My name is Fr. John Jwad, and I am the pastor of St. John Chaldean Catholic Church in Calgary, Alberta.
This past June, we joyfully celebrated the first anniversary of our parish, and we remain deeply grateful to God and to all the generous individuals who made the purchase of our church possible.
Unfortunately, we have recently received the concerning news that our church roof may not withstand the coming winter. Throughout the summer, we experienced multiple leaks and other issues, and despite our best efforts to patch the roof and address the problems, the situation has continued to deteriorate. After numerous consultations, we have come to the difficult conclusion that replacing the roof can no longer be postponed.
Our parish serves approximately 300 Chaldean Catholic families, many of whom are newcomers to Canada. The majority of these families were forced to flee their homes in Iraq after being driven out by ISIS. As they rebuild their lives in Canada, our church is not just a place of worship, but rather a spiritual home and a place of gathering, support, and community for families who have endured tremendous hardship.
We are reaching out in the hope of receiving your prayers, support, and generosity as we face this urgent and necessary expense. We have attached the quotations provided by the contractors for your review.
On behalf of our parish community, I sincerely thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support. May God reward you abundantly for your goodness and bless you and your families.
Rev. Fr. John Jwad
