A New Seminary and New Beginnings

Fr Peter Patros — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 01:38:40 +0000

In July 2008, a historic event took place in St. Peter Diocese when the first Chaldean Seminary outside of Iraq opened its doors. A long time dream of His Excellency, Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great was opened in response to a group of young men who desired to become Chaldean priests. Over the years, the seminary grew until finally it became impossible for the compound to house all of the young men. Finally, after months of searching, a property was found that would accommodate the present and future growth of the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great.

On the evening of January 9, 2015, an altar was blessed in the chapel of the new Seminary. This landmark and joyous occasion was celebrated by His Excellency, Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, as well as His Excellency, Mar Bawai Soro, Archdeacon Fr. Sabri Kejbo, the rector of the Seminary, Fr. Andrew Younan along with a number of clergy including, Fr. Michael Bazzi, Fr. Awraha Mansour, Fr. Fareed Kinna, Fr. Noel Gorgis, Fr. Michael Khosho, Fr. Peter Lawrence and Fr. Michael Barrota who came all the way from San Jose to share in this historic event.

The many donors who helped make the purchase of the new seminary possible were also present. After blessing the altar, Mar Sarhad went through the entire seminary, blessing each room with holy water and incense. Currently, there are 10 seminarians, four of which were ordained Deacons in 2014 and look forward to their priestly ordinations later this year.

May God continue to bless our current Seminarians and grant more vocations for the Church in His grace.

A Call From Christ

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:00:30 +0000

July 18, 2014, on the feast of Mar Abba the Great, two seminarians, Ankido Sipo and Simon Esshaki, were ordained Chaldean Deacons by Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo at St. Peter’s Cathedral in San Diego. They are the first deacons to be ordained within the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great.

The Church was filled with people cheering and joyful smiles. Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo in the presence of Bishop Bawai Soro and Bishop Jibrael Kassab from Australia and clergy from all over came to witness this tremendous event. Ankido Sipo entered seminary on January 3 2010, and Simon Esshaki entered the house of discernment on January 1 2009 which eventually became the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great. These two men recieved their Bachelor of Science in New Evangelization from John Paul the Great Catholic University and are currently studying from the same school to recieve their Master Degree in Biblical Theology. God willing, they will be ordained Chaldean priests in April of 2015. Continue to pray for these two great young men.

Hundreds of family members, friends, school-mates, came to support Ankido and Simon. During the Divine Mysteries, after the Lakhou Mara, the Deaconate Ceremony began. Ankido and Simon stepped towards the altar before the Bishop to recieve the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They kneeled down before the altar and raised their hands to their ears making a gesture of obiedence, as a sign that they would pay very close attention to the word of the Lord. Later they kissed the Gospel and touched it upon their heads. Finally the Rector, Fr. Andrew Younan, took them by the hands and brought them to the altar, where they each bowed before the altar and kissed it.

The Bishop gave a homiliy immediately after the ceremony about the work of the Holy Spirit and how powerful he is acting in our community. Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo proudly announced that two more very suitbale young men, applied to enter the seminary.

After the Divine Mysteries, everyone went into the Hall of the Church to congradulate the two newly ordained Chaldean Deacons, Deacon Ankido Sipo and Deacon Simon Esshaki.

Seminary – Saint Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church – Ceres, CA

A New Seminary and New Beginnings

A Call From Christ