3rd Annual Assyrian Chaldean Food Festival

Once again our congregation and community were blessed with a joyful and successful Assyrian Chaldean Food Festival of Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church that took place on September 25 and 26, of 2010. Father Michael Barota, the Parish Pastor, recited an opening prayer and delivered a welcome message in the name of our Diocesan Bishop Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, and greetings from Bishop Mar Bawai Soro. He then extended his special thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, musicians, and guests at the festival for their participation and support. Following Fr. Michael’s speech, another welcome speech was given by Basil Aboona, the Chairman of the Festival.
Two famous musicians, Harout Eskenian and Fayez Merza, along with the famous singer Edward Esha, provided beautiful music and songs. We also enjoyed an energetic performance by Enwiya Youkhana, a young singer who touched the hearts of those attending the festival with his beautiful voice. 11 of our parish youth members along with 3 youth members of St. Thomas Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church (Turlock-CA) performed delightful Assyrian Chaldean folkloric dances, twice each day.
On both days, Hundreds of guests including non-Assyrians Chaldeans enjoyed a verity of our ethnic food and pastries as the aroma filled the air, our beautiful Assyrian Chaldean folkloric music and dances, and our loving and warm hospitality. Many guests also visited the booths of 11 different vendors participating in this festival. Other festival activities included Backgammon Tournament, raffle prizes drawn on Sunday, and games for the kids.


On Sunday September 26th, Fr. Barota celebrated the Holy Mass in the morning and following that, the festival activities resumed for the second day. We were very pleased to receive Fr. Anderaws Gorgis Toma, the new pastor of St. Mary Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church in Campbell. He joined us on Sunday and gave an encouraging greeting and offered blessings to our congregation and those attending the festival. We look forward to seeing Fr. Toma again at St. Matthew’s Parish and wish him and his congregation prosperity in their service to the Lord and one another.



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Special thanks and gratitude are due, but not limited, to the following participants:

•Members of St. Thomas Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church in Turlock and St. Mary Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church in Campbell for their participation and support

•Members of St. Mary Ancient Church of the East in Hughson and their pastor, Father Edward Bakus, for their participation and support

•Father Jose Pepes of St. Jude Catholic Church in Ceres for his participation and support

•Guests, volunteers, sponsors, and musicians

•The Parish members for donating several items for the festival and all their hard work

•The youth for their participation and hard work to make their performance one of the best

•Mr. Mikhaeil Moshi, known as (Meekho), and his team for their service by barbecuing Beef and Chicken Kabob for two days

•The festival committee members for their hard work to make this event a successful one

•Various Media volunteers

•St. Peter’s Diocese Media Center for publishing our Parish Food Festival activity and others

•Last but never the least, Fr. Michael Barota for all his prayers, support, hard work, and loving and encouraging words


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GOD BLESS EVERYONE


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