With in-person meetings difficult, Deacon Zaid Chabaan leads 75 people in virtual study of St. Paul’s writings, plans second study soon

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MONROE — For transitional Deacon Zaid Chabaan, his final year before priestly ordination has not gone as expected. 

Deacon Chabaan, who recently graduated from Sacred Heart Major Seminary, is a quarter of the way through his one-year assignment at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. John the Baptist parishes in Monroe, which he started June 1.But because of the pandemic and the coinciding dispensation from Sunday Mass obligations, he hasn’t met many of the parishioners there yet. 

Normally, transitional deacons perform many of the functions a full-time deacon would, such as visiting the sick in nursing homes and hospitals, for instance.

For obvious reasons, that hasn’t been possible, either. 

Parishioners such as Marie Kennedy and Doug and Teresa Rohr, of St. Mary, say the pandemic has been difficult on everyone. Kennedy particularly lamented the “inability to sing in harmony with my fellow members of our parish choir. I very much miss that experience and those friends.”

The Rohrs noted it’s been “difficult to be physically distant from our parish home,” yet the couple has been able to discern “the beauty in the chaos.” 

Everyone, however, has come to appreciate the virtual events and activities that have connected the Monroe Catholic community, particularly the livestreamed liturgies and devotions. 

“There is nothing more powerful or comforting than knowing you are praying with others,” Kennedy said.

With this unique connectivity in mind, Deacon Chabaan started a virtual Bible study in August as a way to study and meet people. 

The study, which was conducted via Zoom and began Aug. 5, focused on the life and letters of St. Paul.

Deacon Chabaan said Paul’s collection of writings are “truly fascinating and inspirational,” but also pointed to the fact that while Catholics read a lot of St. Paul’s letters during Mass, they rarely hear homilies devoted to his words.

Deacon Chabaan was immediately surprised by the large number of participants. Each week, at least 35 individuals tuned in, and some weeks it numbered as high as 45. By the conclusion of the eight-week course on Sept. 23, a total of 75 people were registered, most from St. Mary and St. John the Baptist, but others from a handful of other area parishes. 

Deacon Chabaan used numerous commentaries, notes from Scripture classes he took at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and other materials to provide greater context and understanding of St. Paul’s writings.

Besides the expediency, Deacon Chabaan discovered another surprising advantage of leading a Bible study online: the ability to deliver meaningful content more readily. He found it much easier to share notes, maps, videos, and even music with those involved through a digital platform than if it were done in physical space. 

Kennedy and the Rohrs also were pleasantly surprised with the Bible study over Zoom. 

Teresa Rohr, one of those who participated, noted that despite the COVID-19 related slowdowns, work and other obligations have continued to “pull on our time, attention, and resources.” Yet, the simplicity of partaking in a virtual Bible study from home “helped us to re-focus and pull back on what is truly important,” she said. 

Rohr added Deacon Chabaan’s humorous and engaging approach added positively to the experience. 

Kennedy called the Zoom course “very convenient and, given the time in which we are living, a safe alternative.” She also pointed out that many, including herself, have become increasingly comfortable with digital meeting spaces the last six months. 

Beyond its convenience, those who engaged in the Bible study marveled over Deacon Zaid’s ability to bring St. Paul’s letters to life and make it applicable to their own lives. 

Beyond the convenience, Kennedy was amazed at “the richness of Paul’s theology” and “his commanding call for conversion.” She further appreciated the emphasis Deacon Chabaan placed on Paul’s past life as a persecutor of the Church. 

“That knowledge can reassure us that even the most imperfect among us can, through faith and humility, become followers of Christ and His great servants,” Kennedy said. 

Deacon Chabaan is planning another virtual Bible study, “Falling in Love with the Prophet Jeremiah,” which will begin Oct. 14 and end in January. To join, email [email protected].