Thursday, March 19, 2009

Article on Christians in Turkey

Interesting article, click HERE to read.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Father Joseph Chamoun March 15

Please join us on March 15 in welcoming Father Joseph Chamoun who will be saying mass at St. Ephraims. Mass will be followed by a Lenten dessert in the church hall. All are welcome to attend and any parishioners willing to bring their favorite Lenten dessert are welcome to do so.

Sunday School

The church board is actively seeking volunteers to teach Sunday School. Volunteers will be asked to teach every Sunday, or two Sundays per month on a rotating schedule. If interested, please speak to Christine Shabo, a member of the board, or send an email to board@soc-ri.org

Friday, May 9, 2008

Holy First Communion

Holy First Communion pictures are now available online! 
To view or purchase, please visit:
enter the site
Click "Client Login"
Enter Event ID: saintephraims

If you have any trouble, call Jennifer Lamy (401) 855-4856 or jenny@zenobia-studios.com

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Easter Sunday









Here are some pictures from Easter at St. Ephraims. Enjoy!


Monday, May 5, 2008

May Events

May 4th First Formal Communion
May 9th Fr. Mattias arrives in Central Falls , an evening prayer service will be held at 6:00P.M., follwed by an informal dinner reception.
May 11th Mother's Day
May 17th Mother's Day Hafli to be held in the church, tickets $25.00 adults $15.00 children, music by Mitchel Kaltsunas, mazza and dinner included
May 26th Memorial Day Cemetery Visitation Schedule
10:00A.M. Oak Hill Cemetery Pawtucket
11:00A.M. Moshassack Cemetery Central Falls
12:00A.M. Swan Point Cemetery Providence

Monday, April 28, 2008

the History of St. Ephraim's church

Although the official registration of our church in the state of Rhode Island cites 1913 as the year of establishment, there were several families in Rhode Island before the turn of the century. Faithful immigrants, originally from communities in Mardin, Midyat, Diyarbakir and Mosul who had moved to Lebanon and Syria found their way to Rhode Island. This very small parish managed to buy a house which they used as a meeting place and chapel.
St. Ephraim's Church shared some of the priests who resided in New York; later, when the church was given a charter, the first priest to head the parish was Fr. Peter Barsoum, who served as pastor for four years, 1926-1930. Fr. Paul Samuel then became pastor of St. Ephraim's for two years. During a visit from Syria in 1927, then Archbishop Severius Ephraim (later Patriarch Ephraim I) consecrated three church buildings in the U.S., West New York NJ, Worcester, Ma. and Central Falls, RI.
St. Ephraim's Church of Central Falls grew stronger each year until tragedy struck in 1939, when the building was destroyed by fire. It took almost 10 years, but the church was rededicated in 1949. In 1952, Fr.Abdulahad Doumato arrived from Syria to lead the parish. In 1961 the church building was once again destroyed by fire. And once again, the faithful parishoners rebuilt the church, as we know it today.
In 1999, Fr. Doumato retired from his position as pastor 47 years after comming to Central Falls. The church was then served by Fr. Gabriel David for several years before he returned to Syria. In 2005, Very Rev. Fr. Raban Maroutha A. Hanna was assigned the temprary position of pastor. Now , after 3 years of dedicated service Fr. Maroutha will be replaced by Fr. Mattias Shaltan.