Still Striding for Seminarians
From left: John, Ann, Fr. Perrin Atisha, and Adriana.
Honoring John Mansour’s legacy
By Crystal Kassab, Ed.D.
Thirteen years ago, John and Ann Mansour faced an unfathomable reality when two of their three young children, Alexander (11) and Gabrielle (6), perished in a boating accident. Their despair turned into a deep devotion towards the Chaldean seminarians after a seminary student came into the hospital to pray for 11-year-old Adriana, who was fighting for her life.
His name was Patrick Setto, and after explaining to the Mansours who the seminarians were, other seminary students began visiting the hospital daily. Father Frank Kalabat, now Bishop Francis, also attended to the family along with and other priests and nuns. After four months of suffering severe brain trauma, Adriana improved and went home with her parents.
“If it wasn’t for them, I would have lost my faith,” admitted Ann. “We have a choice; either we carry our cross, or we lose it to the devil. They helped us carry it.”
The seminarians and the clergy continued to support the Mansours at home and were constantly in and out of their house. They would even hold a Mass at their home every July 14, the anniversary of the tragedy. Father Perrin Atisha had been an integral part of that planning. Like Father Patrick, he was also a seminarian at the time, and when he was ordained a priest, he dedicated his first Mass in 2019 to Alex and Gabby. Though he never met them, he considers them like his own siblings. He feels a deep connection to the Mansours.
“It was how John and Ann received us,” remembered Fr. Perrin. “I have never seen a family so open to the clergy and church as John and Ann have been. There have been people in tragic situations who, because of their trauma, don’t want anything to do with God or faith, and there is no blame there, but the Mansours welcomed us into their pain and grief.”
In 2014, one year after the devasting accident, the family created the Alexander and Gabrielle Mansour Memorial Fund and began a new tradition, honoring the dedication of the seminarians they had met. Stride for Seminarians is their biggest fundraiser, bringing the community together not only to remember Alex and Gabby but also to support the vocation.
Tuition plus room and board cost $45,000 per seminarian per year, and the Chaldean Diocese uses 100% of these funds from the event to help offset costs. The ease of financial burden opens the possibility for future priests; there are nearly a dozen seminarians. The commitment of both the Mansours and the seminarians is a testimony to the faith and to the necessary preservation of an ancient faith heritage.
“Without the seminarians supporting us, we don’t know where we would be,” said Steve Mansour, John’s brother. “I’ve even met people who didn’t know it was my family, and they’ve continuously kept us in their prayers.”
This family-friendly event, Stride for Seminarians, is hosted yearly at the Detroit Zoo, and it is more than a walk; it is a chance to meet the seminarians who are the future of the Chaldean Church, celebrate Mass, and enjoy some good old-fashioned family time with food and kids’ activities included.
The Mansours used to go to the zoo all the time, and they wanted to encourage others to do the same.
Last year, while John was in the hospital battling cancer, he was still getting sponsors and finalizing arrangements from his bed. Bishop Francis suggested canceling or postponing the annual event, but John would not allow it. He said he would fight to be there, but he was too weak, so the family Face Timed him from the event. He died unexpectedly three days later. He was only 56 years old.
The walk was his legacy, and now Steve has taken the reins.
“He wouldn’t expect anything different. This meant a lot to him,” Steve remarked.
The 13th annual Strides for Seminarians event on Sunday, September 20, will now honor John’s memory. The loving husband and father will also be recognized at the Chaldean Community Foundation’s Annual Awards Gala later that week.
“John put his whole heart and soul into it,” said Ann. “It was special for him to gather the community to remember my kids and support this cause. Each of the seminarians is part of our family.”
It means everything to Father Perrin too.
“The Mansours changed me as a man and as a priest,” he claimed. “This is the power of Christ, turning tragedy to triumph. John, Ann, and Adriana gave more to us than we gave to them.”
For more information, go to www.alexandgabby.com. $50 adults, $40 children. Walk-up registration is available starting at 7:30 am.