MARCH 2012

chaldean chamber Awards
photo by david reed
The ECRC celebrated
its 10th anniversary at
Shenandoah Country
Club last November.
ECRC straightens faith
Chamber pays special tribute
By Vanessa Denha Garmo
It was Pope John Paul II who
called Catholics to evangelize the
faith. The call was heard all over
the world including right here in
Michigan. Members of the Chaldean
Catholic Church heard that call and
more than 10 years ago created an organization
for the laity to spread the
word of the Lord.
This month, the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce honors
the Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization
Center (ECRC) for its dedication
to spreading the word of God to
the community. More than 500 people
a week attend various programs
offered for the organization.
In 2001, Neran Karmo and Karam
Bahnam approached Fr. Frank Kalabat
from St. Thomas Chaldean
Catholic Church in West Bloomfield
with interest in Bible study, theology
and evangelization. Following that
conversation and many meetings,
the ECRC was born.
“This honor is for all the volunteers
who help us carry out our mission
of evangelizing,” said Karmo. “The laity
– especially the youth – play a vital
role in leading other youth. There is
proof that our faith is strong and there
is hope in the community’s ability to
deliver the word of Jesus Christ.”
Last fall, more than 600 people
celebrated ECRC’s anniversary at
Shenandoah Country Club. At the
dinner, ECRC announced their new
venture — the creation of Mar Toma
Chaldean Productions and the construction
of a new television studio
inside ECRC’s St. Ephraim center at
Inkster and Maple.
They are producing content for
existing stations that focus on Chaldean
Catholics. Networks such as
the Noursat, considered the largest
Arabic-speaking Catholic network
with a presence in five continents,
showed an interest to broadcast
programs produced by Chaldeans.
EWTN, which broadcasts to 190
million homes, showed an interest as
well; they inquired about programs
focused on Eastern Catholic spirituality
and traditions and about Chaldean
martyrs.
This lay organization operates
primarily by volunteers. Since its
inception, the center has operated
under the guidance of the Chaldean
Catholic Diocese, offering programs
for kids, youths and adults. These include
retreats, educational programs,
pilgrimages and prayer groups. Since
the beginning, ECRC has received
personal support from Bishop Ibrahim
Ibrahim.
Some of the programs include Bible
study, Kairos retreats, summer Bible
camps for kids, the annual conference
Awake My Soul, ENDOW study and
faith night. ECRC has also hosted several
nationally known speakers.
“ECRC is where I learned that
the strongest form of leadership is to
serve,” said Reem Samona in a video
produced by ECRC. “Once you connect
that we are not here to conquer
the world but to serve it, our faith
makes a lot more sense.”
Every year people experience
ECRC for the first time. However,
Matthew Zetouna was among the
first wave of Chaldeans to participate
in ECRC programs and joined
the Chaldeans Loving Christ (CLC)
group early on. “I don’t know if I
would have heard my vocation if it
wasn’t for getting involved and letting
the Holy Spirit work through
ECRC and the ministry,” said Zetouna,
now a seminarian.
Basil Bacall has participated in
Bible study, theology classes, the
annual program as well as different
events. Also speaking via a video,
Bacall said, “If you have not been to
ECRC and you do not know what
it has to offer, you are missing a lot.
You can own the world yet not understand
your role in life or why you
even exist. What good is it to own
the world? ECRC is an opportunity
to change your life, get closer to Jesus
and closer to God.”
“This is celebration for not only
our Church and our faith but for the
entire community,” said Bahnam.
“ECRC has been a bridge between
the Roman Catholics, Rome and our
Eastern Rite. We are one body of the
Catholic Church.”
“ECRC in many ways has
changed my life,” said Fr. Frank during
a videotaping. “It has made the
church alive for me. It is not just me
bringing the message — I am receiving
the message just as much as everybody
else is.”
The Chaldean American Chamber
of Commerce’s Ninth Annual
Awards Dinner takes place on
Friday, March 23 at Shenandoah
Country Club. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $175 per person or
$1,500 for a table of ten. Call (248)
996-8340 for more information.
44 CHALDEAN NEWS MARCH 2012