Our History

In 1997, the Diocese of Our Lady of Deliverance in America

organized a diocesan conference attended by Bishop Joseph Younan and all the priests of the diocese in San Diego. All the clergy who were present at that conference decided unanimously to open a Syriac Catholic Mission in Phoenix, Arizona and to celebrate four Masses a year there.

The first Mass was celebrated in Arizona in 1999 by Monsignor Thoma Azizo at Mar Abraham Chaldeans Church. Monsignor Azizo continued to celebrate Mass there until 2006.

In 2000, Bishop Joseph Younan visited the mission for the first time and celebrated Mass in the Mar Abraham Chaldean Church. After the Bishop's Divine liturgy the mission was officially named in honor of St. Behnam and Sara.

In 2010, Monsignor Yousif Habash took over celebrating the Mass in the Syriac Mission once a month in addition to his position as pastor of Jesus Sacred Heart- Los Angeles, California.

Father Anwar Zomaya, who had been sent to the United States to study for a Master's degree in Moral Theology in California, voluntarily celebrated Mass for the Syriac Community during the major holidays and summer vacations (between June to August) which continued from 2011 to 2012.

In 2012, Monsignor Maroun Hissa was appointed to serve the Syriac Catholic Mission, but his-ministry only lasted ten mouths.

Late In 2012 Bishop Yousif Habash assigned Fr. Andraws Habash to serve the Syriac Community for six months. In addition to his position as administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Los Angles, Fr. Habash celebrated Mass for the Syriac community twice a month.

In April 2014, Fr. Anwar Zomaya was appointed by Bisoph Yousif Habash to serve St. Behnam and Sara Syriac Catholic Mission in Arizona Fr. Anwar's ministry continued until August 15, 2021, when the Diocese of Phoenix brought him to serve according to the Roman Rite. Fr. Anwar Zomaya's ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas parish lasted from 2014 to August 15. 2021.

The References

1. Monsieur Thoma Azizo, A retired priest in the Syriac Church, The conversation was conducted by Father Anwar Zomaya at House of prayer November, 2014.

2. Salwan Afas, a parishioner of St. Behnam and Sara Syriac Catholic Mission in Arizona since it's founding in 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona

3. Fr. Anwar Zomaya, Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, Pastor of Sts. Behnam and Sarah Syriac catholic Mission.