Chaldean News March 2015

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY MARCH 2015VOL. 12 ISSUE II

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YOUTH EMBRACE THEIR CATHOLICISM

REACHING OUT TO REFUGEES

A REPORT FROM THE SYNOD

FR. ANDREW ON ‘THE DEATH OF BLACK’

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4 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2015

on the cover22 A RESURGENCE OF FAITH

BY CRYSTAL KASSAB JABIRO

Chaldean youth embrace their Catholicism

features24 BLESSINGS TO THE NEW BISHOPS

Pictures from the ordination

26 HELPING REFUGEES HELP THEMSELVES

BY WEAM NAMOU

Thousands pass through Chaldean Community Foundation office

28 TALKING TURKEYBY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

Detroit delegation visits

30 ‘LIKE GOING HOME’BY CRYSTAL K. KASHAT

Dominican sisters travel to Iraq

32 ANOTHER FEATHER IN HER CAPBY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

Melody Arabo tops Elite list

MARCH 2015 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

CONTENTS MARCH 2015THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 12 ISSUE II

departments6 FROM THE EDITOR

BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

A Lenten journey

8 IN MY VIEWBY MICHAEL SARAFA

Obama, the Crusades and ISIS

9 GUEST COLUMNSBY FR. ANDREW SEBA

The death of black

BY RAMSAY F. DASS, M.D.

A tale of two priests

12 NOTEWORTHY

13 COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

16 CHAI TIME

18 HALHOLE

20 RELIGION

21 OBITUARIES

34 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISEBY KEN MARTEN

Dealership puts the Robins on the road to success

36 CLASSIFIED ADS

38 EVENTS

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“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have re-ceived their reward in full.”

– Matt. 6:5

As I scurried around my house cleaning up while helping

my daughter with home-work, I got a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I saw the ashes, which looked more like black dirt on my face than an actual cross, but the image stopped me in my ferocious tracks of getting things done before we called it a night.

Too busy to really settle on my Lenten sacrifice, I wasn’t quite sure how I would spend this solemn 40-day journey strengthening my faith. I had contemplated giving up television. I normally never tell anyone what I do for Lent because I believe it is a prom-ise between you and God and not one to be shared with the world.

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they dis-figure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matt. 6:16

“So, what to do?” my husband said as he turned on the TV. My daugh-ter sat at the kitchen table coloring a picture to go along with the Bible

story she was assigned to paraphrase about Lent. Not obligated yet to participate in Lent, she actually con-sidered giving up TV herself but settled on a variation of it.

In my frantic stress of trying to answer texts, do the laundry, help my daugh-ter with her homework and thinking about tomor-row’s workday, the thought emerged. I knew exactly

what I needed to do for Lent and it was actually something I had never done before. But I knew it was exactly what God was calling me to do.

It has been a personal struggle of mine and something my father al-ways encouraged me to do but I was so opposed to it in my younger years.

That is what sacrifice is about, right? It is about giving up something that is difficult to live without or do-ing something for the glory of God that is completely out of your com-fort zone.

It was settled in my mind and I have committed to it. As I sit here writing this Editor’s Note the day after Ash Wednesday, I am actually excited about this Lenten journey. Where will it take me?

I often wish I knew in my youth what I know today about so many things, but mostly my faith.

In recent years, I have met and talked with many high school stu-dents and college students grounded in faith and so Christ-centered in life — they have been building a life on a rock. I have been so impressed and

have admired so many of these young people, including our young priests. We are blessed to have them and to have the near dozen seminarians at Sacred Heart today.

In this issue, we share a cover story about youth and faith. There has been a strong movement in our community regarding the youth and much of the credit goes to Bishop Francis, ECRC and the clergy in all of our churches who have created programs to engage the tweens and teens in a relationship with Christ.

As adults, we sometime dismiss kids and really don’t want to hear them. In my experience, we can learn so much from them — their innocence, their open-mindedness, their excitement and their energy. We can learn just as much from them as they can from us.

Perhaps your Lenten journey could include learning from others. None of us will ever live long enough to make the mistakes we need to in order to learn important lessons.

This time is about knowledge, growth, faith, relationships and love as we are led to celebrate the holiest day of the year for Christians every-where.

Alaha Imid Koullen(God Be With Us All)Vanessa [email protected] her on Twitter @vanessadenhaFollow Chaldean News on Twitter @chaldeannews

from the EDITOR

A Lenten journey

VANESSA DENHA-GARMOEDITOR IN CHIEF

CO-PUBLISHER

PUBLISHED BYThe Chaldean News, LLC

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEFVanessa Denha-Garmo

MANAGING EDITORJoyce Wiswell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSRamsay F. Dass, M.D.Crystal Kassab Jabiro

Crystal KashatKen Marten

Weam NamouMichael Sarafa

Fr. Anthony Seba

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At a recent Chris-tian prayer break-fast, President

Barack Obama took the stage and after criticizing ISIS said this:

“Humanity has been grappling with these ques-tions throughout human history. Lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country, slav-ery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ.”

To be sure, the Crusades and slav-ery are just two of many ugly chap-ters in the history of Christianity and America. Those histories should be and have been studied and learned from. There is a right time and place for that. However, that time and place is not here or now. For an

American president, 800 years later, to frame the ISIS challenge in the con-text of the Crusades is ill advised at best and raises legitimate questions about Obama’s determination to dismantle and eradicate the ISIS threat.

One of this president’s great failures as a leader is his inability to emote at the proper times. Just days

after the world witnessed a video of a Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage, American Christians did not need a lecture on the immorality of the Crusades. This, combined with the tepid war resolution he sent to Congress, makes one wonder wheth-er Obama has the resolve to solve this problem.

Compare the stance of our presi-dent with the immediate actions of Jordan in Syria or Egypt in Libya after the beheading of 21 Coptic

Christians. I’ll leave to others to opine about the geopolitical and military planning reasons for those countries to have acted so swiftly, but sometimes leadership is action. Sometimes action has to be swift and sure-footed. The president likes to over-plan and overthink things and our enemies know it.

Even the normally Obama-friendly Andrea Mitchell of NBC News had this to say:

“You don’t use the word ‘crusades’ in any context right now. It’s just too fraught … you don’t lean over back-wards to be philosophical about the sins of the fathers. You have to deal with the issue that’s in front of you or don’t deal with it at all. Talk about faith.”

I agree wholeheartedly with her. It’s not that the president was wrong about his facts or the importance of remembering the sins of our fa-thers in the context of American or Church history. But it is not a rel-evant perch from which to unite the

U.S. Congress, the American people or the world against the existential threat that is ISIS. Herein lays a massive failure of leadership that gets exemplified not only in his words but his actions as well.

By the same token, the Feb. 10 killing of three Muslim students in North Carolina cannot be put in the same context as terrorism, which some have attempted to do. Those murders were heinous and barbaric, just like those committed by ISIS. But they were not part of a systematic movement with hierarchy, infrastruc-ture and shared goals and objectives that include a worldwide Islamic ca-liphate and annihilation of the West. One is a hopefully isolated event, the other a treacherous ideology waging battle on an international stage.

It is true that Obama voted against the second Bush war on Iraq. He has been consistent in his efforts to re-move American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also been con-sistent in his hesitancy to send troops

Obama, the Crusades and ISIS

in my VIEW

MICHAEL G. SARAFA

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IN MY VIEW continued on page 11


This January my fam-ily mourned the loss of my grand-

father, Aboudi Seba (my mom’s dad). He died a very peaceful death at home with all of us around him, as he wanted. He received the anointing of the sick, which he asked for himself.

It is never easy to lose a loved one regardless of age or state of health. As plans for the funeral were underway, I pulled my grandmother, mother and aunts aside and asked them some-thing that initially appalled them. I asked them to only wear black for the day of the funeral, and break away from the tradition of wearing black for 40 days, one year, etc.

At first they were uninterested and responded saying, “We have to … what will people say? … I can’t imagine not wearing black.” I told my aunts that I would mention this

during the homily at the funeral, that it’s something we need to begin bringing to an end. They were split in their sentiments.

Mourning the dead is important, and dealing with the emotions that we have after a loss is healthy and necessary. But how we do it speaks volumes about who we are as rational Christians. Many people

wear black because “that’s how we mourn.” We are a very expressive people, and wearing black has be-come almost second nature in re-gards to mourning. However, why does it have to be? Does wearing black help us to remember? But how can we forget? Do we feel guilty if we do not wear black? Why do we do what we do?

We are a people who value our traditions and recognize the impor-tance of them and the impact certain

traditions have had on our people and culture. However, there are some traditions that would serve us well if we broke away from them.

The ancient Greeks and Romans wore black in mourning the loss of a loved one. The tradition of wearing black in the Muslim culture also im-pacted the way we mourn. It seems fitting since black is the absence of color and we are mourning the absence of someone we love. Con-versely, black simultaneously repre-sents darkness, hopelessness, despair and gloom. Although that is what we often feel interiorly after the loss of a loved one, outwardly expressing it in what we wear does not change the fact that they are no longer physi-cally with us. Recognizing this can be helpful in the mourning process.

God give us our emotions as a coping mechanism. Jesus cried at the death of Lazarus, our emotions are real and given to us by God. How do we deal with them? How can we

mourn? Instead of wearing black, let us pray for the repose of the soul of our loved ones. Let us pray in thanks-giving to God for allowing us to have the opportunity to create memo-ries with those who have gone before us. Let us pray that the Lord gives us the grace to honor the living through our actions, our thoughts and our deeds. Let us pray that the Holy Spir-it will give us the grace to live in a way that will allow us to remember our friends and family and perpetuate their memory by honoring it.

As Christians we have hope in the resurrection of the dead. One way to help us in our mourning is by begging the Lord to help us understand what that means! We are called to pray for a greater hope and to find joy in the fact that our soul is eternal and is only awaiting the joy of the second coming of Jesus. Wearing black can potential-ly evoke in our hearts the emotions of loneliness and despair, which in turn blinds us to the true joys and comfort Jesus gives us.

The death of black

FR. ANDREW SEBA


BLACK continued on page 11

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Over the past few months, many radio, television

and newspaper media have published stories re-garding some Chaldean Catholic priests and their diocese in San Diego, California. Unfortunately, many of these contained mischaracterized, misin-formed and illogical con-clusions about the priests’ safety, mission and manner in which they arrived in the United States.

It is true that the previous Patri-arch’s administration was weakened by internal and external events, and many local Iraqi priests and bishops took advantage of that by seeking comfortable positions for safety, prosperity and personal reasons. But in the past two years since the in-stallment of His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Sako, a movement of correc-tion, reconciliation and preserva-tion of the Chaldean Church from a downhill spiral has taken place by reclaiming the old rules and regu-lations that every member should follow, most of all the priests and bishops. To this end, a new group of young, well-educated bishops has been elected to the Synod.

The community at large has wel-comed these changes. But unfortu-nately, a renegade and mutiny of a bishop and some priests in San Di-ego has developed, especially among those priests who left their positions in Iraq without prior authorization or in disobedience to the hierarchy of their churches, monasteries and

eparchies. Today, there is a tale

of two priests in the Chaldean Church. One Chaldean priest was kid-napped for three days in Iraq, beaten by his cap-tors, and received death threats even after he was released during those dark days of anti-Christian vio-lence that took place after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

This priest was officially transferred at that time to serve his community in the United States. But today, he has been elected an Auxiliary Bish-op and has returned to Baghdad.

He accepted this elevation with-out reluctance, leaving his comfort zone, church followers and friends in America with the belief that a priest must serve wherever he is required irrespective of the dangers he faces or the comfort in which he lives. He did this with the view that he is not better than any priest, particularly those serving in Iraq, where their services are badly needed at this time. He is well aware of the change of political and social environment there, but, as a priest, his job is to serve wherever he is required and needed.

Compare his story to that priest in San Diego who is afraid to return home to Iraq under the assumption that he will be kidnapped and killed. That has been his pretext. Instead of being an obedient steward of the image, culture and sanctuary of his priesthood, he turned his venom against Patriarch Sako, his superiors

and others. He has forgotten that the Chaldean Church is a martyrs’ church and that many of his friends, superiors and others have sacrificed themselves for the cause of Christi-anity and the church.

This tale of two priests is one of revolt or obedience, one of self-sacrifice or self-preservation, and one of serving the community or serving oneself. Regrettably, there are those who are trying to keep these priests in San Diego at any cost. They have never stopped making it an issue and projecting it in the San Diego and California media. As a result, they have dam-aged — even temporarily — the image of our beloved and blessed Chaldean Church that, for thou-sands of years, had the sacrifice of her patriarchs, bishops, priests and Christian followers.

In the final analysis, we are look-ing forward to priests who have de-voted themselves to the vocation, whether in the Chaldean Church or elsewhere, to deprive themselves of selfishness and fear and follow the teachings of the church, Jesus Christ and His ministry in this world. We hope that what happened in San Diego is a storm in a teacup and that sooner rather than later, with the help and guidance of Patriarch Sako, the Synod and the goodwill of the faithful will prevail.

Ramsay F. Dass, M.D., is president of the American Middle East Christians Congress and director of the Iraq American Christians Endowment Center.

A tale of two priests

GUEST column

RAMSAY F. DASS, M.D.


back to that part of the world. But he is the president of the

United States. The situation in Iraq was largely caused by failed U.S policy towards that country and the failure of the Obama administration to keep a foothold there. It was not the Bush administration that assisted in desta-bilizing the Qaddafi regime in Libya or the Assad regime in Syria. It was the current administration. These ef-forts have created a tremendous vacu-um in these countries and fostered an environment for rule by a combina-tion of gangs and religious extremists — a formula that has come to equal barbarity and brutality.

Obama still has time to get his act together on this and do his job to protect the American people, defend our ideals and restore U.S. leadership in the world.

Let’s deal with what’s in front of us, as Andrea Mitchell said. There will be time for him to deliver lec-tures later.

Just because someone does not wear black after the funeral does not mean they are not honoring their loved one, it doesn’t mean that they respect them less, it does not indi-cate the amount of love they had for their family member. Some might say, “Well, why do priests wear black?” Sure, it’s because it is a reminder that the priest is dead to the world, it’s sym-bolic of poverty and simplicity ... but that’s a subject for a different article.

At the end of the day, my conver-sation with my mom and my aunts was only half successful; my mom and some of her sisters agreed not to wear black, while the others couldn’t take the plunge. It’s a start.

Fr. Andrew Seba is a Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church.

IN MY VIEW continued from page 8

BLACK continued from page 9

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St. Mary’s Pays HomagePersecuted Christians of the Middle East are the focus this Lenten season at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Royal Oak.

The church is exhibiting large images of the “N” symbol (Arabic for Nazarene) that ISIS is using to mark Christian property and passing out buttons with the image, said Fr. Steven Wertanen, who explained the symbol in a recent mass. While many of his parishioners were “some-what familiar” with the dire situation facing Iraq’s Christians, most did not have an in-depth understanding of the crisis, he said.

Martin Manna, co-publisher of the Chaldean News, is speaking on the top-ic at 6:30 p.m. at the church on March 1, and St. Mary’s is asking parishioners to fast in solidarity with Middle Eastern Christians on March 2-4.

“The challenge is to pray for those who are persecuted and for those who are persecuting, and also to recognize how we all persecute people in differ-ent ways, and to appreciate the faith

and the parish we have and not take it for granted,” said Fr. Wertanen.

The church is also distributing cross placards and asking people to display them in their living room window.

“We want this to raise aware-ness,” said Fr. Wertanen. “People say we are afraid to put it out there because our neighbors will think we are a ‘Jesus freak,’ but we should be challenged to say we love Jesus, and other people are having their house marked in a negative way.”

Police Seek Tips in Troy KillingA year later, Troy Po-lice are still search-ing for the person(s) who killed Athir Putres.

Putres, 63, was found fatally shot while working at the Clark gas sta-tion at 6951 Roch-ester Road on Feb. 8, 2014. He was a resident of Rochester Hills.

Though police received many tips, there have been no arrests in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Shuler at (248) 524-3449 or the anonymous tip line at (248) 524-0777.

Snyder Launches Middle Eastern CommissionGov. Rick Snyder signed Executive Order 2015-6 on Feb. 18 to establish the Middle-Eastern American Af-fairs Commission.

The commission replaces the Michigan Council on Arab and Chal-dean American Affairs, created by ex-ecutive order in 2013. The reorgani-zation and name change reflects the growing diversity of new Americans who have come to Michigan from the Middle East, said the governor’s office.

“The Middle-Eastern American community is growing in our state and this reorganization will help ensure Michiganders from multiple

backgrounds have the best opportu-nities to actively work together and participate in our comeback,” Snyder said in a statement.

The 15-member commission will work within the Michigan Depart-ment of Civil Rights to monitor, evaluate and provide recommenda-tions on issues facing the Middle-Eastern American Community. They will also work to enhance economic opportunity, prevent discrimination and spread awareness of Middle-Eastern American culture.

Interested in serving on the com-mission? Visit Mich.gov/Snyder and go the Appointments tab for an ap-plication.

Archdiocese of Detroit Completes Move The Archdiocese of Detroit has com-pleted the move of its headquarters to its new Chancery building at 12 State Street in Capitol Park.

All central offices and 183 em-ployees of the Archdiocese of Detroit now operate out of the new location, which the archdiocese is leasing from Capitol Park Partnership LLC. The move makes the Archdiocese of De-troit one of the first major new ten-ants in Detroit’s Capitol Park district.

“Remaining downtown and com-ing into the Capitol Park district al-lows the Church to continue to be a part of the rebirth of the City of Detroit,” said Archbishop Allen Vi-gneron in a statement.

In April 2013, the archdiocese

Community Marches for LifeAlthough the media attention is nowhere equal to

the size of the event, March for Life is seen by millions as a must-take journey, even though they march in the cold and snow year after year.

“We stand for what is right and just in the world,” said Fr. Pierre Konja. “Thank God we have a country that allows us the freedom to speak against the legisla-tion, but it’s a shame that we have a country that has legalized the killing of their citizens in the womb.”

Two buses of 110 Chaldeans from Michigan attended the annual March in Washington, D.C. last month. The trip was led by Fr. Andrew Seba and Fr. Pierre Konja and included four Chaldean nuns in the Novicate, a few fam-ilies with their kids, young adults and people of all ages.

The three-day trip included a one-night hotel stay and two nights sleeping on the bus. “We didn’t hear any complaining,” said Fr. Pierre. “We offered our discomfort and sufferings with that of Jesus for the end of abortion.”

It was an educational trip but one with a purpose: “to bring political awareness to the tragedy of abortion in our country,” said Fr. Pierre. “What’s beautiful to see is how a stance against such a terrible issue has drawn people together.”

It’s a mostly Catholic-attended event and attend-

ees are able to meet different Catholics from across the country with the same faith and the same drive against abortion.

“One of the fruits of the trip is bringing Chaldeans from different areas of Detroit together to meet each other and to share some laughs, exhaustion and faith,” said Fr. Pierre. “We also got a chance to have a Chal-dean mass with the Chaldeans who live in DC. They were really appreciative and we were happy to help keep them connected with the community.”

noteworthy

Athir Putres

The church is distributing these buttons.

Michigan attendees take a group picture.

Donor NeededAndrew Jappaya is seeking the community’s help in his search for a new kidney.

Jappaya, 41, learned in May that he has chronic polycystic kid-ney disease. Currently, his kidney is functioning at only 9 percent. Jappaya is married and the father of two daughters ages 6 and 12.

“The only way I could feel better and live my life normal [is to] get a kidney transplant,” he said.

Jappaya’s little brother is the only family member to match his kidney, but, because the disease in inherited, he is not a suitable donor as he could con-tract it himself.

Jappaya has blood type O. To be tested for a match, con-tact him at (248) 939-0556 or [email protected].

NOTEWORTHY continued on page 14

Community Bulletin Board

Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Send it to Chaldean News, 30850 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025or e-mail [email protected].

People Power

Marian’s High School seniors Morgan Garmo

(far right), Jacquelin Doman and Molly Swayze

took first place in the state for Unit I at the We

the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

competition held in January at the state capi-

tol in Lansing. More than 180 students from

nine high schools across the state tested their

knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of

Rights during the state competition.

Mass AppealTod Machover, creator of Guitar Hero, was in town last month in search of unique sounds from all around Metro Detroit. He took an interest in the Chal-dean community and wanted to include the sounds, including Aramaic, of the Chaldean mass. Thanks to the coor-dination of Sue Kattula, Machover and his team attended mass at St. Joseph Church in Troy and recorded both the service and choir for use in an upcom-ing PBS special, “Symphony in the D.”

He’s the Man

Faisal M. Arabo has been named

Agent of the Year by New York Life

Insurance Company. The award goes

to the agent who achieved top produc-

tion commissions in the company’s

Greater Detroit General Office. Arabo

has been a New York Life agent since

1968 and is a lifetime member of the

Million Dollar Round Table, an interna-

tional association of the world’s lead-

ing life insurance and financial servic-

es professionals. He’s pictured here

with Managing Partner David Hoory

and his wife, Virjean Arabo.

The Special Synod of the Chaldean Church was held Feb. 7 in Baghdad. The prelates, who called for unity and

communion in the Chaldean Church, agreed to continue plans to create a “Chaldean League” and a patriarchal appeal court to examine cases involving the Chaldean clergy. Participants also decided to set aside a day each year, the first Friday after Easter (April 10 this year), to remember “the martyrs and confessors of the

faith” who died in the Assyr-ian Genocide (also known as Sayfo) in 1915.

The synod “demanded the central government and the Kurdistan Re-gional Government allocate funds to support displaced families who were robbed of their property and money by Daeesh (ISIS).” The Chaldean Church “will employ all its capabili-ties to serve and lift their spirits, and

to plant hope in their heart.”Speaking to AsiaNews, Mar Sako said he was hap-

py with the synod’s work. “Perfect harmony emerged among us and we share the same goal of continuing to help refugee families” since, so far, “the government has promised a lot but done very little. Only the Church has really helped.”

The new International Chaldean League will “de-fend and help displaced Chaldeans, promote the protec-tion of the Chaldean heritage, and defend persecuted

Christians,” he said. The Patriarch appointed Bishop Shlimoon Wardoni and Bishop Basil Yaldo to prepare for the founding conference.

At the end of the synod, participants expressed their “deep regret” for the absence and “non-cooperation” of Bishop Sarhad Jammo and Mgr. Bawai Soro of Califor-nia, who are in conflict with Mar Sako’s demand that some priests return to Iraq. A meeting on the issue was to be held at the Vatican later in February, but no news was released by press time.

“The synod calls for all the faithful of the Diocese of St Peter to hold firm to their true faith and to be loyal to their Chaldean church and to rely on love and wis-dom,” said an official statement by Archbishop Joseph Thomas, secretary general of the synod.

The fathers also “expressed their pain” regarding Bishop Saad Sirop, who left his post at Babyl Pontifi-cal College before receiving an answer to his request for a one-year sabbatical leave. Dr. Samer Souresho was named acting dean of the college at the synod.

Unity Urged at Chaldean Synod Rumor of Murdered Priest Unfounded Reports that a priest was executed in Mosul are untrue, Chaldean Church leaders said in a statement on Feb. 5.

The statement read, in part, that Mar Louis Sako “strongly denies recent news stories that report a priest being executed by Islamic State militants in Mosul.” The rumor had concerned the murder of a “Fr. Paul Jacoub,” who was supposedly detained for more than eight months by jihadists.

However, the statement signed by Mar Sako reads, “There has nev-er been a priest of this name in the Iraqi Church, Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant.” He added that presently, “there are no more Christians in Mo-sul,” the second-largest city in Iraq and since last June an ISIS stronghold.

Mar Sako asked the media not to circulate these false rumors. “At the very moment we spread them … we end up playing into the jihadists’ hands,” he said.

He noted that the two religious kid-napped in Mosul last July were released after two weeks and that, to date, there are no priests kidnapped in Mosul or in the hands of Islamist militias.

– Joseph Mahmoud, Asia News

The synod participants.

Mar Sako


Frank Wolf, the recently retired con-gressman, is urging six steps to pro-tect Christians and other religious minorities from genocide, including creation of a safe haven in Nineveh in northwest Iraq.

In a letter to Congress on Feb. 11, President Barack Obama said, “If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland. I have directed a comprehensive and sus-tained strategy to degrade and defeat ISIL. As part of this strategy, U.S. military forces are conducting a sys-tematic campaign of airstrikes.”

Yet, on the same day, Wolf in a statement said Christians and other groups are on the “edge of extinc-tion” due to terrorism and policy-makers must do more.

“If the Islamic State is not de-feated and ultimately destroyed, there will be no future for these ancient faith communities who now face an

existential crisis and genocidal on-slaught in lands they have inhabited since antiquity,” Wolf said.

The retired Virginia congress-man recently co-founded the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and accepted an appointment to a newly endowed chair for religious freedom at Baylor University.

In January, Wolf and several oth-ers from the Wilberforce Initiative traveled to northwest Iraq to meet with refugees from the region. The Wilberforce delegation said they were within 1.5 miles of the Islam-ic State frontline. They spoke with dozens of Christians and Yazidis (an-other at-risk minority group) and met with top officials in the Kurdis-tan Regional Government, religious leaders and humanitarian groups.

On return, the Wilberforce group developed six proposals to secure the future of Christians, Yazidis and others:

• Create the Nineveh Plains prov-

ince in Iraq to shelter Chris-tians and other minorities.

• Establish the Nineveh Protection Unit, a defensive National Guard. (This is al-ready in formation.)

• Allow faith-based relief and development groups to operate openly in the region.

• Require the return of property, especially church-es and monasteries, confis-cated by the Islamic State.

• Require the Kurdistan Regional Government to insure religious free-dom for all groups.

• Prosecute terrorists for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and if needed, for genocide.

“A decade ago, Iraq’s Christian population numbered 1.5 million,” said Randel Everett, Wilberforce Initiative president and former Tex-as pastor. “Today, roughly 300,000 remain, and most have no jobs, no

schools, and no places of worship. The Nineveh Plains had been one of the last relatively safe havens for Christians, Yazidis, Shabak, Turkmen and other minority groups. With the fall of Mosul and surrounding areas last summer, Iraq’s minorities want to remain in their homeland, but have

no place to go.”In the new position at

Baylor, Wolf will be re-sponsible for outreach on Christianity’s role in ad-dressing social issues and will collaborate on inter-national projects and how to integrate religious free-dom in foreign policy.

Wolf, then 74, an-nounced in 2013 that he would not seek reelection

after serving in Congress for 34 years. He was lead sponsor for the Religious Freedom Act (which led to the cre-ation of the U.S. Commission on In-ternational Religious Freedom) and ambassador-at-large and special advis-er for international religious freedom in the State Department. During his time on Capitol Hill, Wolf traveled to Africa, Asia and the Middle East to raise awareness of religious persecu-tion and human rights abuses.

– Christianity Today

calling for safe haven Former congressman offers six-point planBY TIMOTHY C. MORGAN AND RUTH MOON

Frank Wolf

announced it was selling three build-ings — the former chancery at 1234 Washington Boulevard, the Gabriel Richard Building at 305 Michigan Avenue, and a printing and mail-ing facility in Corktown — to con-solidate under a single roof. The consolidation, which also includes personnel who had been stationed at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, is a cost-cutting move; office space has been reduced from about 150,000 square feet to approximately 44,000 square feet.

In other diocese news, Pope Fran-cis has granted the title of Minor Ba-silica to the National Shrine of the Little Flower Church in Royal Oak. The title is given to churches around the world to denote a particular im-portance in liturgical and pastoral life and a closer relationship with the pope. The title of Major Basilica is reserved to churches in Rome. The

art-deco Shrine had to demonstrate its heightened liturgical activity and architectural stature.

It’s Scholarship TimeThe Chaldean Federation’s 33rd An-nual Scholarship Program is being held this year in honor of Michael J. George, who died on June 24.

Chaldean high school seniors and college graduates can apply for a scholarship at ChaldeanGrads.com. The deadline for applications is May 22. Recipients will be notified.

For more information, contact Rula at (248) 406-2052 or [email protected].

Kohl’s Seeks Good KidsNominations for a Kohl’s Cares scholarship are being accepted through March 13.

Parents, teachers and friends can nominate kids ages 6-18 who are doing inspiring volunteer work in their com-munity. Top winners receive $10,000 for higher education while nearly 2,000 local winners will get $50 Kohl’s gift cards. Visit KohlsKids.com.

Football Fan?St. William is inviting Catholic young men in grades three to eight to join its Crusader Football program. Registration is $180 per player, and scholarships are available.

The St. William Crusaders is also offering co-ed flag football spring leagues for kids from kindergarten to third grade. It runs April 26-mid-June and costs $100 per player. All games are on Sundays at Brother Rice and Gabriel Richard.

Learn more about both programs at SaintWilliam.net, or call Scott McKee at (248) 469-3650.

PeopleButzel Long attorney Ziyad I. Hermiz has been elected as a Shareholder of the firm. Based in Butzel Long’s De-troit office, Hermiz concentrates his practice in the area of business litiga-tion and was named a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star in the Business Litigation category from 2012-2014.

Virginia Yatooma-Krolczyk has obtained a Doctor of Management and Executive Leadership from Walsh College. She was the only Chaldean student in the doctorate program.

NOTEWORTHY continued from page 12

Virginia Yatooma-Krolczyk

Ziyad I. Hermiz

noteworthy


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[Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8]Retreat: “Praying Your Life Story with Jesus and St. Ignatius” is the theme of a weekend retreat directed by Fr. Fran Daly. This is the first time Manresa is offering a retreat for both men and women. (248) 644-4933.

[Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8]Cars: The 63rd Annual Autorama, billed as “America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show,” motors into Cobo Hall. Tickets are $6 for kids, $19 for adults. View a schedule at Autorama.com/Attend/Detroit.

[Saturday, March 7]Gala: Chaldean American Ladies of Charity’s 2015 gala has the theme “Peace Around the World.” The event includes a four-course dinner, live en-tertainment, dessert bar and live and silent auctions. 7 p.m., Shenandoah Country Club. (248) 528-0130.

[Thursday, March 12]Art: Manresa Jesuit House enjoys a private tour of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Renaissance collection, includ-

ing marble panels from the Florence Cathedral. Meet at the John R en-trance of the DIA at 1:30 p.m. The tour is free but you must RSVP by March 7 by calling (248) 644-4933 or emailing [email protected].

[Friday, March 20]At last: Spring begins!

[Saturday, March 21]Racing: AMA Supercross zooms around Ford Field at 6:30 p.m. Doors

open to watch practice and qualifying races at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$200. SupercrossOnline.com.

[Tuesday, March 24]Seminar: “Who’s In Your Space? A Reflection on the Book of Ruth” is the topic of a free seminar and dinner from the Ashland Theological Semi-nary. 7 p.m. at the Seminary’s Detroit Center, 24901 Northwestern High-way, Suite 600, Southfield. Register at WhosInYourSpace.EventBrite.com

[Wednesday, March 25]Fundraiser: Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition Fundraiser be-gins at 5:30 p.m. at Huerto in West Bloomfield. (248) 321-8642.

[Sunday, March 29]Shopping: All Things Detroit returns to the Eastern Market from noon-6 p.m. in Shed 3. There will be Detroit apparel, handmade jewelry, artisan food products, custom artwork, door prizes and more.

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Natalie and MichaelNatalie Sako and Michael Jaboro became engaged to be married on January 5, 2015. Natalie’s parents are Mike & Theresa Sako and Michael is the son of Harry & Lilian Jaboro.

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religion

THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE IN THE UNITED STATES St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Diocese25603 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48033; (248) 351-0440Bishop: Francis KalabatRetired Bishop: Ibrahim N. Ibrahim

HOLY CROSS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH32500 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334; (248) 626-5055Rector: Msgr. Zouhair Toma KejbouMass Schedule: Weekdays, noon; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in Chaldean and English; Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, noon in English

HOLY MARTYRS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH43700 Merrill, Sterling Heights, MI 48312; (586) 803-3114Rector: Fr. Manuel BojiParochial Vicar: Fr. Matthew ZetounaBible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Thursdays, 8 p.m. Seed of Faith in English; Saturdays, 7 p.m. Witness to Faith in ArabicYouth Groups: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for High SchoolersMass Schedule: Weekdays, 9 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in English; Sundays: 9 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 10:30 a.m. in English, Morning Prayer at noon, High Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean; 7 p.m. Arabic and Chaldean

MAR ADDAI CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH24010 Coolidge Highway, Oak Park, MI 48237; (248) 547-4648Pastor: Fr. Stephen Kallabat Retired Priest: Fr. Suleiman DenhaAdoration: Last Friday of the month, 4 p.m. Adoration; 5 p.m. Stations of the Cross; 6 p.m. Mass; Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.Bible Study: Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. in Arabic and Chaldean; Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Jesus Christ University High School and College Bible Study-Youth Group; Fridays, 8-10 p.m. Arabic, Chaldean and EnglishMass Schedule: Weekdays, noon; Sundays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 12:30 p.m. High Mass in Chaldean

MOTHER OF GOD CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH25585 Berg Road, Southfield, MI 48034; (248) 356-0565Pastor: Fr. Basel YeldoParochial Vicar: Fr. Pierre KonjaBible Study: Mondays, 7-9 p.m. in English; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for college students in EnglishMass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m.; Tuesdays, 8:45 p.m. in English; Saturdays, 4 p.m. in English; Sundays: 8:30 a.m. in Arabic, 10 a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 7 p.m. in English OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH11200 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48093; (586) 804-2114Pastor: Fr. Fadi PhilipBible Study: Thursday, 8 p.m. for ages 18-45; Friday, 8 p.m. in Arabic. Teens 4 Mary Youth Group: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Confession: 1 hour before mass or by appointment.Adoration: Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Chapel open 24/7 for adoration.Mass Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Thursday, 1 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Friday 7 p.m. in Chaldean; Sunday, 10 a.m. in Arabic and 12:30 p.m. in Chaldean.

SACRED HEART CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH310 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48203; (313) 368-6214Pastor: Fr. Sameem BeliusRetired Priest: Fr. Jacob YassoBible Study: Tuesday, 8 p.m. at St. Joseph in TroyMass Schedule: Sunday, 11 a.m.

ST. GEORGE CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH45700 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, MI 48317; (586) 254-7221Pastor: Msgr. Emanuel Hana Isho Shaleta Parochial Vicars: Fr. Anthony KathawaYouth Groups: Disciples for Christ for teen boys, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Circle of Friends for teen girls; Thursdays, 6 p.m.; Bible Study for col-lege students, Wednesdays 8 p.m.Bible Study: Wednesdays, 8 p.m. in English; Fridays, 8 p.m. in ArabicMass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Adoration; 8-10 p.m. Confession; Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. in English (school year); 6:30 p.m. in Chaldean (summer); Sunday: 8:30 a.m. in Chaldean, 10 a.m. in Arabic, 11:30 a.m. in English, 1:15 p.m. in Chal-dean; 7:30 p.m. in English

ST. JOSEPH CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH2442 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083; (248) 528-3676Administrator: Fr. Rudy ZomaParochial Vicor: Rev. Bashar SittoBible Study: Mondays, 7 p.m. in Arabic; Tuesdays, 7 p.m. in English; Thursdays, 7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ Youth Group for High Schoolers Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean except Wednesdays, 10 a.m. in Arabic Saturdays, 6 p.m. in English and Chaldean; Sundays, 9 a.m. in Arabic, 10:30 a.m. in English, noon in Chaldean, 2 p.m. in Chaldean and Arabic, 7 p.m. in ChaldeanBaptisms: 3 p.m. on Sundays.

ST. PAUL CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH5150 E. Maple Avenue, Grand Blanc, MI 48439; (810) 820-8439Pastor: Fr. Ayad HannaMass Schedule: Weekdays, 6 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30 p.m.

ST. THOMAS CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH6900 Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; (248) 788-2460Pastor: Fr. Wisam MattiParochial Vicars: Fr. Jirgus Abrahim, Fr. Andrew SebaRetired Priest: Fr. Emanuel RayesBible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. in ArabicYouth Groups: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Girls Challenge Club for Middle Schoolers; Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Chaldeans Loving Christ for High Schoolers; Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Boys Conquest Club for Middle Schoolers Other: First Thursday and Friday of each month, 10 a.m. Holy Hour; 11 a.m. Mass in Chaldean; Wednesdays from midnight to Thursdays mid-night, adoration in the Baptismal Room; Saturdays 3 p.m. Night Vespers (Ramsha) in Chaldean Mass Schedule: Weekdays, 10 a.m. in Chaldean; Saturdays, 5 p.m. in English; Sundays, 9 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in English, 12:30 p.m. in Chal-dean, 2 p.m. in ArabicGrotto is open for Adoration 24/7 for prayer and reflection___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________

CHALDEAN SISTERS, DAUGHTERS OF MARY IMMACULATE24900 Middlebelt RoadFarmington, MI 48336; (248) 615-2951

NOVITIATE HOUSE 31855 Allison DriveFarmington Hills, MI 48334; (248) 987-6731

CONVENT43261 ChardennaySterling Heights, MI 48314; (586) 203-8846

EASTERN CATHOLIC RE-EVANGELIZATION CENTER (ECRC)4875 Maple Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48301; (248) 538-9903Director: Patrice AbonaDaily Mass: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. Thursdays: 5:30 Adoration and 6:30 MassFirst Friday of the month: 6:30 p.m. Adoration, Confession and MassBible Study in Arabic: Wednesdays 7 p.m.Bible Study in English: Tuesdays 7 p.m.

ST. GEORGE SHRINE AT CAMP CHALDEAN7000 Clements Road, Brighton, MI 48114; (888) 822-2267Campgrounds Manager: Sami Herfy___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________

ST. MARY HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST4320 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092; (586) 825-0290 Rector: Fr. Benjamin BenjaminMass Schedule: Sundays, 9 a.m. in Assyrian; noon in Assyrian and English

ST. TOMA SYRIAC CATHOLIC CHURCH25600 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; (248) 478-0835Pastor: Fr. Toma BehnamaFr. Safaa HabashMass Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. All in Syriac, Arabic and English

PLACES OF PRAYERCHALDEAN CHURCHES IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT

Biblical references to a Lenten fastRomans 8:15-18: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 5:8-9: Be sober, be watch-ful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.

Luke 5:35: The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

Mark 9:27-28: And when he was come into the house, his disciples se-cretly asked him: Why could not we cast him out? And he said to them: This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 6:16-18: And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fast-est anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seethe in secret, will repay thee.

Lent — A name that means springtime, a time of new growth, a time for getting in shape spiritually. The Catholic Church has chosen fast and abstinence as the method for do-ing that. In so doing for 40 days of Lent (Sundays in Lent do not count), the faithful imitate Christ’s fasting in the desert for 40 days, which occurred immediately after his baptism. At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Trinity was manifested on earth all at once — The Father spoke out loud, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and Jesus was in the Jordan River.

Submission Guidelines The Chaldean News welcomes submissions of obituaries. They should include the deceased’s name, date of birth and death, and names of immediate survivors. Please also include some details about the person’s life including career and hobbies. Due to space con-straints, obituaries can not exceed 300 words. We reserve the right to edit those that are longer. Send pictures as a high-resolution jpeg attachment. E-mail obits to [email protected], or through the mail at 30850 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.


obituaries

Wadi Dawood Deza

Wadi Dawood Deza was born on July 1, 1927 and passed away on January 30, 2015. He is survived

by his wife, Shamamta Konja Deza, and by his children, Wijdan (Fasial) Fachou, Loui (Taghrid) Deza, Ghada (Mason) Yaldo, Wajid (Ghada) Deza, and Raghda (Kusay) Abbo. Wadi had 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a wonderful, loving father, grandfather and great-grand-father. We were so very blessed to have him in our lives.

We can honestly say, in our eyes, he was truly a saint and nothing less. He was a man who never put himself before anyone. Not once has he ever failed to make everyone around him smile with joy and laughter. His presence was always so comforting, welcom-ing, peaceful and of course – enjoyable.

Wadi was one of the most religious and faithful men. He was constantly praying the rosary, and he did it out of the love of his heart. All day and night, he would pray. These prayers were not for himself, but for everyone else he knew. It is never easy to see someone go, especially someone so close, although we have to realize he truly is in a better place. God was ready to bring him home, and so He did. We all will miss him dearly and love and remember him forever.

Shammama Kejbo Karmo

May 22, 1922 - February 17, 2015

Hazim Kajachi

July 1, 1934 - February 16, 2015

Imad Mikho Gasso

February 1, 1954 - February 16, 2015

Bertty AlKass

February 15, 2015

Mawafaq Bashir Salem July 1, 1942 -

February 14, 2015

Yazi George Jamoua

July 1, 1927 - February 11, 2015

Amel Jahad Kashat

July 1, 1942 - February 11, 2015

Terriz Yousif Dallo

July 1, 1932 - February 10, 2015

Basil Jamil Kinaia

September 26, 1954 - February 8, 2015

Matthew Maher Shounia

March 28, 2005 - February 7, 2015

Regina Marogi Al Rayas

July 1, 1927 - February 6, 2015

Rafat Daood Al Saiyad

October 5, 1949 - February 6, 2015

Norman Hanna Keriko

November 21, 1979 - February 6, 2015

Najiba Barbat Sesi

December 5, 1931 - February 6, 2015

Ghasan F. Yossif Dally


Elham Sitto Shaya

October 8, 1963 - February 2, 2015

Taghreed Bodi Gatta


Mariam Jajo Kenoo Sitto July 1, 1914 -

January 31, 2015

Shemi Ablahad

July 1, 1929 - January 28, 2015

Faisal “Frank” Daoud

November 11, 1959 - January 28, 2015

Amel Petrus Kaspaulis

February 20, 1944 - January 28, 2015

Suhail (Steve) Saba

December 9, 1949 - January 28, 2015

Hassina Acho Semma

January 27, 2015

Saleemah Mansoor

July 1, 1942 - January 24, 2015

Hani Shamoun Munssor

May 1, 1944 - January 24, 2015

RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS


Matthew Zetouna did not al-ways want to be a priest. A year after he graduated from

high school in 2003, he was pressured by his family to attend a Kairos retreat because, they said, he needed a wake-up call that was long overdue.

That Kairos retreat inspired him to be a better Catholic. “It helped me come to a realization that the life I was living was leading me to a hor-rible place,” he said.

He became involved in the youth group Chaldeans Loving Christ (CLC), which started at Mother of God before moving to St. Thomas. Shortly thereafter, he began study-ing to be a priest. Now, at age 30, Fr. Matthew is parochial vicar at Holy Martyrs in Sterling Heights.

There seems to be an increasing interest in faith by today’s Chaldean youth. Twelve Chaldeans are cur-rently seminarians studying for the priesthood, and each church has at least one flourishing youth group.

Fr. Matthew believes this resur-gence is attributed to the new kinds of retreats being offered like Journey of Light and Two Foundations that ap-peal to the community’s younger gen-eration. They are designed to appeal to high-schoolers, college-aged people,

young professionals and even couples. The youth group Martyrs R Us

(MRUS), for instance, attracts some 85 high-schoolers each Wednesday evening at Holy Martyrs.

All different kinds of kids attend, and they never know what the topic of discussion is going to be. The lead-ers, who meet weekly, choose a subject that is relevant to teens, especially in that particular moment. After a prayer and a few words from Fr. Matthew, the meeting breaks out into activities and small groups before sometimes ending in adoration. If teens wish, they can do confession afterwards.

Fr. Matthew handpicks the di-verse group of leaders. He treats it like a job, and they have to sign a contract to commit. Their messages are powerful and their activities are fun and engaging, which keeps the kids coming back for more, including two middle school groups that boast about 100 kids collectively.

“We have an infinite amount of faith we can draw from,” said Fr. Matthew. “God’s message is deep and powerful. I want people to see the faith as it should be — not boring!”

Rayman Hannish, one of MRUS’s 12 co-chairs, said the high amount of young priests in the Chaldean

community has helped spur the re-surgence in faith. Fr. Matthew had seen Hannish in action at CLC at St. Joseph Church in Troy and liked his leadership style and initiative. Hannish asked himself if he could handle it, so he prayed on it and fi-nally accepted the offer. After all, he admitted, he did not always live religiously.

“I lived a typical Chaldean guy’s lifestyle,” said Hannish, 27. “My parents made me go to church every Sunday and I grew up Catholic with-out really getting into it. I worked, I hung out. Then, one of my uncles was doing Bible Study at my grand-ma’s house and my mom insisted I go. It intrigued me.”

That was a step. Then Hannish heard that Fr. Rudy Zoma was do-ing Bible Study at St. Joseph — but admits that his motivation to attend partly focused on the amount of girls who would be there.

That changed quickly when Fr. Rudy asked him and his friends, “But what are you really doing to serve God?” Hannish thought, “Absolutely nothing.” On that note, Fr. Rudy asked him to teach catechism, and Hannish’s church work snowballed into CLC, Parish Council, and finally MRUS.

“The church became an addict-ing drug and I lost a lot of friends because they were hindering me from getting closer to God,” said Hannish, an engineer.

Fr. Andrew Seba from St. Thomas also recognizes the leaders’ efforts at CLC. Without their help, he said, teens would not be able to open up about the real issues they or their peers may be struggling with. A recent guest speaker from Wash-ington, Fr. Michael Parris, talked to the group about his interesting con-version from drug addict to priest. Fr. Andrew believes hearing such stories serves not as a warning but as a chance to “spiritually refresh” lives.

Increasing the opportunity for confession is also keeping youth involved in faith. Fr. Andrew has begun offering Thursday night con-fession at 11 p.m. and staying until all confessions are heard. This has proven to be convenient for people on their way home from work or after a dinner out, or who do not want to wait in a long line on Sundays dur-ing mass. A lot of those people are in their 20s and 30s — still considered “the youth” by Chaldean elders.

“There’s a thirst for truth and a desire to know,” said Fr. Andrew, 27. “The more people want to seek Jesus, the more they will want to reconcile through confession.”

The many programs that churches offer now give way for greater oppor-tunities. On January 21, Frs. Andrew and Pierre Konja from Mother of God took three buses to Washington, D.C., for the annual pro-life rally.

Sr. Christine Foumia, 28, grew up attending St. Thomas and was inspired by Father Frank’s (now Bishop Francis) adoration hours as

a resurgence of faithChaldean youth embrace their CatholicismBY CRYSTAL KASSAB JABIRO

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well as the formation of the Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization Cen-ter (ECRC). Like Fr. Matthew, Sr. Christine attended Kairos during her freshman year at Mercy High School and believes that was a changing mo-ment in her life.

She started going to adoration and Bible Study, went to Rome for her se-nior spring break trip, and during her college years became a CLC leader.

“The greatest thing kids need now-adays are better examples,” she said. “We think we know it all but we don’t. Now that I’m living the religious life, I’m now really learning what it is.”

Sr. Christine remembers what it is like to be a young teenage girl in-fluenced by the media, and said girls nowadays have a lot of pressure on them. She also believes that a lot of time is wasted on social media.

“Is social media forming your char-

acter?” she asked. “If you see things through the face of God, you could work through challenges better.”

The first American-born Chal-dean sister hopes that these youth groups can catch the kids as teens, when their hearts are pure, to help build up the virtue necessary to navi-gate through adulthood.

“You have to work on your faith ev-ery day,” she said. “You’ll be thankful.”

While credit is given to the amount of young priests and sisters and the number of programs being offered, one cannot forget the sac-rifices that have been made in the past year by the Christians in Iraq who have risked their lives in Jesus’ name. That too has fueled a fire in the hearts of the Chaldean commu-nity of Metro Detroit.

Said Fr. Matthew, “It’s the blood of the martyrs that keeps us going.”

1. Fr. Matthew makes a point while others look on.

2. A casual tone attracts youth to Martyrs R Us.

3. Marvin Alhakim, Joseph Saleem, Alvin Hermez, Reno Humu and Sebastian Adam pose after a MRUS meeting.

4. Vanessa Alexander and Jonathan Francis enjoy a comment.

5. Rayman Hannish is one of a dozen co-chairs.

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Msgr. Emanuel Shaleta and Fr. Basilio Yaldo were elevated by Mar Louis Sako on Feb. 6 at St. Jo-seph Chaldean Cathedral in Baghdad. Bishops and

other clergy gathered from around the globe for the mass.Bishop Shaleta has been appointed Bishop for the Dio-

cese of Mar Addai of Toronto & Canada. Bishop Yaldo has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Babylon & Titular Bish-op of Bethzabda in Iraq.

blessings to the new bishops

1-2. Scenes from the ordination mass. 3. The new bishops celebrated mass back in Michigan on Feb. 15 at Mother of God Church. 4. Bishop Thomas Meram of Iran and Syriac Bishop Petros Moshe5. Bishop Emanuel Shaleta6. Bishop Basilio Yaldo7. Syriac Bishop Yousif Abba with Bishops Francis, Shaleta and Yaldo8. Bishop Shaleta and Mother Superior, Sr. Philip Kirma9. Bishop Francis checks out the latest news with an Iraqi priest.

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About a dozen people – some sitting and others standing – cram in a small area waiting

for their turn. A man steps up to the gate door and announces noncha-lantly to one of the case workers, “I had an appointment at 9 a.m.”

The case worker looks at the clock on the wall, and says, “It’s one o’clock right now.”

He explains why he is four hours late, and the case worker patiently asks him to have a seat.

This is a typical busy day at the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF), the not-for-profit arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Located on the corner of 15 Mile and Ryan Road in Sterling Heights, people are taken on a walk-in-basis as well as by appointment.

“I always tell the case workers to extend to the clients the same cour-tesy you want someone to extend to you,” said Program Manager Sharon Hannawa. “People are human. Life happens. So if someone is late to their appointment, we listen to their reason and when possible fix the situation. At the same time, if this is a recurring excuse, we must address it. We want people to take ownership of things.”

This means that while CCF case workers are happy to fill out the im-migration application, the client is responsible to get to the fingerprint appointment on time, to study for the naturalization test, and to pass. Some-times it’s small details, like not check-ing their mailbox on a daily basis or not taking the tests seriously, that hinder clients from obtaining their objectives.

“I always tell my clients that we’re here to help them help themselves,” said Hannawa.

Several programs are available to do that. RAST (Refugee Accultura-tion and Sustainability Training) is geared to help free refugees of gov-ernment assistance after the first 90 days they are in the United States. Clients are offered ESL classes, career services, housing solutions, and even low-interest loans to purchase a car through the Chaldean Loan Fund. The Fund is funded entirely by com-munity donations and applicants must meet certain criteria and go through an evaluation process to get approved.

“This program teaches refugees how in America, you really live and die by your credit score,” said Han-nawa.

Once clients establish credit and pay off their obligation, the next time they need a loan they can go to a bank themselves and get it. This also teaches about paying it forward; perhaps in the future they will also donate to help someone else.

Another program is Breaking Barriers, which has more than 180 participants. It provides assistance and advocacy to the disabled and re-spite to their caregivers. Offering free monthly events for families, Breaking Barriers wants families to feel and un-derstand that just because they have a disabled child does not mean that they cannot participate in whatever everyone else in America does.

“In Iraq, people with disabilities generally feel like they’re a burden,” said Sue Kattula, the program’s case

manager. “Here, they feel they can contribute to their families through communication and money. They feel they’re special.”

The number of services CCF of-fers brings people from as far as Port Huron and Grand Rapids. At least 15 percent of their clients are non-Chaldeans. In 2014, they served ap-proximately 16,000 people.

“The building we’re in right now is not enough to house all our em-ployees and the amount of traffic that comes in,” said Hannawa.

This challenge will soon be re-solved when CCF moves into the 11,500-square-foot community cen-ter currently under construction at the same intersection.

CCF is still working on its other major challenge – combatting misin-formation.

“There are a lot of rumors spread throughout the community and it’s usually wrong information,” said Hannawa. “So we try to develop re-lationships with experts to clear up any confusion.”

For instance, a representative from the Department of Human Ser-vices Agency comes to their office every Friday to address issues that individuals may have.

“She’s just here to troubleshoot,” said Hannawa. “Most of the time the issue is a matter of communication.”

Some people, however, are con-vinced that what their relative, friend or neighbor told them is more accurate than the information from their case worker. Someone might know someone who receives more

food stamp benefits and assumes that should be the case with them as well. Someone else, for instance, is ada-mant that although his son is incar-cerated, he can still collect and cash his son’s unemployment checks. He got his facts from a friend.

The case workers try to keep their clients on the right track by hav-ing honest conversations with them. They explain how each Social Secu-rity, DHS or unemployment situa-tion is different and that just because someone else is doing something that might be illegal and is not yet caught, does not mean another person should risk following that same route.

Other people have a very difficult time asking for help, especially with mental health matters. For CCF, it’s crucial that they facilitate the help in a culturally sensitive way.

“You can see the effects of war and stress in their faces,” said Han-nawa. “We have to have empathy, to give them credit for going through what they went through. It’s not like they woke up one day and decided, ‘I’ll be an Iraqi refugee.’”

When she asks how they like America so far, clients often say it’s good but very different. In Iraq, the father was able to support a house-hold of seven children. In America, a family is barely able to make it with all seven children working.

“They have gone through a cul-ture shock and it’s important to give them a vote of confidence, a word of encouragement,” said Hannawa. “It might be something little but it will make an impact in their life.”

helping refugees help themselvesThousands pass through Chaldean Community Foundation officeBY WEAM NAMOU

From left:

Caseworkers Sue Kattula and Jumhoria Kaskorkis assist a client.

Program Manager Sharon Hannawa poses with the inaugural Model of OneMacomb award, which the CCF received for outstanding achievement in cultivating an environment where diversity and inclusion are valued. She’s seen here with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel on Feb. 10.


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After spending nearly two weeks in Turkey, a delega-tion of Chaldeans from Met-

ro Detroit reported to Bishop Francis and community members the grim conditions faced by displaced Iraqi Christians. The men spent several hours talking with refugees living in horrific conditions and in desperate need for support.

Representing the church on the trip were Fr. Fadi Phillip and Fr. Wisam Matti. The group also includ-ed Shoki Konja from the Chaldean Voice and Basil Bacall from helpiraq.org and Adopt-a-Refugee-Family.

“They need so much,” said Bacall of the refugees. “They are void of ba-sic necessities such as enough food, sufficient shelter and spiritual direc-tion. Many people are unable to seek medical care for chronic diseases as well as basic health issues.”

The STaTS

According to UN reports, there are about 100,000 Iraqi refugees in Tur-key of which 42,000 are Christian. More than 30,000 of the 42,000 refu-gees arrived after August 2014, after ISIS took over much of the Northern Iraqi territory.

The refugees are located through-out Turkey. As a part of the admit-ting process, refugees must check in with the main office in Ankara where they are assigned a UN num-ber and a city in which to live. The delegation visited: Samson, which has about 200 Chaldean families, Amasaya (about 250 families), Tokat (270 families), Yazgat (250 families) and Afyon (300 families). These numbers reflect only families, not single men and women.

Refugees are classified in two cat-egories. “Refugee Status” allows the families to get some government as-sistance such as health care and food, and some cash assistance depending on the city. These are generally peo-ple who came before August 2014. The rest are considered “Displaced People” and do not qualify for any assistance. However, the group was

told about a new government pro-gram that will be implemented in a month that will treat all registered Displaced People as Refugees.

The health care provided by the government is good but slow. As a re-sult many patients must wait months for surgeries, and there is minimum psychological care available for the many traumatized refugees.

“The conditions of the refugees are poor,” said Bacall. “Many of them are in dire need of not just medical, food and spiritual help but they need help from the government and the church.”

The SpiriT

Turkey’s population is 99.7 percent Muslim and Christians are not receiv-ing the spiritual support they desire.

“In Turkey, Christians in general are viewed as infidels,” Bacall said. “There is a deep-rooted negative re-sentment of the Christians among many Turks.”

However, he added, there are some Turks who are very receptive and accepting to Christians. The Chaldean Church in Turkey current-ly has two priests, Fr. Yakan and Fr. Ramzi, who serve them.

But Chaldean refugees outside

of Istanbul and Diarbekir have not seen the priests and many have not attended mass or received the Holy Eucharist in years. Basic services such as masses and baptisms have not been conducted in any of the cit-ies the delegation visited. There are more than 25 kids as old as 8 months who have never been baptized, and teens as old as 16 have not received First Communion. If refugees have a sacramental need, such as mass, baptism or burial, they must travel to Istanbul, a 10- to 15-hour drive. This is costly in terms of transportation, hotels and other expenses.

“This is not realistic,” said Bacall. “These people do not have the finan-cial means.”

The GovernmenT

The UN in Turkey is very slow. Some families are given initial interview dates of 2021 and 2022. Often that date is moved forward to 2018 or 2017.

“In some cases, the UN would postpone an interview for one year or more without any explanation,” noted Bacall in his report. “This is a concrete sign that most of these people will be living in Turkey for a long time and a spiritual, long-term

plan must be enacted.”Turkish officials were accommo-

dating and respectful to the delega-tion and the Christians living in Tur-key. “They went above and beyond, on every level, to accommodate us including providing security, places to pray and granting us all permits needed to conduct the prayer ser-vice,” said Bacall. “We were very impressed by their organization, kindness and genuine respect and willingness to help as much as their budget would allow.”

The needS

The spiritual, medical and financial needs are great. Despite the Turkish government’s assistance, many refu-gees are still in dire straits. “There-fore, we recommended to start the Adopt-a-Refugee Family program with 150 families, beginning with the most needy, such as the widows, the handicapped and the elderly, yet assuming that all are in need,” said Bacall. “This can only be established by a committee there that works in a formal manner with the local gov-ernment to achieve such things as permits.”

Visit HelpIraq.org to help.

talking turkeyDetroit delegation visits refugeesBY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

1. The delegation arrives in Sansun: Shoki Konja, Fr. Fadi Phillip, Basil Bacall and Fr. Wisam Matti. 2. Fr. Wisam Matti and Basil Bacall visit a family with three handicapped members in Samsun. 3. Fr. Phillip and Fr. Wisam celebrate mass in Tokat. 4. At a refugee house in Alqosh in northern Iraq, where the group also traveled.

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LET JPHC MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS

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Help make a difference Donate to MERCI

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:Adopt-A-RefugeeMemo: Merci30777 Northwestern Highway #300Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Chaldean Catholic ChurchMemo: Merci25603 Berg Road

DONATE ONLINE: Go to merci.helpiraq.org

As many of you know, I am adamantly committed to do what it takes to see the Iraq crisis through on many different levels. As president and CEO of John Paul Home Care, I have encouraged our employees to make a monthly donation of $20 or less, in which John Paul Home Care will match all of their generous monthly donations.

– Rafed YaldoPresident and CEO,

John Paul Home Care

In Light of the recent situation in Iraq, The Chaldean American medical community, which consists of the Chaldean American Association for Health Professionals has formed a program called MERCI with the medical practitioners in Iraq. There are at least seven clinics in northern Iraq who are in need of medical assistance.

We have created the $20 for MERCI program

This is a monthly payment program, where an individual can donate $20 a month to help fund and keep these clinics running. Partner up with your doctor’s offi ce or study groups to make a “Team” and you can adopt your own clinic! Donations can be made online or by mail.

MERCI encourages everyone in the medical fi eld to participate in this humanitarian cause in helping our brothers and sisters back home. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. God bless!

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It was early 1999 when the Domini-can Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in the U.S. were surprised to learn

that they had counterparts in Iraq in the same order, but with their own independent governing structure. De-spite U.S. sanctions, the sisters visited Iraq three times from 1999 to 2001.

“The purpose of the trips was to say to the U.S. that you could not keep us from going where we want to go to see our family,” said Sister Durstyne (“Dusty”) of the congre-gation of Adrian Dominicans in Lenawee County. “For a long time we had family in Iraq.”

Although the delegations stopped in 2001 due to violence and unrest, it was enough to establish a relationship between the sisters to last a lifetime.

Fast forward to January 2015, when Sr. Dusty, along with two other nuns from separate congregations, went on a 10-day trip to Iraq. They wanted to show solidarity and sup-port to their sisters who, on Aug. 6, were forced to flee from ISIS on foot from Qaraqosh to Erbil in Kurdistan. Sr. Dusty met with Bishop Francis to receive a blessing the day before she left for Iraq.

Despite having lived in Africa for nearly seven years and traveling to various countries in the Middle East and even to Taiwan to work with in-digenous religious communities, this trip to Iraq felt different, she said.

“It actually felt like I was going home because I knew so many of these sisters and they were so happy that we came to experience what was happening,” said Sr. Dusty as her eyes began to well with tears. “The uncertainty — I think that’s the thing that’s so difficult. They are liv-ing with such uncertainty and tem-porariness. Nothing is permanent there. This is not a place to stay.”

The sisters stayed in a convent in Ankawa and traveled with their hosts to Dohuk, Erbil, Shaykhan and Mangesh to assess the needs of the internally displaced refugees.

“I saw the saddest faces I’ve seen in many years and the faces are the

sadness of total loss because you can-not separate the people from their hometown. Their identity is tied up with their homeland – their little village,” said Sr. Dusty. “The thing that is fascinating to me is that I don’t think you can separate an Iraqi Christian from their town.”

The refugees had only what they could carry to Erbil. They left behind their businesses and homes with no money, and they can’t access their funds. The people landed in the streets of Erbil until tents finally arrived from the UN. Now, most of the refugees live in “homes” that were built hastily in a three-month time span.

“When it rains the walls are stained. Sometimes the water works, sometimes it doesn’t,” said Sr. Dusty. “Some of the

housing is far from the center of Erbil so if you don’t have transportation, it’s hard to get what you need.”

There is no governing body to protect Iraq’s Christians, and Sr. Dusty said there is a lingering mis-trust of the Peshmerga, Kurdistan’s military force.

“It’s not that Kurdistan has done nothing; they have done some things but they’re also making money off of this crisis … exorbitant rent, to the point that people exhaust whatever funds they have to stay in a little apartment,” Sr. Dusty said.

Though some Christians are form-ing their own defense troops, Sr. Dusty said she believes there is an aspect of faith that Americans can learn from the Christians in Iraq. “There’s a

disinterest in weapons as a way to de-fend oneself as their faith is how they defend themselves,” said Sr. Dusty. “There’s something we can learn from Iraqi Christians about what it means to be a person of peace … to be a non-violent person in these times.”

The living conditions varied at the camp she saw outside of Ankawa, she said.

“What amazes me is the different structures people are living in. Some are living in a parking lot and you walk in and you realize stuff isn’t finished. Some units were totally open and ex-posed to the elements,” said Sr. Dusty. “This one family knew we were com-ing and they wanted to make bread for us, and here’s this father who’s running around like crazy trying to find a con-nector for this [shared] stove.”

In fact, Sr. Dusty was astonished to find that everywhere she went she was offered bread, which she believes is a sign of life. “If you want to talk about experiencing the Eucharist, we were offering Eucharist many times … people who have nothing to offer you but bread, the body of Christ, so you’re sharing that together.”

like going home’Dominican sisters travel to IraqBY CRYSTAL K. KASHAT

‘

Clockwise from left:

The Dominican sisters pose for a picture.

Sr. Dusty (in blue) chats with internally displaced persons.

Life is bleak in a refugee camp in Ankawa.


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Michigan’s reigning “Teacher of the Year” has been be-stowed another great hon-

or. Melody Saroki Arabo, a teacher in the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools district, was selected by a public online vote as winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2015.

The announcement was made at Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s State of the County (SOC) address held at the Marriott Auburn Hills Pontiac at Centerpoint. As the winner, Arabo was given the honor of introducing Patterson to the crowd of about 500 people following a brief video about Arabo.

“It is a true honor to represent the 2015 Class of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40, especially considering the caliber of talent, dedication and pro-fessionalism of my fellow class members,” Arabo said. “I take great pride in calling Oakland County my family’s home and I am thrilled to be an ambassador for all it has to offer.”

Arabo, 35, is a third-grade teacher who has been employed by the Walled Lake Schools since 2002. In 2014, she was named 2014-2015 Michigan Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. She was named Teacher of the

Year at her school, Keith Elementary, in 2008 and was runner-up for Walled Lake Teacher of the Year in 2009.

Married and the mother of three chil-dren, Arabo is an author who recently published her book, “Diary of a Real Bully.” It tells the story of a school bully from the bully’s perspective, with the ul-timate goal of helping identify the bully in all of us and making a change. She is the founder of Keith Caring Community Club, which encourages upper elementa-ry students to get involved in service-ori-

ented events to teach them about leadership, empathy and generosity. Arabo is also a founding member of TEACH, which helps displaced families in Iraq.

“I’m anxious for the people to meet our Elite 40 under 40 win-ner for the year,” Patterson said the night of the SOC. “She’s an unsung heroine who wrote a book about bullying and quietly emerged as Teacher of the Year in Michigan. Her talents are many and my job as county executive is to keep her here in Oakland County.”

Nearly 500 applications and nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges, looking for the top 40 young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oak-land County. The 40 honorees have achieved excellence in their

field and contributed to the quality of life in their communities. Of that group, the three highest scoring candidates were placed before the public for consider-ation. This is the fourth year of the Elite 40 program.

“There are so many talented young people who are a vital part of Oakland County,” Patterson said. “Their innovation, talent, leadership and ideas will help shape this county for years to come. I’m thrilled with the class that was chosen.”

another feather in her capMelody Arabo tops Elite listBY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

Melody Arabo addresses the crowd at the State of the Union.

Melody Arabo

NoteworthyAnother Chaldean made the Elite 40 list: Attorney Chan-nelle Kizy-White, 33, of Farmington Hills. She was nomi-nated by Judge Mi-chael Warren and by Kristen Pursley.


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Superior Buick GMC has been selling cars for more than 30 years. New owners Basam and

Tanya Robin plan to continue for at least 30 more.

The Clarkston couple bought the dealership, on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, from original owner Wal-ter Schwartz and officially became its proud owners on January 16.

“This is very, very different for General Motors,” Bas said. “Usu-ally dealerships are dynasties, passed from father to son, or to other family members. There’s almost no way in the world you can get a GMC deal-ership.”

Tanya recalls that on the day the sale was finalized, as they were sit-ting in Schwartz’s office and signing papers, people kept calling Schwartz and begging to buy the dealership.

One of 12 siblings, Bas first en-tered the automobile business in 1995, buying a nursery in Detroit from Tanya’s father and converting the property into a used car dealer-ship named BT Auto. Older brother Tony provided Bas with a loan. Tan-ya said it was a struggle at first, but BT Auto ultimately became a going concern and they sold the business in 2005.

From there, the Robins began wholesaling used vehicles to dealer-ships. That’s how Bas met Schwartz and founded a fruitful relationship.

“One day I told him, ‘I want to buy the dealership,’” Bas recalled. “Walter said, ‘stay with me. When I’m ready to retire, I’ll sell it to you and help you through the process.’”

Bas continued wholesaling for several more years. Schwartz taught Bas how to operate a new car busi-ness.

“He was very loyal to my hus-band, but my husband was very loyal to him also,” Tanya said.

Dearborn may seem an odd lo-cation for a Chaldean-owned GM dealership. After all, the city is home to the headquarters of the Ford Mo-tor Company, and holds the largest population of Arabs anywhere out-side of the Middle East. But the situ-ation is anything but tense.

“I went to Catholic school, and I was raised to see division,” Tan-ya said. “They [Dearborn’s Arab

Americans] have been nothing but welcoming. They taught me that the values are the same. They see no difference between us. They’re good people. They’re hardworking. They’re honest and nice. They’ve taught me that there shouldn’t be any division.”

Tanya admits to being initially shocked at the community embrace. Bas, who speaks Arabic and had been on site routinely for years as the dealership’s wholesaler, was not.

As for running a GM dealership in the heart of Ford country? So far, it isn’t an issue.

“The GM product line is very strong,” Bas says. “They’re building a brand and buyers are responding. People walk in here and they only

want a GMC or a Buick.”However, buyers have changed

the way they shop for vehicles, and where they buy them.

“Dealerships used to only get people from their zone, about a 15-mile radius,” Tanya said. “Now with the Internet, it has changed the game of the market. People come from all over, like from Ohio and the Upper Peninsula. “

Although they’ve been part of the GM dealership family for just a few months, the Robins are pleased with the reception they’ve received. The various GM dealerships actu-ally work as a team, not as competi-tors. They trade inventory to ensure that customers get exactly what they want in a new vehicle.

A car dealership is actually six businesses operated under one roof: New cars, used cars, collision repair, service and maintenance, parts, and financing. More than 50 employees work at Superior, and the Robins said there was minimal turnover as a result of the change in ownership.

“We are a team,” Tanya said. “When someone would call me ‘boss,’ I would cringe. Do not call me ‘boss.’ My name is Tanya. His name is Bas.”

Teamwork, the Robins say, leads to pleased customers.

“Number one is customer ser-vice,” Bas said. “That leads to more sales. I want customers to be so hap-py that they bring us their friends, family, whoever, to us.”

Retaining customers also means supporting the community that sup-ports the dealership by donating to worthy causes. Beneficiaries thus far include ACCESS and CALC.

The Robins have no immediate plans for renovation or expansion. However, Bas explained that Gen-eral Motors requires dealerships to renovate their interiors every few years to coincide with new sales and brand-building strategies. But there is one aspect of the dealership that is certain to remain.

“The name is Superior Buick GMC,” Bas said. “We’re never, nev-er going to change the name.”

Dealership puts the Robins on the road to successBY KEN MARTEN

Basam and Tanya Robin.

Car buying tips from the Robins• Search the Internet for car-buying websites and read automobile reviews. For starters, try edmunds.com or autos.jdpower.com.

• Match the automobile to your daily needs. A mother with four kids and a dog should steer clear of smaller vehicles. Instead, consider an SUV or minivan.

• Buy or lease? Lease agreements come with mileage limitations. People who drive 25 or more miles to work one way every day should buy rather than lease.

ECONOMICS and enterprise

Now Hiring!The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) is a not-for-profi t 501(c)(3) organization

dedicated to advancing the needs of the Chaldean American community and the communities in which they live and work through education, charitable giving and

advocacy. Among its missions is to provide Iraqi and Chaldean refugees with necessary medical, psychological and social services to assist with American acculturation.

The Chaldean Community Foundation is hiring qualifi ed candidates for the for the following full-time positions:

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY Research and review federal, state and private grant guidelines and eligibility, communicate with US Citizenship & Immigration Service and local offi cers regarding more complex legal matters, occasional immigration court representation may be needed, comply with policies and best practices for nonprofi t immigration law practice, provide other civil law representation, and make legal inquiries to courts offi ces and health/human services departments as needed.

CASE MANAGERS - REFUGEE ACCULTURATION & SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING (RAST)Assists clients in receiving social services related to immigration, unemployment, job placement/career counseling, English as a second language (ESL), housing, transportation, fi nancial aid, mental health services and medical care.

Full job descriptions and application instructions can be obtained at www.chaldeanfoundation.org

CHALDEAN COMMUNITYFOUNDATION

Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation

30850 Telegraph Road, Suite 200Bingham Farms, MI 48025248-996-8340

www.chaldeanchamber.com

Chaldean Community Foundation – Sterling Heights Offi ce

4171 15 Mile Road Sterling Heights, MI 48310

586-722-7253

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LIQUOR STORE FOR SALE

HIGH VOLUME DETROITLIQUOR STORE Over $2,000,000 in sales last year.Brand new building. Owned since 1987. Asking $1,500,000 Business & Building. Inventory $250,000. Chris, 248-701-7677,[email protected] Inquiries Only.

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C.Attorneys and Counselors at Law

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A T T O R N E Y S & CO U N S EL O R S A T L A WAttorneys & Counselors at Law

Chaldean News classifieds work! Call (248) 996-8360 to reserve your spot in the April issue!

The Chaldean News is looking for motivated candidates to fill full-time salaried sales positions. Qualified candidates should email a resume to [email protected].

JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM.


Tell them you saw it in the Chaldean News!

PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

PHOENIX REFRIGERATION, INC.Commercial Refrigeration•Heating & Cooling Mechanical Contractor

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CASAblancaPHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA

Black and white were the colors of the night on Feb. 20 as CASA at Oakland University presented its sixth annual fashion show at Shenandoah. Proceeds benefitted CALC’s Special Needs Children Endowment Fund.

1. Lenna Ferhadson, Reem Israel and Christine Sokana

2. Dressed to the nines

3. On the runway

4. Working the dessert bar

5. Gabby Attisha

6. DJ Christopher Hesano

7. Aziz and Vanessa Kenaya

8. Melody Hallaq and Kristin Khoshaba

9. On the runway

10. Theresa and Omar Ammori

11. Lauren Ayar and Christina Yasso

12. On the runway

event

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Documents

Chaldean News March 2015