Bishop Mar Bawai Soro Celebrates Mass at
Saint Ephrem Chaldean Assyrian Church in Chicago

Article by Martin Mirza
Photos by George Rasho

In an atmosphere of joy and serenity, on Sunday; July 19, 2009, Bishop Mar Bawai Soro celebrated Holy Qurbana at Saint Ephrem Church in Chicago.  Saint Ephrem Church was established in 1904 and has served the Assyrian and Chaldean Catholic community for the last 105 years. The church was packed to its capacity.  Present there were Father Zaia Marano, the newly assigned pastor, several deacons, church choir members and the faithful parishioners. Representing Bishop Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim, the Eparch of Saint Thomas Chaldean Diocese, Mar Bawai informed those present at the Church that the former name of Saint Thomas Parish has been changed to Saint Ephrem Parish because the altar the priest celebrates the offering of Holy Qurbana at this Church is named after Saint Ephrem.  Saint Ephrem is an important fourth century Church Father who has written many church hymns that are in use until the present time in all the Churches of the East.

The message Mar Bawai preached during the Mass encouraged all faithful to be tolerant and more accepting of one another, just as God welcomes back to Himself all believers who love him and who repent from their sins.  Charity, understanding and equality are the trademarks of a civilized, matured society and loving Christian community.

After the Mass, all those present moved to the Church hall facility to share a delicious meal that was prepared and served by the Daughters of the Church Committee.  Many of those present for the Mass and at the Hall were the former parishioners of Saint Ephrem Church when Msgr. Edward Bikoma served as their pastor. The rest of those gathered were the parishioners of Mar Toma Parish.  All parishioners from both sides now have formed one loving united community of Catholic Assyrians and Chaldeans under the Patronage of Saint Ephrem, and who share the same Catholic faith as all Catholics in the world.

Bishop Mar Bawai returned again to the Church to meet with a few dozens of parishioners who wanted to hear his comments on some of the recent, important developments in our community and church.  The meeting lasted from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.

We (Father Zaia Marano, the deacons, Parish Council, Choir & Parishioners) at Saint Ephrem Chaldean Assyrian Church in Chicago are very grateful to Father Sanhareeb Youkhana, the Pastor of Saint Mary's Chaldean Church in Chicago, his deacons, committees, choirs and parishioners, who for the past two years opened their hearts and the doors of their churches for us, accepted us  and made us all feel perfectly at home.  We also wish to thank our Bishop Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim for receiving our parish into his Diocese and for granting us the right to use for our services Saint Ephrem Church, Hall and Rectory.  We are also grateful for Bishop Mar Bawai who has led our spiritual journey back to our Chaldean Church of the East and the Catholic Church.  We look forward for our Bishops future visits and pray in return for their well being and the well being of all of the People of God.