Order of Malta Moment
March 9, 2012
One Year Later: Malteser International’s Work Continues in Japan
In remembrance of the day a devastating earthquake hit Japan, the children and staff of Fujinosono children’s home will eat only emergency food rations on Sunday, March 11—the first anniversary of the earthquake. “In this way, the children and youth will commemorate the victims and, at the same time, express their gratitude for the help they received”, says Sister Caelina Mauer, director of the children’s home located in the city of Ichinoseki in north-eastern Japan, which was heavily damaged and made uninhabitable by the earthquake. The children will be served a lunch of instant soup, and dinner will consist of rice prepared with cold water and canned fish – the same meal eaten on the evening of March 11.
Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s relief service for humanitarian aid, is supporting the construction of a new home for Fujinosono with five million euros; the sum includes donations from the international Caritas network as well as private and corporate donations worldwide. The old children’s home is currently being demolished, and the children have lived in a temporary container home since last Christmas. The new energy-efficient home will be built according to the latest earthquake resistance standards, will rely on renewable energies for a large part of its electricity supply, and will function as an evacuation centre for Ichinoseki residents in case of disaster. That afternoon, 60 children and their caretakers will participate in a national minute of silence, scheduled for 2:46PM. local time. They will then light candles and proceed to the place where they sought shelter in the previous year: the home’s gymnasium. “This day is important as a reminder that we should never forget what happened”, Sister Caelina says. “But it is also a day that brings us together. In suffering, one is never alone”. Click here to watch the Malteser International video about the children’s home.
Cardinal Wuerl to Receive the Holy Land Ecumenical Conference Award
His Eminence, Cardinal Donald Wuerl will receive the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation’s “HCEF Award” recognizing his extraordinary commitment and generosity to the Christians of the Holy Land. Cardinal Wuerl has demonstrated courage, determination and action to advance the cause of justice, sustenance and spiritual support for the ‘Living Stones’, the Christians remaining in the Holy Land. The award will be conferred at the banquet kicking off the 14th Annual HCEF International Conference on November 2, 2012. Invitations can be secured by contacting the HCEF offices at 301-951-9400 x 219
A Letter from Cardinal Dolan to Catholic Bishops
“Religious freedom is a fundamental right of all. This right does not depend on any government's decision to grant it: it is God-given, and just societies recognize and respect its free exercise. The free exercise of religion extends well beyond the freedom of worship. It also forbids government from forcing people or groups to violate their most deeply held religious convictions, and from interfering in the internal affairs of religious organizations.” Click here to read the letter in its entirety.
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes: Second Week
Prayer for the Second Week
Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us. My trust in your power is unshakable. You can obtain all from your Divine Son. You who kindly accepted to come down to earth to bring us the graces of this same Son, obtain for us the grace to merit them. Hail, Wonder of the Most High, we praise you for your glorious privileges, and joyfully repeat a thousand times: She is Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, who graciously accepted to visit us! Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, who chose a poor weak child to speak for you, pray for us. You chose to reveal yourself to us through a child who knew nothing of the things of this world. Despite all the favors you showered on her, Bernadette remained innocent and humble, because you promised her happiness not in this world but in the next. Obtain for us humility of heart and simplification in spirit, so that in our turn, we may receive your favors. Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Save the Date!
Federal Association Primary Observance of the Feast of St. John the Baptist; June 22, 2012; St. Mary’s Church, Lancaster, PA
Upcoming Events:
Mar 9 - Columbus, OH - Mass for the Anointing of the Sick, 6 PM. St. John the Baptist Church. Contact: Charles Mifsud
Mar 10 - Kansas City - Anointing of the Sick Cure of Ars Church, 9 AM with Archbishop Keleher. Contact: Georgia Lynch
Mar 13 - Wash DC - Lenten Evening of Reflection - 6:30 PM - Church of the Annunciation. Mass, followed by soup supper and Lenten reflection by Monsignor John Enzler. Click here for more information.
Mar 13 - Baltimore - Sarah’s Hope 2nd Tuesday Dinner. Contact: Mary Hosford
Mar 18-23, 2012 - New Orleans Home Repair Program work week. Click here for info and sign up.
Mar 20 - Chicago Region - Soup Kitchen at St. Thomas of Canterbury, 4827 N. Kenmore, 4:30PM. Contact: Sam Ciccarelli
Mar 20 - Baltimore - My Sister’s Place Women’s Shelter 3rd Tuesday Dinner. Contact: Margie Counselman
Mar 21 - Northern VA - Defense of the Faith; 8 PM Thomas Peters, The State of Catholic Action. Hosts: Damian and Lina von Stauffenberg, 4530 N. 32nd St., Arlington, VA
Mar 24 - Syracuse - Pancake Breakfast at Assumption Church, Volunteers arrive by 7:30 AM. Contact: John Clark
Mar 24 - Northern VA - Mass for the Anointing of the Sick, 11 AM; Fr. Richard Mullins will be the Celebrant and Homilist. Volunteers are needed; last year the region had approximately 150 Malades attend. Respond to Elizabeth Scheuren or Valencia Camp
Mar 24 - Montgomery County - Lourdes Anointing Mass; Our Lady of Mercy Church, Potomac, MD; 10:00 AM. Contact: Michele Bowe
Mar 26 - Syracuse - Monthly Malta House Birthday Party at 2:30 PM. Contact: Kathy Mezzalingua
Mar 31 - Wash DC - Second Annual Faith and Service lecture with Rev. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, theologian and former Master General of the Dominican Order. 7 PM Dahlgren Chapel, Georgetown University. A reception will follow. Prior to his talk, Fr. Radcliffe will celebrate the Saturday 5:30 Mass at Holy Trinity Church. Contact: Tom Hughes
Apr 2 - Syracuse - Monthly First Friday Mass and Breakfast at 7AM. Contact: Margaret Martin
Apr 9-14 - New Orleans Home Repair Program work week. Click here for info and sign up.
April 19-20 - Charlotte - Day of Formation for candidate class of 2013 and sponsors. Click here for details.
April 21 - Wash DC - Federal Association Day of Reflection - Washington Theological Union - 9:00 - 2:00. All members and candidates invited. Click here for RSVP form.
May 2-9 - Lourdes Pilgrimage.
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
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