Msgr. Kozar Discusses Aid to Eastern Churches

In June, CNEWA President Msgr. John E. Kozar attended the 86th annual “ROACO” meeting of aid agencies concerned for the Eastern churches in Rome, which is convened by the Holy See’s Congregation for the Eastern Churches. CNEWA’s national director in Canada, Carl Hétu, participated, also participated.

Both men stayed at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican residence home to Pope Francis. “Imagine the surprise of ‘running into the Holy Father’ at various intervals in the lobby, coming out of the elevator, down the stairs,” said Msgr. Kozar.

The aid agencies focused their discussions on efforts to help suffering Christians in Syria, Egypt and Iraq — places torn apart by conflicts that have created millions of desperate refugees. At the conclusion of the plenary, the bishop of Rome received all present in an audience to thank them for their tireless efforts and unflagging hope.

“In a strong personal plea, the pope urged us not to give up on Syria,” Msgr. Kozar said. “And he gave us the formula of how a Catholic best responds to all circumstances: to be ‘rooted in faith, nourished in prayer, especially in the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of faith and charity.’”

To read Msgr. Kozar’s full report, visit www.cnewablog.org/web/roaco2013

ONE Sweeps Press Awards

For the second year in a row, ONE magazine swept the Catholic press awards, winning a record-shattering 22 awards — more than any other single magazine — including First Place for General Excellence.

The judges wrote: “The design, photography and writing place ONE among the very best of this year’s Catholic magazines, regardless of category.”

For a full list of ONE’s awards, links to the winning stories and pictures, visit www.cnewablog.org/web/cpa2013

Groups Meet in Rome: Aid to Syria

With the crisis in Syria worsening daily, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum in June called together Catholic charitable organizations to discuss aid and support to people in the region.

“That the Vatican had arranged for this special meeting on the Syrian crisis reflects the concern of the Holy Father regarding the suffering of the Syrian people,” said Issam Bishara, CNEWA’s regional director for Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, who attended the 5 June meeting.

Most participants reported on their aid to the suffering Syrian population — aid carried out without regard for religion, he said. CNEWA has directed aid to those not registered with NGOs for security fears, partnering with its many church contacts on the ground.

In remarks to those gathered, the pope called again for peace. “The participation of the entire Christian community in this important work of assistance and aid is imperative at this time,” he said. “Let every one of us think of Syria. … Let us contemplate Jesus’ suffering in the inhabitants of beloved Syria.”

Catholic Women in the Holy Land

In June, CNEWA Canada joined with the Catholic Women’s League (C.W.L.) of Canada on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which included visits to projects supported by CNEWA and the C.W.L., and Christians who live and work in the region.

The project began as an initiative to aid Holy Land Christians called “Velma’s Dream,” named for Velma Harasen, former president of the C.W.L. Ms. Harasen took part in the trip, along with CNEWA’s Carl Hétu, who noted that “it was an enriching experience for all. It became a real partnership between Christians in the Holy Land, CNEWA and the C.W.L.”

To learn more about the pilgrimage, visit a special section of our blog, “Encountering Holy Land Christians,” at www.cnewablog.org/web/encounter2013

Missio President Visits

On 25 July, Msgr. Klaus Krämer, president of the German Catholic mission charity, Missio, visited the New York offices of CNEWA.

A longtime collaborator with Msgr. Kozar, Msgr. Krämer was in the United States to meet with other Catholic agencies and help build “Catholic solidarity.”

He spoke of a desire to consolidate efforts and build a worldwide network of charities devoted to serving the poor in Africa, Asia and Oceania.

“We invest in people,” Msgr. Krämer explained.

To learn more, read a full interview with Msgr. Krämer online at: www.onemagazinehome.org/web/msgrkramer

Briefly noted…

• CNEWA has named two new regional directors in the Horn of Africa. Argaw Fantu now heads our office in Addis Ababa, replacing Gerry Jones. Mr. Fantu has worked as an educator and catechist in Ethiopia for many years. You can read an interview with him on Page 36. Sister Lettemariam Mogos, D.C., who had been serving as administrator of our Asmara office, has been promoted to regional director for Eritrea.
• The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria elected Metropolitan Ambrosii of Dorostol as interim metropolitan of Varna and Veliki Preslav. He replaces the late Metropolitan Kiril, who drowned while snorkeling in the Black Sea near Varna in early July.
• Rest in Peace, Sister Christian A beloved member of our CNEWA family, Sister Christian Molidor, R.S.M., died on 22 July in Chicago after a long illness. She was 83.

  Sister Christian joined the agency in 1984. She served in many capacities over the years, but she may be most familiar to tens of thousands of friends and benefactors through her articles and pictures in this magazine and through the weekly emails she wrote until her retirement in 2011.

  We will have more on Sister Christian’s life and work in a future issue.

  May the Lord reward her for all the lives she touched. Read more about Sister Christian at our blog: www.cnewablog.org/web/sisterchristian

Farewell to a Friend

Alfred A. Lagan, a friend and benefactor of CNEWA for more than 30 years, passed away on 23 July. Born in 1935 and a veteran of the United States Navy, Mr. Lagan founded the investment firm Congress Asset Management Company. He leaves behind his wife, Joan, eight children, 19 grandchildren and an amazing legacy of generosity — especially when it came to the needs of the children CNEWA serves. We join our prayers with theirs, in gratitude, affection and hope, that the Lord may offer him eternal light and peace.