Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As our Lenten journey comes to an end and we enter the Easter season, we are renewed and transformed by the hope and triumph of the empty tomb and the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Easter is the radiant thread that weaves us through the darkest moments, illuminating the path to redemption and eternal life. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a testament to the unwavering power of love, faith, and divine grace. Two thousand years ago, on that glorious morning, the stone was rolled away, and the tomb became an empty testament to the boundless possibilities of salvation. Jesus Christ, having conquered death, bestowed upon us the promise of a life beyond the temporary, a life marked by forgiveness and everlasting joy.
Upon reflecting on our sins during this Lenten season, let us also reflect on the mercy that the Lord has for each one of us. In the depths of our vulnerabilities, His mercy is unwavering, a mercy that heals wounds and lifts the weight from our burdened hearts. It is a love that surpasses our shortcomings and knows no bounds.
The Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle is dedicated to showing you and your families the love and mercy of Jesus. As Easter approaches, let us reflect on what is in our hearts, and give thanks to the Lord for the blessings that He continues to bestow upon us and this Diocese: working towards establishing a new Chaldean Catholic Church and parish site at Bay Pointe in Commerce Township; beginning renovations at the Mar Eliya Retreat Center in Oxford; continuing renovations at Our Lady of the Fields Camp in Brighton; and searching for a parish site in Macomb Township.
By the grace of God, the Diocese is on fire with the Holy Spirit and has no indication of slowing down anytime soon. We continue to build up the Church because it is your home; it is where you and your family can find and worship the Resurrected Jesus, and – God-willing – it is where generations of Chaldean Catholics will continue to find and worship the Lord.
Your Faithful Servant and Shepherd,
† Mar Francis Y. Kalabat Bishop of the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle