Holy Martyrs [Chaldean]

About Holy Martyrs Chaldean Catholic Church

Holy Martyrs is a Chaldean Catholic parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, situated in the heart of one of the largest Chaldean-American communities in the United States. Its mission, drawn from Matthew 28:18–20, is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, uphold the beliefs of the Catholic Church, and preserve the liturgical traditions of the Chaldean Church. The parish acknowledges the sacrifices of Chaldean martyrs, clergy, and laity across the centuries who "paved the way and planted seeds" for today's faithful, and it commits itself to nurturing worship of God, love of Christ, and righteous living in every member.

Parish History and Founding

Holy Martyrs opened on August 6, 2010 in response to the rapid growth of the Chaldean-Iraqi Catholic population on Detroit's east side, where more than 50,000 Chaldeans had settled by that time. The diocese purchased a former Covenant Baptist church at 43700 Merrill Road and renovated it into a Catholic worship space complete with 16 second-floor classrooms and two conference rooms for religious education. Founding pastor Fr. Manuel Boji, alongside associate pastor Fr. Ayad Khanjaro, welcomed the first worshippers with Masses in Surath, Arabic, and English. The church was formally dedicated by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim of the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle in August 2010.

• First Mass: Friday, August 6, 2010 at 6:00 PM
• Founding pastor: Rev. Manuel Boji
• Founding associate pastor: Rev. Ayad Khanjaro
• Building: former Covenant Baptist church at 43700 Merrill Rd., purchased for ~$90,000 + small bank loan
• Dedicated by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, August 2010
• Name selected by the bishop from approximately forty proposals

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently shepherded by a pastor and three parochial vicars, supported by a parish secretary, directors of religious education and music, a parish council, a finance committee, sub-deacons, altar servers, and a social media and technology team. Pastoral and administrative offices are in the church building, with office hours Tuesday through Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

• Rev. Selwan Taponi — Pastor
• Rev. Wisam Matti — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. John Jaddou — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Kevin Yono — Parochial Vicar
• Balsam Barbat — Secretary / Office Manager / Pastor Administrative Assistant
• Nohra Hailo — Chaldean Home Administrator
• Parish Council President: Sinan Kas-Shamoun; Vice President: Massar Kismikh

Sacraments

Holy Martyrs celebrates the standard Catholic sacraments within the Eastern Chaldean tradition. In the East, the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist — are closely linked, with the priest conferring Confirmation at Baptism using Sacred Chrism (Myron) consecrated by the bishop.

• Baptism — Sundays at 2:00 PM (other times with priest approval); register through the church office
• Confirmation — conferred by the priest at Baptism (Eastern tradition)
• First Holy Communion — preparation through the parish Catechism program (ages 8+)
• Matrimony — couples register by calling the parish office at 586-803-3114

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Religious education at Holy Martyrs is offered for every age and language group, rooted in both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Chaldean tradition. Children are formed for First Holy Communion through a Saturday afternoon program; high school teens gather for Martyrs R Us; young adults meet as Seeds of Faith; and adults can join Bible study and ECRC Scripture classes offered in Chaldean.

• Catechism & First Holy Communion — Saturdays 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM; director Nawal Hubba (586-214-4200). Children at least 5 for Catechism; at least 8 for First Communion.
• Martyrs R Us (MRUs) — High school youth ministry (grades 9–12), Wednesdays 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM (September–May). Chairs: Mario Abed (586-219-6522) and Mandy Shammami (586-601-7722).
• Seeds of Faith — Ages 16–35, Thursdays 7:00 PM.
• Adult Bible Study — Ages 25+, Mondays 8:00 PM (in Chaldean).
• ECRC Introduction to the Bible — Thursdays 7:00 PM.

Music and Liturgical Ministries

Music at Holy Martyrs reflects the trilingual identity of the community. Three distinct choirs serve the various Sunday Masses, and liturgical roles are filled by a dedicated corps of sub-deacons and altar servers under named directors.

• English Choir Director: Amy Brikho
• Chaldean & Arabic Choir Director: Thakwan Rassam
• Youth Choir Director: Nagham Rassam
• Sub-Deacon Director — Shamasha Ramzi Seman, Shamasha Sabah Elia, Shamasha Youhanan
• Altar Servers (coordinated by Altar Server Directors)

Parish Groups and Councils

Lay leadership at Holy Martyrs is organized through a Parish Council, a Finance Committee, and several parish-wide fellowship groups. Volunteers run the parish's social media presence and maintain the website and livestream.

• Parish Council — President Sinan Kas-Shamoun; Vice President Massar Kismikh
• Parish Finance Committee — Sinan Kas-Shamoun, Myassar Kismikh, Mahir Jabow, Martun Shauya, Joseph Najor, Ann Mansour, John Dishow, Sebastian Adam, Lance Kassab
• Martyrs Men — Yousif Elias
• Witnesses of Faith
• Social Media Team — Rita Elias, Samantha Isho, Thakwan Rassam, Istillita Shamoun
• Website & Technology Coordinators — Bashar Asso and team; Livestream & Maintenance

Chaldean Home of Sterling Heights

Adjacent to the church, the Chaldean Home of Sterling Heights is a 98-apartment independent senior living community that opened its doors on April 1, 2019. Conceived by Fr. Boji as a place where Chaldean elders could live near the church at a fair rent, the building includes two gathering rooms, a second-floor gym, and a third-floor chapel. Staff organize activities and events to keep residents active socially, spiritually, and physically, maintaining a community "based on faith, love and hope."

• Opened: April 1, 2019
• 98 apartments
• Two gathering rooms, second-floor gym, third-floor chapel
• Administrator: Nohra Hailo
• Inquiries: (586) 726-0450

Visit, Contact, and Office Information

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, email, or in person during posted office hours. The parish office is closed Sundays and Mondays.

• Address: 43700 Merrill Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314
• Phone: (586) 803-3114 (church); Fax: (586) 803-3140
• Chaldean Home inquiries: (586) 726-0450
• Email: [email protected] (pastor's office); [email protected]
• Office hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; closed Sunday and Monday