Season of Change
Fall is typically a time of change, when one season gives way to another. Green mellows to yellow and orange; sunset comes earlier, and the air turns crisper. It is a great time to reflect and perhaps even correct your course. For many, it marks a move to a new way of life – retirement, a new business, or a new school.
For Father Manuel Boji, September will be a time of adjustment. Retiring last month after more than 50 years of service to the Church, Fr. Boji has lived his calling. Although he may be done serving Mass, we don’t believe he is done serving the Lord or serving the people – he will find a new way to do that.
How did he know at the young age of 12 that a life of service in the Church was his calling? He felt it in his soul. That’s also what many healthcare workers say when asked what led them to their profession. It is a calling that sometimes takes every ounce of energy to fulfill, and today especially, is fraught with peril. We have come to appreciate our healthcare workers in new and intimate ways.
That’s why the Chaldean American Association for Health Professionals (CAAHP) is hosting a retreat for students called Vocation to Heal, and together with the Chaldean Church, holding a “Thank You” Mass celebration for all healthcare workers. As important as it is for everyone to have good healthcare, it is important for every healthcare worker to take care of themselves.
We know that COVID vaccines are a controversial topic, but with Pfizer’s vaccine recently receiving full approval from the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Rena Daiza is making her case for the efficacy and safety of the shot, which is now available to every American over the age of 12, in the column “Dr. is In.”
Educator Crystal Jabiro writes in a guest column that now is the time to meet students where they are, instead of expecting them to “catch up.” Every student is different, and a more-personalized-than-ever approach is what will be facing school administrators when school starts again.
Another very controversial topic covered in this issue is the marijuana business. It has proven extremely lucrative for some, but many in the community, including church leaders, say it corrupts the family ideal and is way more dangerous than it seems. We cover both the business aspect and the social, with help from Bishop Francis’ roundtable on the topic.
Dr. Miri graces us once again with several articles. Part two of the coffee story tells us about the evolution of the coffee house and how they came to be an accepted part of everyday life.
His series on genocide should serve as a warning; events in Afghanistan now closely resemble Iraq in 2013. Dr. Miri also shares his take on the Chaldean Community Foundation meeting with the Iraqi Investment Commission, and what a partnership of businesspeople from the US and Iraq may look like.
Last but certainly not least, Nora Hanna shares the importance of grandparents to a healthy and thriving family. Any community, but especially an immigrant community, benefits from the wisdom of their elders. The Chaldean community is blessed to have so many - to share stories, recipes and guidance with their children and grandchildren.
May you continue to be blessed!
Sarah Kittle
Managing Editor
Sarah Kittle