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He is risen. Christ is truly risen!

5/1/2023

12 Comments

 
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Invited by Bishop McGrattan, I am taking this opportunity to write about my fellow pastor, Rev. Ephrem Kardouh, BSO. He belongs to the Basilian Salvatorian religious order in Lebanon and I believe many of you had been blessed by his fruitful ministry and presence in Calgary before his current pastoral assignment.  Currently, Father Ephrem works along with me in the Melkite parish of Lincoln, Rhode Island, USA.

The life of a priest is filled with unpredictability and unique tasks each day, from baptisms to anointings of the sick. A priest is called to be all things to all people, following St. Paul's teaching, "To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22b). With a deep commitment to serve and glorify God, a priest works tirelessly to fulfill the spiritual needs of the people.

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Fr. Ephrem was ordained in 2013 by Eparchial Bishop of Newton for Melkites in the United States, Bishop Nicholas Samra. He was sent to Calgary at the time when the Canadian government announced it would open its door to 25,000 Syrian refugees. Fr. Ephrem played a crucial role in creating a welcoming home for Syrian refugees in Canada, working alongside the Calgary Catholic Immigration Services. In 2015, he started the community of St. Basil's Melkite Catholic Church in Calgary, while also serving as a healthcare minister for the Diocese of Calgary, providing pastoral ministry and sacraments to those in need in Calgary hospitals. Fr. Ephrem has fond memories of the kindness, generosity, faith, and love he experienced while serving in Calgary. In 2019, he accepted a pastoral move to St. Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lincoln, Rhode Island, to assist his predecessor, Fr. Joe, who had been ill.

Father Ephrem arrived during a difficult time, with a rocky path to pastoral life due to COVID and a pending church roof problem that had persisted for four years. Nevertheless, he accepted the challenge, organized the Finance and Parish Advisory Councils, and dove deep into the issue. Now, two and a half years later, everything is thriving. Recently, we celebrated his 50th birthday on February 18th, with hopes and prayers for an incredible year ahead. May the next 50 years be even better than the first - he is now 18,262 days old!
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To backtrack, Father Ephrem considered himself a pastor in training during his first ten months with us, which was a difficult transition from one church to another. He quickly discovered that there is so much about local church ministry that cannot be taught in the classroom, reminding us to keep it humble and have a mentor.

Despite changes being necessary in any profession, Father Ephrem approached his role with respect, competency, integrity, vision, and love for God. He followed the one-year rule, taking time to learn, listen, build relationships, and gain trust during his first year with us. After that, he took charge and continued to serve with his whole heart. 

He organized the most successful two-day festival on the church grounds in July 2021, as well as a Food Fair in October 2021 to generate more funds for the major maintenance expenditures. 

Father Ephrem has an incredible talent for capturing 100% of the parishioners with his inspiring homilies. His computer science skills are equally impressive - we are now known for having one of the best parish websites and electronic bulletins in the Eparchy. His weekly electronic bulletin, consisting of around twenty pages, is eagerly anticipated by parishioners as well as others.

One of his dreams also came true. He was able to receive an overwhelming response to begin Bible Study. These sessions are held every other Wednesday in person, and on Thursday, via zoom respectively. Total participants including many young people, as well as immigrants, number about 50. 
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Creating a meaningful space for the community is important to Father Ephrem. He enhanced the Baptism Room by combining it with St. Elias Church, which was forced to close in December 2015 due to lack of attendance and later sold. The new space, now called St. Elias Chapel, is used for Divine Liturgy, Baptisms, and other small liturgical services throughout the week. This union of the two churches has brought the congregation together as a single corporate body once again.
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We had just celebrated an incredible Holy Week in the Byzantine Melkite Church, first one after COVID intrusion, where we honoured the dramatic events of the Passion beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating in the joyous Resurrection. Palm Sunday Divine Liturgies were attended to the fullest, with grand processions featuring children carrying candles and palm branches - our symbols of victory. On Holy Wednesday evening, the Holy Oil of Penitents was blessed and used for anointment. Soon after, the Last Supper was commemorated in the Byzantine Melkite Church with the Washing of the Feet of 12 men representing the Apostles.

On Thursday, we remember the portrayal of Judas betraying our Lord, the suffering of the Lord, and His  crucifixion. It's similar to the Tenebrae service in the Latin Church, where one candle is extinguished after each of the six gospels (shortened from 12).

Friday is dedicated to commemorating the Funeral and Burial of Christ. In contrast to the Latin Church's tradition, the Byzantine Rite performs this ceremony with all the pomp and majesty due to a King. It is a magnificent liturgical service, second only to Easter Sunday. During the ceremony, 12 bearers carry the Tomb or Epitaphion, followed by 12 women carrying a shroud around the Church three times. Finally, the Epitaphion is displayed in the middle of the Church for veneration, and faithful parishioners approach to take a blessed carnation as a memory of Our Lord’s burial, giving off sweet fragrance.
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The climax of Holy Week is the Divine Liturgy of Easter Sunday in the Byzantine Melkite Church. The processional part held in the Narthex of the church, called the Hajmah, reminds us of the Triumphal Resurrection of our Lord at dawn, and the opening of the gates of heaven to the liberated souls of the Just.

While the Latin Church sings the Alleluia during the Easter season, the Eastern Churches echo with the joyful hymn, "Christ is risen from the dead, and by his death, he has trampled upon death, and has given life to those who are in the tombs."
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A priest has the sacred power to serve God's people, lead them to union with God, and teach them, shepherd them, offer pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and sanctify them through the Sacraments. There are two book ends in the life of a priest: Begin with prayer and end the day with prayer.

Father Ephrem has tirelessly and lovingly dedicated himself to the work and responsibilities of our Parish, with no days off in almost three years. Despite the immense workload, he remains committed to the needs of the people.

Since joining us, Father Ephrem has been profoundly touched by the faith, humility, love, and generosity of St. Basil's community. We pray that God will bless Father Ephrem in his ministry here for many more years to come!
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Written by Rt. Rev. Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, Pastor-Emeritus, for Faithfully. 

Father Joe celebrated his 57 years of Ordination on March 13, 2023, and is truly called in the Eparchy, the “living history of our diocese." Did you know? On February 13, 2003, Fr. Joe received a personal phone call from St. Pope John Paul II, appointing him as Eparch of the Melkite Eparchy of St. Sauveur of Montreal and all of Canada, following the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregory III and his Holy Synod.  However, due to his health condition, Father Joe respectfully declined the offer in person with His Holiness. May God bless Fr. Joe with health and happiness in his ministry. 
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​Photos courtesy of St. Basil Parish, Rhode Island, USA
12 Comments
Judy Montes
5/1/2023 08:26:45 am

I remember Fr Ephrem so well. He was in our s Peter’s parish in Calgary and also administered the sacrament of healing to my late husband! We need more priests like Fr Ephrem!
God bless him!

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Consuelo
5/3/2023 07:42:53 pm

I am so happy to hear from you Fr. Ephrem God keep blessing you always. I met you at foothills hospital brobably 5 years ago I was volunteering as spiritual religious visitor.

Dios lo bendiga

Consuelo

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Rob Henderson
5/1/2023 08:32:19 am

Exciting news and testimony

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Hon. Thomas Lazieh
5/1/2023 09:29:21 am

As the Parish Advisory Council’s Chairman we have been truly blessed to have Fr. Joe Haggar with us along with Fr. Ephrem Kardouh who is a pious and holy servant of God. AXIOS AXIOS AXIOS To Them Both!!

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Anne Wasch
5/1/2023 09:37:24 am

Thank you Fr. Ephraim, for invigorating the faith of so many Christian. Your energy and enthusiasm are inspirational. May God bless you and keep you in His special care.

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Chantelle D
5/1/2023 10:13:56 am

Thank you so much for the update on Fr. Ephrem! My family was just taking about him the other day! He administered the Anointing of the sick to me before I gave birth to my stillborn baby Charlotte. He is a very special priest, and very special to our family. Wonderful to hear he is well!

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Carlos Qafaiti
5/1/2023 12:04:55 pm

Father Ephrem service in Calgary was exceptional. He planted the seeds for a strong community that has been growing and thriving since his arrival in Calgary until now. I pray and wish the best for father Ephrem so he can continue in his mission of serving the Lord, spreading the love of Christ, and serving his community. Father Ephrem encompasses all the qualities of a great leader: loving, selfless, humble, compassionate and caring. May God bless him for many years to come to serve God and mankind.

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Lorane Hajjar
5/1/2023 03:03:56 pm

It has been my pleasure to walk with Father Ephrem throughout his journey since he humbly served at St. Basil’s Seminary in Methuen as a seminarian. At St. Basil’s he touched others with his love for God and his humble manner. My husband and I visited him in Calgary where we observed hits untiring energy serve his parishioners and all who came to him for help. The parish grew under his care. One person told us that he hadn’t gone to Church until Father Ephrem came to the parish. A non Catholic couple came to the Church to thank him for helping them get settled in Calgary.
Even though I knew he was needed and doing God’s work in Calgary, I prayed that he would get assigned to the States. I am delighted that he is here in Rhode Island. The faithful of St. Basil The Great are indeed blessed to have Father Ephrem serve them as their priest


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Theodoric link
5/1/2023 03:12:15 pm

Fr. Ephrem is an incredibly holy priest. We were blessed to have to him in our Diocese. I hope he will come back to us at some point in the future!

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Lynda Turner
5/1/2023 03:20:44 pm

Father Ephrem was so very kind and Holy and helpful to us while my husband Charles was in the Foothills Hospital for six months in 2017. I cannot express how appreciative I am to Father Ephrem for all he did. His presence made all the difference in the world!

It was so good to see this article in Faithfully. I wish Father Ephrem the very best in his Holy Priesthood and may God Bless him now and forever. Thank you, Father Ephrem, from the bottom of my heart.

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Barbara Deeb
5/2/2023 11:49:55 am

I have had the privilege and honor of working with Fr Ephrem in our Sunday School program. He has been deeply involved in every activity and has truly energized us all. We are blessed to have him with us and pray God Grants him many years at St. Basil’s.

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Joe and Yolanda Saggal
5/2/2023 05:38:16 pm

We are really blessed to have Abuna Ephrem as our priest at St. Basil The Great Church in Rhode Island. His presence inspirs many young and old alike. The children love him and you always find them gathered around him after the divine liturgy. Despite his busy schedule he always seems to find the time to accomplish and accommodate all. His humility and love for God shines right through him. I will never forget his care and compassion for my mom during her a suffering illness and at her last days. May God bless Abuna Ephrem for many more years among us to continue Fr. Joe's legacy. To both Axios Axios Axios🙏

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