The Big Reset

Paul Jonna, Acting Editor in Chief

These past couple months have provided us with the greatest gift – time. Time to reset our priorities, lives, and relationships by forcing us to focus on what really matters. The digital world is exciting, fraught with possibility, but the digital world itself is not so exciting without the in-person connection between family, friends and even strangers.

Like any crisis, this too shall pass. And as with any crisis, there are positives to recognize if we put forth the effort. This is our chance for a reset, a chance to get back to nature, back to self, back to God, a chance to obtain a greater meaning. It is the intimate relationships that matter – a sense of belonging to a larger family, along with our own personal relationship with God – something greater than ourselves.

Like many of our graduates, we have been thrown into a new world filled with uncertainty. The uncertainty of whether or not we will have a job, be able to eat in restaurants, stay at hotels, travel or attend weddings and other gatherings. Heartbreakingly, we’ve even experienced the inability to hold a love one’s hand as God calls them home. 

The only thing that is certain today is that nothing is certain, except faith. Faith in God, faith in surviving, faith in growing and the faith that this pandemic will make us stronger. Deacon Marcus Shammami provides a well-timed reminder that we must place our faith in God and not in the world we create for ourselves. 

We are well prepared as a community to get through this crisis and thrive rather than merely survive. Our history has forced growth upon us, giving us the tools to accept hardship and recognize opportunities. Chamber relationships with policymakers and business leaders give us insight and information on the local economy, the Chaldean News gives us the outlet to share information and community news, and the Chaldean Community Foundation provides much needed social services to the most in need. Along with guidance from the spiritual leaders of the Church, we are uniquely situated to care for the community as a whole.

This issue offers not only congratulations to our graduates, but also reassurance that we will continue to grow strong and prosper. We take another look at the neighborhood grocers’ story and how they are feeling the community love. We share a story from a teacher, an inspiring piece about a student-run organization that is doing great things, and one about viable vacations this year. Dr. Nick Yeldo explains how simple precautions can greatly reduce the chance of spreading or contracting COVID-19, and Sarah Kittle takes a look at the future of events.

Of course, the main story in June is the Class of 2020. It is a difficult time to enter the work force, plan for college, in fact, plan anything at all. “Uncertain” and “unprecedented” are words used all too often lately to describe our current state of affairs. We do know one thing, however; our Chaldean grads are among the best and the brightest, and they stand poised to do great things. We can’t wait to see what happens next.

With Gratitude,
Paul Jonna
Acting Editor in Chief