Bishop's Special Appointments Announced

Mar Francis Y. Kalabat, Bishop of the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle, recently announced the changes that will take place within the Church as regards to the Chaldean clergy, effective August 1. You may notice some new faces; we wanted to introduce them here.

Father Manuel Boji, who currently serves as Pastor of Holy Martyrs Parish in Sterling Heights, will enter retirement. He has served with distinction, and we wish him luck and Godspeed. Father Selwan Taponi will be taking over for him. Father Selwan currently serves as Administrator of St. Paul Parish in Grand Blanc.

Father Fadi Philip, who currently serves as Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Warren will be replaced by Father Rudy Zoma, who is currently with St. Joseph Parish in Troy. Father Fadi will become Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Warren.

Father Sameen Balius, currently serving as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish has been appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Troy, and Father Pierre Konja, Associate Pastor at Holy Cross in Farmington Hills will become Pastor of St. Thomas Parish in West Bloomfield.

Associate Pastor at Mother of God Parish in Southfield Father Patrick Setto has been appointed Administrator to that Parish, extending his service there for one year, and Father Matthew Zetouna, Associate Pastor at Mart Mariam Parish in Northbrook, Illinois will have his service there extended for a year.

Father Andrew Seba has been appointed Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Troy. He will also be ministering periodically in Jacksonville, Florida. Father John Jaddou will also stay at St. Joseph as Associate Pastor for another year.

Father Sanharib Youkhana will be appointed as the Director of Hospital and Nursing Home Ministries, an extension of his liturgical responsibilities at Mother of God Parish in Southfield, and Deacon Sermed Ashkouri will continue to serve the Chaldean Mission in Wayland, Massachusetts.

These changes are designed to keep the clergy active within the community and infuse new ideas and relationships into the Parishes. St. Paul Parish assignments have yet to be announced.