How do we respond in the face of evil, especially to those who inflict grave evil upon us? Abducted in Iraq is Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna’s account of his abduction in 2006 by a militant group associated with al-Qaeda. The Bishop is a good friend of our 3 Churches, through having sisters and other family here. He is a Bishop of the Chaldean Rite of the Catholic Church, and currently Apostolic Visitor for Chaldeans in Europe.

As a young parish priest and lecturer near Baghdad, Fr Hanna was kidnapped after celebrating Mass and released twenty-eight days later. His plight attracted international attention after Pope Benedict XVI requested prayers for his safe return. The book charts his captivity as he struggles through threats, torture, and the unknown. He questions what a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq means for the future, as well as the events that led the country on that path. Through extreme hardship, the young priest gains a greater knowledge, both of his faith and of remaining true to himself.

Bishop Saad’s story reflects the experience of persecuted Christians all over the world today, especially the plight of Iraqi Christians who continue to live and hold their faith against tremendous odds. It sheds light on the complex political and spiritual situation that Catholics face in predominantly non-Christian nations. So this is also the story of a suffering and persecuted people It will be of great interest to those wanting to learn more about the violence in the Middle East and the threats facing Christians there, as well as all those seeking to strengthen their own faith.

“Abducted in Iraq – A Priest in Baghdad” Saad Sirop Hanna, with Edward S. Aris Notre Dame Press

http://undpress.nd.edu/books/P03399

We are being reminded more and more about the Mission of our Church. We are called to help spread the Gospel, not just priests and nuns, and not just in far off places, but here in our own place, in our own time. Before returning to heaven, Jesus sent out his Apostles to the whole world, and that includes Llanishen and Lisvane, Cyncoed and Thornhill! It may seem such a huge task, and so it is, but we have the Holy Spirit to guide and help us – and we have one another.

To help us understand better and equip us for this wonderful work, the archdiocese has organized another Proclaim event, following one in 2015. Saturday 21 October St David’s College 9.30 – 4.30pm. This day will give us practical steps forward in pursuing the Church’s mission – to make disciples of all nations.

After a keynote address from Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham, we will be split into the five tracks that are designed to meet the needs of all parishes at different stages:

* Evangelising as an Individual
* Teams for Mission – What can we do first?
* The Unchurched
* Non-Churchgoing Catholics
* Growing Parishioners into Disciples

Each track consists of a seminar in the morning and workshop in the afternoon which will inspire you, but also give you practical help and resources as you take up the Church’s mission. With wonderful speakers from across the UK it really is an event not to miss.
For more info: https://rcadc.org/event/proclaim-17/

To book and for further information please go to www.tinyurl.com/cardiffproclaim

Come and be equipped to share the Gospel!

Fr Matthew

“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy hand hath made…”

Last week I found myself sitting on a park bench in Berlin. I was gathering my strength to visit some museums there in one of the world’s greatest concentrations of culture in one place – the so-called Museum Island where many of humanity’s treasures are gathered.

But it was not the contents of these that caught my attention It was the chap on the lawn with a big pool of soapy stuff blowing those huge balloons with two sticks. He was surrounded by a gang of children gazing in amazement as the enormous bubbles wobbled off up into the heavens. Many were desperate to have a go, and the frenzy of excitement hit new heights. So here we were, surrounded by the priceless achievements of the human race – but the kids just wanted the bubbles, their faces and voices capturing the “awesome wonder” of what air can do with soap.

An hour later I found myself inside face-to-face with one of the most famous sculptures in the world – the head of Nefertiti. This limestone carving of the Queen of Egypt, wife of Akhenaten, from about 1350 BC, stops you in your tracks.

“Perfection” an American lady behind me said. Indeed, you cannot help but marvel at the beauty of the Egyptian queen and the skill of the sculptor.

Then I suddenly remembered the laughing kids outside. In front of Nefertiti, as when faced with a stunning landscape like the Rockies, we can be taken to a different place. May we never lose our childlike “awesome wonder”, the excitement deep in our human spirit when we consider God’s works, either in nature itself or through human gifts – or even in soapy water in a Berlin park.

Fr Matthew