The 2026 Bishop’s Dinner for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle took place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Larsa Palace in Warren, Michigan. Hosted by Bishop Francis Kalabat, the annual benefit supports the bishop’s office and provides vital funding for the diocese’s seminarians, priests and parishes.
Read MoreIn a quiet corner of the Chaldean Community Foundation in West Bloomfield (CCF West), something extraordinary is unfolding. The Mar Ibrahim Library is not simply housing books. It is awakening memory. It is stirring questions. It is forming students. And for the first time, it is opening the history of the Church of the East to the wider community in a structured, academic course once reserved primarily for seminarians.
Read MoreThis month’s issue explores a question that sits at the heart of every community story we tell: How do we carry the Chaldean story forward? Sometimes that question appears in big conversations, like immigration, where policies and legal definitions can shape real lives in lasting ways. When we talk about whether a misdemeanor should be grounds for removal, we are not just debating law. We are talking about families, second chances, and what fairness looks like in practice.
Read More“What part of illegal do you not understand?” That is a standard line I have heard from critics of legalization whenever undocumented immigrants are discussed. For some, that sentence seems to settle the matter — a complex immigration debate reduced to a single word, with no need for further discussion.
Read MoreAs he approaches his first anniversary as Archbishop of Detroit, Archbishop Edward Weisenberger reflects on a year marked by collaboration and visible signs of hope. Arriving from Tucson to lead one of the nation’s most historic and complex archdioceses, he stepped into a city whose very motto promises resurrection.
Read MoreFor the second time in Chaldean Community Foundation West Bloomfield’s relatively short history, a group of (mostly) men met in Nana Bernadette Sarafa’s Kitchen to cook up some Chaldean cuisine. On the menu for this cold February day in Michigan? Paqota (also spelled pakutta, pukota, or pikota), a traditional Chaldean dish of turmeric barley with beef.
Read MoreAs the only girl with three older, athletic brothers, Lily Alattar had no choice but to like sports. The family was either at a game or watching one on TV. But while her brothers showcased their athleticism on the field, Lily’s talents emerged in a different way—through her vocal cords.
Read MoreFor many in the Chaldean community, Manresa Retreat Center is more than just a peaceful property tucked away in Bloomfield Hills—it is a spiritual refuge, a place of renewal, and, for some, a sacred tradition passed from one generation to the next.
Read MoreAfter years spent building his SubSummit conference, Chris George and his partners, John Hajji and Paul Chambers, exited the business earlier this year in an eight-figure acquisition by Nineteen Group. The trio launched SubSummit in 2016 as an annual weekend conference geared toward subscription-based businesses. It created a space where founders, operators, and innovators could connect, exchange ideas, and push the industry forward together.
Read MorePierce Shaya’s tennis career has always been associated with unbelievable numbers. His career record playing for the Bloomfield Hills High School boys tennis team from 2021-24 was 103-2. He was 77-1 in singles matches and 26-1 in doubles matches. He was 16-0 in four trips to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state tournament, winning state championships at No. 3 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and No. 1 singles, respectively, from his freshman through senior seasons.
Read MoreIraqi Arabic, also known as Mesopotamian Arabic, is the everyday language of millions of Iraqis and Iraqi Americans. It is the language of family conversations, humor, storytelling, and daily life. While Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal settings, Iraqi Arabic is what people actually speak at home and in the community.
Read MoreFor more than four decades, Coach Thaier Mukhtar has shaped one of Michigan’s most respected high school soccer programs, leading De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren to hundreds of victories, multiple state championships, and a reputation for excellence that extends far beyond the field.
Read MoreWhen it comes to Chaldean weddings, the celebration has always extended beyond a single day. Layered with faith, family and detail — from the rings exchanged at the altar to the flowers carried down the aisle and from the invitation to the reception — 2026 wedding trends lean further into personalization and intentional design.
Read MoreWhen couples tie the knot, they hope their day will be unforgettable. Fadi Y. Sitto ensures it is. Using a typewriter, Sitto listens to wedding guests and newlyweds alike, translating conversation, laughter, and quiet glances into live, spontaneous poetry.
Read MoreGreat style isn’t about trends, it’s about presence. Style is a language. Long before you speak, your clothes do the talking. They signal confidence, intention, and self-awareness or the lack of it. And while trends will always come and go, the way you carry yourself never goes out of style.
Read MoreMarian High School marked a significant milestone late last year with the official opening of its new Wanink Art Wing and Fisher Family Science Wing, a major step forward in the school’s long-term campus improvement plan. The ribbon cutting, held October 28, celebrated the completion of Phase One of a multi-year renovation campaign aimed at enhancing both academic rigor and creative exploration for students.
Read MoreFrom launching fast-casual restaurant concepts to building international retail and entertainment platforms, Saad Nadhir has spent a career transforming bold ideas into enduring enterprises. In 2026, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce will honor Nadhir as its Businessperson of the Year, recognizing not only his corporate achievements but also his longstanding commitment to mentorship and community leadership.
Read MoreVolunteering takes many forms — from strengthening families and supporting engaged couples to empowering middle school girls. Often unseen and unpaid, volunteers are the behind-the-scenes heroes who hold a community together. Here are three stories of priceless service making a lasting impact within the Chaldean community.
Read MoreWhen Dawn (Shaouni) Pullis’s stomach pains were too much to bear, she went to the doctor and was surprised by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She was 21. The examination was caught in its early stage, so she had an oophorectomy, the surgical removal of both her ovaries, and did not require chemotherapy or radiation. It took eight weeks to recover, but years to find a life partner who would accept her as an infertile wife.
Read MoreStephen Hannawi is a man with a mission. It all started when he was 8 years old in Tel Kepe, where he and his older brother served in church—attending Vespers, daily prayers, and the rosary. In Iraq, Vespers was celebrated in the Chaldean language; Stephen started to learn the language so that he could participate in the liturgy. “I love the language because it was the language of Jesus Christ,” Stephen explains. He was seriously considering entering the priesthood.
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