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 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!
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 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.
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.
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.
In the bustling rhythm of the Easter season, there emerges a day of profound significance for all Catholics – Divine Mercy Sunday. This day always falls on the second Sunday of Easter, and reminds us of the unfathomable depths of God’s mercy towards us.
Rooted in the visions and spiritual encounters of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who lived in the early 20th century, Divine Mercy Sunday unveils the extraordinary love and compassion of Jesus Christ for all humanity. Through her writings and revelations, she documented her encounters with Jesus, who urged her to spread the message of His mercy to the world.
The main focus on Divine Mercy Sunday should be that God’s mercy knows no bounds. It extends to ALL, regardless of sin or circumstance, offering forgiveness and redemption to those who seek it with repentant hearts. Central to this devotion is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayerful meditation on the passion and death of Jesus, invoking His mercy upon the whole world.
The essence of this day resonates deeply with the core teachings of Christianity – love, forgiveness, and mercy. It reminds us that even in a world marked by division, strife, and brokenness, that no sin is too great to be forgiven by God and no soul is too lost to be redeemed. Pope John Paul II once said, “There is nothing that man needs more than divine mercy.”
The Divine Heart of Jesus, pray for us!
St. Faustina, pray for us!
St. John Paul II, pray for us!
Every year during holy week, Mother of God Church holds the Chrism Mass, which is celebrated by Bishop Francis Kalabat. This year was no different! The Mass was celebrated on March 26, whereby His Excellency blessed the holy oils used for various sacraments in all parishes within the diocese. The Mass was also for all our diocesan clergy to renew their priestly vows.
Each oil that was blessed by the Bishop holds a distinct purpose within the sacramental life of the Church. The Oil of the Sick is used in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, providing comfort and strength to those who are ill or suffering. The Oil of Catechumens is used in the Sacrament of Baptism, symbolizing purification and preparation for the journey of faith. Finally, the Holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, signifying the seal of the Holy Spirit and the consecration of individuals to their respective ministries.
Moreover, the Chrism Mass serves as a moment for priests to reaffirm their commitment to their calling. It allows them to renew their vows that were made during their ordination.
Let us pray that the Lord continues to watch over our diocese and bless all our clergy as they administer the different sacraments for the healing and spiritual growth of all.
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
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