Order of Malta Moment
January 31, 2013
Regional Report – Houston
Right Rev. Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B.
Think of all the time, effort, and planning that go into making our Christmas celebrations so joyful and memorable. Planning is essential for a positive outcome. We might consider the same approach to Easter. If our Easter celebrates the wondrous grace of the risen Christ that is the fruit of our Lenten practices, we might want to think carefully and plan for how we wish to walk through the forty holy days of Lent.
The practice of offering some special sacrifice for Lent remains a worthwhile endeavor. But to make the Lent of 2013 even more memorable, we might reflect carefully about choosing something to do that we can carry forth into our lives after the forty days of the holy season are past. Wouldn’t that make Easter a unique and special grace in our lives? The call of the Lenten season is all about conversion, turning our life in a different direction. At the outset of his public ministry, Jesus proclaims, “Reform your lives. The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). And so we ask ourselves, “What needs reforming, what needs conversion in my life?” Keep in mind that this Lenten “good work” should be something to continue into my life after Lent is over.
Are there any relationships in my life – with members of my family, with friends, with co-workers – that stand in need of healing? With whom do I need to “make peace?” Am I satisfied with the way I pray each day, or might I give that matter some extra attention? Does God deserve more quality time in my daily life? How might I carve out time in a busy day for the kind of prayer that brings praise to God and refreshment to my own spirit? Do I know any people who could use a cheerful visit or a few words of encouragement? Could my schedule reasonably be adjusted to allow me once each week to visit someone who is lonely and in need of support, just to listen to them and be present to them?
All we have to do for some good ideas about how we might bring the gospel to life this Lent is read through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). A little extra planning this year might make the celebration of Easter a truly memorable one, in which we can truly see the redeeming grace of Christ’s resurrection at work in our lives.
Right Rev. Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B.
Abbot, Conception Abbey
Conventual Chaplain ad honorem
Order of Malta Essay Contest
Order of Malta Essay Contest - Essay winner Rachel Kato with her daughter AvaMarie Rose congratulated by Federal Association member Gregory August, K.M.
On January 3, 2013 the Order of Malta took the main stage at the National Conference of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) to present the prizes to the winners of an essay contest sponsored by the Federal Association in partnership with FOCUS. Over six thousand college students from around the country came to Orlando, most of them at their own expense, to spend five days in fellowship, prayer, and formation.
“For every one of us, it was an unforgettable experience that delivered the message of hope in the future of the Church and our Order,” says Gregory August, who led the Defense of Faith Committee’s efforts. “Many dozens of young men came to me throughout the week seeking to understand the nobility and grandeur of our Order. For my part, I was overwhelmed with the awesome responsibility of communicating to them the beauty of the past and coupling it to a present and future expression of our Order’s dual charisms. I found myself repeatedly describing our Cross as a guidepost of our spirituality as well as the yoke by which we hope to attain eternal life.”
A dramatic moment for the Order occurred when the Federal Association’s grand prize-winner, Raquel Kato of the University of Colorado, was announced. Raquel stepped onto the stage carrying her 2 ½ month old daughter, AvaMarie Rose. The essay contest asked students to describe a pivotal moment in your faith life when you realized you were a gift from God. Raquel’s winning essay had described her own conversion of heart, and the beauty that Our Lord had bestowed upon her and us in the person of AvaMaria who lives today because of Raquel’s “yes” to life. Greg August remembers, “When Raquel and AvaMarie took the stage to receive the Order’s award, six thousand joyous voices exploded celebrating AvaMarie’s new life. It was intoxicating – and contagious.”
Raquel’s story is all too familiar. As a 21-year-old college senior, she had found herself pregnant, despondent, and alone. She was broken and was ready to turn to abortion. But Christ would not let that happen. Greg August along with Defense of Faith Committee members Noreen Falcone and Michael Guerra reviewed numerous letters from women expressing the damage, guilt, sadness and loneliness they experienced as college students—and the profound peace and joy that they found as they renewed their relationship with Christ.
Raquel’s essay and comments generated from her essay can be read at
http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/im-that-girl-that-got-pregnant.html
Second and third prize winning essays are also posted on the FOCUS website:
http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/and-the-winners-are.html
Grant Allocation Delivered in Lancaster
Pat Whalen and Peter Scudner present the Federal Association of the Order of Malta’s check for $2,654 to Mary Ann Walsh at St. Anne's Church for the "Brown Bag Lunch" program today. The money will be used to buy a cold drink cooler to enhance the serving of lunch to the financially and physically challenged, including many who are homeless, unemployed or living in rooms without cooking facilities. Lancaster area Knights and Dames volunteer to help serve the lunches.
Florida Retreat
On January 25 – 27, forty Knights, Dames, candidates and spouses attended the Federal Association’s Annual Florida Retreat at the Marywood Retreat House outside Jacksonville. Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, a professor at St. John’s University (MN) and a Magistral Chaplain of the Western Association of the Order, was the retreat director. Father’s five presentations all dealt with the spirituality of the Order and how those principles are to be applied in one’s everyday life. New this year was a bus trip to the Shrine of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine and Mass with Bishop Felipe Estevez. Retreat Coordinator Warren Powers, K.M. was helped by two members of the candidate class of 2013 – Fernando Acosta-Rua and Peter Moore.
Florida Retreat
On January 25 – 27, forty Knights, Dames, candidates and spouses attended the Federal Association’s Annual Florida Retreat at the Marywood Retreat House outside Jacksonville. Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, a professor at St. John’s University (MN) and a Magistral Chaplain of the Western Association of the Order, was the retreat director. Father’s five presentations all dealt with the spirituality of the Order and how those principles are to be applied in one’s everyday life. New this year was a bus trip to the Shrine of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine and Mass with Bishop Felipe Estevez. Retreat Coordinator Warren Powers, K.M. was helped by two members of the candidate class of 2013 – Fernando Acosta-Rua and Peter Moore.
2013 Grant Application
Please click here for the 2013 Grant application and grant guidelines.v
New Hospitallers Approved by Board
The Board of Directors approved today the appointment of three new regional hospitallers:
Christopher (Kip) Rolland to replace Theresa Martter in Dallas; David Archer to replace Robert Hutton in Memphis; and Dorcas Gamble for Wilmington. A special thanks to Robert Hutton and Theresa Martter for having served the Order's regions so effectively.
Upcoming Events:
Feb 8 - 11 - Rome - Pilgrimage to Rome to commemorate 900 year anniversary of the signing of the Papal Bull that officially recognized the Order of Malta an order of the Catholic Church.
Feb 1 - Syracuse - First Friday Mass and Breakfast - 7:00 AM - Contact:Paul Drescher
Feb 9 - Wash DC - Junior Senior Prom at Malta House at 2:00 PM, followed by a presentation on the history of the Order of Malta at 3:00 PM; Volunteers are asked to wear Lourdes uniforms. Contact: Valencia Camp
Feb 16 - Syracuse - Pancake Breakfast at Assumption Parish Center - Volunteers arrive at 7:30 AM - Contact: John Clark
Feb 21 - Wash DC - Lenten Evening of Reflection - 6:30 PM - Mass at Church of the Annunciation followed by soup supper and reflection. Click here to register.
Mar 3 - 9 - Nicaragua - Order of Malta Medical Mission to Nicaragua. For information, please contact Dr. Frank Schmidt .
Mar 10 - 15 - New Orleans - Order of Malta Home Repair Program – work week # 3. Please here for details and sign-up sheet.
Mar 24 - 29 - New Orleans - Order of Malta Home Repair Program – work week # 4. Please here for details and sign-up sheet.
April 4 - 5 - Wash DC - Day of Formation for candidates and sponsors of class of 2014.
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
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