue la versi�n inglesa.

Dear members and friends of the Syriac Catholic Youth club, in the name of the Executive Committee, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Spaniards and the Spain loving members of our club. Yesterday was a horrible and sad day for all us who love Spain. Yesterday�s attack was directed against the proud of being Spanish, the proud of being European, the proud of being Christian and above all the fact of being a free loving country that lives in Harmony. The terrorists want us to get on our knees and down our heads, we will not do it.

Spain will be Christian or will not be. (Historical Spanish Slogan)

Spain will be Free or will not be

Spain will be Democratic or will not be.

Here�s the list of the martyres of freedom who died in the Madrid attacks :

Chers membres et amis du club des jeunes syriaques Catholiques; Chers espagnols et amis de l�Espagne, au nom de tout le comit� ex�cutif, je d�sire vous exprimer nos sinc�re condol�ances pour les �v�nements survenus hier dans la capitale espagnole. Ce fut un jour tragique, de douleur et d�horreur pour nous tous amis de l�Espagne.

L�attaque d�hier �tait contre le fait d��tre espagnol, le fait d��tre europ�en, le fait d��tre chr�tien, mais d�abord et avant tout le fait d��tre un pays qui vit en libert� et en harmonie. Les terroristes veulent que nous nous agenouillons, et bien nous ne le ferons point,

Espa�a sera chr�tienne ou ne sera point,

Espa�a sera libre ou ne sera point

Espa�a sera d�mocratique ou ne sera point,

PS: la liste des martyres qui tomb�rent pour la libert�:

-- Abad Quijada, Eva Bel�n.
-- Abril Alegre, �scar.
-- Aguado Rojano, Florencio.
-- Alonso Rodr�guez, Juan Alberto.
-- �lvarez Gonz�lez, Mar�a Josefa.
-- Aparicio Somolinos, Mar�a Nuria.
-- Arenas Barroso, Alberto.
-- Astocondor Masgo Neil Hebe.
-- �vila Jim�nez, Ana Isabel.
-- Badajoz Cano, Miguel Angel.
-- Ballesteros Ibarra, Susana.
-- Barahona Imedio, Javier.
-- Barajas Diaz, Gonzalo.
-- Bedoya, Gloria In�s
-- Benito Samaniego, Rodolfo.
-- Bogdan, Livia.
-- Brasero Murga, Florencio.
-- Bryk Alina, Mar�a.
-- Cabrejas Burillo, Mar�a Pilar.
-- Cabrero P�rez, Rodrigo.
-- Cano Mart�nez, Alicia.
-- Carrillero Baeza, Jos� Mar�a.
-- Carri�n Franco, Alvaro.
-- Casas Torresano, Francisco Javier.
-- Castillo Mu�oz, Cipriano.
-- Castillo Sevillano, Mar�a Inmaculada.
-- Centenera Montalvo, Sara.
-- Cisneros Villacis, Oswaldo Manuel.
-- De Benito Caboblanco, Esteban.
-- De las Heras Correa, Sergio.
-- De Luna Oca�a, Miguel.
-- De Miguel Jim�nez, �lvaro.
-- Del Amo, Mar�a Fernanda.
-- Del Amo Aguado, Juan Carlos.
-- Del R�o Men�ndez, Marta.
-- Del R�o Men�ndez, Nuria.
-- D�ez Hern�ndez, Beatriz.
-- Djoco, Sam.
-- Duran, Santiago Mar�a Dolores.
-- El Amrati, Osama.
-- Encinas Soriano, Sara.
-- Fern�ndez �vila, Carlos Marino.
-- Ferrer Reymado, Rex.
-- Figueroa Bravo, H�ctor Manuel.
-- Gallardo Olmo, Jos�.
-- Gallego Triguero, Jos� Ra�l.
-- G�miz Torres, Mar�a Pilar.
-- Garc�a Alfageme, Abel.
-- Garc�a Arnaiz, Juan Luis.
-- Garc�a Fern�ndez, Beatriz.
-- Garc�a Garc�a-Moni�o, Mar�a de las Nieves.
-- Garc�a Gonz�lez, Enrique.
-- Garc�a S�nchez, Jos�.
-- Garrote Plaza, Javier.
-- Gil P�rez, Ana Isabel.
-- G�mez Gudi�a, �scar.
-- Gonz�lez Gago, F�lix.
-- Gonz�lez Garc�a, �ngelica.
-- Gonz�lez Grande, Teresa.
-- Gonz�lez Roque, El�as.
-- Gracia Garc�a, Juan Miguel.
-- Guti�rrez Garc�a, Berta Mar�a.
-- Hermida Mart�n, Pedro.
-- Iglesias L�pez, Alejandra.
-- Izquierdo Asanza, Pablo.
-- Jaro Narrillos, Mar�a Teresa.
-- Laforga Baj�n, Laura Isabel.
-- Le�n Moyano, Mar�a Victoria.
-- Lominchar Alonso, Mar�a del Carmen.
-- L�pez Menchero Moraga, Jos� Mar�a.
-- L�pez Ramos, Mar�a Cristina.
-- Mancebo Zaforas, Francisco Javier.
-- Mar�n Mora, Antonio.
-- Mart�n Pacheco, Luis Andr�s.
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#209 From: Raymond Abdelmalek <abdelrj@...>
Date: Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:56 pm
Subject: Making Your Failures Successful! r_abdelmalek
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Making Your Failures Successful!

I think many people become discouraged because they don't know what to do about their failures. Yet, many a happening in life won't make sense unless we understand the purpose of failure. Failures there will be in life, but they need not crush our spirits or embitter our hearts.

Christ apparently failed. We too must seemingly fail in many things. In fact, apparent failure will usually precede true spiritual success. This is an essential part of the message of Christ, yet many turn their backs on it because it is a hard saying.

If ever a mission seemed to end in utter failure it was that of Christ's. On that first Good Friday afternoon all Israel, including His devoted friends and disciples, thought it was all over. Of the handful on Calvary, perhaps the Virgin Mother alone had hope.

His preaching had failed to touch hardened hearts...His miracles failed to convince eyes that would not see... His goodness had failed to win the hearts of his enemies. He was willing to fall en route to Calvary to show that His Sacred Humanity needed the help of another man.

Christ was willing to appear as a failure-for the time being at least. Yet His life was the greatest success of all.

We shouldn't expect to share our Lord's mission on earth without seeming to share His failures. We shouldn't expect to share His love of the Father without experiencing His apparent abandonment by the Father. We shouldn't be surprised that our puny efforts sometimes fail when even His miracles failed to change the lives of some men.

Suppose that even when you have done your very best nothing seems to come out right. If you have done it for God, you have succeeded. Suppose you find yourself helpless to care for your family the way you think they deserve. If you have loved them in Christ, you have succeeded.

Suppose that despite your best efforts you never seem to grow in grace and virtue. If you are using the means offered by God-and increasing your knowledge of your need for God-you are en route to the success of holiness. Suppose you really want to pray better and love God more. If you want to pray, you are already praying; if you want to love God, you are already loving Him.

Failure can do more than make us conscious of our need for God. It knocks us to our knees and makes us lift up our hearts. It makes us realize that life without Him is not only meaningless-it is impossible!

It does so much more. It teaches a gentle compassion for the others who fail-or who seem to be failures. It teaches humility, hope, confidence in God, a spirit of long-suffering and perseverence-and many other virtues. Would all this have come with continued success in the spiritual and temporal order?

Make your temptations the occasion for practicing the very virtue against which you are tempted. Use your insecurity about the future as an occasion of greater trust in God's loving Providence. Make your falls and moral lapses the occasion of greater compunction of heart and of "beefing up" your will to do better. Look upon our personal pain and sorrow as a privileged sharing in the redeeming pain of Christ.

Nothing succeeds like failure-when it leads one to God. Nothing is more successful than failure when it makes us know Him-and ourselves-better. Our Blessed Lord was perfectly successful at all times, not because everything always turned out perfectly, but because He did always the things that pleased His Father. It's the same with us!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.

May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.

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#208 From: Andrew Hannouche <andrewhannouche@...>
Date: Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:39 am
Subject: Les Chr�tiens du Proche-Orient hannouchefamily
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Les chr�tiens du Proche-Orient

Les chr�tiens du Proche-Orient, coptes en Egypte, maronites au Liban,
chald�ens en Irak, Arm�niens en Turquie, melkites ou orthodoxes en
Syrie,ou encore Palestiniens de Bethl�em, connaissent depuis un demi-si�cle un
exode silencieux. Chass�s de leurs terres natales par la guerre et le flux de
l'islam. Retour sur une trag�die occult�e.

PAR MICHEL GURFINKIEL

La principale population de r�fugi�s, au Proche-Orient, ce ne sont pas les
Palestiniens musulmans, victimes de la premi�re guerre isra�lo-arabe en
1948, ni m�me les juifs des pays arabes et d'Iran, contraints � un exode
sym�trique entre 1945 et 1979, mais les chr�tiens de culture arabe,
aram�enne, arm�nienne ou grecque. Pr�s de dix millions de ces derniers
ont en effet �t� amen�s � abandonner leur foyers ou � �migrer depuis la
Premi�re Guerre mondiale : le rapport, avec les r�fugi�s musulmans de
Palestine (un demi million d'�mes � l'origine) est donc approximativement
de vingt � un ; avec les juifs des pays d'islam (pr�s d'un million
d'expuls�s), il serait environ de dix � un.

Ces donn�es, �trangement, sont mal connues. Plus �tonnant encore :
l'exode des chr�tiens se poursuit sous nos yeux, � l'aube du XXIe si�cle, sans
susciter beaucoup de compassion ni m�me de curiosit� m�diatique. Le cas
le plus flagrant est celui des Palestiniens chr�tiens de Cisjordanie : voici
une vingtaine d'ann�es, ils formaient 15 % de la population locale ;
depuis la mise en place d'un pouvoir palestinien autonome, en 1994, ils ne sont
plus que 3 � 4 %. Une situation analogue se dessine en Egypte, o� la
minorit� chr�tienne copte, hier florissante, en est peu � peu r�duite �
�migrer. Le journaliste am�ricain Joseph Farah, lui-m�me d'origine arabe
chr�tienne, estime qu'� ce rythme, on pourrait passer au Proche-Orient
d'une population chr�tienne actuelle de quinze millions d'�mes � six
millions � peine vers 2020. Ce serait le dernier acte de l'effacement du
christianisme dans la r�gion m�me o� il est n�, o� il a fix� sa doctrine
et o� il s'est dot� des structures qui, aujourd'hui encore, r�gissent sa vie
communautaire dans le reste du monde : �piscopat, conciles oecum�niques,
clerg�, monachisme

A deux reprises, une modification du rapport de forces global entre islam
et chr�tient� a permis aux Eglises d'Orient de reprendre souffle et m�me
de conna�tre une br�ve renaissance : les Croisades, du XIe au XIIIe si�cles;
et surtout l'expansion europ�enne moderne, du XVIIIe si�cle au second
tiers du XXe si�cle. Pendant cette seconde p�riode (" la plus heureuse de leur
histoire " selon l'universitaire chr�tien hi�rosolomytain George
Hintlian), les communaut�s chr�tiennes sont " adopt�es " par les puissances
occidentales : la Russie veille sur les orthodoxes, la France sur les
Eglises rattach�es � Rome, et la Grande-Bretagne sur toutes les autres
communaut�s ; l'Autriche, l'Allemagne, l'Italie, les Etats-Unis et m�me
la Gr�ce interviennent �galement. Les pouvoirs musulmans sont donc
contraints d'accorder aux minorit�s une pleine libert� religieuse et une �galit�
sociale ou politique presque compl�te. Les chr�tiens d'Orient ont en
outre acc�s plus largement que les musulmans � une �ducation de type
occidentale, elle-m�me facteur de r�ussite �conomique : ils forment l'essentiel de la
classe moyenne dans l'Empire ottoman jusqu'� la Premi�re Guerre mondiale,
avant de jouer un r�le analogue, jusque vers 1970, dans la plupart des
pays arabes.

Mais la fin de la domination occidentale (ou la d�colonisation) annule
ces acquis du jour au lendemain. Les Occidentaux y consentent au nom de
leurs propres principes, jud�o-chr�tiens ou la�ques : droit naturel,
droits de l'homme. Les musulmans n'y voient qu'un retour de balancier
g�opolitique en leur faveur, m�me s'il est moins d� � une victoire militaire qu'� la
simple d�mographie (en moyenne, le taux de natalit� des musulmans est
deux fois plus �lev� que celui des chr�tiens au Proche-Orient). Dans certains
pays islamiques, les chr�tiens, ou certains groupes chr�tiens, sont
expuls�s. Ailleurs, on les ram�ne, en droit ou en fait, � un statut de
seconde zone, ce qui les am�ne � �migrer. Le ph�nom�ne s'acc�l�re avec la
mont�e, au sein de la soci�t� musulmane, de mouvements dits int�gristes
ou " islamistes", pr�nant un " djihad " permanent et l'exclusion totale des
non musulmans des zones anciennement islamis�es, comme le monde arabe.

TURQUIE. La Turquie ottomane avait entrepris, en 1915, de liquider la
minorit� chr�tienne arm�nienne d'Anatolie orientale (1,5 million d'�mes).
En 1922, Mustafa Kemal expulse la communaut� grecque orthodoxe d'Asie
mineure (1,5 millions d'�mes), mesure suivie, il est vrai, par un "
�change de populations " : le transfert en Anatolie des Turcs vivant encore en
Gr�ce (cinq cent mille personnes). Quelques trois cent mille Grecs
vivaient encore dans la r�gion d'Istanbul et de la mer de Marmara, rassur�s par le
r�gime r�publicain et la�que institu� par Kemal � partir de 1923 : des
discriminations, au d�but des ann�es 1940, puis une s�rie de pogromes, au
d�but des ann�es 1950, entra�nent des d�parts en masse. Du moins la
R�publique turque a-t-elle ch�ti� les instigateurs des pogromes : allant
jusqu'� condamner � la potence le premier ministre de l'�poque, Adnan
Menderes. Il ne reste plus aujourd'hui en Turquie que cent mille
chr�tiens environ.

SYRIE. Les communaut�s chr�tiennes (grecque orthodoxe, melkite,
arm�nienne, aram�enne) formaient le quart de la population syrienne au d�but du XXe
si�cle. Elles repr�sentent encore 7 % de la population actuelle : 1,5 million sur pr�s

de vingt millions. Cette survie relative s'explique tient
aux particularit�s de la politique locale : le r�gime Assad, en place
depuis 1970, s'appuie sur la minorit� musulmane alaouite qui, afin de
contrebalancer la majorit� sunnite (un peu plus de 50 % de la
population), a pass� des alliances avec les autres minorit�s du pays, chr�tiens mais
aussi druzes ou sunnites kurdophones. Pour autant, les chr�tiens n'ont
pas cess� de s'interroger sur l'avenir. Et d'�migrer, quand l'occasion leur
en �tait donn�e. Au besoin, ils se font passer pour Palestiniens � l'�tranger,
afin de b�n�ficier d'aides caritatives ou de sympathies politiques. Un "
mensonge honn�te " : une partie des Palestiniens sont d'origine
syro-libanaise r�cente.

LIBAN. En 1932, 800 000 chr�tiens formaient 55 % d'une population
libanaise �valu�e � 1,5 million d'�mes. Aujourd'hui, apr�s diverses turbulences et
surtout la longue guerre civile de la fin du XXe si�cle (1975-1990), les
chr�tiens sont 1,5 millions, soit 37 % sur 4 millions. Plus de la
moiti� d'entre eux sont des " r�fugi�s de l'int�rieur ", chass�s de leur ville
ou village d'origine et contraints de se r�installer dans les derniers
bastions � majorit� chr�tienne, comme la banlieue Est de Beyrouth. Une
diaspora libanaise chr�tienne s'est constitu�e en Europe, aux Etats-Unis,
en Am�rique du Sud, en Afrique subsaharienne, en Australie. Au total,
elle compterait six millions d'�mes, dont deux millions aux Etats-Unis. Si le
pr�sident de la R�publique est toujours un chr�tien (une tradition
remontant � 1943), le pouvoir r�el est d�sormais aux mains des musulmans
sunnites ou chiites. Certains clans chr�tiens se sont alli�s aux
alaouites syriens, " protecteurs " et occupants du Liban depuis 1990. D'autres,
notamment le patriarche maronite Nasrallah Sfeir, militent pour la
restauration de l'ind�pendance nationale.

PALESTINE. Les chr�tiens formaient au d�but du XXe si�cle pr�s du quart
de la population arabe palestinienne, soit un peu plus de cent mille �mes
sur un total d'un demi million. En 1948, ils en formaient probablement 20 % :
soit trois cent mille �mes sur 1,2 million. Apr�s la premi�re guerre
isra�lo-arabe, on a compt� environ soixante-dix mille personnes d�plac�es
chr�tiennes, en sus des cinq cent mille r�fugi�s musulmans. (...)

ISRAEL. Seul Etat non arabe et non musulman du Proche-Orient, Isra�l
compte aujourd'hui trois cent cinquante mille habitants chr�tiens sur 6,5
millions, alors qu'il n'en recensait en 1951 que trente mille sur
1,5 million : en chiffres absolus, cette population a donc �t� multipli�e
plus de onze fois ; en chiffres relatifs, par rapport � une population en
tr�s forte croissance, elle est pass�e approximativement de 3 % � 6 %.
Au cours des vingt premi�res ann�es qui ont suivi l'ind�pendance
(1948-1968), de nombreux chr�tiens isra�liens de culture arabe ont �migr�.
La communaut� (grecque) orthodoxe a en outre �t� renforc�es, dans les ann�es 1990, par l'arriv�e de nombreux chr�tiens de l'ex-URSS autoris�s � immigrer en raison de liens familiaux avec des juifs. Le Vatican a sign� un concordat avec Isra�l en 1998 et vient de
cr�er un �v�ch� catholique de langue h�bra�que.

JORDANIE. Lors de sa cr�ation en 1923, l'�mirat de Transjordanie ne
comptait qu'un demi million d'habitants, dont quelques milliers de B�douins
chr�tiens, descendants des tribus christianis�es attest�es en Arabie
jusqu'� l'�poque de Mahomet. Apr�s 1948, cette communaut� a �t� grossie
par des r�fugi�s chr�tiens palestiniens des environs de J�rusalem, qui lui
�taient li�s par des cousinages et des mariages depuis le XVIIe si�cle.
Elle repr�sente aujourd'hui 10 % environ de la population totale. Depuis
1970, la dynastie hach�mite prot�ge ses sujets chr�tiens afin de se
concilier l'opinion publique occidentale. L'un des confidents du feu roi
Hussein, le journaliste Rami el-Khouri, �tait chr�tien.

IRAK. Pr�s de 10 % de chr�tiens en Irak en 1920 (300 000 sur 3 millions
d'habitants), 3 % aujourd'hui (un million sur vingt-quatre millions
d'habitants). L'un des " actes fondateurs " du nationalisme irakien a �t�
le massacre, en 1932, de plusieurs milliers d'Assyriens chr�tiens du nord
du pays, de langue aram�enne, et l'expulsion de plusieurs dizaines de
milliers de survivants. Il est vrai que cette communaut� r�clamait la
cr�ation d'un Etat autonome. Le premier roi, Faycal Ier, personnage
romantique venu du Hedjaz, est mort de chagrin et de d�go�t quelques mois
plus tard apr�s ce g�nocide, tandis que son fils Ghazi organisait une
parade pour c�l�brer l'�v�nement. Les autres chr�tiens irakiens, notamment
les Chald�ens catholiques, ont �migr� � 50 %, ou s'en tiennent depuis �
une attitude de soumission absolue envers le pouvoir musulman. Saddam Hussein
avait pour ministre des Affaires �trang�res un catholique, Tarik Aziz,
aujourd'hui prisonnier des Am�ricains. Fondateur du Baath, le parti
nationaliste arabe dont se r�clamait Saddam, le chr�tien syrien Michel
Aflak a �t� contraint de se convertir � l'islam quand il s'est r�fugi� en
Irak, dans les ann�es 1970.

ARABIE SAOUDITE. Le christianisme et le
juda�sme sont interdits dans le royaume, sous le pr�texte que la
P�ninsule arabique, terre sainte de l'islam est " analogue � une mosqu�e ". Les
juifs ne peuvent obtenir de visa d'entr�e, sauf s'ils d�tiennent un passeport
diplomatique. Les chr�tiens �trangers en situation r�guli�re diplomates,
hommes d'affaires - ne peuvent c�l�brer leur culte qu'en priv�. Le
pros�lytisme entra�ne l'expulsion imm�diate, s'il s'agit d'un �tranger,
et la mort, s'il s'agit d'un Saoudien ou du ressortissant d'un pays
musulman..

PAYS DU GOLFE, YEMEN. Les citoyens ne peuvent pratiquer une autre
religion de l'islam : les minorit�s, nagu�re nombreuses, ont �t� progressivement
expuls�es. Les �trangers (y compris les r�sidents permanents) sont
autoris�s � pratiquer le christianisme en priv�. Quelques familles juives
autochtones jouissent du m�me privil�ge � Bahrein et au Yemen.

IRAN. Officiellement, la population chr�tienne n'atteint pas 0,2 %. On
l'�value parfois � 0,5 %. Bien trait�e sous la dynastie Pahlavi, elle
b�n�ficie d'une certaine indiff�rence de la part de la R�publique
th�ocratique institu�e par Khomeini en 1979, et dispose d'un d�put� au
parlement. Tout acte de pros�lytisme est puni de mort, ainsi que toute
relation sexuelle avec une femme musulmane. Les �l�ves des �coles
chr�tiennes doivent assister � des cours d'initiation � l'islam, destin�s
� " h�ter leur conversion � la religion v�ritable ". Les autorit�s de
T�h�ran pr�f�rent les chr�tiens " nationaux ", comme les Arm�niens, install�s
dans le pays depuis le XVIe si�cle, aux " �trangers ", arriv�s plus tard.. Les
catholiques sont particuli�rement mal vus, notamment depuis la conversion
de la princesse Ashraf, soeur jumelle du dernier chah. La moiti� des
chr�tiens iraniens auraient fui depuis 1979. La plupart se sont r�fugi�s
en Californie.

EGYPTE. Ce sont les coptes �gyptiens qui, en se ralliant aux conqu�rants
arabes en 642 par haine envers les Byzantins orthodoxes, ont rendu
irr�versible la progression de l'islam en Orient. Cette communaut� a
connu une brillante renaissance au XIXe si�cle et au d�but du XXe si�cle, sous
la monarchie d'origine turque fond�e par Mehemet Ali. Elle repr�sentait
alors 15 � 20 % de la population et d�fendait l'id�e d'une civilisation

"pharaonique ", propre � l'Egypte et diff�rente de la culture arabe. La
r�volution nass�rienne, � partir de 1952-1953, lui a �t� fatale : les
coptes ont �t� exclus de la classe politique, sauf quelques personnalit�s
symboliques (comme le ministre d'Etat Boutros Boutros-Ghali, devenu
secr�taire g�n�ral de l'Onu puis secr�taire international � la
Francophonie) puis d�pouill�s de leur pouvoir �conomique. Sous Hosni
Moubarak, au pouvoir depuis 1981, les violences en tout genre (de
l'attentat � la bombe au viol) se sont multipli�es, incitant les jeunes
gens et les jeunes filles � �migrer vers la Grande-Bretagne, le Canada et
les Etats-Unis. Les coptes ne seraient plus aujourd'hui que cinq millions
environ en Egypte, soit 6 � 7 % d'une population �gyptienne globale
�valu�e � 65 millions d'�mes.

� Michel Gurfinkiel & Le Spectacle du Monde, 2004

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#207 From: Raymond Abdelmalek <abdelrj@...>
Date: Wed Mar 3, 2004 7:57 pm
Subject: Fasting r_abdelmalek
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Fasting

Adam fell because he desired something other than Christ.
Adam fell because he dropped Christ as the center of his life.
The essence of the fall was pride. It is indeed the love of the self that awakens all the desires. As the person is subject to the worship of the self, he or she is then is not able to love God or to be near him. Thus, what is the greater cross of the human other than the cross of crucifying the self. In the Orthodox Church then, we find the icon of the crucified monk, the monk that has crucified his passions and his desires. This icon is then the icon for all of us.

This is the essence of the fast, that we crucify this inherent selfishness so that we may love others. For Christ's love in this world is a crucified love.

It is so that fasting in the church is not only to fool our nutritional system; in fact, it is warfare against the passions. We find that this warfare does not lie at the foundation of modern society's attitude towards fasting.

The time of fasting is an invitation for us to come in deep repentance at the feet of Christ as the start of the fasting is to realize that I am limited, I am created and that my Lord Christ is at the centre of all things.

Fasting is a sign that God is the Source of life and not bread. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In fasting, we grieve over one fundamental thing and that is sin. The greatest sorrow after we indulge in sin is that we have lost our saintship. St. Siloan of Athos said of this, "For we should not fear anything else but sin, for through sin we lose grace." Thus fasting is the most potent cure for the most dangerous sin that threatens our Christian lives constantly: pride. With Jesus Christ as our desire, fasting is the way. Fasting is a way with no end. Perhaps Christianity is not the way to the world because its way undermines all of humanity's abilities. Christianity does not fail with prayer and fasting.

And what is more dangerous in our fasting than to look at others and judge. For this is hell; hell is looking at others and forgetting our own vices. This is our sin as Christians. Looking at the Orthodox icon, we find it telling us something important. We find the saints in the icons are never looking up to heaven because the Kingdom of God is in them. This means that if the Kingdom of God does not dwell within us, then we will not be able to look at another person with love, to embrace him with love. For if we are not born continually of the Holy Spirit we will not be patient, long suffering, and persevering with our fellow brother or sister.

Thus, during the fast, there exists a a dual path: one to Christ and the other to our fellow brother and sister. However, if I have just moved from one vice to another vice, then I have failed from my target as I have not loved another. For if my fast is not done so that I can love Christ and my fellow man, then my fast is vain. Thus says St. John Chrysostom, "How can you fast from meat when you eat the flesh of your brother?"

Orthodoxy is the stand before the other person. The person who never knew love shall stand on the Last Day to be judged accordingly for the soul that does not know love does not the Christ. So, it is not wrong to struggle and consecrate our lives to Christ, but it is wrong to consecrate our struggle apart from loving others. The goal of the spiritual struggle is that we are changed into a new creation through our Lord Jesus Christ. On this says St. Basil the Great "For the goal of the spiritual struggle (asceticism) is to reconcile the soul that fell and corrupted itself."

The cry of the church this day and all days is this: "Adorn your hearts, not your clothes."

Amen.

May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.

Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/

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#206 From: "Yuhannon" <yuhannon@...>
Date: Wed Mar 3, 2004 6:00 am
Subject: Annual Collection for Holy Land Planned yuhannon
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VATICAN CITY, MARCH 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican has invited all
dioceses worldwide to again take up a collection for the Holy Land
this forthcoming Good Friday.

Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for
Eastern Churches, refers in an appeal letter to "the present dramatic
situation" in the region that "requires us to give even greater
attention to this Church also in material terms."

"The Christians in the Holy Land are in a particular way prone to
feel isolated and abandoned," states the letter, published at the
Vatican's Web page.

"That is why they need to experience the evangelical charity, which
binds us all together in Christ, and the support of the whole Church,
which connects us more closely to our Christian roots," the
cardinal's letter says.

The Vatican congregation coordinates this support of the universal
Church and to make it effective and fair.

By explicit will of the popes, since 1618, the Church dedicates Good
Friday to prayer and almsgiving on behalf of the Catholic community
in the Holy Land.
ZE04030202

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#205 From: Andrew Hannouche <andrewhannouche@...>
Date: Tue Mar 2, 2004 5:30 am
Subject: The Maronite Village of Kafar Bir'em. hannouchefamily
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So that justice be made...

4 years after John Paul II visit nothing has been made !

KAFAR BIR'EM
IS WAITING FOR JUSTICE

Kafar Birem is a Maronite (Arab Christian) village in Upper Galile of Israel. It's inhabitants were ordered in 1948 to leave their village for two weeks. Until now, They are uprooted in their country. Their land was confiscated and the village was demolished in 1953. Until now the Israeli authorities insist not to let the uprooted return to their village and lands.

http://www.birem.org/

Introduction

Kafar Bir�em was a small village, located in northern Galilee, 4 kilometre south of the Lebanese - Israeli border. Its Arab-Christian inhabitants have been cultivating their lands and tilling its soil, living peacefully with their neighbours, through 400 years of Turkish rule and 29 years of British Mandate on Palestine.With the occupation of Kafar Bir�em by Israeli forces on October 29th 1948, the villagers decided to stay in their homes and continued their normal life.

Two weeks later they were ordered by the military officer in the presence of the Minister of Minorities to leave their village beyond an official promise that they would be permitted to return to their homes after 2 weeks. The villagers moved temporarily to the nearby village of Al- Jish (Gush-Halav). Despite repeated assurances by various government officials, including the first Prime-Minister of Israel, the Minister of Minorities and Police and the Advisor for Christian Affairs. Over the following months it soon became clear that the government had no intention of allowing them to return to their village.

As citizens of Israel, they turned to the Supreme Court of Justice in 1951 for redress of their grievances. The government responded by declaring of Kafar Bir�em a �closed military area� and issuing a Post- Datum expulsion order in an attempt to legalize retroactivity what had been illegal in the past three years (1948-1951). The Court ruled in January 1952 that: the villagers were indeed entitled to return to their village, as had been promised. But they could only return with the permission of the military governor. Permission was denied until now, forcing the villagers to remain as uprooted refugees. In August 1953 the government declared that the lands of Kafar Bir�em had been uncultivated by their legal owners (the uprooted) therefore, the government confiscated it and gave parts of the lands to nearby Israeli settlements. The following month, in a deliberate attempt to thwart the high court�s verdict, the military forces bombed and dynamited the village of Kafar Bir�em, reducing it to rubble as its people tearfully looked on. The people of Kafar Bir�em have continuously sought the enactment of the promise made to them repeatedly over the past five decades.

Throughout the past 52 years of the State of Israel has benn existence, The villagers of Kafar Bir�em have sought the attainment of their right. Each successive government, including the present one, has recognised the validity of the promise made to them. The people of Kafar Bir�em fail to see any further justification for the continued denial of permission to return to their homes. It is their profoundest hope that the government of Israel does not recognize the vastness of their claim, but actively move to end their uprooting by restoring them the land they were forced to abandon 52 years ago and rebuild their village.

We thus seek the support of all countries and all people of goodwill in our attempt to achieve justice and the restoration of our civil rights. We sincerely ask that you communicate your understanding and feelings about the situation of Kafar Bir�em to the government of Israel. We ask you to encourage the government of Israel to allow the uprooted of Kafar Bir�em to return home

The Continuing Tragedy of the Uprooted

of Kafar Birem

Kafar Birem is an Arab Christian village located 4 km's south of the Lebanese-Israel border. Its population (of 1050 people in 1948) has currently (in 2000) reached approx 2000 people. The majority of which resides in Al-Jish, Acre, Nazareth, Makr village, Jerusalem and in Haifa.
Kafar Birem has land property of approx 12,250 Dunams (about 3000 acres) which were confiscated by the Israeli government in 1953, 1200 Dunams (about 300 acres) were under the custody of the local church. Currently it is estimated that 2000 Dunams (about 500 acres) of the land are being used by the Jewish settlements that were established in the 1950s.

For The Rest visit the website:

http://www.birem.org/

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#204 From: Andrew Hannouche <andrewhannouche@...>
Date: Tue Mar 2, 2004 12:23 am
Subject: VOYAGE TORONTO & NIAGARA hannouchefamily
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ALSO AN ENGLISH VERSION OF THIS EMAIL WAS SENT.

UNE VERSION ANGLAISE A AUSSI �T� ENVOY�.

Ch�re jeune,
Cher jeune,

Un Voyage � Toronto & Niagara Falls

est organis� par et pour :

Les Jeunes Syriaques Catholiques

Pour Seulement 159.95 $ !

Le voyage aura lieu le 21, 22, 23 et 24 mai 2004.

Un Voyage Confortable et reposant dans un h�tel 4 �toilles (****) situ� � proximit� du Casino de Niagara et � deux minutes des chutes, c'est L'H�tel Howard Johnson Express Inn.

De Plus, vous Nous irons � Marine Land !
Cette activit� est organis� par le Club des jeunes Syriaques Catholiques.

INSCRIS TOI MAINTENANT !

DATE LIMITE D'INSCRIPTION: 8 Mars 2004

A Ne pas manquer si tu veux avoir du Fun !

Pour toute information suppl�mentaire:
http://www.clubsyriaque.org/niagara.html

NOTRE SITE WEB:
www.clubsyriaque.org

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#189 From: "Abdelmalek, Raymond J" <raymond.j.abdelmalek@...>
Date: Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:11 pm
Subject: Life Choices r_abdelmalek
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Fellowship of Believers (FOB)

May the peace and love of Jesus Christ be with you always.

I hope and pray that this group benefits you everyday of your life. I hope the jokes and things that make you smile brightens your day. I hope that the poems, inspirational messages, and spiritual stories help you through your daily struggles, and grow in your relationship with the Lord. I hope that the Orthodox news and Christian related political information helps you stay educated and involved in allowing Orthodox Christians to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I hope and pray that we support each other through prayer requests and assistance through any struggles youth maybe facing in today's world. In living and growing closer to the Lord in all areas of our life, we will become FOBs.

Pray for me as I pray for you.
May the grace of God be with you in everything you do.

Check out this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/links

mailto:FellowshipofBelievers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><

Life Choices

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's not about how many friends you have or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many you haven't
been with anyone at all.
It isn't about who you have kissed.
It isn't about sex.

It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have or what kind of car you drive or where you went to school.
It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are or what clothes you wear or what kind of shoes you have on or what kind of music you listen to.

It's not about if your hair is red, black, brown or blonde or if your skin is too light or too dark.
Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or as smart as standardized tests say you are.

It's not about what clubs you're in or what sports you play, or how good you are at "your" sport.
It's not about representing you, who being on a piece of paper and who will accept "the written you."

LIFE JUST ISN'T

But...life is about who you love and who you hurt.
Life is about who you make happy and unhappy purposely.
Life is about keeping or betraying trust.
Life is about friendship regarded as sacred or used as a weapon.
Life is about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful and maybe heartening.
Life is about starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
Life is about what judgments you pass and why, and who your judgments are spread to.
Life is about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
Life is about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
Life is about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow and spreading it.
But, most of all, Life is about using your life to touch, or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred by itself.

Only you choose the way those hearts are affected.
Those choices are what life's about.

Choose Wisely!

May the grace of God be with you all.
Servant of Christ,
Ray Abdelmalek
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FellowshipofBelievers/

<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><
"Life is an opportunity to serve, love, and forgive as God, himself, has done for us."

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#188 From: Antoni <Abayda@...>
Date: Mon Feb 9, 2004 5:18 am
Subject: Aramaic in Cyprus antoni_b2002
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World > Middle East
from the January 29, 2004 edition

Aramaic, language of Jesus, lives on in Cyprus

A Maronite village, isolated by the island's division, struggles to carry on the tongue.

By Michael Theodoulou | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

KORMAKITI, CYPRUS � If the people of this remote village were to travel back to Jesus' time and hear him preach, they wouldn't need an interpreter to understand the Sermon on the Mount or the parable of the prodigal son.

That's because they speak the same language as the Son of God. Literally.

NOT JUST IN THE MOVIES: Mel Gibson's new film 'The Passion of Christ' features dialogue in Aramaic, a language still spoken by the Rev. Anthony Terzi.
MICHAEL THEODOULOU

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Spoken in the Middle East during Jesus' time, Aramaic is still used in everyday life by most of the 130 elderly Maronite Catholics in Kormakiti, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

This could be good news for Mel Gibson. If the megastar has trouble finding an audience for "Passion," his upcoming movie about the final hours of Jesus' life on Earth with dialogue mostly in Aramaic, due to be released next month, the folks here should have no trouble with the original biblical tongue.

Still, Kormakiti's unique diluted version of Aramaic, called Cypriot Maronite Arabic, is in danger of extinction. Once the thriving center of the island's Maronite community, Kormakiti now has the eerie atmosphere of a ghost town.

Many of the village's stone and mud-brick houses are derelict, their wooden-beam roofs sagging and broken, letting in sunlight. There is bird song but no sound of children, because there are none left in the village. "Sometimes we're like astronauts in the sky - no one's here," says villager Elias Kassapis.

The elementary school, run by Mr. Kassapis until 1991, closed down a few years ago when the last pupil left to attend a secondary school across the island's dividing "green line" in the Greek Cypriot region.

Under Cyprus's 1960 Constitution, following independence from Britain, the island's Maronite, Armenian, and Latin religious minorities had to choose to belong to either the Greek Cypriot majority or the smaller Turkish Cypriot community. They chose the former.

After Turkey's invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974, the island's four Maronite villages found themselves on the wrong side of the cease-fire line. The majority of the 6,000-strong Maronite community was displaced, moving south.

A stalwart few stayed behind in Kormakiti and three nearby villages in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, and are viewed by those who left as heroes protecting Maronite land.

The Rev. Antony Terzi, the village priest, negotiated with the invading Turkish Army on behalf of those who refused to be uprooted. And he said the village was safeguarded by the Pope's personal protection.

The community nevertheless suffered. Families were forced out because of lack of opportunities, especially schooling. Those who left to study in the south were allowed to visit Kormakiti but not permanently return. Nor are villagers allowed to bequeath property to outside heirs.

Providing a lifeline to those enclaved in Kormakiti are Maronite Catholics in the south of the island who send food, medicine, fuel, and other humanitarian supplies, which are delivered every two weeks by UN peacekeepers.

On weekends, Kormakiti is transformed when hundreds of uprooted worshipers cross back north to celebrate mass. The main parts of the liturgy are read in Aramaic, Kassapis says.

Kormakiti's long isolation from the main currents of the Arab world helped to keep alive its exotic strain of Aramaic, which incorporates Greek, Turkish, French, and Italian words.

Hopes for Kormakiti's renaissance were stirred last April when the Turkish Cypriot authorities unexpectedly allowed limited access across the "green line" for the first time in nearly three decades. Now Maronites can visit for longer periods but are still not allowed to reside there.

Sensing more of a future for their ancestral village, some are renovating their old homes for weekend use. Their hopes are pinned on a comprehensive settlement plan for Cyprus, which was submitted last year by Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, but which has been rejected by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash. Under the plan's terms, the Maronite villages in Turkish-held northern Cyprus would come under Greek Cypriot administration. According to some in the Maronite community, the provision was included after intervention by the Vatican.

Without a solution to the long-running Cyprus problem, the Maronite community - and its ancient language - in northern Cyprus could vanish, members say.

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Chers amis et membres du club des jeunes syriaques catholiques, je vous transmet la publication (revue de presse) qui a �t� faite par l�Assyrian Democratic Organisation, une association qui entretient d��troites relations avec notre club, sur les derniers �v�nements survenues en Syrie.

Dear Syriac Catholic Youth Club members and friends I am forwording you the publication (press release) made by the Assyrian Democratic Organisation concerning the last events that took place in Syria.

ENGLISH VERSION FOLLOWS.

Ces derniers jours, la province d�Hassak� (nord-est de la Syrie) a connu de violents affrontements entre des groupes kurdes et les forces de l�ordre, qui ont co�t� la vie � une dizaine de personnes et ont engendr� une centaine de bless�s.

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Dear Syriac Catholic Youth Club members and friends I am forwording you the publication (press release) made by the Assyrian Democratic Organisation concerning the last events that took place in Syria.

ENGLISH VERSION FOLLOWS.

Ces derniers jours, la province d�Hassak� (nord-est de la Syrie) a connu de violents affrontements entre des groupes kurdes et les forces de l�ordre, qui ont co�t� la vie � une dizaine de personnes et ont engendr� une centaine de bless�s.