27th February- Archbishop of Malta Pawlu Cremona prays at mosque in message of dialogue

Archbishop Paul Cremona and Imam Mohamed El Sadi face Mecca as they pray together at the Corradino Mosque, sending a message on the importance of dialogue among faiths.

The importance of inter-religious dialogue was yesterday highlighted by Malta's Archbishop who prayed side by side with the Muslim Imam at the Corradino Mosque.

Standing barefoot in the carpeted Mosque, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Imam Mohamed El Sadi faced Mecca when they immersed themselves in a few moments of silent prayer.

"Dialogue between different religions is very important," Mgr Cremona said during the first official visit of a Catholic Archbishop to the Muslim place of worship and neighbouring Islamic Centre and Mariam al Batool School.

On his arrival Mgr Cremona was greeted by the Imam, Islamic Centre director Wagdi Nashnosh,
school principal Maria Camilleri, Libyan ambassador to Malta Saad El Shalmani as well as
benefactors and staff members.

After a brief stop at the Mosque, where Mgr Cremona was also shown the Koran, he visited the
various classrooms where enthusiastic students of various ages greeted him with a choir-like
"Good morning". The younger students sang nursery rhymes in English and Arabic to the Archbishop who reacted with his trademark beaming smile.

He then visited the computer room where students delivered a presentation on different religions.

Next, Mgr Cremona was shown into the school hall where a choir of boys and girls sang songs in
English, Maltese and Arabic. One particular song aimed to tell the truth about Islam as
students sang: "Islam is all about peace. Terrorism it doesn't teach".

School principal Ms Camilleri explained how the school was set up 10 years ago after the Imam
felt there was a need for a school that catered for Muslim students.

The mixed school, that has about 180 students throughout kindergarten, primary and secondary
school, teaches the Maltese curriculum with the exception that Islam is taught during religion
class and students are also taught Arabic.

She noted that the setting up of the school was a "unique project" as Catholic and Muslim
teachers worked together with Muslim students and taught and exercised dialogue and respect
towards the different religions.

During a brief address Mgr Cremona thanked the children for their "beautiful songs" and said he
was thankful for the opportunity to visit the centre.

He pointed out that the harmony through which Catholic teachers and Muslims worked at the
school "should be an example to the whole world" adding that dialogue between different
religions was very important.

Mr Nashnosh said that the Archbishop's visit emphasised the mutual genuine will of both sides
to enhance and strengthen the relations between the followers of Islam and Christianity.

"Today we confirm our will to strengthen the relations with the Catholic Church and to enhance
dialogue and cooperation with it in different social and human spheres for the common good," he said.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.

A simple powerful prayer...

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you...

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Power

Power is a force that is often misperceived. Our true power lies
within us at our source, and is not dependent on argument, or
subjecting ones will onto another. True power comes from a place of
peace and gentleness. All of us have power beyond measure; it is what
we choose to do with it that determines its value.

True power is non-imposing; it does not make demands, or encourage
fear. True power comes from a peaceful place, deep within the soul.
The truly powerful spend their lives seeking their source,
learning to embrace this spiritual energy of God with humility and respect.
True power is not lively; those in possession of it often don't
realize they are using it. On the other hand, those who
seek power by the wrong methods are often led into chaos. Many times
they drag others around them down with them. When we do
the right thing as opposed to the easiest or most self-serving thing,
we become the living examples of true power, the only genuine power
that exists.

Invit...

love one another

"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8).

Many people demonstrate that their need to win when trying to resolve conflicts with others
is greater than their regard for relationships. Why is winning so important to us?

Why must we always be right? The person who is driven to win, to be right, or to be first is insecure. Insecure people are driven to perform.

Security comes from relationships, not achievements. A secure person is a person who is comfortable with himself and others. It is easy to communicate with a secure person, but you often end up clashing with a driven person. Would you rather be a lover or an achiever? Which would you prefer your spouse,
children, coworkers and friends to be?

Relationships are more important than achievements to God. Jesus declared that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love people (Matthew 22:36-40).

The purpose of the Word of God is to govern relationships with God and man. If our achievements in life don't enhance our relationships with God, our spouse and children, and others, then we are not fulfilling God's commandments.

Is there ever a time when we need to assert ourselves in conflicts? Yes, we need to stand our ground on moral issues. But we never have the right to violate the fruit of the Spirit in doing so. If what you do can't be done in love and self-control, then maybe it is better left undone and remember your authority does not increase with the volume of your voice. When you resort to shouting in conflict, you are reacting in the flesh. You have lost control of the only person you can control: yourself!!!

Gracious Lord, help me today to love people and use things, and not to love things and use people!!

Patience

Patience asks us to take it easy and go with the flow. Often when
we feel we are losing control of a situation, or when there are
hidden fears we have surrounding it, we become impatient, nervous, or
suffer the effects of stress. We find ourselves railing against the
natural flow of life. Sometimes in the midst of apparent
upheaval, it's difficult to realize that everything is going to work
out for the highest good without added struggle.

Patience is a blend of faith, hope, and release. It is a practice, not
always something that comes naturally. It comes from being able to
find a place of peace, deep inside yourself, where hope resides. In
this place you touch that inner knowing where you are unaffected by
external situations.

Impatience is a fear based behaviour pattern and drains a lot of
energy that could be put into constructive action. Remember to be
kind to yourself, and honour the personal power that you have to deal
with your life's circumstances from a place of calm, rather than a
place of chaos.

"Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love

In Daddy´s hands.