Assyrian Church of the East

June 28, 1997

For the past two years, the consecration of St Mary’s Parish has been anticipating the completion of it’s new church in Roselle. They all agree it was worth the wait.

When the church’s doors finally opened last weekend, bishops and priest from around the world celebrated the opening ceremony with several hundreds guests and parishioners.

This is the best day, “said Esha Peera, a member and treasurer of the church. “ it means so much to us because this is our home. We are so happy.”

The milestone for St. Mary’s parish, which is part of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, drew religious leaders from as far away as Australia, India and Iraq.

A line of cars carrying the dignitaries pulled up in front of the church, where guests gathered at the main entrance with their cameras and video camcorders to capture the moment.

The red ribbon, neatly hung across the front door, was cut by Mar Dinkha IV, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. Mar Dinkha officiated at the ceremony and led the congregation into the church for the first time. Once inside, they said prayers and gathered for celebration reception.

This is a very important day for our church, and such a beautiful day that the Lord gave us, said May Jacobs, a congregation member.

Jacobs said there are three other Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Churches of the East in the Chicago area. However, this is the first one in which the parish constructed a new church. About 300 families belongs to the parish.

Now that we the church, we can have Christ be a better part of our lives, Jacobs said. We can build out spiritual lives and help our families to grow in Christ. There are so may people in the surrounding suburbs that we can help.

St. Mary’s parish was founded eight years ago. They have been meeting at another church in Bartlett while waiting for their building to be finished.

The opening ceremony was perfectly timed for when many of the bishops were in town for convention that occurs every three year or four years, Peera said. The bishops and priests from America and abroad serve the church under the patriarch Dinkha.

The white brick building at 660 Larson sits on a piece of property off a residential street. Members will now gather at the church each Sunday for their 9 am worship service. On August 15th the congregation is planning a consecration ceremony for its new building.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, congregation members of St. Mary’s in Roselle line up to enter their new church for the first time.