Chaldean News July 2014

METRO DETROIT CHALDEAN COMMUNITY JULY 2014VOL. 11 ISSUE VI

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WILL CHRISTIANS SURVIVE?

THE ORDINATION OF BISHOP FRANCIS

WISE WORDS FROM MAR SAKO

INSIDE

IRAQ IN TEARS

REMEMBERING MICHAEL GEORGE

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JULY 2014 CHALDEAN NEWS 5

CONTENTS JULY 2014THE CHALDEAN NEWS VOLUME 11 ISSUE VI

on the cover16 IRAQ IN TEARS

How will Christians survive?

special tribute12 FAREWELL TO AN ICON

Community pillar Michael George dies at 81

features 20 MEETING THE MASSES

BY WEAM NAMOU

Hundreds attend Mar Sako’s open forum

22 ‘THE HOPE IS YOU’TEXT AND PHOTOS BY RANNA ABRO

Patriarch Sako connects with youth

24 LEADING BY EXAMPLEBY JOYCE WISWELL

A big step up for Southfield cop Nick Loussia

26 CROWDED HOUSEBY KEN MARTEN

Many vie for Wayne County Executive

28 A FASCINATING MYSTERYBY RANNA ABRO

Exhibit explores the Shroud of Turin

30 CHALDEAN ON THE STREETBY ANTHONY SAMONA

What would you like from our new Bishop Francis?

departments6 FROM THE EDITOR

BY VANESSA DENHA GARMO

State of Chaldeans

8 NOTEWORTHY

9 COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

10 CHAI TIME

13 IN OUR VIEWBY DEREK SARAFA AND MICHAEL SARAFA

Servant Leader/Michael George

14 OBITUARIES

32 ECONOMICS AND ENTERPRISEBY JOYCE WISWELL

Pop Daddy: Bursting out all over

BY ERIC YOUNAN

Explosive Growth: The Fireworks Factory is soaring

36 CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

EVENTS

38 Bishop Francis Ordination

40 Fr Frank: Caught on Film!

42 Iraqi Consulate Gathering

12

20 38

ON THE COVER

IRAQI CHILDREN AT THE KHAZIR

REFUGEE CAMP OUTSIDE IRBIL

ON JUNE 20. AP PHOTO.


As a news junkie, I am often perusing the web, listening

to news or talk radio, read-ing the paper — yes I like to read the hard copy of the paper — scanning Twitter and Facebook for news-re-lated stories. There is never enough time to consume it all. I never get enough of it — until now.

I have had enough of the reports about Iraq. I am downright angry over the situation. It stirs such a personal emotion in-side me that I have to flip the chan-nel, turn the page or tune out alto-gether.

We have been covering this crisis since the Chaldean News’ inception more than 10 years ago — enough already!

Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?

As a journalist with the love for truth, I know the importance of not only covering the situation in our homeland but the importance of it being our cover story.

Here we go. Just when we thought things

could not get any worse in Iraq, reporters around the world deliv-ered a message of catastrophic cri-sis: “Militants have surged from the border with Syria to blitz major cit-ies in Iraq’s northern Sunni region, taking Tal Afar and Mosul, then moving quickly south. Hundreds of thousands of civilians fled from their path, creating a new refugee crisis,” as reported on CNN.

The State of Christians in the Middle East has many sounding the alarms.

Both Patriarch Louis Sako and Bishop Francis Kalabat expressed their concerns about Iraq to the tens of thousands of people who watched the ordination of Bishop Francis last month at Mother of God Cathedral. The ceremony was streamed live to satellite stations and websites from United States to the Middle East to Europe and Australia.

As true servant leaders, both men were more focused on the people of Iraq than on the attention from the community. “This is not about me,” said Bishop Francis referring to his

own ordination. “This is about Christ and bringing others to Christ.”

The sign of humility is someone who is more con-cerned about the state of humankind than his own status.

Broadcasting for Ave Maria Radio from the jani-tor’s closet at Mother of God, Fr. Matthew and I talked about the humility of Pope Francis, Patriarch

Sako and Bishop Francis and how

blessed we are to have such faithful men leading our church.

A big thank you to Al Kresta, Mike Jones, Deacon Tom Loewe, Henry Root and Steve Clarke for producing the broadcast of the ordi-nation that aired twice on AM 990.

I had the opportunity to inter-view Patriarch Sako last month at Bellagio Banquet Hall in Warren — not for the Chaldean News — for Channel 7. No, I am not working in news TV, I can’t possibly take on an-other role. I was merely helping out the cameraman who was short a re-porter. As a former full-time reporter,

it is easy for me to slip right back into that role when asked. After hearing me set up the interview line of ques-tions with him before the Patriarch arrived, the cameraman said to me, “I have a feeling you earned your re-porter wings a long time ago.”

As I listened to the Patriarch talk about Iraq, his message to the Chaldean community in the United States and the message he will take back home with him, what struck me the most was his smile. Hope, love and faith exuded from his face. I looked at him during the interview

and could not help but think, “this is a Godly man.”

There he stood, a man of truth giving the media the State of the Chaldeans.

Not expecting to be a re-porter for Channel 7 that day, I forgot about my own interview

and my own photos. As the camera-man cued me, I tossed my phone to Martin Manna standing next to me and said to snap a photo or two.

I forgot that I needed to turn on my own recorder. I didn’t get to capture his messages verbatim. With him leaving the next morning, there was no time to set up an interview.

There I was with my daughter standing by looking on as I asked our Patriarch about the Christians in Iraq, feeling blessed for this leader and happy that the mainstream me-dia was covering the situation and including our leader.

The State of Chaldeans around the globe may not be a peaceful re-ality but as Patriarch Sako says, “we have hope.”

Alaha Imid Koullen(God Be With Us All)Vanessa [email protected] her on Twitter @vanessadenhaFollow Chaldean News on Twitter @chaldeannews

PUBLISHED BYThe Chaldean News, LLC

EDITORIAL

EDITOR IN CHIEFVanessa Denha-Garmo

MANAGING EDITORJoyce Wiswell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSRanna AbroKen Marten

Sally Murad-KejbouWeam Namou

Anthony SamonaEric Younan

ART & PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTORAlex Lumelsky with SKY Creative

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSZina Lumelsky with SKY Creative

Joseph Sesi

PHOTOGRAPHERSRamiz RomayaRamiz Tomina

OPERATIONSInterlink Media

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONSMartin Manna

TRANSLATORSGalia ThomasRaad Yousif

CIRCULATIONStacey Sheena

CLASSIFIEDSJoyce Wiswell

SALESInterlink Media

SALES REPRESENTATIVESInterlink Media

Sana NavarretteStacey Sheena

MANAGERSVanessa Denha-Garmo

Martin MannaMichael Sarafa

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from the EDITOR

State of Chaldeans

VANESSA DENHA-GARMOEDITOR IN CHIEF

CO-PUBLISHER

Above: Elayna Garmo watches her mother interview Mar Sako.

Left: Broadcasting the ordination from a closet at Mother of God.


for her groundbreaking contributions to the study of Chaldean culture and soci-ety — and she was a dear friend of my mother, who assisted her on her first book about Chaldeans,” said Michael Sarafa, president of the Bank of Michi-gan and a co-publisher of the Chaldean News. “So she has a special place in the hearts of my siblings and me.”

A professor of sociology at WSU, Sengstock received her Ph.D. from Washington University in 1967. She is survived by her husband, Fred, three children, two step-children and three grandchildren.

Donations can be made to the Mary Cay Sengstock Diversity Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to “Wayne State University” and send to WSU Fund Office, 5475 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. Write “Sengstock Sociology Fund” in the memo line.

Store Scores Large GrantDetroit grocery store Parkway Foods has received an $830,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

MEDC President and Chief Ex-ecutive Michael Finney said in a state-ment that the money will “further bring healthy and fresh food offerings” and boost area redevelopment. It’s believed to be the largest grant awarded to a Chaldean-owned store.

The new store, which we profiled in June, occupies 47,000 square feet of re-tail space in the Shops at Jefferson Pla-za on the city’s east side. It’s owned by Louie Nona, Isam Yaldo and three other business partners. The Chaldean Amer-ican Chamber of Commerce, which has been critical of generous grants given to lure chain stores into Detroit, helped the owners with their application.

The state says the project is gener-ating capital investment of $5.2 million and creating 37 jobs.

ECRC Names DirectorPatrice Konja Abona has been named ex-ecutive director of the Eastern Catholic Re-evangelization Center (ECRC).

A graduate of Michigan State Uni-versity with a bach-elor’s of science in Merchandising Management, she has held several management roles in hospitality as well as retail. Abona has served with ECRC for almost 10 years as a volunteer, mostly in Chaldeans Loving Christ (CLC), the high school youth program, and also leading Kai-ros retreats and helping with Vacation Bible School.

Blues Receive Diversity KudosBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan re-ceived top regional honors on Diversi-tyInc’s Top 10 Regional Companies list for diversity management for the fourth consecutive year.

Rankings for the list are determined by factors such as talent pipeline, eq-uitable talent development (including commitments to mentorship and phi-lanthropy), CEO/leadership commit-ment, and supplier diversity based on a 300-question survey filled out by per-sonnel at the participating companies.

SIDS Fundraiser Is OnIt’s been five years since Carter Abro died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He was 1 year, 2 weeks old when, as his family describes, “He went to bed on a normal Monday night and never woke up the next morning.” Some 2,500 babies in the U.S. die each year from SIDS, the No. 1 cause of death in children ages 1 month to 1 year. The cause is still a mystery.

Parents Jason and Zena Abro are once again raising funds in Carter’s memory for the American SIDS Institute’s Spring-for-SIDS Campaign. To help, visit

SpringForSids.org/index.php/view-team-profile/userprofile/carter0229.

noteworthy

A Victory for BarashMarzyn Barash has won a victory in his long-running ethnic intimidation dispute with his former em-ployer, the SMART bus system.

On June 10, Oakland County Circuit Judge Daniel O’Brien ruled in fa-

vor of Barash, a former mechanic who was awarded more than $300,000 in damages, back wages and attorney fees. O’Brien said that SMART “cre-ated a hostile work environment” and “failed to take adequate steps to stop the offensive conduct and communica-tion” against Barash, 57.

Barash, who is Chaldean, suffered repeated intimidation after the Septem-ber 11, 2001 terror attacks and around the start of the Iraq war in 2003, ac-cording to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. The commission ruled in his favor in 2011 and awarded him damages in 2012; SMART appealed.

SMART officials strongly con-tested Barash’s complaints and put him through 17 days of hearings that stretched out almost two years. The hearing officer assigned to his case, Bloomfield Hills attorney Barry Gold-man, took 18 months to decide the case and ruled that Barash’s racial abuse was OK because the U.S. was at war.

Goldman’s ruling was rejected by the Civil Rights Commission, which determined SMART should pay Barash $150,000 for mental and emotional distress, $68,000 for lost wages and $124,000 in attorney fees.

Mary Sengstock DiesMary Sengstock, a sociologist who wrote extensively about Chaldean Americans, died on May 8.

The exuberant Sengstock was known to many in the community for her studies and books on Chaldeans, in-cluding “Chaldean-Americans: Chang-ing Conceptions of Ethnic Identity” in 1984. Two years later, she received Wayne State Uni-versity Board of Governors’ Faculty Recognition Award for the book, which she updated in a second edition in 1999. In 2005 she published “Chaldeans in Michigan” and, in 2009, “Voices of Diversity: Multi-Culturalism in America,” which also won a WSU Governor’s Award.

“Dr. Sengstock will be remembered

Marzyn Barash

Mary Sengstock

Patrice Konja Abona

Dominican Sisters in Iraq Seek Orphanage Funds

Land has been purchased in Telkaif, but now the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Sienna need to raise nearly a half-million dollars to build a new orphanage.

The Dominican Sisters is a local pontifical congregation founded in 1877 in Mosul with the main concern of educating and promoting women’s social, educational and health aware-ness in Christian villages. The sisters run three orphanages in Iraq, one in Telkaif (eight girls), Qaraqosh (12 girls) and Bartella (five boys). The Telkaif facility was relocated from Baghdad when the city became too dangerous in the aftermath of the Iraq War.

“We are facing some trouble ac-commodating the amount of orphans that we currently house because of the limited space,” wrote Sr. Luma Khudher in email correspondence with the Chaldean News. “We were able to acquire land to build a new house for the orphans that is near the convent and surrounded by Christian homes, but we don’t have the eco-nomical means to build it.”

There are a total of 136 sisters in the order in Iraq, mostly Chaldean and Syriac. They also have an orphan-age in Lebanon that houses 12 girls.

“The country lacks safety and that is the mean challenge we face,” wrote Sr. Khudher. “Although to a cer-tain point Telkaif is safe, all the build-ing materials we need comes from

outside the town. Also we lack of fi-nancial means.”

Galia Thomas, a native of Telkaif, was educated in Dominican schools since kindergarten.

Now a resident of Cass Lake, she is helping the nuns raise funds for the orphanage. To make a donation, call Thomas at (248) 681-3386.

The Sisters pose with some young charges.

NOTEWORTHY continued on page 10

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Community Bulletin Board

Everyone Loves a Parade

More than 70 community members took part

in the City of Sterling Heights’ Memorial Day

Parade, most members of the Holy Martyrs

Chaldean Catholic Church Moms Group

and their families. They marched behind

the Ethnic Community Committee float and

passed out candy to thousands.

Investing in the FutureInvest (International Network for Vocational Educational Skills Training) Roo-sevelt High School celebrated its sixth graduation at Shenandoah Country Club on May 29. Some 400 people came to congratulate the 56 graduates, half of whom were born in Iraq. “These accomplished students have earned their diplomas while over-coming extraordinary challenges, many being refugees who have learned a new language, culture and freedoms,” said keynote speaker Diane Dickow D’Agostini, chief judge of the 48th District Court. Pictured from left are Na-than Kalasho, school principal Assad Kalasho, Diane Dickow D’Agostini, Gabrielle D’Agostini, Neran Kalasho, Nadine Kalasho and Dylan Kalasho.

Mission Accomplished

One of Jeffrey “Chip” David Wadha’s dying wishes came true on

June 20 as a charity in his name donated 78 iPads to children at

Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Wadha died two years ago at

age 38 of lung cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy, he no-

ticed that too many fellow patients had nothing to do, so devised

the scheme to get all the children iPads to help while away the

time and to keep connected with friends and family. His brother

Michael and other family and community members took up the

cause with their drive, Chip Away Every Day.

Have an item for the Bulletin Board? Send it to Chaldean News, 29850 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, or e-mail [email protected].


El Cajon to Celebrate ChaldeansThe city of El Cajon, California has desig-nated September as Chaldean American Month. The city council voted 4-1 for the proclamation, with Chaldean Star Bales the only opposing vote, saying she pre-ferred a “cultural diversity month.”

A group of students from the lo-cal Diego Valley Charter School was the main group interested in bringing the issue forward. In late May, the El Cajon Council spent nearly two hours discussing the matter.

“What we discovered in the city of El Cajon is that the first steps to-wards progress are being made. This effort was motivated by a combination of youth and idealism from El Cajon’s young Chaldeans,” said Neighborhood Market Association President and CEO Mark Arabo.

Some 30,000 Chaldean Americans live in California’s East County, includ-ing about 12,000 residing in El Cajon.

Children’s Hospital Raising FundsChildren’s Hospital of Michigan Founda-tion has launched a $2 million, two-year initiative to advance pediatric research and support community outreach.

The campaign will fund programs that include sophisticated treatments for children with migraines, family training and support, a global information net-work for cardiac surgeons and a school-based health center that caters to the children of uninsured immigrants.

The Foundation also announced a Challenge Gift from an anonymous do-nor. Through September 1, gifts will be

matched dollar for dollar up to a cumu-lative $75,000. Text the Keyword KIDS to 85944 for a $10 donation or visit CHMFoundation.org.

Home Robber SentencedWisam Youkhana, 29, has been sen-tenced to three to 15 years in prison for a string of home invasions in Ma-comb and Oakland counties.

The Sterling Heights resident pleaded no con-test to four home invasions — three in Sterling Heights and one in War-ren — in September and October. He also pleaded to drug, larceny of a weapon and driving with a suspended license charges in the Warren case.

Youkhana was ordered to pay a total of nearly $13,000 in restitution. He received 204 days credit and may be eligible for prison boot camp after one year.

On April 28, Youkhana also was sentenced to three to 15 years after pleading no contest to four counts

of second-degree home invasion for Troy incidents. He also pleaded to a charge of receiving and concealing property for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $4,900 in restitution. The sen-tences will run concurrently.

New Office Offers Job Help for ImmigrantsAn office in Detroit to provide new Americans with face-to-face custom-ized training to help them integrate into Michigan’s workforce was opened on June 23.

The office is a continued partner-ship with Upwardly Global, a national, nonprofit organization that helps legal skilled immigrants and refugees rebuild their careers, and the state’s LARA (Li-censing and Regulatory Affairs). The office space, donated by Michigan State University at the school’s Detroit Center, is located at 3408 Woodward Avenue.

Upwardly Global’s job search pre-paredness and training includes résu-mé revision, interview preparation and salary negotiation.

Upwardly Global estimates that Michigan has 47,000 immigrants with the training and skills necessary to

serve in the state’s workforce. For more information about LARA,

visit Michigan.gov/Lara.

Pilgrimages PlannedBus pilgrimages to a number of historic churches are planned for August and later this year by Prayer Pilgrimages.

August 15 is a one-day excursion to the Assumption Grotto in Detroit, St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit and Immaculate Conception Ukrai-nian Church in Hamtramck. The price is $40, not including lunch at Polonia Restaurant.

August 24-25 is a journey to shrines and churches in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio. Prices range from $370 to $595.

Coming in September are trips to Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio; and five nights in Canada. In October there is a two-day excursion to Indiana and, on December 28-30, Christmas in Chicago’s basilicas and churches.

Learn more at PrayerPilgrimages.com or call (248) 250-6005.

[Friday, July 11 — Saturday, July 12]Music: The ElvisFest in Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park cel-ebrates its 15th year with tribute artists, a beer tent, food and classic cars. A candlelight vigil will be held on Saturday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Advance tickets are $13 Friday, $22.50 Saturday, or $30 for both days. Proceeds ben-efit Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels and the S.O.S. Shelter. MIElvisFest.com.

[Wednesday, July 16 — Saturday, July 19]Art: It’s the 55th year for the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which also includes music, politics, performanc-es, workshops, food and entertainment. The festival runs from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. each day but Saturday, when it ends at 6 p.m. ArtFair.org.

[Sunday, July 20]Fundraiser: The Second Annual Walk-a-Thon for Project Bismutha raises money to help the uninsured

people of the Chaldean community receive medical attention. Begins at 10 a.m. rain or shine at Camp Chaldean in Brighton, followed by mass at noon and then a family picnic with children’s activities. $20 for ages 15 and up, $10 for those younger. All regis-tered walkers get a tee shirt and are entered into a raffle. [email protected].

[Thursday, July 24 — Saturday, July 26]Festival: SterlingFest Art and Music Fair celebrates its 34th year with an arts & crafts fair, live music, children’s activities, family midway and local res-taurateurs. 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights. SterlingFest.info.

[Saturday, August 2 — Sunday, August 3]Festival: The Arab & Chaldean Festival is into its 43rd year with music, food, cultural exhibits and much more. Hart Plaza, Detroit. The festival opens at noon and the program runs from 6 p.m.-midnight.

View a schedule at ArabAndChaldeanFestival.com or call (248) 960-9956.

[Thursday, August 7]Fundraiser: Giving Hearts, a group that honors the late Vivian Shouneyia, holds its annual fundraiser to help Chaldean women fighting breast cancer who are financially struggling. The party takes place from 6-9 p.m. at Bay Pointe Golf Club with wine, appetizers and dessert. Tickets are $40 and sponsorships are available. [email protected].

[Monday, August 18]Potluck: Building Community, the initiative between with Jewish News and Chaldean News, hosts a Coming To-gether Potluck. 6-8:30 p.m., St. Thomas Church in West Bloomfield. Bring a dish to feed 10 people and an index card listing ingredients. Attendees are asked to bring some school supplies for underprivileged elementary students. RSVP to Gail Katz, (248) 978-6664 or Rula Yono, (248) 996-8384.

CHALDEANS CONNECTINGCOMMUNITY EVENTS IN AND AROUND METRO DETROIT JULY 2013

CHAI time

It’s Election Time The Primary Election is on August 5. The deadline to register is July 7.

Among the races of particular interest to the Chaldean community is state rep for the 39th district, which includes West Bloomfield and Commerce Town-ship. Incumbent Klint Kesto faces two Republican challengers, Deb O’Hagan and Alan Stevens. The winner will face Democrat Sandy Colvin or Michael Saari in the general election in November.

To register or learn more about voting, visit Michigan.gov/vote.

Wisam Youkhana

Corrections• We incorrectly identified the man pictured with Senator Deb-bie Stabenow at the Chaldean Chamber Dinner in the June is-sue. He is Robert Barash.• Home burglaries have occurred during weddings at other ban-quet facilities besides Shenan-doah Country Club [“They Did, Say Police,” June 2014].

NOTEWORTHY continued from page 8


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SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Michael J. George, an icon in metro Detroit and a pillar in the Chal-dean community, passed away on

June 24 at age 81. George was the quintessential American

success story, having built the Melody Farms Dairy Company with his brother Sharkey from a single milk route in 1950 to a busi-ness with over $150 million in revenues. He was one of the most recognizable and re-vered businessmen in Michigan, best known for his humility, responsiveness and making deals with a handshake instead of a contract.

George was the Chaldean community’s most respected leader and spokesman for the better part of a generation. He championed several essential causes for the Chaldean community as the former Chairman of the Chaldean Federation of America and as co-founder and past president of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan. He was instrumental in establishing both the Southfield Manor and later the Shenan-doah Banquet, Golf, Community and Con-ference Center. He was one of the driving forces behind the formation of Bank of Michigan, a community bank focused large-ly on small business lending, which George believed was the essence of the American dream. Most recently he championed sev-eral new programs to aid tens of thousands of minority Christians flee unrelenting violence and persecution in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

For these contributions and others George earned awards too numerous to mention, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2001) for his out-standing service and achievements as an American of Chaldean heritage, the Arab American and Chal-dean Council Entrepreneur of the Year (1998), and Associated Food Dealer’s Man of The Year (2001).

George had a considerable impact on the success of Chaldeans in the Metro Detroit area and also to the city of Detroit itself. After the Detroit riots in 1967, George, who by then had been in the dairy business for 15 years, encouraged Chaldean stor-eowners to stay in the city. He assisted many in their efforts to rebuild, open and buy more stores. Even-tually, over the course of 30 years, George helped finance more than 700 new stores, many in Detroit.

George had a “great impact” on the State of Mich-igan over the course of several years, helping “revital-ize Detroit, which is essential to the reinvention of Michigan,” according to Governor Rick Snyder.

Beyond his immediate family, George was a sec-ond father, godfather, uncle, mentor and advisor

to countless others, many of whom attribute their success in business or politics to him. He was best known for his selflessness, generosity and the equal and respectful manner in which he treated every-one he met.

Gerald Rosen, the Chief Judge of the U.S. Dis-trict Court in Detroit, described him as “a treasure of our community” who “has long been an impor-tant mentor to many men and women in our great community, and his leadership, wisdom and gener-ous heart have endeared him to people of all faiths and backgrounds.”

Among the people who sought his counsel and advice are state and local political leaders, in-cluding former United States Senator and United States Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, who de-scribed George as “a great friend and mentor to me and countless others who were fortunate enough to know him.” Longtime U.S. Senator Carl Levin describes him as “a great friend of Detroit and a great friend of mine,” who has “given himself and his resources to provide a helping hand to count-less individuals throughout the Detroit area.”

George was born in Detroit, Michigan on De-cember 20, 1932. Upon graduating Catholic Cen-

tral High School in 1950, George, his fa-ther Tom and his brother Sharkey started Tom George & Sons Dairy with $412, a coffee table and an 11-year-old truck to distribute Wilson’s dairy products.

After two years he left the family busi-ness to serve in the Army during the Ko-rean War, from 1953-1955, obtaining the rank of sergeant. Upon his return, he re-joined the family business, which eventu-ally became known as Melody Farms.

George became a legend in the dairy industry. He grew the company rapidly, both organically and through acquisitions, including Richardson Dairy, All Star Dairy, Sealtest Dairy, Twin Pines Dairy Company, Stroh’s Ice Cream and, ironically, the very first company with which he worked, Wil-son’s Dairy. Prior to their sale to industry leader Dean’s Foods in 2003, Melody Farms had several lines of dairy products, over 80 flavors of ice cream, over 10,000 custom-ers and was one of the largest privately held dairy and beverage distribution companies in the United States. George went on to pursue several other business interests, in-cluding real estate such as hotels, office buildings, and parking garages, and compa-nies in several different industries, includ-ing food products, technology, banking, warehousing and others. George always

stayed active in business and philanthropy, at one point serving on 19 boards simultaneously.

George was a dedicated family man. He enjoyed boating and an occasional cigar, but looked most forward to dinner at his home with his entire fam-ily every Sunday.

Michael George is survived by his wife of 54 years, Najat; their six sons and three daughters-in-law, Anthony and Sheila, Robert and Mimi, Rod-ney and Paulette, Lenny, Scott and Michael II; 10 grandchildren, Amber, Dominic, Lorenzo, Robert Jr. (and his wife Lindsey), Samantha, Blake, Brit-tany, Michaela, Nicholas and Caitlin; and his older brother, Sharkey and his wife Rita.

In light of his longstanding commitment to charity, in lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. George Char-ity at 30777 Northwestern Highway, Suite 300, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334 or online at www.mjgcharity.org.

A mass was held at Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church on June 26. The family intends to announce a remembrance dinner within the coming months.

farewell to an iconCommunity pillar Michael George dies at 81

MICHAEL GEORGE


Pope Francis has said that “true power is service.” Michael George was a powerful man,

but only because he humbled himself in service to his family, friends and community. While not outwardly religious, Michael George lived his life in the true Christian spirit as a Servant Leader. A servant leader is a person who, although powerful, shares that power, puts the needs of others first and helps others to de-velop and thrive. Michael George spent the better part of his life in the service of others, uniting and elevat-ing his community, be it through his leadership of community centers, starting a community bank, helping widows, or – in the last part of his life – dedicating himself to the cause of helping Chaldean refugees.

Michael George believed in the goodness of every person. His unshake-able trust in human nature allowed everybody the benefit of the doubt. It was the foundation for his business dealings, the source of his respect in the political world and the inspiration behind his magnanimity to all.

Michael George believed integ-rity was the root of all personal inter-actions. Because he was universally trusted and considered fair-minded, he became the third party interme-diary in countless conflicts between family members, business partners and adversaries alike. He took on this responsibility with no financial benefit, tremendous personal sac-rifice of time, much frustration and personal stress.

Michael George did not judge and did not gossip. He believed in equality, equanimity and justice. So, while he was revered by many, he was approachable to all, regardless of their place or status in society.

Michael George was so genuinely humble that no job was beneath him. From mopping a floor to bussing a table, he often caught his employees, guests and even family members off guard by performing a menial task.

At his home, where everyone was welcome for a meal, he would cook for and serve his guests without fail. His humility allowed him to occa-sionally laugh at himself, to not take himself too seriously, to understand the context of his surroundings and to act accordingly.

Michael George believed in firm-ness but he also believed in flexibility — traits that not only he possessed but that he admired in others.

Michael George’s life is at the heart of the first 50 years of Chaldean American history. His story defines a whole generation: his person inimita-ble, his role irreplaceable and his ac-complishments inconvertible.

In today’s society in which so many people look inward and are selfish, Michael George was the polar opposite. He was outward looking and selfless. He gave of himself and his time to others, almost to a fault. While he had money and influence he used it quietly, with humility and, oftentimes, for the benefit of others.

Yes, as a servant leader, Michael George believed in service to others, not as a source of power but as a moral obligation of mankind to mankind. Yes, many people serve, yet not with the grace and the majesty that was at the core of Michael George’s es-sence. And yes, power and influence and stature came to Michael George. Not because he wanted it or asked for it. Rather, it was by the grace of God, because he was the right person to use it for the benefit of others.

For the gift of Michael George, the husband, father, brother, uncle, mentor and friend — the greatest Servant Leader the community has ever known — we thank God.

True power is service. That is Mi-chael George’s legacy to all of us.

Derek Sarafa is an attorney and close family friend. Michael Sarafa is president of the Bank of Michigan, a co-publisher of the Chaldean News, and Mike George’s nephew.

Servant/Leader Michael George

BY DEREK SARAFA AND MICHAEL SARAFA

IN OUR VIEW

From above: Mike and Najat George were married for more than 50 years. Mike and Najat surrounded by their sons: Bobby, Anthony, Michael, Scott, Lenne and Rodney. Mr. George loved a good cigar.


obituaries

Karim Sarafa

Karim Yousif Sarafa, 88, of Bloom-field Hills passed away on May 26, 2014. He was born on June 21, 1925 in Telkaif, Iraq.

Karim was the beloved husband of the late Bernadette (Shammam) Sarafa and survived by an enduring legacy of love for his five children, Haithem (Charlotte), Eptisam (Tom) Macksoud, Nada (Joe) Nofar, Anmar and Maher; 13 grandchildren, Kristin (Andy) Toma, Brandon Nofar, Ryan Nofar, Lauren Nofar, Vincent Sarafa, Nick Sarafa, Andrew Sarafa, Alex Macksoud, Zachary Macksoud, Dom-inick Macksoud, Katelyn Macksoud,

Connor Sarafa and Ava Sarafa; and one great-grandson, Jayden Toma.

Karim earned his master’s degree in civil engineering at the Univer-sity of Michigan and permanently immigrated to the United States in 1963. He was admired and respected by all and was well-known for inspir-ing people everywhere to “always keep your word, respect others, and get the highest education you can.” Karim’s honesty and integrity was his strength, and being true to his word, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Detroit at age 56 and practiced for more than 20 years.

A highly respected community and civic leader, Karim’s greatest ac-

complishment and source of pride was, by far, his family. He was a mas-ter backgammon and domino player who loved Western movies and life’s simple pleasures. He leaves behind a wealth of friends and relatives who will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you to make a dona-tion to Charity Celebration to ben-efit Bernadette’s Kitchen, a program run by the Ladies of Charity in hon-or and memory of Bernadette Sara-fa. Make checks payable to “Char-ity Celebration” and mail to 21 E. Long Lake Road, #200, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304 or donate online at CharityCelebration.com.

Yousif Jamil

Jan. 7, 1937 - June 15, 2014

Sabah Gaggo

Feb. 10, 1952 - June 13, 2014

Thurayya Fakhouri

Sept. 3, 1933 - June 13, 2014

Haris D. Sannawi

Sept. 6, 1930 - June 12, 2014

Steve Garmo

Nov. 26, 1961 - June 11, 2014

Nelly (Nazhat) Kaskorkes

July 1, 1931 - June 11, 2014

Luke Jehad Tamish Hanko Aug. 15, 1967 - June 11, 2014

Mike Shamo Awdish

Nov. 1, 1934 - June 9, 2014

Sabiha Putrus Odish

July 1, 1948 - June 8, 2014

Elia Elias Toma

Feb. 10, 1940 - June 8, 2014

Sabah Nema Mansour Sharak

Feb. 2, 1940 - June 4, 2014

Nemo Shleemoon Dawood

July 1, 1939 - June 4, 2014

Bahidja Babbie

Dec. 1, 1929 - June 3, 2014

Farook Fouad Dokho

April 18, 1936 - June 3, 2014

Kareem Yamiel Abro July 1, 1935 - May 30, 2014

Silewa Yalda Kachal

June 4, 1930 - May 29, 2014

Akeel George Ibrahim

Oct. 12, 1956 - May 28, 2014

Haryat Barbat

July 1, 1927 - May 28, 2014

Ghanim Yousif

July 1, 1954 - May 28, 2014

Esho Franso

July 1, 1958 - May 27, 2014

Jamil Mansour Shounia

July 1, 1928 - May 26, 2014

Eliyas Jajo Oroo

July 1, 1934 - May 25, 2014

Khamou Mirkis

July 1, 1939 - May 23, 2014

Lorraine Abrou

Aug. 27, 1945 - May 22, 2014

RECENTLY DECEASED COMMUNITY MEMBERS


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Over the past decade, Iraqi Christians have fled repeat-edly to Alqosh seeking ref-

uge from violence, then returning home when the danger eased. Now they are doing it again as Islamic mil-itants known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) rampage across northern Iraq, but this time few say they ever want to go back to their homes.

The flight is a new blow to Iraq’s dwindling Christian community, which is almost as old as the religion itself but which has already been devastated since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. During the past 11 years, at least half of the country’s Chris-tian population has fled the country, to escape frequent attacks by Sunni Muslim militants targeting them and their churches.

Now many of those who held out and remained may be giving up completely after fighters belonging to ISIS swept over the city of Mosul and a broad swath of the country in mid June.

“I’m not going back,” said Lina, who fled Mosul with her family as

the militants swept in and came to Alqosh, about 31 miles to the north.

“Each day we went to bed in fear,” the 57-year-old woman said, sitting in a house for displaced people. “In our own houses we knew no rest.” Like other Christians who fled here, she spoke on condition she be identi-fied only by her first name for fear for her safety.

Alqosh, dating back at least to the 1st century BC, is a jumble of pastel-painted homes nestled at the base of a high craggy hill among roll-ing plains of wheat fields. The vil-lage’s population of 6,000 is about half Christian and half ethnic Kurds. Located just outside the autonomous Kurdish zone of northern Iraq, Kurd-ish fighters known as peshmerga have moved into the town to protect it.

Many Christians are deciding that the comparatively liberal and prosperous Kurdish regions are their safest bet.

“Every Christian prefers to stay in Kurdistan,” said Abu Zeid, an en-gineer. He too said he wouldn’t be going back to Mosul. “It’s a shame because Mosul is the most important

city in Iraq for Christians,” he said of the burial site of Jonah, the prophet who tradition says was swallowed by a whale.

The exodus from Mosul — a Sunni-majority city that during the American presence in Iraq was an al-Qaida stronghold — has been dra-matic. From a pre-2003 population of around 130,000 Christians, there were only about 10,000 left before the Islamic State fighters overran the city last month.

Abu Zeid estimated that now only 2,000 Christians remain in the city.

This is the third time that Ad-nan, a 60-year-old Mosul shoe shop owner, has sought shelter in Alqosh. He came in 2008 after a priest in Mosul was killed, then again in 2010 after rumors spread of an imminent attack on Christians. Each time, he and his family returned after Iraqi se-curity officials guaranteed Christians’ safety.

“They said, we will protect you,” he recalled. “But now, where’s the government?”

In Alqosh, the newcomers and

the residents united in prayer at Sun-day Mass in the Chaldean Church of the Virgin Mary of the Harvest, held by Friar Gabriel Tooma.

On the church floor was spread a mosaic made of beans, lentils, wheat and other produce from the area, assembled to commemorate the up-coming harvest. Before the service, volunteers hurried to finish the im-ages of Jesus and Mary, and were fill-ing out the details of Pope Francis’ face, sketched out with white beans.

“People are afraid of what’s com-ing next,” Tooma said. “I fear there will be a day when people will say: ‘There were once Christians in Iraq.’”

As he walked with his wife and daughter in the 7th-century St Hor-moz monastery, built into the hill overlooking Alqosh, Abu Zeid said he went back to Mosul on June 13 to see if his house was still standing.

Some of the militants in con-trol of the city tried to show that Christians were welcome. Gunmen stopped him and asked if he was a Christian, Abu Zeid said. When he

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nodded back, a gunman told him, “Welcome to your home.”

The Chaldean church in Mosul was looted, he said, and he saw gun-men drag the accused thieves to the church and order them to return sto-len property.

He and other displaced Christians highly doubt the shows of goodwill. Still, some said they have no choice but to eventually return.

“I’m 60 years old,” said Adnan, the shoe salesman. “It would be hard to start over again.”

Auxiliary Chaldean Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna of Baghdad told Inde-pendent Catholic News on June 18, “We fear a civil war. If the various different opposing internal parties do not succeed in finding an agreement, then we must expect the worst. An-other war would mean the end, espe-cially for us Christians.”

In response to the exodus taking place in the Mosul area, Chaldean Archbishop Amel Nona of Mosul began mounting a relief operation with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) amid reports that 500,000 people were on the move.

He told ACN that schools, church halls and abandoned houses had been opened up to receive dis-placed people, who left everything behind in Mosul.

The archbishop said that, al-though some Christians had returned to Mosul since the ISIS invasion, most were too afraid to go back. He added that it was highly “uncertain whether all of the families will be able to return to Mosul.”

ACN’s Projects Director Regina Lynch said, “We are very close to this Church. This never-ending suffering is like an open wound for us. More than ever, the Christians of Iraq need to know that the Christians in the rest of the world are not leav-ing them alone, but are praying for them and are also supporting them as much as they can.”

Fear in Baghdad

As we went to press on June 24, Baghdad was not under any imme-diate threat of falling to ISIS. But battlefield setbacks and the conflict’s growing sectarian slant is turning the city of 7 million into an anxiety-filled place waiting for disaster to happen.

Traffic is nowhere near its normal congestion. Many stores are shut-tered and those that are open are

doing little business in a city where streets empty hours before a 10 p.m. curfew kicks in. Arriving interna-tional and domestic flights are half empty, while outgoing flights to the relatively safe Kurdish cities of Irbil and Suleimaniya are booked solid through late July as those who can flee.

The number of army and police checkpoints has grown, snarling traf-fic. Pickup trucks loaded with Shiite militiamen roam the city, including in Sunni and mixed areas, chanting religious slogans. A climate of war reminiscent of Saddam Hussein’s days permeates state-run television broadcasts dominated by nationalist songs, video clips of army and police forces in action and reruns of speech-es by Nouri al-Maliki, the Shiite prime minister.

Interviews with Iraqis vowing to fight or declaring their readiness to

die for Iraq are daily fare, along with footage showing young volunteers at signup centers or in trucks being fer-ried to army camps.

Baghdadis, Sunnis and Shiites alike, are renowned for their resil-ience, but they fear the threat posed by ISIS, whose interpretation of Is-lamic Shariah law is similar in its harshness to the Moghul hordes that sacked the city in the 13th century, turning, tradition says, the waters of the Tigris red with the blood of its slaughtered residents and black with the ink of the thousands of books they threw into the river.

Shiites fear they will be massacred if the Sunni militants take the city or even parts of it, while Baghdad’s Sunni residents worry the Shiite mi-litiamen, with the full acquiescence of the Shiite-led government, will target them in reprisal attacks if the Islamic State continues its battlefield successes.

“Weapons are everywhere in the city,” said Yasser Farouq, a 45-year-old retail businessman from Bagh-dad’s Sunni district of Azamiyah. “That tells me that instability is here and disaster is on the way.”

a Win For Kurds?In Iraq’s chaos, the Kurds are

emerging as significant winners — and their victories are fueling senti-ment among their population to de-clare outright independence.

As Sunni insurgents swept over a large chunk of northern Iraq and barreled toward Baghdad, Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga seized territory of their own, effectively expanding the Kurdish-run region into areas it has long claimed. Most notably, they grabbed the oil center of Kirkuk. And in contrast to the Shiite-led government in Baghdad, which is in turmoil, the Kurds are growing more confident, vowing to increase oil sales independent of the central government.

The gains have also brought the Kurds challenges barely imaginable just recently. They must defend a

new, 620-mile frontier against ISIS. Some 300,000 Iraqis who fled the insurgent advance have flooded into Kurdish areas, an extra burden to an already cash-strapped autonomy gov-ernment.

And the Kurds risk a backlash. In Kirkuk, Sunni Arabs and ethnic Turkmens — who have long opposed Kurdish claims over the city — threaten a revolt if the Kurds don’t share administration of the city and any oil revenues.

Still, the sense of exuberance is palpable among Kurds, who make up 20 percent of Iraq’s population.

Declaring independence — and formally fragmenting Iraq — is not easy. The United States and neigh-boring Turkey oppose Kurdish inde-pendence. And the Kurds can expect constant clashes not just with insur-gents but also with Iraqi forces if they unilaterally break away and claim the areas they grabbed, said Kurdish analyst Hiwa Osman. ``If the Kurds want true independence, [there] has to be a treaty,’’ he said.

Given that resistance, the Kurd-ish government is pressing for even greater powers of autonomy but not

full independence. The Kurds’ territorial grab is sub-

stantial. The recognized Kurdish au-tonomous region — defined as three northern provinces — effectively ex-panded by 40 percent,

Meanwhile, Kurdish officials are dealing with 300,000 Iraqis who fled there in mid to late June, adding to 260,000 Syrian refugees and Iraqis who fled earlier fighting already in their areas.

The Kurdish government has promised its doors remain open and that it will give all the help it can. But many of the new arrivals say they have no intention of going home.

appealing to oBama

U.S. Rep Frank Wolf spearheaded an effort to send an appeal to President Barack Obama on behalf of Iraq’s Christians. Emergency meetings were held the week of June 16 be-

tween Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil and Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and co-publisher of the Chaldean News, with Senators Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, the Iraqi Ambassador, State Department of-ficials and Senator Menandez, Chair of the Senate Foreign relations Com-mittee. The letter, dated June 19, was signed by 55 members of congress.

“I urge you and your administra-tion to urgently and actively engage with the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Gov-ernment (KRG) to prioritize addi-tional security support for these par-ticularly vulnerable populations and expanded humanitarian assistance and emergency aid delivery to those affected communities,” says the let-ter in part. “Absent immediate ac-tion, we will most certainly witness the annihilation of an ancient faith community from the lands they’ve inhabited for centuries.”

Compiled from the Associated Press, Independent Catholic News, Assyrian International News Agency and other sources.

IRAQ continued from page 16

“Absent immediate action, we will most certainly witness the

annihilation of an ancient faith community from the lands they’ve

inhabited for centuries.”– FROM A LETTER SIGNED BY 55 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS


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In his visit to the United States, his Beatitude Mar Louis Raphael I Sako said he was like a pilgrim,

here to observe and reflect upon the Chaldeans, listen to their issues and attend to some of their needs.

While in Michigan, he conse-crated a new bishop, Mar Francis Kalabat; attended mass in most of the local Chaldean churches; and met with the people, including the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq, Muslim clerics and community organizations.

On June 16, he held an open forum at Bellagio Banquet Hall, at-tracting more than 1,000 people. The topic was the church, the Chal-deans and the media.

“Our church is originally an East-ern Church,” said Patriarch Sako. “For political, personal, educational, cultural and historical reasons we were divided. We do not regret be-coming Catholic. It was a spiritual and holy choice.”

He said that while the Chaldean church is in communion with the Vatican, it is not run by Rome and the Pope.

“Our Church has its own rules and structure,” he said. “Our Church must be free and independent of poli-tics. No one can buy it with money!”

The audience cheered and clapped.

“Yet we must be united to be strong,” he said. “If each person went their own way, opened their own ki-osk, we won’t be able to hold a thing, not even the Bible.”

His suggestion is to start a Chal-dean organization, which must have two components in order to work: intellect and spirituality.

“Chaldeans live in a difficult time of uncertainty,” he said. “Their current contribution to society is weak. They are fragmented in the political and cul-tural fields, and lack social action. A Chaldean organization can help give a more effective contribution to the civil life of our country. Its aim is to also link the Chaldeans in diaspora to one Chaldean community.”

The patriarch suggested that the organization be made up of an elite group of ordinary people, profession-als, intellectuals, experts, people who have roles in public life, and who service the whole society to build bridges between Christians and all of Iraqis, not only on a religious and spiritual level, but also at a social and civil level. This would be similar to what other communities have done, such as the Maronite and Syriac, he said.

“I call it Chaldean organization because am I supposed to say Kal-kania organization?” he asked, caus-ing laughter. “We want people to get involved, and not only deacons but also deaconesses.”

Asaad Kalasho, founder of Invest Charter School and a radio host, pointed out that so many similar or-ganizations were started in the past. He wondered whether the commu-nity needs this type of organization right now.

“What unites native Iraqis is Je-sus Christ,” Kalasho said. “What separates us are the various organiza-tions and different parties. I suggest starting an organization under Chris-tianity, with a Christian name and structure.”

“I tried to do that in Kirkuk, but it lasted two months before everyone

went their own way,” said the Patri-arch. “Even religious men did not re-spond well to this idea. A Chaldean organization is needed. This organi-zation is for Chaldeans, not just in Iraq but all over the world.”

Someone else asked, “Why can’t we call it Aramaic and put all Chris-tians together under it?”

“I did not say unite the churches, but to create an organization that would unite Chaldeans,” said the Pa-triarch. “I wish for a Christian orga-nization in Iraq, but none will agree to it. It’s not realistic. We need to start something without anyone be-ing able to hurt us as a result of it. If, for instance, we developed a prov-ince, they will slaughter us.”

Patriarch Sako felt that more or-ganizations could mean more unity and power, not division. He encour-aged people not to deny their roots, as it’s a beautiful thing.

“Don’t feel anxious about saying ‘I’m Chaldean.’ If I’m Chaldean, was born as that, why shouldn’t I say so?” he said.

He stressed the importance of Chaldeans holding their heads high, of being courageous and having pa-tience for Iraq’s bad security to im-prove.

“We have a lot of freedom in Iraq,” he said. “The idea of fleeing

Iraq has become a fad. People out-side of Iraq tell those in Iraq, ‘What are you still doing there? Leave and come here.’ Once they’re here, they say to them, ‘What are you doing here? Go back to Iraq.’”

Mazin Katoula disagreed. He said that since 2003, any Christian who left Iraq left out of force, not choice. “We can’t return without having a strong structure, without carrying weapons, and without political par-ties backing us up,” he said. “Don’t blame us for leaving. We’re the first to return to Iraq if these things are provided.”

Someone asked how people in the United States can help the Christians in Iraq.

“Help will not come from the outside, but from the inside,” the Pa-triarch responded. “I turn to my Mus-lim neighbor more than I do to the United Nations because I have lived next door to him for centuries. Not all Muslims are terrorists. Just like God loves us, he loves Muslims. He created them.”

He felt that the media could also greatly help the Christian community.

“The media always covers nega-tive stories that happen in Mosul,” he said. “A lot of people who have no idea what’s going on in Iraq hurt us by their negative criticism. I ask of Ibrahim Ibrahim to establish a media outlet that unites all our churches to-gether and tells the good stories that happen in Mosul.”

Patriarch Sako feels there is much people here could do in Iraq, with investments and agriculture, for in-stance, which would help rebuild the Christian community.

“Unfortunately we are a consum-er society, more here than in Iraq,” he said. “I am afraid of this. Forty years ago we published a lot and people read a lot. Not today. Today people are all about money.”

A few women expressed concerns not about the situation in Iraq, but about the fact that their children do not like to go to church. They find it boring and often either fall asleep or play with their parents’ iPhone.

Carolin Hormis, who works for Ishtar TV, said her children pre-fer their father’s Greek Orthodox church because it has special age-appropriate classes and programs.

The patriarch said the new bish-op will address this issue. In response, Bishop Francis said, “Slowly, but surely.”

meeting the massesHundreds attend Mar Sako’s open forum BY WEAM NAMOU

Walid Jadan has a word with Mar Sako after the lecture.


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Nearly 450 young adults gathered on June 17 on the steps of Mother of God

Chaldean Church to greet His Be-atitude, Mar Louis Raphael I Sako, just hours before he departed after a week-long visit to the U.S.

Exclusively held for the commu-nity’s youth, the event was a chance to speak face-to-face with the high-est leader of the Chaldean Church beneath Pope Francis.

The evening began with the chanting of several Psalms and tra-ditional hymns by the entire con-gregation. After a few introductory words, the Patriarch spent the rest of the evening responding to ques-tions from the crowd.

While tension from the recent terrorist occupation of Mosul wa-vered in the air, Mar Sako proceed-ed to address the youth.

“You are the future of our church all over the world,” he began. “We don’t have to be afraid. Many times, Jesus in the gospel said this to the early disciples. Also today in our dif-ficulties, he says it. Don’t be afraid.”

Mar Sako said the crisis in Iraq was not fueled by religious conflicts as the media often portrays, but rather by political issues.

“Don’t believe the media,” he said. “[T]he situation is difficult, but maybe sometimes they are exagger-ating for political reasons.”

The crisis concerns the forma-tion of a new government and vari-ous political coalitions of Sunni, Shia and Kurdish forces, he said.

“We are just a minority,” he said. “We are between them like a sand-wich. We have to be aware and very wise, but we are not afraid.”

Mar Sako encouraged the youth to reach out and connect with the Chaldean community in Iraq through social media. “You can tweet with them and send them messages through email,” he said.

When asked his hope for the church in the next 10 years, he smiled. “The hope is you,” he said. “Iraq is our motherland. Also, Iraq

is our mother church. Our church was born there at the end of the 1st century.

“We have no future when we are divided and each one is looking for his own interests. We are one com-munity and members of this body, which is the body of Christ. [This] closeness and solidarity will lead us in Iraq and in Syria to stay, perse-vere and to hope,” he added.

Mar Sako stressed the impor-tance of recognizing that although each diocese around the world is different with unique privileges, they are all one Chaldean Catho-lic Church. To place a perspective on size, he said that the St. Thomas Diocese in Michigan is about twice the size of the St. Peter Diocese in California, and although good sta-tistics are not available in Iraq, the community there is now only about twice the size of Michigan’s.

Apart from the apprehensions of Iraq, many people were seeking an-swers regarding the strengthening of their faith.

“You know, faith is not some idea,” said Mar Sako. “Speculative ideas, we have [the ability] to accept or to refuse. You see, faith is just like love. We see something deeply, and we are attracted. There is something mysterious in it. We cannot under-stand everything completely, but we are attached to it … there is this per-

son … this person we love and are ready to give up our life for Him.”

The Bible speaks of a relation-ship with Christ being like a mar-riage, he said. Just as two bodies become one in a marriage, a union with your faith isn’t much different as you commit to live a simple, daily life devoted to God for eternal life.

After answering all the ques-tions, His Beatitude asked the at-tendees what they wanted to see in the future of the church. Many emo-tional responses were shared.

“I’ve noticed that within the special needs community there is a lot of inclusion, and I’ve noticed that in our church, there’s a lack of inclusion,” said Diana Ori, 24, of Sterling Heights. “My dream one day is to have a program for people with special needs, especially in our community, that integrates faith and physical well-being.”

“One of the biggest problems in our community is judgment and use of people,” said William Mansour, 26, of Royal Oak. “Church [should be a place] where we can come and not be judged by our past, our mis-takes, not be judged by our age, our gender or whatever it might be. We just want God ... I think that’s ulti-mately what we would want out of the church.”

Alexander Yaldo, 22, of West Bloomfield said he’d like to see the

church offer more cultural resources. “We don’t really have anywhere

we can go, and even if you want to look on the Internet, there are no reliable resources,” he said. “So, something that I think would serve a lot of the youth, especially those of us that are in school or want to be in school, is a place to learn about the culture and the history.”

Many others shared their dreams and hopes for the future of the church. A spirit of renewal was all around, and at the end, it was re-quested that more united youth events occur within the diocese like the forum.

When asked about how his visit in America has been, His Beatitude was almost speechless.

“I have no words to say what I am feeling,” he said. “I have a lot of admiration really, a lot of admira-tion because the community is big, strong and well-organized. I am very glad and very proud of you and of your former bishop and your new bishop. You have a lot of freedom that we don’t,” he reminded the youth.

Before concluding the evening, the patriarch was presented with an icon of Mar Addai, along with a photo of the 10 seminarians in Michigan studying to be priests, as a symbol of hope for our church to take with him.

Clockwise from above: An enthusiastic crowd welcomed the clergy to the gathering. A relaxed Mar Sako chats with the crowd. Among the audience were Chaldean sisters.

‘the hope is you’Patriarch Sako connects with youthSTORY AND PHOTOS BY RANNA ABRO


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Now that he’s received a big promotion, don’t expect to see Nick Loussia resting on

his laurels. “Rank does not confer privilege

or give power, it imposes responsibil-ity,” said Loussia, quoting manage-ment expert Peter Drucker. “That means that just because I got pro-moted it’s not like now I can sit back

and let everyone else do the work. It is even more of a responsibility; you have to lead by example.”

Loussia was named deputy po-lice chief at a June 16 ceremony at Southfield City Hall. Coinciden-tally, also promoted to deputy chief was another man of Middle Eastern descent, Robert Shelide, a Lebanese who is married to Chaldean Renee

Sesi Shelide, deputy court adminis-trator at the 46th District Court.

In his new job, Loussia oversees the detective bureau while Shelide manages patrol. Both men report to Chief Eric Hawkins.

“Make sure you write about the de-partment, not just me,” Loussia urged a reporter. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to work for Southfield PD.”

Loussia joined the department in 1991 as a patrol officer and most re-cently served as lieutenant and the department’s public information offi-cer. He said he knew he wanted a ca-reer in law enforcement even as a kid.

“I thought it was a noble profes-sion and I wanted to help people,” said Loussia, who has earned 20 com-

mendations throughout his career. In typical Chaldean fashion, his

parents Jamila and George would have preferred to see him go into the family store business.

“They were concerned about my safety,” Loussia said of his late par-ents. “I would have loved for my mother to see this promotion, but she did see the one to lieutenant in 2004.”

A native of Southfield, Loussia graduated from Brother Rice High School and Eastern Michigan Uni-versity. As Southfield’s homeland security coordinator, he attended a three-month FBI National Academy class in Quantico, Virginia in 2006.

“It was mentally and physically challenging — we ran the Marine Corps obstacles,” he said. “In South-field we deal more with criminal acts but we have to stay apprised and are still concerned with terrorism.”

His years as a cop, he said, have taught him that people are basically decent despite the sorrows they may endure. “We deal with people when they are having difficult situations but the majority are good, law-abiding citizens,” he said. “It’s the criminal el-ement that makes the headlines.”

While there are currently many Chaldeans working in law enforce-ment in Metro Detroit, when Loussia started in 1991 he was something of a novelty in the community. “So many Chaldeans would throw my name out when they were pulled over that an officer had tee shirts made up that said, ‘Yes, I know Nick Loussia and he’s my cousin,’” he laughed.

He likes when young people ask about his job but said he has to battle some misconceptions. “All depart-ments are facing the ‘CSI’ effect — everyone thinks that what they watch on TV is everyday police work,” he said. “”That’s not the case — we typi-cally don’t have DNA results in 30 minutes and solve cases in an hour.”

Loussia encourages youth to study hard and get involved in extracur-ricular activities. “It’s very important for young kids to get a good educa-tion and take school seriously. It’s also good to be active in sports; you learn teamwork and how to be a good loser and a gracious winner. It takes practice to get good and you have to dedicate yourself,” he said. “Have a hobby, learn a musical instrument or a foreign language. What’s that they say? Idle hands are the devil’s work-shop.”

leading by exampleA big step up for Southfield cop Nick LoussiaBY JOYCE WISWELL

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Dozens of Loussias showed up for the promotion. “That’s only half the family,” Nick Loussia laughed.

Nick Loussia receives his new badge from sister Janan Naimi as brother-in-law Alaa Naimi looks on. Photos by Razik Tomina


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It’s a crowded field. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is seek-ing a fourth term, but many po-

litical observers and voters consider him vulnerable due to recent scan-dals that have tainted his adminis-tration. Thirteen challengers hope to unseat him.

Three are Republicans. But Wayne County is so overwhelmingly Demo-cratic that the GOP contenders — Detroiter Fred Bolden and Livonia residents John Dalton and Daniel Wenderlich — are considered nearly insignificant. In all likelihood, the winner of the Republican Primary will represent mere token opposition to the winner of the Democratic Primary.

That means the real contest for the seat will be decided in the pri-mary on Tuesday, August 5, rather than the November general election.

Of the 11 Democrats, five are household-name frontrunners. Be-sides Ficano, they include state Rep-resentative Phil Cavanagh of Red-ford Township, former Detroit police chief and Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans of Detroit, Wayne County Commissioner Kevin Mc-Namara of Belleville, and Westland Mayor Bill Wild.

The second-tier candidates are Adam Salam Adamski of Wayne, Cindy Darrah of Detroit, Russell George Leviska of Westland, Bettie Cook Scott of Detroit, Sigmunt John Szczepkowski of Detroit, and Chris-topher Wojtowicz of Hamtramck.

The five frontrunners recognize that while Chaldeans own and op-erate many small businesses within Wayne County, most live — and vote — in Oakland or Macomb. Ficano, a Livonia resident, praised the commu-

nity’s entrepreneurial acumen.“I have always believed that Chal-

deans are the epitome of investment, risk management and success,” Fi-cano said. “Your investments in Wayne County have contributed to our overall success and growth. Your expertise, both at a professional and entrepreneurial level, can only be ad-mired. I have continually appointed Chaldeans to senior positions not just because of their culture but because they were qualified and able to bring the concerns, challenges and aspira-tions of Chaldeans to the table.”

State Representative Phil Ca-vanagh is wrapping up his second term in Lansing. The son of former Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, he also served on the Wayne County Commission from 2001 to 2008.

“There are almost 900 members of the Chaldean chamber with over 3,500 businesses, and the majority of them are located in Wayne County,” Cavanagh said. “They are essential to the economic wellbeing of our communities. The vast majority of these small businesses helped sta-bilized Detroit when others closed their doors. They continue to be es-sential in providing much-needed necessities and jobs to Detroit resi-dents. I believe the vote of the Chal-dean community sends a message that their candidate supports small businesses and supports ethnic diver-sity in their community.”

Wild has served as mayor of West-land since 2007. From 2001 to 2007, he was a Westland city councilman. He owns Scrap Busters, an automo-tive recycling business in Wayne.

“Chaldeans have been an impor-tant part of the fabric of our com-

munity for many years, including the many who are small business owners in Wayne County,” Wild said. “As a small business owner myself, I under-stand how important it is to help en-trepreneurs start and maintain busi-nesses in our community.”

Evans’ 40-plus-year career in law enforcement includes serving six years as Wayne County sheriff and one year as Detroit police chief. He made an unsuccessful bid for Detroit mayor in 2008.

“There are more than 6,000 Chaldean-owned small businesses in Michigan,” Evans said. “Small busi-nesses are recognized as the largest creator of jobs, and research shows 90 percent of them fail within the first two years of operation. My adminis-tration will make small businesses a priority by appointing an ombudsman to help provide the tools they need to grow and thrive. Through collabora-tion and joint dialogue on prospective political and community initiatives we can, together, work to ensure a ro-bust economic landscape that encour-ages opportunity and expansion.”

McNamara has served on the Wayne County Commission since elected in 2006. He is the son of late Wayne County Executive Ed McNa-mara.

“Our communities have been shut out of Wayne County govern-ment,” McNamara said. “Wayne County is a dinosaur that’s old, bloated and feeds off itself to survive. The residents and business owners, including members of the Chaldean community, get what’s left over. This is unacceptable. For too long, the Ficano Administration has dictated what services the communities get,

instead of what services they want.”McNamara and others have been

critical of Ficano’s handling of county funds, laying charges of mismanage-ment. Scandal has marred Ficano’s administration in recent years, with appointees convicted of crimes, an over-budgeted but half-built county jail, and an ongoing federal investi-gation of corruption.

Wild struck a similar theme, not-ing “the need for clean, honest and open government” and vowing to re-form Wayne County.

“We can’t stand to see cronyism and corruption instead of fair and transparent government,” Wild said.

Ficano praised the Chaldean com-munity’s ethics and equated his own family’s early challenges with those of newly arrived Chaldean immigrants. “What I have also admired about Chaldeans is your core value that fam-ily always comes first,” Ficano said.

Evans also lauded the communi-ty’s values and its contributions to the county’s business climate. “The Chal-dean community values democracy and plays an important role in the future of Wayne County,” Evans said.

Wild noted that open and honest communication with all communi-ties is essential and that the status quo is not working.

“I’m the only candidate in this race with no ties to the past. If I’m elected I’m going to reform Wayne County, open up the books, and make sure citizens, workers and business owners are treated fairly,” he said. “I really look forward to working with members of the Chaldean American community, who are making so many important contributions to the qual-ity of life in Wayne County.”

crowded houseMany vie for Wayne County Executive

BY KEN MARTEN

Bill Wild Robert FicanoPhil Cavanagh Kevin McNamara Warren Evans


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It is the most researched artifact in human histo-ry and it has mystified the world for hundreds of years. The Shroud of Turin is believed by many

to be the cloth that covered Jesus’ body while He was in the tomb.

The history of the shroud can now be observed at a special exhibition at the former St. John Unit-ed Methodist Church in Royal Oak until August 17. The entire church has been transformed into a 6,000-square-foot gallery.

The exhibit is guided by an audio tour that is one hour long in English, and 1 hour and 25 min-utes long in Arabic. It is also available in Russian and Spanish.

“With a headset, it is just you in there,” said Jose Juan Garrigó, CEO of Immersive Planet, Inc., the company that designed the exhibition. “We are currently working on Polish and French Canadian, and are interested in making an audio recording in Aramaic.”

The entire script has already been translated into Aramaic, but the voice for it has not been found. A male Chaldean who can read Aramaic with a pow-erful, theatrical voice is being sought to fill the role.

“I hope our people come to see it,” said Razik Tomino, a photographer who works in customer service at the exhibit. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’m from the culture of fine art, and I really appreciate what they did. This mixing of science and art is amazing. It is difficult to mix both, but they did it successfully.”

The exhibit is divided into 12 chambers, each highlighting an important discovery about the shroud. One chamber explains how the imprint of the body on the shroud was discovered to be more anatomically correct than any painting ever paint-

ed of crucified Jesus. One of the most astounding discoveries about

the shroud happened when the first photograph was taken of it. The results of the photo revealed that the imprint was a negative. The finding was so unexplainable in that time that people believed the photographer forged the images, until profes-sional photographers took photos themselves and confirmed the discovery.

What this meant was that the shroud itself is a negative. In 2011, the most recent studies re-garding this phenomenon stated that the only way the image could have been cast on the shroud is through some flash of ultraviolet radiation, which was impossible to create using technology in the time period the cloth is believed to be from.

Many believe the energy force of Jesus’ resur-rection was the only thing that could have possibly had such power to cause the image to be imprinted on the cloth as a negative.

With the invention of X-rays and, later, the VP-8 Image Analyzer used by NASA — which determines the three-dimensional qualities of flat objects from outer space — more discoveries were made.

The details are explained at the exhibit using art, technology and other sizable displays, includ-ing a life-sized tomb like the one Jesus may have been buried in.

Not everyone believes the shroud is in fact au-thentic. Some skeptics say it is an artifact created by an artist in the 14th century.

The Catholic Church takes no position on the discoveries of the shroud due to the attitude that miracles are all around us and distinctive oc-currences are not necessary to confirm one’s faith. Nonetheless, the shroud is given reverence in the Catholic Church.

Sr. Maria Pierina cast the face of Jesus from the shroud onto a medal, and Pope Pius XII approved the devotion to the “Holy Face of Jesus,” as it was called.

Pope Francis has recently expressed interest in seeing the actual shroud when it goes on display next spring in Turin, Italy. The shroud has not left Turin since 1578 and is not exposed to the public very often.

It has been approved for display in 2015 dur-ing the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. John Bosco, who had contributed greatly to the city of Turin and will be celebrated with a great jubilee around the same time of the shroud exposure.

The Cardinal of Turin is the Keeper of the Shroud and needs a special blessing to put it on display. It was exposed in 1898, 1979, 1998 and 2000. After 2000, it was not going to be shown for 25 years, but Pope Benedict XVI agreed that the date could be moved up to 2010 for the fifth display in 100 years.

The exhibit in Royal Oak, which explains the mystery behind the shroud, began in Spain in 2011 at the Cathedral of Malago. It opened in Royal Oak in April.

“We had unique permission from the Catholic Church in Spain for this exhibit,” said Garrigó. “[The exhibit] takes seven weeks to set up and two weeks to take down.”

It was difficult to get the same provisions in Michigan as those that were provided in Spain. Perhaps due to the time, space and sensitivity of the pieces, the Catholic archdiocese in Michigan did not have the facilities to host the exhibit. For-tunately, a church was found for sale that could be rented for one year.

One thing Garrigó found interesting was when people in Spain reached the relic in the exhibit, they would drop to their knees in prayer and need to be removed to make room for others. In Amer-ica thus far, the relic has been approached more carefully and with speculation.

“What I like about the tour is that it gives you information for you to form your own opinion,” said Garrigó. “Everyone comes out with a new per-spective from what they have learned.”

The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 10a.m.-9 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $14-$18. Visit ShroudExpo.com.

a fascinating mysteryExhibit explores the Shroud of TurinBY RANNA ABRO

A former church in Royal Oak has been transformed into a 6,000-square-foot gallery.

The exhibit meticulously details the ancient shroud.


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What would you like from our new Bishop Francis?BY ANTHONY SAMONA

The Chaldean community is celebrating Fr. Frank Kalabat’s elevation to Bishop Francis. Here’s some (unsolicited) advice for our new leader.

God bless Bishop Francis as he leads our church and community into the next chapter. I hope to see him carry on what Bishop Ibrahim and others started years ago as well as connect with the youth to preserve our unique culture and its traditions.

– Morin Yousif, 27Troy

A great idea would be to reach out more to the young adults. Get more people to come to church and grow stronger in their faith. Adding new classes and ac-tivities with the youth, marriage classes, counseling, one-on-one meetings with our community members in a time of need, and much more.

– Farrah Arafat, 24 West Bloomfield

I feel like the activities and Bible classes could possibly grow with our new young bishop. Our community is growing and growing with more people coming into the Metro Detroit area, and with him as our new bishop, he could do so much more, exciting activities for our community.

– Marcella Hemana, 25Shelby Township

I would like to see from Bishop Francis a lot of involvement with the community. It would be great to see him stay as connected as he was before he became bishop. I’d also like if he did mass at all the churches every once in a while.

– Michelle Bakkal, 24West Bloomfield

Bishop Francis is such a wonderful priest and speaker. It would be so great for him to celebrate mass at all of our churches. My family and I attend Mother of God, and I’m sure that along with many families that attend other churches, we have only occasion-ally celebrated mass with Fr. Frank. Although he is probably planning on do-ing this as bishop anyway, I’m excited to hear him at mass and give members of other churches the opportunity to celebrate mass with him too.

– Jessica Yaldo, 27West Bloomfield

May God bless Bishop Francis on his new role within our church. May he continue to strengthen what Mar Ibra-him has built and encourage the youth in our community to become more involved in keeping our culture and tra-ditions alive. Oh, and if he could have Father Pierre visit us at St. George more often, that would be awesome.

– Sahar Mekhael, 26Sterling Heights

I feel like Bishop Francis is the bishop of our Chaldean youth. I’d like to see him grow up with us youth and see him bring more youth back to our church. The youth is the future of our community and culture and I’d like to see Bishop Francis lead us and guide us to make the church as strong as our elders have made it all these years.

– Amanda Hannawa, 24Bloomfield Hills

A nice idea would be to have our new bishop reach out to the youth by pos-sibly posting daily prayers, intentions, thoughts and meditation topics through social media. Many of our youth and young adults are on social media see-ing what’s taking place in our com-munity with our churches. Especially with many of our priests having social networks, it would be a great idea to get more people to follow what the bishop wants of us as a community.

– Kristine Toma, 31Shelby Township


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There’s no typical day for Mark Sarafa, owner of the hot new popcorn brand Pop Daddy.

“In the morning I make deliver-ies, then come back and pop some corn, then maybe take my daughter to soccer practice in the afternoon, and then come back at night and pop some more,” said Sarafa, whose new popcorn is so popular that it’s hard to believe he’ll be personally doing the popping for much longer.

After two years of gifting his tasty popcorn to family and friends, Sarafa’s wife Erin en-couraged him to make a busi-ness of it. He started Pop Daddy under the Michigan Cottage Food Law, which allows home kitchens to sell directly to con-sumers at festivals, farm markets and the like.

“It was a good way to start, and I don’t know if I’d be here without it,” said Sarafa. “I don’t know if I would have risked it.”

Dipping his toe in proved so successful that Sarara decided to plunge into popcorn full-time last November.

“My wife said, ‘you built everyone else’s business up, try it on your own for a while,’” said the former salesman for Coke, Frito-Lay, and Absopure Water, who sits on the board of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. “I always wanted to but I never thought it could work out, and I liked that paycheck every two weeks.”

Sarafa established a licensed commercial kitchen in Highland, a requirement of the Michigan De-partment of Agriculture in order to sell to retailers. Last July the first bag hit the stores and today Pop Daddy is in nearly 40 locations, including all Hiller’s and Papa Joe’s as well as several Whole Foods, Hollywood Markets and a host of independent retailers. It’s currently being tested in three Busch’s and has just been ap-proved for five Kroger locations. You can also expect to see Pop Daddy at a lot of special events this summer like the Howell Balloon Fest and North-ville’s Buy Michigan Now.

People can also purchase the product via the company website, PopDaddyPopcorn.com, where it

sells for $5 per bag. (In stores it sells for about $3.99, but Sarafa has vowed to never undercut his retailers.)

Pop Daddy is on target in its three-year plan and now the goal is to make the production process more automated. For now, it’s a very hands-on business. Sarafa picks up the red corn kernels in 25-pound bags from Bur Oaks, a family farm in Ann Arbor. He goes through about

25 bags per week, not counting the 50-pound yellow corn he buys from a supplier that’s used to make the sweet kettle corn.

The corn is popped and pack-aged at a storefront in rural Highland that’s so unassuming it doesn’t even have a sign. To keep costs down, Sarafa sublets the 1,200-square-foot kitchen to three other “Made in Michigan” firms – Little Diablo Salsa (which, like Pop Daddy is kosher-certified), Jen’s Ugly Pies and Miller Pines and Savories.

“It sometimes gets a little crowd-ed,” Sarafa conceded.

The corn is popped in a new machine that handles 10 gallons in three minutes. Unpopped kernels — known as “old maids” — fall through holes in the bottom and are ultimate-ly discarded. The fluffy popcorn is seasoned, scooped into buckets, sent into a hopper, packaged in six-ounce bags that feature the Pure Michigan logo, hand-sealed and packed 12 to a carton.

Sarafa is looking forward to in-stalling new packaging equipment

that can process 10 bags per minute. For now, it’s “fill-seal, fill seal,” he said. “I have a rhythm down.”

Erin and the couple’s children, JT, 14, and Grace, 11, help run the bagger and sealer too.

The red popcorn pops bright white and has little of the annoy-ing hull, that part that gets stuck between teeth. Pop Daddy’s pure in-gredients are all natural, non-GMO and gluten free and include olive oil, sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, black Malabar pepper from India and hot sauce. The original (“Daddy-O”) is the top seller in stores while kettle corn (“Sugar Daddy”) moves best at festivals. The company also offers pepper and hot flavors.

“Everyone is asking me for white cheddar, and I’d also like to do dill and natural butter,” Sarafa said.

At age 46, Sarafa is embracing his new career. “I was just telling my wife that it would be very hard to go back to working for someone,” he said. “I’m working a ton of hours, more than I ever have in my life, but I’m enjoying it.”

ECONOMICS & enterprise

Pop Daddy: Bursting out all over

BY JOYCE WISWELL

Mark Sarafa shows off his finished product, which begins life at a farm in Ann Arbor.


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Ronnie Babbie wants to be the largest retailer of fireworks in Michigan. Until then, he’ll

have to be content with the explo-sive growth his company, Fireworks Factory, has experienced since 2012. In just three summers, his mini ex-plosives empire has expanded from one location to seven — comprised of two brick and mortar stores and five tent locations.

Babbie of West Bloomfield be-came interested in fireworks as a young child when his neighbors and relatives would smuggle illegal fire-works from neighboring states that had looser restrictions.

“Growing up, I was amazed by the beautiful products my cousins would bring from Indiana and Ohio,” said Babbie. “Which Chaldean kid did not like things that went boom grow-ing up?”

Babbie always wanted to get into the business but did not want to sell the boring sparklers, cones and bang snaps that were among the few legal fireworks allowed in Michigan. He acted quickly and dove into the in-dustry the year when Michigan lifted the ban on Class C fireworks, which are those that fly and/or explode.

Now, he can sell some of his tra-ditional favorites such as Roman candles, jumping jacks, bottle rock-ets, tanks and cherry bombs.

His first store was in Macomb Township. He was successful at that site, selling his entire inventory by 3 p.m. on the 4th of July. He decided to

shutter that location after one summer. “Fireworks are not a year-round

product and it wasn’t feasible to pay rent or hire a staff for the entire year when the business is so cyclical,” he said.

His second location was in Roch-ester Hills in 2013, which Babbie calls the most challenging endeavor he’s ever tackled.

“Opening a brick-and-mortar firework location is much tougher than opening a tent just because of public safety,” Babbie said. “A lot of

these cities do not have a full under-stating of ordinances and the law. I had a four-month battle with the city of Rochester Hills and had to spend an additional $15,000 getting the lo-cation up to code.”

He had to sue to occupy the build-ing and was only able to be open for three weeks. That location has since been turned into a tent.

“Cities don’t hassle you as much when you have a tent location,” he said.

Babbie isn’t done crossing swords

with cities over occupying retail sites. He’s currently batting with the city of Royal Oak over his location that is in the heart of a neighborhood.

“The point of contention is usual-ly safety, which is something my en-tire staff takes seriously,” Babbie said. “When making a sale, my staff trains people on how to use the fireworks, where to detonate them, having safe-ty items such as bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and even what to wear when lighting them.”

Babbie said many cities are trying to repeal the legalization of Class C fireworks but thinks they’d change their stance if they knew the positive economic impact generated by the sale of fireworks.

“There is additional 6 percent state Fire Marshall Tax, which is used to fund firefighter training. In just two years, the tax raised more than $8 million, all of which went directly to training,” he said.

“My company alone employs 50 people,” he said.

Babbie didn’t grow Fireworks Factory himself; Firas Shayota and Nicholas Hermiz are his partners. Babbie is also a partner and director of marketing at SolutionsPal, a mar-keting agency that specializes in on-line/interactive marketing, graphic design and social media.

Even if Babbie achieves his goal of being the biggest fireworks retailer in Michigan, he has no plans to leave SolutionsPal.

“I can juggle both,” he said.

ECONOMICS & enterprise

Explosive Growth: The Fireworks Factory is soaring

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events

A sea of bishops and priests proceeded down the aisle at Mother of God Cathedral at 11 a.m. on June 14 for the Ordination of

Bishop Francis Kalabat (formerly Fr. Frank); hours earlier community members began to line up out-side of the church to get a seat at the long-antici-pated event.

“For many people, this will be the only chance in a lifetime they will be able to witness a bishop’s ordination,” said Fr. Matthew Zetouna, parochial vicar at Holy Martyrs, broadcasting for Ave Maria Catholic Radio with Chaldean News Co-Publisher and Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha Garmo.

With hundreds seated inside the church, thou-sands more watched via live stream inside a tent in the parking lot, and in the church hall and at sev-eral Chaldean churches throughout Metro Detroit. They were not the only ones watching. Thousands more tuned in via satellite stations in the Middle East and other parts of the country including Nour-sat, which airs Mar Toma Chaldean Productions programs and EWTN, thanks to video director Fadi Attisha.

The nearly three-hour service in Arabic, So-ureth and English started with choir members from each Chaldean Church in Michigan performing various religious hymns and melodies. Bishops from various countries were present including reli-gious leaders from other Christian denominations.

Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako along with Bishop Ibrahim N. Ibrahim and Archbishop Allen Vigneron presided over the ordination, pray-ing over Bishop Francis.

A testament to his humility and holiness, Bish-op Francis held a wooden staff that resembled a tree branch from any given backyard in one hand and a cross that he always carries during his homi-lies in the other hand. True to his spirit filled with the Holy Spirit, Bishop Francis explained to the community the true essence of his ordination.

“We gather here together not for me. This is not about me. This is not about the dignity giv-en to me. It is first and foremost to remember our Lord Jesus Christ and how He continues to shine through all us and make His presence known with us, always remembering and wanting to emulate our dear mother when she proclaims, ‘my soul pro-claims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savoir and looks upon me with favor, a lowly servant.’ This is what we gather here for – for our souls to give praise to God.”

The entire ordination can be viewed at StThomascc.org.

a community in unity: the ordination of bishop francisPHOTOS BY RAMIZ ROMAYA

meanwhile, around town …PHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA

Community members filled churches to watch the ordination via closed-circuit TV.

At St. Thomas in West Bloomfield

At St. Joseph in Troy

At Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Warren


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1. With Charlize and Miranda Shaba.

2. A selfie with Sam Namy, Jason Alkamano, Adnan Yono and Fadi Bidawid.

3. With Jadyn, Gianna and Dominic Samona.

4. With Audrey Elizabeth Ayar, daughter of Arvin and Kristen Ayar.

caught on film!We all know our new Bishop is notoriously camera shy, but couldn’t resist running some

pictures from readers from his “Fr. Frank” days.

events

1 2 3

4


Iraqi Consulate GatheringPHOTOS BY RAZIK TOMINA

1. Consul General Al Manhal al Safi and Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim 2. Attendees gather together3. Mar Louis Sako 4. Iman Hassan Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America

1 2

3 4

event

The Iraqi Consulate Gen-eral in Detroit hosted a reception on June 15 at

the Regency Manor attended by Chaldean, Kurdish and Muslim community leaders. In his remarks, Patriarch Louis Sako stressed that Iraq is one nation and that Chris-tians and Muslims are all Iraqis who want to live peacefully.

Attendee Klint Kassab, state representative of the 39th District, said the message resonated. “If they can show a solid camaraderie be-tween everyone,” he said, “we need to find a way here in the United States to help and foster that.”

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Chaldean News July 2014

Documents

Transcript of Chaldean News July 2014