The Chaldean community came together to help raise close to $15,000 at the diocese’s first annual Bishop’s Social, a fundraiser to help support the mission of St. Thomas the Apostle Chaldean Diocese, held on November 20.
“We have a mission in the diocese to preach Jesus, the salvation of souls, and to make Christ known throughout the world, especially throughout our community,” said Fr. Pierre Konja, personal secretary to Bp. Francis Kalabat and associate pastor at Holy Cross Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Close to two-hundred supporters gathered together in the Elm Room at Vinotecca Restaurant in Birmingham, Michigan, to help support the diocese. The event included food and drinks, a photo station with Bishop Francis, live music, and more!
“It isn’t just we need your donation. Sure, we do, but we need you to know that we in the diocese are thinking, we’re praying, we need to grow, and we need to build. We need to expand,” said Bp. Francis Kalabat, bishop of St. Thomas the Apostle Chaldean Diocese.
After delivering a keynote address, Bishop Francis blessed over two-hundred St. Benedict crosses for all attendees to take home, along with the book, “He Leadeth Me,” a story about the extraordinary testament of faith and the true story of Fr. Walter J. Ciszek.
“If we do not do a good job of making Christ known through the culture, if we fail, then we fail the next generation,” said Bishop Francis.
All funds for the first-ever fundraiser went directly to the diocese’s chancery office, which supports seminarians, priests, parishes, future parishes and more.
“So, the reality is we’re a little behind in our funds,” said Fr. Pierre. “We need to have a well-funded church, so we can have a great staff. We can support our priests. We can support our parishes. We can support our seminarians, retired priests. All these things that we need in the church that are so essential that aren’t very exciting to raise money for.”
We would like to thank all our sponsors and attendees who came out in support of our first annual Bishop’s Social in support of the mission of our diocese.
While this fundraiser was geared for young adults, the Bishop’s Dinner on February 6, 2020, is open to all ages. Sponsorship and tickets for the Bishop’s Dinner are now available, you can visit chaldeanchurch.org/dinner for more details.
If you would like to support the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle, you can donate at chaldeanchurch.org/donate.
