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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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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.

Meditation on Yesterday’s Election Results From 1 Peter 2:9-17

Noor Atisha on November 9, 2022

1 Peter 2:9-17

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I beg you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. 

Honor the emperor.

Bishop Message Regarding Proposal 3

Noor Atisha on November 9, 2022

Today, we are saddened by the passing of Proposal 3. My heart mourns for the families, and in particular, the children that will be affected by this new constitutional amendment. While this new amendment brings many doubts and uncertainties, the church remains a home. It is a home for the most vulnerable. For any woman or man who feels they have nowhere to go. The doors of the Church are open to all. As your Shepherd I am here with a compassionate heart, and so are the priests at your various parishes. We are Fathers who want to bring the love of the Father and Jesus into the most difficult situations. As a Church we must never tire of being there for the most vulnerable, so let us continue to work as one church and one community. Finally, many may question if their prayers were heard. God hears us and does not abandon us, but he also allows free will to remain. God is still guiding us and gracing us to help us fight against this culture of death. Our hope is in the Lord! May God bless you. May he bless this entire state.