Western Diocese

On Saturday, April 5, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian Church of the Desert (Rancho Mirage, California) on the joyous occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of its Ladies’ Society. Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian and Yeretsgin Joyce accompanied the Primate on this occasion.

During the Banquet, His Eminence expressed his deep appreciation to the Ladies’ Society of the Desert Parish for their outstanding and dedicated service to the Church.

The “Primate’s Message” in the special booklet prepared for the occasion follows:

 We extend our warmest greetings and congratulate you on this joyous occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the Ladies’ Society of the Rancho Mirage Armenian Church.

The Ladies’ Society has been a formidable force along with the Parish Council in pursuance and realization of the objectives of the Parish on various levels. Their dedicated service has born the fruits of love and respect amongst the Parishioners of Rancho Mirage.

The crucial importance of the Ladies’ Society becomes even more critically important on the verge of the construction of the church, and the coherence of the Parish remains only possible through dedicated auxiliary bodies such as the Ladies’ Society of the Armenian Church in Rancho Mirage.

It is even more heartening and encouraging to see the exemplary and able members of the Ladies’ Society of Rancho Mirage serving on the Ladies’ Central Committee; cooperating with the Parish Council;  assisting with the Choir Committee of the Western Diocese and  bringing such an extraordinary and significant contribution to the life of Western Diocese on behalf of the Armenian Church of Rancho Mirage.

Today the ever more active and able Ladies’ Society of the Armenian Church of Rancho Mirage, under the exceptional leadership of Chairlady Mary Mkrtchian,  in cooperation with the equally devout members of the Parish Council of the Armenian Church in Rancho Mirage, plays a vital role in the life of the community.

We hope that in the near future with the grace of God the construction of the Armenian Church in Rancho Mirage will be realized and a permanent pastor will be assigned thus creating a safe haven for the thriving community in Rancho Mirage.

“Always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Eph. 5:20).