On Saturday, April 10, Dcn. Sermed Ashkouri celebrated his bi-ritual ordination (Chaldean Rite and Latin Rite) to the permanent diaconate, through the imposition of hands and invocation of the Holy Spirit by His Eminence Cardinal Sean O’Malley. The ordination took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Massachusetts.

The following day, Deacon Sermed celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with Fr. Selwan Taponi at the Chaldean Mission Church in Wayland, Massachusetts.

Fr. Selwan Taponi (right), administrator of St. Paul Church in Grand Blanc, Michigan and the Chaldean Mission Church in Wayland, Massachusetts, with Deacon Sermed Ashkouri (left) after the ordination ceremony.

Deacon Sermed is a Chaldean who will be serving the Chaldean Mission in Wayland, Massachusetts, as well as the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Boston. He will remain a permanent deacon and he will not be ordained to the priesthood.

Please keep Deacon Sermed in your prayers as he serves our community in Massachusetts!