First Annual Diocese Banquet - Diocese of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana

The Diocese of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana came together to hold its first Annual Banquet on Sunday, May 15th, 2022, in Michigan. The event began with encouraging words by congressman Andy Levin, (Representative for Michigan’s 9th district) regarding the power of representation as one united community. Followed by dinner, congresswoman Lisa McClain (Representative for Michigan’s 10 district) shared a warm welcome highlighting the impact we can make to influence change and support one another as one family.

The Diocese had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Sameh Aboul-Enein, Consul General of Egypt in Chicago, IL as our keynote speaker for the banquet. During his keynote, Dr, Aboul-Enein provided some history behind Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as some insights into future innovative projects which plan to streamline Egypt’s diplomatic affairs and provide more accessibility to Egyptian citizens living abroad. Furthermore, his excellence has generously shared with the congregation his contact information (below) to extend his service for anyone in the community in need.

To conclude this monumental event, His Grace Bishop Saraphim shared his exciting vision of the new St. Mary and St. Anthony Retreat and Conference Center in Monroe, Michigan. With its central geographic location of about 38 acres, this retreat and conference center consists of a chapel for liturgies, a conference hall and classrooms for lectures and services, as well as a recreational center including a basketball court, ping pong and other various activities for all. Available all year-round, this newly renovated retreat center accommodates around 140 people overnight with a full catering-style kitchen to serve even more daily visitors. With our community support, our diocese’s expansion plan includes laying the foundation for a hotel-style building to accommodate 200 more individuals for total capacity of 340. With the energy of our youth and the financial support of our professionals, our goal is to invite our surrounding communities to preach the word of Christ and teach them about the Coptic Orthodox faith. Furthermore, this retreat center will be able to accommodate not only families and the youth for retreats and conventions, but also our senior population through building a senior home and appointing a fully residing priest at the retreat center. With this vision in mind, all proceeds from the building will be utilized to support the diocese’s expansion plan and eventually lighten the financial burden on the community, making the retreat center self-sufficient in the future.

By God’s will and the congregation’s generosity, we were able to successfully raise funds towards building the Diocese’s St. Mary and St. Anthony Retreat and Conference Center throughout the banquet. For more information and ways to donate towards building and expanding the retreat center, please visit http://retreat.omicopts.org/

Dr. Sameh Aboul-Enein Contact Information: