Our Journey
Chaldeans began leaving Iraq in large numbers at the beginning of the 20th century. Most families left behind prosperous and fulfilling lives due to religious persecution, war, and economic inequality. Many of the early Chaldean immigrants settled in Detroit, Michigan, after finding work in the automotive industry. Today, over 250,000 Chaldean Catholics proudly call the United States home, with the majority residing in Detroit, Michigan, and San Diego, California. As violence in Iraq continued, so did the mass migration of the country’s Christian minority. In 2014, when the Islamic State (ISIS) invaded and massacred many cities and villages in northern Iraq, the predominantly Christian region witnessed a large-scale exodus. Thousands of Christians fled their homeland in search of safety. Many of these families barely escaped death, leaving behind their homes, livelihoods, and centuries of history. Most escaped with nothing but the clothes on their backs and were forced to wait years before being accepted as refugees in countries around the world. Thankfully, after years of waiting, many were able to resettle in Canada and begin a new life. Today, approximately 50,000 Chaldean Catholics call Canada their new home. Parish records show that our community in Calgary includes over 300 Chaldean Catholic families.
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As the number of Chaldean Catholic families in Calgary grew, the Chaldean Church—under the leadership of His Excellency Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim—appointed Fr. Noel Farman in 2007 to minister to the spiritual needs of the community, which was then formally established as St. Mary’s Chaldean Catholic Parish in Calgary. With the support of the Diocese of Calgary and the generosity of Fr. Michael Storey, the newly formed parish began celebrating Mass in
Aramaic every Sunday at St. James’s Catholic Church in southwest Calgary. As parish activities expanded under the leadership and dedication of Fr. Hanni Joro (who temporarily served from August 1, 2019, to April 1, 2020), the community successfully raised funds to purchase a 2-acre property, with hopes of one day building a new church. From 2020 until Easter 2025, the Ascension Lutheran community graciously welcomed St. Mary’s Parish, generously allowing them to share and use their facilities for all liturgical services and community events.
In December 2023, His Excellency Bishop Robert Saeed Jarjis appointed the newly ordained Fr. John Jwad to serve the Chaldean Catholic Church in Calgary. Within a short time, Fr. John was able to raise over $1 million CAD with the hope of purchasing a permanent church for the growing community. In the spring of 2024, while visiting Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a parishioner (Hikmat Istifo) shared with Fr. John how their community had found its current church—by sending letters of intent to purchase to various churches in the city until one finally responded. Inspired by this story, Fr. John returned to Calgary and sent letters to over 100 places of worship across the city. After a couple of weeks, he received an email from Prince of Faith Lutheran Church, and within a few months, the terms of the purchase were finalized. On November 1st, 2024, coinciding with the first anniversary of Fr. John’s priestly ordination, the purchase agreement documents were officially signed. That evening, a joint prayer of thanksgiving was held at Prince of Faith Lutheran Church, attended by members of both congregations and in the presence of His Excellency Bishop Robert Saeed Jarjis. After months of renovations, the newly acquired building was consecrated on June 18th,2025—the Chaldean memorial of St. Ephrem, Father and Doctor of the Universal Church—by His Excellency Bishop Robert Jarjis, under the name St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic Church. This special day was further blessed by the presence of Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, Bishop Tomas Meram, Bishop Ramzi Garmo, as well as many priests, deacons, and faithful from around the world. Today, St. John the Apostle Chaldean Catholic
Church stands as the first Chaldean Catholic Church in the province of Alberta, serving as both a spiritual and social headquarters for the entire Chaldean community residing in the province.