A Dream Fulfilled
Fr. John Jwad in front of St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church in Calgary.
St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church opens in Calgary
By Michael Antoon
On June 18, 2025, history was made in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. For the first time, after decades of dreaming, the Chaldean Catholic community in that region walked into their very own church.
The consecration of St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church was more than just a ceremony, it was the answer to years of prayers, hope, and countless sacrifices.
The date itself carried deep meaning. The church was opened on the Feast of St. Ephrem—the deacon, poet, and great teacher of the Chaldean Church, whose hymns continue to shape the faith of Chaldeans through the Mass and other liturgies.
The consecration liturgy was led by His Excellency Bishop Mar Robert Jarjis, Eparch of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Mar Addai in Canada. He was joined by His Excellency Bishop Mar Ibrahim Ibrahim, the first bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the U.S.A.; Bishop Mar Thomas Meram, Bishop Emeritus of the Chaldean Catholic diocese of Urmia, Iran; Bishop Mar Ramzi Garmo, Bishop Emeritus of the Chaldean Catholic diocese of Turkey; and numerous priests who had traveled from across Canada and the United States.
As the altar, tabernacle, doors and walls of the Church were anointed with sacred oil, many parishioners could not hold back their tears. It was a moment that captured decades of longing, sacrifice, and unwavering faith finally coming to life.
When the consecration ceremony concluded, the celebration continued outside.
Traditional Chaldean dances could be seen, and the sound of the traditional drum and flute (zorna and tabil) could be heard as families rejoiced over having a church they could finally call their own.
The over 300 Chaldean families of Calgary were not alone. Many visitors came from across the Chaldean Eparchy of Mar Addai in Canada, as well as over 200 guests from Michigan and California. Among the attendees were many dignitaries from various Chaldean associations from across the globe such as the Chaldean Voice Radio based in Detroit and the Qanat Al Qiyama (Resurrection TV) Media Network based in San Diego.
A Story Decades in the Making
The Chaldean presence in Calgary began in the late 1980s and 1990s, when families left Iraq searching for safety, opportunity, and peace. Many arrived as refugees, especially after the tragedy of ISIS invading Chaldean villages in northern Iraq in 2014, which forced countless families from their homes. Over time, many of those families settled in Calgary, adding to the 300-family strong community that longed for a parish of their own.
For decades, the Canadian Chaldeans relied on Canadian churches or other Eastern churches in the city to celebrate Mass and other liturgical events. In 2007, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, then Apostolic Administrator, assigned Fr. Noel Farman as the first priest for the Calgary community. Later, Fr. Hanni Joro, now serving in Australia, also played a key role in guiding the community.
In December of 2023, Fr. John Jwad was assigned as Associate Pastor, in assistance to the Bishop who is listed as pastor of the parish. This was his first assignment after being ordained on November 1, 2023, and he began with great hope and enthusiasm. From day one he strived to unite the very divided community and plan for the future.
Fr. John notes, “The Chaldean people take their strength and power from the Church. The church gathers the community.”
The Turning Point
The dream became reality through the dedication of Fr. John Jwad. With the support of family, friends, and generous donors, he raised over $1 million in his first year alone. The first $200,000 donated to this fund were from the ordination gifts that he received on his ordination day, which he and his family generously donated to the Chaldean community in Calgary. With cash in hand, finding a building to purchase remained a challenge.
After visiting Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, Fr. John learned how they had acquired their church by writing letters to church communities across the city expressing interest in buying. “I returned to Calgary, and we sent letters to over 100 places of worship throughout the city,” Fr. John said. “Just a few weeks later, I received a response from Prince of Faith Lutheran Church. Within a few months, the purchase terms were finalized.”
On November 1, 2024—exactly one year after his ordination—the purchase agreement was signed. By the grace of God, the Chaldean community in Calgary finally had their own church.
Building Together
From November 2024 to June 2025, the entire community came together to prepare the church for worship. Every hand was on deck—volunteers painted, cleaned, renovated, and contributed their skills, while families donated materials and offered support in countless ways. Fr. John emphasized that no contractor or company was involved; every wall, every step of the renovation was completed by the strong men of the community. The result was more than just a building— it was a home, a place prepared with love and faith for generations to come.
Honoring Those Who Made It Possible
In the church lobby near the entrance, two plaques honor individuals who were very close to Fr. John and instrumental in making the church a reality.
Shamasha (Subdeacon) Jarjees Batto, who passed away in 2024, arrived in Calgary early on and played a key role in sponsoring many families from Iraq. Fr. John recalls, “When Fr. Hanni wanted to gather money to buy land for a church, Shamasha Jarjees went door to door to collect donations. He dedicated his life to this community and was like a father to many families.”
The land they purchased—2 acres still owned by the church—will be preserved for future growth.
The second plaque honors Harry Farouk Zeer, a friend of Fr. John. After Harry passed away in 2024, his family requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations go toward the church.
Through a GoFundMe campaign, they raised $130,000, helping make the dream of a Chaldean church in Calgary a reality.
First Mass & Communion
On June 19, the day after the consecration, the parish celebrated its first Mass on the newly consecrated altar. That Mass also served as the first Holy Communion celebration, where 25 children received their First Holy Communion. Later that evening, the parish held a Holy Hour and Eucharistic procession in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi, celebrating the body and blood of Christ.
A Church Full of Meaning
Fr. John explains that the symbolism throughout the church helps parishioners better understand their faith and God. Surrounding the top of the church are 14 Stations of the Cross. The Chaldean cross above the altar features a large central circle representing Christ, surrounded by four circles representing the Gospel writers, and 12 outer circles representing the apostles. On the right and left of the cross are icons of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Apostle, commissioned by Mary Nisan from San Diego, California.
The mosaic on the altar depicts the Last Supper, with the inscription in Chaldean Aramaic: “This is my body, and this is my blood.”
Above the sanctuary, one can see our Lord sits on a throne, extending his hand as a teacher. In his left hand is a book with the Chaldean letters Alap and Taw (Alpha and Omega). To the right and left are four saints representing the four villages of origin of the Chaldean families who reside in Calgary: Mar Rabban Hormizd representing Alqosh, Mar Atqin representing Umra, Mart Barbara representing Karamlesh, and Mar Oraha representing Batanya, Margasora and many other villages.
To the upper left of Jesus is the Gate of Babylon, honoring Chaldean heritage, and to the upper right is a depiction of Sacred Heart Church in Telkeppe, representing resilience after ISIS and the support of the Detroit community. The antique Holy Gospel, to the left of the altar, was gifted from Mother of God Cathedral in Southfield, Michigan, and the tabernacle was not purchased but handcrafted by a member of the parish.
Above the church entrance doors is a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with extended hands that was donated by Safa and Fadwa Jundy. Fr. John explained that it was placed there so that as parishioners leave the church, they are reminded that they should draw closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their daily lives.
The church also includes four offices, a sacristy, and a large church hall in the basement.
More Than a Church
“For the Chaldean people, the Church is more than just a place of worship and prayer. It is truly a home for the entire community,” said Fr. John. “For many years, the Chaldean community in Calgary was without such a home. But today, we are filled with joy and gratitude, as we finally have a Church where we can come together to worship, celebrate, and support one another through both joyful and difficult times.”
For Calgary’s Chaldeans, St. John the Apostle Church is a symbol of resilience, identity, and belonging.
“This is only the beginning,” Fr. John reflected. “We have planted a seed. With God’s grace, it will grow, and this parish will be filled with life, faith, and joy for generations to come.”
St. John the Apostle Church now stands as a beacon of hope, faith, and unity for Calgary’s Chaldean community for generations to come.