saying yes Chaldean
saying yes Chaldean women answer God’s call at conference By Iklas J. Bashi Several hundred women, including members of the Chaldean community, received inspiration at the Ninth Annual Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Women’s Conference, “Embraced by Mercy; Transformed by Love,” on October 28-29 at the Sterling Best Western in Sterling Heights. Archbishop Allen Vigneron delivered the keynote speech. He began his talk by expressing gratitude for being among the women. “Women are nurturing companions from the cradle to death, building up the Body of Christ,” he said. His presentation, “‘Yes’ to the Incarnation; ‘Yes’ to God’s Mercy,” centered on the connection between the feminine genius and the outpouring of God’s love that is manifested in God’s mercy. He cited Blessed Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women) by describing mercy as an indispensible dimension of love. He said, “Mercy is love’s second name.” Mary becomes the instrument for mercy Himself – the love of God for sinners to come into the world. Describing the Blessed Mother as an agent of mercy, Archbishop Vigneron said, “The DNA of the feminine genius is exemplified in the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our ‘yes’ always involves a response. You have to listen then affirm. It involves an active receptivity. Mary becomes the instrument for mercy Himself – the love of God for sinners to come into the world.” Whether they are in the home, workplace, cloister, teaching, politics, or living life as consecrated, women were encouraged to live out their feminine genius in daily life regardless of their role in society. Chaldean women flank Archbishop Allen Vigneron at the conference. He encouraged women to “teach men to prize the feminine genius for itself.” He said because “women are equipped with the gift of sensitivity, they play an important role in the Church. The life of the Church would be impossible without women.” He told women to take care of their parish priests, to encourage vocations in their family and inner circles. “You have this great capacity to wake us up, to help us realize not only where we need to be pragmatic but our feelings – to help us extend God’s mercy to others.” Following the Archbishop’s talk, Catherine Lanni, founder of the Divine Mercy Center in Eastpointe, presented “A Call to Trust, the Time Is Now,” which is the title of the book she authored about her own experiences of being touched by divine mercy. Lanni described her miraculous healing following the birth of her fourth child through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. “When we go to the Blessed Mother, she is there, always there. She calms everything,” she said. She also described many healings that have taken place at the Divine Mercy Center in Eastpointe. Women were reminded of the importance of silent prayer and how our Lady implores us to pray. “Listening to a rosary or divine mercy CD in the car while you are running errands and driving your children is not enough,” she told the crowd. She encouraged women to “take time to be with the Lord. We cannot expect the miraculous or mystical experiences or an anointing when we are constantly in motion. “Now is the time for His great mercy in a brand-new way,” she added. “God is raising up a holy laity and from this will come a holy priesthood.” Just as St. Faustina saw rays of light shine from the pierced heart of Jesus, so Lanni encouraged women to imagine the cross of Christ illuminated and great graces pouring from heaven for us. “We should have huge expectations. We are talking about God. Ask away and receive! Stay focused on the cross as if it is illuminated.” She discussed the importance of “emptying ourselves of everything that is not God and going to the Sacraments, Confession and Eucharist, to be filled with the great gift, God Himself. He helps separate any obstacles that prevent us from being in union with Him. Then we are in the best possible position to say ‘yes’ to Him.” She said trust is very important. “The last hour abounds with mercy for us. Trust in His mercy. It gives us the invincible power of His constancy.” Ghaida Sandiha, a longtime participant of ECRC activities, said, “This is my third year going to the women’s conference and every year I get something new out of it. ECRC is the foundation of my faith. They are the ones that started everything for me with all that they offer us.” Ahlam Shango of West Bloomfield said the speakers ignited a fire in her. She was encouraged to go out and live the message even more. “I feel so affirmed, more accepted and valued. I want to live to be an instrument of mercy for others,” she said. “As Chaldeans we are blessed to be able to participate and reap the spiritual benefits as we come together with other sisters in Christ,” said Neran Karmo of the ECRC. “Our Catholic Church is our Mother Church as we walk together in our journey of faith toward heaven.” She added, “The annual conference is not to be missed if you want to have that extra shot in the arm of faith, hope and love.” Based on an article published in the Michigan Catholic. Photo by Mr. Mack Photography 36 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2011
an early jump Jim Manna prepares for next year’s election By Ken Marten It isn’t just the 2012 presidential campaign that has already gotten underway. As President Barack Obama hits the re-election trail and Republican hopefuls debate each other on the path to their party’s nomination, politicians on the local level are also preparing for the season. West Bloomfield Township resident Jim Manna, 51, has tossed his hat in the ring. He’s entering politics for the first time as a candidate for township trustee in the 2012 election. (In the interest of full disclosure, Jim is the brother of Chaldean News co-publisher Martin Manna.) “I have launched my campaign,” Manna said. “We’ve started early to get a jump on the competition. I’m not an incumbent and I think we’re going to have a fight on our hands.” Manna is an associate broker with Re/Max and a 24-year veteran of the real estate business. His experience led to an appointment to the West Bloomfield Township Planning Commission, where he is currently serving his second four-year term. Like many candidates, Manna’s reasons for running are varied. One reason is particularly altruistic. “I’d like to pave the way for the future Chaldean generation,” Manna said. “Chaldeans have made great strides going from party store workers to all kinds of other fields, but not in politics.” Township Politics The political structure of townships varies from that of cities and villages, which typically elect mayors and council members. Every four years, township voters elect a supervisor, treasurer and clerk – all of which are essentially fulltime jobs with salaries. Voters also elect either two or four trustees (depending on the township), officials who – along with the supervisor, treasurer and clerk – make up the “township board” and typically meet a couple times a month to discuss and decide the local issues of the day. Trustees are paid per meeting. West Bloomfield Township has four trustees. Jim Manna calls himself “very pro-business.” Township elections are partisan, while those of cities and villages are not. Township candidates must declare party affiliation and win the state’s general election primary (Tuesday, August 7, 2012), then run in the general election (Tuesday, November 6, 2012). Manna is part of a candidate slate that includes a mix of incumbents and challengers. The incumbents are Supervisor Michelle Economou Ureste and Trustee Steve Kaplan. The challengers include Neha Patel running for clerk, and Manna, Pam Dover, and Jeremy Kaplan running for trustee positions. The slate doesn’t have a candidate for treasurer – at least not yet. The slate is also composed of Democrats – a reflection of West Bloomfield Township’s political leanings. “West Bloomfield is heavily Democratic,” Manna said. “I attribute that to the Jewish community. We [Chaldeans] need to emulate the Jewish community because it’s politically active. I consider them our Jewish brothers and sisters.” To be included on the slate, Manna, a self-described-lifelong- Republican, had to make some tough decisions. He admits that his political views are changing. “I’m an independent,” Manna said. “I consider myself a conservative; there are conservative Democrats and conservative independents. I’m very pro-business. I’m not a big proponent of welfare. I’m not a big proponent of government coming in to save us. “In the last election, I sort of threw my vote away. I voted for the Green Party as a protest vote because I didn’t like Obama and I didn’t like McCain. I would have voted for Hilary Clinton if she’d have run.” Goals and interests Manna describes the present township board as too combative. He dearly hopes some of the incumbents not affiliated with his slate are either unseated or choose not to run for re-election. “I’m not interested in political in-fighting,” Manna said. “I’m more interested in getting West Bloomfield back on track. One of the goals is to see a downtown created in the area of Maple and Orchard Lake Road. We’re losing dollars by West Bloomfield residents going elsewhere to shop. West Bloomfield Township needs to be competitive with other communities.” Manna was born in Baghdad and moved to the United States as a boy. He became an American citizen in 1974. He said he’s a lifelong student. He’s taken classes at the University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland Community College, and is currently enrolled at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit with the intention of becoming a deaconate. “I seek knowledge and the truth and I’ve always been fascinated by the Bible,” Manna said. Manna has four children and three step-children. Sons Chad and Todd and daughter Rachel are grown. Son Michael lives with Manna’s exwife. Step-daughters Chanel, Raquel and Alexa live with Manna and his wife, Ban. DECEMBER 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 37
