Magazine design · St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha, Spring 2026: United in Prayer
Kepha's spring issue carries the pastoral notice of the apostolic administrator, explains how the eparchy is governed while the see is vacant, and celebrates the season of the Resurrection.
St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese
Kepha
Our eparchy
United
in Prayer
A message from the apostolic administrator, and a season of Easter joy.
ExclusiveThe pastoral notice of Mar Saad Sirop Hanna
PlusVacation Bible School registration is open
Contents
Spring 2026
Features
- 4
United in Prayer
How the eparchy is governed while the see is vacant, and what continues as before.
- 6
Christ Is Risen
Fifty days of Easter, from the empty tomb to Pentecost.
- 8
The Great Journey
Vacation Bible School comes to the cathedral this summer. Registration is open.
In every issue
- A Message to the Faithful3
- Parish Spotlight: St. John10
- Parish Spotlight: St. Matthew11
- Stewardship and Transparency12
- Mass Times in Arizona and Nevada13
- Around the Eparchy14
- Mark Your Calendar15
- Vacation Bible School16
June 29
VBS begins
The Great Journey with Jesus, for children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Kepha is published quarterly for St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese, the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle. Spring 2026 edition.
Eparchy Office 1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019. 619-579-7997. office@stpeterdiocese.org
Cathedral Office 619-579-7913
Design and production HQT
Photographs Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle
Mass times and event details were current at press time. Please confirm with your parish office.
Pastoral notice
Pastoral Notice to the Faithful
Regarding the governance of the eparchy during the vacant see
During this time of vacancy of the Eparchial See, the Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the Chaldeans wishes to share an important official communication regarding the governance of the Eparchy.
In accordance with the law of the Church and the instructions received from the Holy See, certain offices and councils cease during the vacant see, while the life and mission of the Eparchy continue in an orderly way under the care of the Apostolic Administrator.
For the sake of clarity and transparency, the relevant Decree is being made available through the Eparchy's official channels.
All the faithful are asked to remain united in prayer, charity, and ecclesial communion. Let us avoid division, harmful speculation, and polemical discussion. Let us instead seek reconciliation, trust in the Lord, and support one another with patience and faith.
Please continue to pray for our Eparchy, for all our clergy and faithful, and for those entrusted with responsibility during this period. May the Holy Spirit guide us in peace and preserve us in unity.
+ Mar Saad Sirop HannaApostolic Administrator sede vacante
Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the Chaldeans
United in Prayer
Since March 10 the eparchy has been in a time the Church calls sede vacante. Here is what that means for parishes and families.
Since March 10, 2026, the Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle has been sede vacante: the see is vacant, and the eparchy has no eparchial bishop. In such a time the Holy See entrusts the care of a diocese to an administrator, and for our eparchy that is Mar Saad Sirop Hanna, apostolic administrator sede vacante.
What changes
As the administrator's notice on page 3 explains, certain offices and councils cease during a vacant see, in accordance with the law of the Church and the instructions of the Holy See. The relevant decree has been made available through the eparchy's official channels.
What continues
The life and mission of the eparchy continue in an orderly way. Parishes celebrate the sacraments, Mass times stay the same, and programs from catechism to Vacation Bible School go on as planned.
May the Holy Spirit guide us in peace and preserve us in unity.Mar Saad Sirop Hanna
A call to unity
The administrator's message asks the faithful to remain united in prayer, charity, and ecclesial communion; to avoid division, harmful speculation, and polemical discussion; and instead to seek reconciliation, trust in the Lord, and support one another with patience and faith.
Praying for the eparchy
The notice closes with a request every parish can answer: to pray for the eparchy, for all its clergy and faithful, and for those entrusted with responsibility during this period. Many families have added that intention to their prayers at home and at Mass.
Staying informed
Official communications from the eparchy are posted on its website, stpeterdiocese.org, and shared through parish offices and bulletins. The administrator's notice appears on the home page.
Stewardship
In April the diocese also announced independent reviews of its financial processes. That letter is reported on page 12.
Christ Is Risen
Easter fell on April 5 this year. For fifty days, the season of Qyamta keeps the feast.
The Church does not celebrate Easter for a day. It celebrates for fifty days, from the empty tomb to the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In the East Syriac calendar these weeks are the season of Qyamta, the Resurrection.
The feast of feasts
Holy Week began on Palm Sunday, March 29, and led through Good Friday on April 3 to Easter Sunday on April 5. The weeks that follow are the most joyful of the year: the readings tell of the risen Lord appearing to Mary Magdalene, to the apostles behind locked doors, and to Thomas, who touched his wounds and believed.
Forty days and fifty
On Thursday, May 14, forty days after Easter, the Church celebrates the Ascension. Ten days later, on May 24, Pentecost brings the season to its close and opens the season of Shlihe, the Apostles.
Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.Luke 24:5-6
First communion season
Spring is also the season of first communions. At St. Peter Cathedral this year's class receives the Eucharist in two Masses, for Group A and Group B, and photographs of both will be posted on the diocese website.
Families preparing for next year will find registration for the 2026-27 program on the First Communion page at stpeterdiocese.org.
The season of the Apostles
After Pentecost the readings follow the apostles as they carry the Gospel out from Jerusalem. On June 29 the Roman calendar keeps the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, a day to pray for the eparchy that bears Peter's name.
Living the season
Easter is a good time to return to the sacraments: confession is heard at every daily and weekend Mass at the cathedral, and at St. Michael, St. John, and St. Joseph during the Sunday Masses.
Youth and Family
The Great Journey
Vacation Bible School at St. Peter Cathedral. Registration is open now, and space is limited.
Registration for Vacation Bible School opened on March 23, and families who have not yet signed up should do so soon: space is limited, and each week fills on its own.
This year's theme is The Great Journey with Jesus Through the Church Year. Over five days, children walk with Jesus through Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter, learning how the seasons of the Church tell the story of his life.
Volunteers make VBS possible. Teens and adults who can give a week to help with crafts, games, music, and small groups can register as volunteers at the same address.
Registering
- Register online at stpeterdiocese.org/vbs.
- Choose week 1 or week 2.
- Open to children in kindergarten through 5th grade.
- Volunteers sign up on the same page.
The Eparchy, 2002 to Today
Milestones in the life of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, from the eparchy's own records.
2002
A new eparchy
On May 21, Pope John Paul II names Fr. Sarhad Jammo the first bishop of the new Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle.
2002
Consecration and installation
Mar Sarhad is consecrated on July 18, the eve of the feast of Mar Mari, and installed at St. Peter Cathedral in El Cajon on July 25.
2015
Two ordinations
On April 10, Fr. Simon Esshaki, now pastor of St. Michael, and Abbot Ankido Sipo, now pastor of St. John, are ordained.
2017
A second bishop
Following the retirement of Bishop Sarhad, Bishop Emanuel Shaleta is installed on August 29.
2022
New priests
Fr. Tristan Farida and Fr. Raymond Sliva are ordained, followed by Fr. Christopher Somo in May 2023.
2026
A vacant see
From March 10 the eparchy is cared for by Mar Saad Sirop Hanna as apostolic administrator sede vacante.
El Cajon, California
St. John Chaldean Catholic Church
St. John on North 1st Street in El Cajon is the parish run by the Chaldean monks of the Sons of the Covenant Monastery, and its pastor is the monastery's abbot.
Mass is celebrated every weekday at 10am in Chaldean and 6pm in English, on Saturday at 5pm in English, and four times on Sunday: 8am in Arabic, 10am in Chaldean, and 12pm and 7pm in English.
The monastic rhythm shows in its prayer: eucharistic adoration every weekday at 8:30am and 5pm, and confession during all Sunday Masses.
Mass times
- Mon to Fri
- 10am Chaldean, 6pm English
- Saturday
- 5pm English
- Sunday
- 8am Arabic, 10am Chaldean, 12pm and 7pm English
Clergy
Visit
Address
1763 North 1st St, El Cajon, CA 92021
Phone
619-558-5588
Adoration
Mon to Fri, 8:30am and 5pm
Ceres, California
St. Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church
In Ceres, a few miles south of Modesto, St. Matthew serves the Assyrian and Chaldean Catholic community of the Central Valley from its church on 6th Street.
The parish celebrates Sunday Mass at 9:30am in Chaldean and Assyrian, and confession is available before or after Mass.
Its church, with a square white tower and two wooden doors beneath a gabled porch, is one of the most recognizable in the Northern Vicariate, which also includes St. Thomas in nearby Turlock.
St. Matthew takes its name from the apostle and evangelist, the tax collector who left everything to follow Jesus.
Mass times
- Sunday
- 9:30am Chaldean and Assyrian
Clergy
Visit
Address
3005 6th St, Ceres, CA 95307
Phone
209-541-1660
Confession
Before or after Mass
These resources are entrusted to us for the mission of Christ and the good of His people.Letter to the Faithful, April 6, 2026
Stewardship and Transparency
In a letter to the faithful dated April 6, 2026, the diocese announced that it has engaged WRR Advisory LLC, an independent consulting firm led by certified public accountants, to conduct financial process reviews of diocesan parishes and entities.
St. Peter Chaldean Diocese and Cathedral will be the first institutions reviewed.
The purpose
The reviews will examine selected financial and administrative processes and provide recommendations that strengthen oversight and accountability. The letter describes the step as part of the diocese's commitment to the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to the community.
In the letter's words
The effort, it says, is part of an ongoing desire to serve the faithful with integrity, prudence, and transparency, undertaken in a spirit of responsibility and care for the temporal goods of the Church.
The full letter is posted on the home page of stpeterdiocese.org.
Mass Times in Arizona and Nevada
Weekend and monthly Masses at the parishes and mission of the eparchy's East Vicariate.
| Sunday | 10am English, 11:30am Chaldean |
|---|---|
| 1st Friday | 6pm |
| 3rd Wed. | 6pm |
| Saturday | 5pm English |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 10am Arabic, 11:30am Chaldean |
| Sunday | 6pm Chaldean |
|---|
| 1st Friday | 11am |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 11am and 6pm Chaldean |
| Sunday | 11am Chaldean and Arabic |
Confession
At Mar Abraham, confession is heard at 5pm before the first Friday and third Wednesday Masses. At Holy Family and St. Barbara it is available before or after Mass.
Around the Eparchy
Golf Tournament Day
The third St. Peter Cathedral Golf Tournament tees off on Saturday, April 25, at Steele Canyon Golf Course in Jamul, with check-in at 7:30am and a shotgun start at 9am.
The tournament supports the cathedral's youth program. Late registrations can be made at stpeterdiocese.org/events/golf while places remain.
Sacraments Registration Online
Registration for baptism, first communion, and marriage is available through the Sacraments page at stpeterdiocese.org.
The cathedral's 2026-27 first communion program will open its registration later this year.
Easter to Summer
The feasts of the Easter season and the events of early summer.
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord. The season of Qyamta begins.
Golf Tournament
Steele Canyon Golf Course, Jamul. Check-in 7:30am, shotgun 9am.
Ascension
Forty days after Easter, the Lord ascends to the Father.
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, opening the season of Shlihe.
Sts. Peter and Paul
The apostles' feast in the Roman calendar.
VBS, Week 1
June 29 to July 3 at St. Peter Cathedral.
VBS, Week 2
July 6 to 10 at St. Peter Cathedral.
Special Needs Mass
Every first Sunday at 2:30pm in English, St. Peter Cathedral.
Vacation Bible School, June 29 to July 10
The Great Journey with Jesus
For children from kindergarten through fifth grade at St. Peter Cathedral. $85 per child, and space is limited.
stpeterdiocese.org/vbsSt. Peter's Chaldean Catholic DioceseChaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle
1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, CA 92019
Eparchy Office 619-579-7997 · stpeterdiocese.org
Kepha · Spring 2026Delivered to the homes of parishioners across the eparchy. To update your address, contact your parish office.
About this issue
The spring issue opens with the pastoral notice that Mar Saad Sirop Hanna, apostolic administrator sede vacante, addressed to the faithful, printed in full. The cover story explains what a vacant see means for the eparchy, what changes, and what continues as before, and a later page reports the diocese's April letter on independent financial process reviews.
The rest of the issue belongs to Easter: a feature on the season of the Resurrection, a timeline of the eparchy from 2002 to today, Vacation Bible School registration, and parish profiles of St. John in El Cajon and St. Matthew in Ceres, with Mass times for Arizona and Nevada and the spring calendar.
Inside this issue
- p. 3A Message to the Faithful
- p. 4United in PrayerHow the eparchy is governed while the see is vacant, and what continues as before.
- p. 6Christ Is RisenFifty days of Easter, from the empty tomb to Pentecost.
- p. 8The Great JourneyVacation Bible School comes to the cathedral this summer. Registration is open.
- p. 10Parish Spotlight: St. John
- p. 11Parish Spotlight: St. Matthew
- p. 12Stewardship and Transparency
- p. 13Mass Times in Arizona and Nevada
- p. 14Around the Eparchy
- p. 15Mark Your Calendar
- p. 16Vacation Bible School
Stories, schedules, and photographs in this issue come from the diocese's website, stpeterdiocese.org. Mass times and event details were current when the issue was prepared; readers should confirm them with their parish office.
