April 24, 2006

Nuhra (Light) Newsletter

St. Paul Assyrian- Chaldean Catholic Church
 Year Two, Issue One, Number 3

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13050 Vanowen St. North Hollywood, CA 91605 (Tel: 818-765-3665)

Resurrection: Past, Present, and Future

By: Fr. Noel Gorgis

Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most significance event in the history of human being; however, in the resurrection we remember the past in the faith, we are called to live a life of love in the present, and we look to the future in hope.

We remember the past, the Jesus resurrection, because we were not eyewitnesses (John 20: 29), we embrace this truth on the authority of God’s revelation, which he has communicated to his Church (1 Corinthians 15:14). The Church’s faith isproclaimed to us within the liturgical celebration of Easter Sunday “Now Christ is Risen from the Dead”.

If we want to live with Christ in the happiness of eternity, we must live with him now the way he lived on this earth. We understand clearly what that means.

We look to the future in hope. This hope is a conviction that we like Christ, will be raised from death to the fullness of life (1 Corinthians 15:35-53).

Easter is past, present, and future. As we receive the Risen Christ in Holy Eucharist, we are strengthened in our faith in Christ resurrection in the past, we are fortified to live the life of Christ in the present, and we are given a pledge of our own resurrection in the future. Easter is indeed the great celebration of our Catholic faith

Youth Convention 2006

As most of you by now have received a letter from the Church regarding the youth convention and know we are in need of your support to better achieve our goal I’m leaving here with you some excerpts from Pope John Paul (II) message to youth.

“Listening to Christ and worshipping Him leads us to make courageous choices, to take what are sometimes heroic decisions. Jesus is demanding, because He wishes our genuine happiness.”

“When we meet Christ and accept His Gospel, life changes and we are driven to communicate our experience to others.”

“There are so many of our contemporaries who do not yet know the love of God or who are seeking to fill their hearts with trifling substitutes. It is therefore urgently necessary for us to be witnesses to love contemplated in Christ.”

“Dear young people, the Church needs genuine witnesses for the new evangelization: men and women whose lives have been transformed by meeting with Jesus, men and women who are capable of communicating this experience to others.”

“My dear young people as you move forward in spirit, we accompany you with our prayers. May Mary, "Eucharistic woman" and Mother of Wisdom, support you along the way, enlighten your decisions, and teach you to love what is true, good and beautiful. May she lead you all to her Son, who alone can satisfy the innermost yearnings of the human mind and heart.”

The invitation to take part in Youth Convention 2006 is also extended to you, dear parishioners. Your support is the most crucial element of this convention, please encourage your children to come in and partake in it and help us by your spiritual and financial support.

May God Bless You All