On Friday, October 20, 2023, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Matthew the Hermit Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Their Eminences: Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, and Mor Augeen Al Khoury Nimat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.
During the liturgy, His Eminence thanked the Almighty Lord and welcomed Their Eminences to Michigan. He then ordained deacon Daniel Alkass as a priest for the parish.
Father Daniel gave his ordination speech, thanking God for the gift of Priesthood, and asking for the blessings from his Archbishop, his brothers the Clergy, and for their prayers for his new position so that the Lord can give him the will and guidance in his new Ministry to the Church.
Father Daniel is the first permanent and full time priest for St. Matthew the Hermit Church.
After the Holy Liturgy, a banquet dinner was prepared for the spiritual celebration.
