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06, 2008 |
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“How good and how pleasant it is
for brothers to dwell together in unity”
Psalm 133:1
On the
occasion of the visit of His Excellency Mar Sarhad
Yawsip Jammo, Bishop of
Saint
Peter Diocese for
Chaldeans and
Assyrians, to Saint Mary’s Church in San Jose
(Campbell, CA) a three-day event (1-3 August 2008)
took place in praise to God for the gift of unity to
His Church.
Day One:
The Clergy Council of
Saint Peter Catholic Diocese for Chaldeans
and Assyrians (the Northern Vicariate) met from
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on August 1, 2008, at Saint
Mary’s Church in Campbell, CA. The meeting was
presided by the Eparchial Bishop, H.G. Mar Sarhad
Yawsip Jammo, with the presence of Bishop Mar Bawai
Soro and the local clergy: Father Kamal Bidawid,
Chorbishop Samuel Dinkha, Father Youshia Sana,
Father Noel Gorgis and Father Michael Barota.
Clergy members of this Vicariate who were not
present were Father Tommy Tomika (Los
Angeles) and Father Dimitri Grekoff
(Sacramento). Arrangements concerning the details
of merger of the former
San
Jose Parish of the Assyrian Catholic
Apostolic Diocese (ACAD) into Saint Peter Diocese
and the incorporation of its clergy and faithful in
Saint Mary’s Parish were finalized and sealed during
this meeting.
Later on in the evening from
7:00 to 9:00 PM the Bishops and the Priests
met with 70 individuals, members of Laity Commission
of Saint Peter Diocese along with the Deacons, Mutwa,
Ladies, Youth and Religion Education Teachers of
Saint Mary’s Church (from both services).
Participants from
Saint Thomas (Turlock) and Saint Matthew’s
parishes (Ceres) were also present at this meeting,
in which the details of the merger were clarified by
Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip. A question and answer
period followed.
Day
Two:
On Saturday, August 2, 2008, at
5:00 PM, H.G. Mar Sarhad Yawsip presided over a
liturgical service held to celebrate this historic
unity and the occasion of reception of Chorbishop
Samuel Dinkha, the Deacons and the faithful of San
Jose’s Parish (of ACAD) into Saint Mary’s Parish.
Present there were Bishop Mar Bawai and all the
other clergy mentioned above. Father Youshia Sana
continues to serve Saint Mary’s Church as its Pastor
and Chorbishop Samuel Dinkha as its new Associate
Pastor. The atmosphere at the Church was that of
prayerful worship and appreciation for the sense of
oneness and brotherhood. This day was filled with
appreciation by the faithful, who proclaimed it “as
a gift from God”.
After the conclusion of the
Church service, members of the congregation along
with many faithful who came from other parishes
gathered for a dinner reception at Rosewater Hall (1180
Murphy Avenue in San Jose), which was
specifically prepared in honor of this occasion.
Nearly 350 people were by the side of their
spiritual leaders. Inspiring talks and
significant remarks were made by the Bishops, Clergy
and lay representatives to underline this historic
occasion, which “comes from heavens” to the Church
of the East of the Chaldeans and Assyrians. The
joint choir of Saint Mary’s Parish chanted several
wonderful hymns. The event lasted until 10:00 PM.
Day
Three:
On Sunday, August 3, 2008, at
11:00 AM, H.G. Mar Sarhad Yawsip celebrated Qurbana
(Holy Mass) at Saint Mary’s Church. His Grace gave
an inspiring homily about the meaning of the Gospel
in which he encouraged all to take further steps to
strengthen and promote the unity movement between
all Assyrians and Chaldeans. After the service, the
Daughters of the Church served delicious breakfast
for the several hundred people who came to praise
the Lord and received the
precious Body and Blood of Christ. At about
3:00 PM, H.G. Mar Sarhad flew back to his Episcopal
See in
San
Diego, CA.
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