from the EDITOR Published By The Chaldean News, LLC Editorial Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha-Garmo managing Editor Joyce Wiswell Contributing Writers Iklas Bashi Neil Jaddou Junior Jwad Bryan Kassa Ken Marten Weam Namou Anthony Samona Renna Sarafa Steve Stein PROOFREADER Valerie Cholagh art & production creative director Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative graphic designers Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative Joseph Sesi Photographer David Reed operations Interlink Media director of operations Paul Alraihani circulation Paul Alraihani CLASSIFIEDS Joyce Wiswell sales Interlink Media sales representativeS Interlink Media Lisa Kalou Lamya Kory managers Vanessa Denha-Garmo Martin Manna Michael Sarafa subscriptions: per year The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250 Southfield, MI 48034 www.chaldeannews.com Phone: (248) 996-8360 Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published monthly; Issue Date: December 2011 Subscriptions: 12 months, . Publication Address: 29850 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office Postmaster: Send address changes to “The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034” Wrapped up in the Christmas spirit Every holiday season, I get this warm fuzzy feeling inside. I love family and time spent with my family. Those who know me well know I enjoy hanging out with friends and relatives. Although I can do without the cold breeze and slushy roads, Christmas is my favorite holiday. It is a reminder of all that is good in this world and that life is the greatest gift given to each of us. Drinking my authentic Chaldean chai gazing at my Christmas tree, I am cozied up on my couch wrapped up in the Christmas spirit. In this issue, I can’t help but think what is more fitting than viewing the faces of Jesus during the Christmas break. Joyce Wiswell paints the picture of the Rembrandt exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A typical artist in northern Europe in the middle of the 17th century would have most likely painted Jesus with lightbrown hair, a high forehead, tinged cheeks, a long, thin nose, narrow lips and a faraway look in his eyes, but Rembrandt van Rijn had a different perspective he put on canvas in the 1640s. Joyce tells the story. The DIA exhibit is another way to wrap yourself up in the spirit of Christmas. As some decide to enjoy the paintings of our Lord during this season, others are learning to pray as a family. New writer to the Chaldean News and seminarian Bryan Kassa explains to us as Catholics how we Vanessa denha-garmo editor in chief co-publisher should pray as a family. It is through prayer that we become closer to Christ and it is through prayer we become more equipped to evangelize the faith. I had the honor to speak at the ECRC 10-year anniversary dinner held last month. I was charged with producing the video depicting the last 10 years of the ECRC and presenting a PowerPoint of the future of ECRC, which is centered around the creation of the Mar Toma Chaldean Production Company. Through evangelizing we remain wrapped up in our faith warmed up by the love of Christ. While our community gets ready to venture into the media phase of evangelizing, Fr. Manuel Boji educated hundreds of Catholics from the Latin Rite about Christianity in Iraq. I chatted with Fr. Boji last month about his keynote speech at an annual conference. There is a genuine thirst for truth in our faith and the desire by many to know more about Chaldean Catholics. Kids have this way of reminding us the importance of simplicity in their sweet smiles, endearing stories and perception about life. In this issue, Renna Sarafa makes her debut as a Chaldean News contributor giving us a glimpse into heaven from the eyes of our children. This piece was actually a story Renna brought to us in a casual meeting one morning at the CN offices. Although not part of the story, my own daughter shared with me her concerns about heaven. As she sat and watched an EWTN feature about the crucifixion of Christ she asked my mother a series of questions, like why did Jesus die and where did He go. My mother replied, “He died for us and He is in heaven.” She asked, “Well, are all going to die?” My mother said yes. She said, “Well, are my mommy and daddy going to die?” and my mother said yes. As she put her head down in sadness, my mother thought she was going to cry. Then she looked up and said, “If they die who will cook for me?” Last year as we approached Christmas my daughter said, “Mom, is Christmas really Jesus’ birthday?” I Vanessa Denha Garmo speaks at the ECRC dinner. said yes. She said, “So does he let all of us have his gifts?” It was her rationale of why we exchange Christmas gifts on Jesus’ birthday. As I wrap myself in the joy of my daughter — a daily reminder of how life is the greatest gift God has given us —I pray you wrap yourself in joy as well — the joy of this holiday season. Merry Christmas. Alaha Imid Koullen (God Be With Us All) Vanessa Denha-Garmo vdenha@chaldeannews.com Randall Mansour Attorney & Counselor at Law Disability Attorneys of Michigan 888-886-6400 www.damichigan.com Eliminate Varicose Veins Before After Success Is Our Experience Laser & Ultrasound Technology • Better & More Effective Than Surgery • No downtime, scarring or stripping. • In many cases, covered by insurance. Call for your FREE screening exam 800-610-7486 VeinAway.com 8180 26 Mile Road, Suite 300, Shelby Township Dr. Charles Mok 10 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER2011
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