Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle U.S.A. - Logo
Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle U.S.A. - Logo
DONATE
More
Menu

July Rosary Challenge

Ansam `Sitto on July 5, 2024

In honor of the Six Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, there will be a Diocese-wide rosary campaign, which will span over the course of the next six months, on the 13th of each month.

This campaign is to encourage and challenge all faithful to attend adoration and pray the rosary, which is the most powerful prayer. Each month, there will be a different intention that people can dedicate their rosary to. This month is dedicated to continuing to grow in our faith through Christ in the Eucharist and for those attending the National Eucharistic Revival. Let’s pray together!

Feast Day of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ansam `Sitto on June 8, 2024

Feast Day of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today is the Feast Day of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Observed on the Saturday following the second Sunday after Pentecost, in close proximity to the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this feast honors the purity, love, and maternal compassion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, symbolized through her immaculate heart. The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary highlights her unique role in the salvation history and her exemplary model of discipleship. 

In the 20th century, the apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima in 1917 significantly boosted the devotion to the Immaculate Heart. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, and emphasized the importance of prayer, penance, and devotion to her Immaculate Heart as a means of securing peace and converting sinners. This message resonated deeply with the faithful, leading to a renewed focus on this devotion.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary symbolizes her pure love for God and humanity, her maternal compassion, and her sorrows and joys as the mother of Jesus. Unlike the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which represents divine love, the Immaculate Heart emphasizes Mary’s human love and her perfect response to God’s grace.

This devotion invites the faithful to contemplate Mary’s virtues and to seek her intercession. It highlights her role as a model disciple, who listened to God’s word, pondered it in her heart, and responded with unwavering faith and obedience. By imitating Mary’s heart, we are encouraged to grow in our own love for God and neighbor, and to trust in Mary’s maternal care and guidance.

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede and pray for us! 

Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ansam `Sitto on June 7, 2024

Feast Day of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the Feast of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! Observed on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost, this feast honors the physical heart of Jesus Christ as a symbol of his boundless and passionate love for all of humanity. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is deeply rooted in our Church’s history and spiritual life, reflecting the core of Christian faith: the infinite love and mercy of God. 

The devotion of the Sacred Heart gained significant prominence in the 17th century, primarily through the revelations of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun. Between 1673 and 1675, Saint Margaret Mary reported a series of visions in which Jesus expressed his deep love for humanity and his sorry over the indifference and ingratitude shown to his sacrificial love. 

In these visions, Jesus revealed his heart as a symbol of his divine love, surrounded by thorns representing the sins and ingratitude of humanity. He requested that a feast be established in honor of his Sacred Heart, promising blessings to those who practiced this devotion. The message spread quickly, and by 1856, Pope Pius IX formally instituted the Feast of the Sacred Heart for the universal Church.

This devotion calls the faithful to respond to Jesus’ love by embracing his teachings, engaging in acts of reparation for sins, and striving to embody his love in their daily lives. It underscores the intimate relationship between God and humanity, inviting believers to trust in God’s unending love and to seek comfort and strength in the heart of Christ.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart serves as a powerful reminder of God’s enduring love for all humanity, encouraging the faithful to trust in Jesus’ mercy and to spread his love in a world in desperate need of healing and unity. As the Church celebrates this feast, it renews its commitment to living out the love of Christ, inviting all to experience the peace and joy that comes from resting in the heart of Jesus.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us! 

June Rosary Challenge

Ansam `Sitto on May 31, 2024

In honor of the Six Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, there will be a Diocese-wide rosary campaign, which will span over the course of the next six months, on the 13th of each month.

This campaign is to encourage and challenge all faithful to attend adoration and pray the rosary, which is the most powerful prayer. Each month, there will be a different intention that people can dedicate their rosary to. This month is dedicated for the Fruitfulness of The Chaldean Convention. Let’s pray together!

June: Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ansam `Sitto on May 31, 2024

June: Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! This devotion invites all faithful to meditate upon and venerate the immense love and compassion symbolized by the Sacred Heart. It serves as a profound reminder of Jesus Christ’s unwavering love for humanity; a love that endures beyond suffering and sacrifice. 

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back to the visions of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who reported that Jesus had revealed His heart to her, surrounded by thorns, aflame with love, and surmounted by a cross. It was through her that the message of the Sacred Heart began to spread, eventually gaining widespread acceptance in the Catholic Church. 

Pope Pius IX officially established the Feast of the Sacred Heart in 1856, to be celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi. However, the entire month of June has since become a time for a more extensive and focused devotion, allowing the faithful to immerse themselves in the contemplation of this profound mystery. 

In a world often marked by division, suffering, and indifference, the message of the Sacred Heart calls for us to love, be compassionate, and selfless towards others, as Christ is with us every day. Through prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness, the devotion to the Sacred Heart encourages us to cultivate a heart like Christ’s – one that is open, loving, and merciful. 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! 

May Rosary Challenge

Ansam `Sitto on May 7, 2024

1

In honor of the Six Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, there will be a Diocese-wide rosary campaign, which will span over the course of the next six months, on the 13th of each month.

This campaign is to encourage and challenge all faithful to attend adoration and pray the rosary, which is the most powerful prayer. Each month, there will be a different intention that people can dedicate their rosary to. This month is dedicated to faithful workers who selflessly dedicate their lives to families. Let’s pray together!

May: Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ansam `Sitto on May 1, 2024

May: Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary! We dedicate this month to honoring our Blessed Mother, the revered figure of love, compassion, and devotion. Throughout centuries, Mother Mary has been venerated as the epitome of maternal care, strength, and faith. This month serves as a reminder of her enduring influence and the profound impact she has had and continues to have on countless lives around the world. 

During this month, let us focus on Mother Mary by praying the rosary as often as we can. Through the rosary, let us seek Mary’s intercession and ask her to always watch over us in our times of need. Through Mother Mary, anything is possible. All of our prayers and intentions, no matter how big or how small, can be answered through her intercession.  

As we embark on the month of May, let us reflect on the wisdom and grace of our Blessed Mother. May her spirit of love and compassion inspire us to embrace the values of empathy, kindness, solidarity, and complete and utter surrender to the will of our Lord. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, prayer for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen. 


Bishop Francis Celebrates Mass for Those with Special Needs

Ansam `Sitto on April 9, 2024

Embracing Inclusivity:
Celebrating Mass for Those with Special Needs

On Tuesday, April 9, His Excellency Bishop Francis celebrated Mass at St. Joseph Church for all those with special needs in our community, which was graciously put together by the Office of Life. The Mass served as a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels valued and included in worship. 

Bishop Francis’ overall message to all was that now more than ever, we need to celebrate those with special needs, regardless of their inabilities. He emphasized that the presence of God is in each and every one of those individuals. 

For most of the attendees, the Mass was more than just a religious service; it was a profound expression of belonging and acceptance within the Chaldean community. There is something extremely special about these individuals being able to experience the fullness of their faith by celebrating Mass in a welcoming and loving environment. 

Thank you to the Office of Life for their dedicated efforts in organizing the Special Needs Mass this year! Their commitment to inclusivity and compassion has created a space where everyone, regardless of ability, feels welcomed, supported, and valued. Through their efforts, they were able to bring our community together for an evening of worship, fellowship, and fun! To learn more about the Office of Life and their mission and impact in our community and beyond, please visit chaldeanchurch.org/life/#about.

To see photos from the Mass and fellowship, click below. 

Special Needs Mass Photos

Dignitas Infinita – New Vatican Document Lists ‘Grave Violations’ of Human Dignity

Ansam `Sitto on April 9, 2024

The Vatican’s latest document “Dignitas Infinita”, took five years to complete and reflects on a world that is grappling with evolving moral and ethical challenges. This document reaffirms the Church’s commitment to the sanctity and dignity of every human life. This document emphasizes the Church’s unwavering stance on defending the vulnerable – all over the world. To read more about this document, click below. 

Click here

QUICK LINKS

RESOURCES

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS

CONTACT US

Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube

STAY CONNECTED

Sign up below to join our email list for the latest diocese news and updates.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SEARCH OUR WEBSITE

Search