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The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: A Celebration of Divine Love

Ansam `Sitto on June 14, 2023

Sacred Hrart of Jesus

The Feast Day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a significant event in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. This feast day, which falls on the Friday after Corpus Christi, is dedicated to honoring the compassionate and merciful heart of Jesus Christ. It is a time for us to reflect upon the divine love and grace that flows from the heart of our Savior to us. 

The origins of this feast day can be traced back to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, who claimed to have received private revelations from Jesus during the 17th century. According to her accounts, Jesus revealed his burning heart as a symbol of His never ending love for humanity. He expressed His desire for a feast to be established in honor of his Sacred Heart, emphasizing the need for repentance, adoration, and devotion to Him. In 1856, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart as obligatory for the whole Church, to be celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi.

The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus holds profound spiritual significance for Catholics. It serves as a reminder of the depth of God’s love for us, as shown through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Sacred Heart is a symbol of divine mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, inviting believers to embrace and reflect those virtues in their daily lives. It calls for a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, deepening one’s relationship with Him and fostering a spirit of devotion and adoration. 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!

Chrism Mass

Ansam `Sitto on April 5, 2023

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On April 4, 2023, Mother of God Church held the Chrism Mass, a significant Mass during holy week for Catholics across the world. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Francis Kalabat, along with all diocesan clergy. Bishop Kalabat blessed the holy oils used for various sacraments in all parishes. 

The holy oils blessed by Bishop Kalabat during the Chrism Mass are essential to several sacraments in the Catholic Church. The Oil of Catechumens is used during the sacrament of baptism, while the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick and the dying. The Oil of Chrism, which is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used during the sacraments of confirmation and ordination, as well as in the consecration of altars and churches. 

The Chrism Mass is also an opportunity for the priests to renew their commitments to their vocation. During the Mass, they renew  the promises they made during their ordination, which include a promise of obedience to their bishop and a commitment to celibacy. 

The Mass was a powerful reminder of the significance of the sacraments in the lives of Catholics and the role of the church and clergy in nurturing their spiritual journey. 

 

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Mass for Those with Special Needs

Ansam `Sitto on April 3, 2023

On Wednesday, March 29, Bishop Francis Kalabat celebrated Mass for those with Special Needs at Holy Martyrs Chaldean Catholic Church, along with another mass on Saturday, April 1, at Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church. There was a fellowship that followed both Masses.

During Wednesday’s mass, Bishop Francis focused on how, as humans, we strive for perfection but not in the divine way that God is looking for. “We try to be a perfect person without God. And that’s the problem of today.”

He went on to say that because of Jesus’ wounds and sufferings, he understands our pain and he wants us to come to him so that he can strengthen us in our weaknesses. “By his wounds, we are healed. God understands our sickness and infirmities because He Himself personally experienced them. So let’s not be disturbed by them.”

The focus during Saturday’s mass was that children have always played a role in God’s plan for salvation. “It’s important to have children in the Palm Sunday procession. ALL kinds of children; that includes the disabled,” he said.” He went on to say that it is a God-given grace that we celebrated today’s mass for those with special needs on Palm Sunday.

Bishop Francis reminds us that we are called by Jesus to love ALL children from all our hearts and to help them carry their crosses. May we continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who face any sort of disability, that God continues to guide them and heal them!

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Holy Martyrs Mass pictures
Mother of God Mass pictures

Lenten Hiking Trip 2023

Ansam `Sitto on March 21, 2023

On Saturday, March 18, Fr. Marcus Shammami and Fr. John Jaddou led a group of hikers to Saugatuck, Michigan for their annual Lenten hike. The day started off with Mass being celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Douglas, Michigan, before heading to Saugatuck Dunes State Park for a 4 hour, 6.2 mile hike along Lake Michigan. While the trails were cold and snowy, it did not stop the hikers from enjoying the peacefulness of all the nature around them and soaking Jesus in every step of the way.

Thank you to everyone who attended and thank you to Fr. Marcus and Fr. John for leading such a fruitful Lenten hike. We look forward to seeing everyone next year! 

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2023 Bishop’s Dinner Recap

Noor Atisha on March 21, 2023

The Chaldean community gathered for its 3rd Annual Bishop’s Dinner—a benefit dinner for the bishop’s office in support of our diocese, seminarians, and priests.

Subdeacon and Lector Courses

Ansam `Sitto on March 20, 2023

Our Chaldean Diocese would like to inform those interested in becoming lectors and/or sub deacons that the last day of registration will be on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. To register for the bible study lectures in Arabic or English, please contact Shamasha Khairy at (248) 882-5445. Classes are every Wednesday evening at Mother of God Church at 6:00 PM. For those interested in attending the class via zoom, the ID number and passcode will be provided to you by Shamasha Khairy.

تود ابرشية مار توما الرسول ان تعلن عن برنامجها الخاص للمتقدمين لرسامة الشمامسة، ان يحضروا عددا من الدروس، من ضمنها دراسة الكتاب المقدس، فان يوم الاربعاء الموافق 22/ آذار  يعتبر آخر يوم للتسجيل، والراغبين في التسجيل عليهم الحضور الى كنيسة ام الله في السادسة مساء اليوم المذكور. ومن تفوته فرصة التسجيل في اليوم الذكور، عليه الانتظار لسنة 2024. والدروس ستكون في كنيسة ام الله في الساعة السادسة من مساء كل يوم اربعاء، صف باللغة الانكليزية وصف آخر باللغة العربية.

Commerce Property: Holy Spirit Chaldean Catholic Church

Noor Atisha on February 23, 2023

We are excited to announce that we have signed a purchase agreement of a new property in Commerce Township that will hopefully house the newest parish of the Diocese – Holy Spirit Chaldean Catholic Church! 

 

The Diocese has signed a purchase agreement for Bay Pointe Golf Course with the intention of establishing a new parish. While the preliminary stages and studies of the new property are still underway, follow the Diocese on social media as well as checking our website for future updates as they become available.