ORDER OF MALTA MOMENT
July 12, 2013
GRAND MASTER RECEIVED IN AUDIENCE BY HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
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His Holiness Pope Francis receiving the Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing at the Vatican
His Holiness Pope Francis received in audience the Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing. Among the topics discussed at the meeting held in the Pope's private study were the Order of Malta's humanitarian activities in assisting local populations fleeing from violence, the Order's activities in the Middle East and in Africa, as well as it's commitment in South America to help the disadvantaged. The meeting between the two Heads of State took place, as is the tradition, on the feast of the Sovereign Order of Malta's patron, St. John the Baptist, celebrated on 24 June.
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His Holiness Pope Francis receiving the Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing and the members of the Sovereign Council at the Vatican
MEMPHIS REGION SPONSORS FRIAR FEST, A RETREAT FOR TEENAGERS
Established in 2008, the Memphis region of the Order has 11 lay members and five candidates. In addition, Bishop Terry Steib serves as the conventual chaplain and Fr. John Hourican serves as the associate chaplain. One of its projects is Friar Fest, an annual retreat that attracts nearly 200 teenagers from the Memphis diocese. For Father Anthony Batezold, the personal approach is the only way to share the love of Christ. He and other members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal conducted the retreat in Memphis April 5-7 which was free to the teens.
Memphis region members sponsored the retreat for a second year to nurture the faith of a diverse group of young Catholics. Robert Hutton, a member of the Order in Memphis explained, “Our hope was to bring kids of diverse backgrounds in the diocese together for an intense weekend that would bring them closer to Christ in this Eucharist-centered retreat.” The Order provided transportation and a stipend to the friars, as well as T-shirts and meals for the teens. Several members of the Order worked the retreat weekend and provided housing for the friars in their homes.
In addition to Friar Fest, members of the Order of Malta live out their mission in Memphis in many ways, including supporting the Catholic Café Radio show at 10 a.m. Sundays on KWAM 990 AM. They also provide support for the Angel program for autistic children at Holy Rosary Catholic School, take the sick to Lourdes, France each year, and work with the Missionaries of Charity each month.
DALLAS FEED THE HUNGRY PROGRAM
Front Row: Tom Moore, KM; Jerry Hoag, KM;
Back Row: Bob Randolph, KM; Dan Phipps, Pat McDowell, KM, Pat Burns, KM.
The Dallas Feed the Hungry program under Truth Incorporated received a $6,000 grant from the Federal Association. The program provides a hot meal every Saturday and annually serves over 3,000 meals.
CATHOLIC CAFE A FINALIST IN "BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP"
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Fra' Matthew Festing interviewed on The Catholic Cafe
The Commercial Appeal, based in Atlanta, conducts an annual survey of its readers and annually presents an award for "Best Place to Worship." With 178,000 ballots cast online, the Catholic Cafe came in second place as the best place in Memphis to worship. On August 22, a reception will be held at the Orpheum to officially announce the winners in the Sunday, August 25 edition of the Commercial Appeal.
SELECTION OF REGIONAL HOSPITALLER
Our regional hospitallers play a significant role in developing and sustaining the mission of our Order. Because this role is so important to our Association, the Board of Directors approved a new method to select regional hospitallers that is based on suggestions by the local region's members and the Association Hospitaller's discernment and due diligence.
Please click here to enter the members area of the website, where you can read this document in full.
from REGULATIONS AND COMMENTARY
The Prince and Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing reminds us that we need to read and reread the Rule of the Order frequently. Here is our monthly selection from Membership in the Order of Malta: REGULATIONS AND COMMENTARY to help us in perfecting our lives as followers of Christ and as members of our Order.
4. Participating Concretely in the Works of the Order, page 48
The generosity of the Members of the Order should manifest itself, preferably, in the charitable activities of the Order itself. Such participation will be all the more effective, if the Members take the trouble to acquire the necessary qualifications. Of course, the fullness of participation is achieved when one has direct contact with our Lords the sick or the poor. When doing so, it is Christ Himself Whom we recognize and worship in them.
Membership in the Order of Malta REGULATIONS AND COMMENTARY, page 48, Regulation, 4. Participating concretely in the works of the Order, - Click here to read full text -
LOURDES REUNION JULY 19-20, 2013
Mt. St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Click here for more information and to register.
UPCOMING EVENTS :
July 12 - Houston - Summer Series Part III (Rules and Regulations of the Order)- 6:00 PM - Hewitt home. Fra' James-Michael Von Stroebel will lead the discussion followed by dinner. For more information Contact - Les Hewitt
July 19-20 – Emmitsburg, MD - Lourdes Reunion - ALL former pilgrims invited. Mt. St. Mary’s University. Please click here for details and registration.
August 9 - Houston, TX - Summer Series Part III (Second Class of the Order)- 6:00 PM - Belton home. Fra Tom Mulligan will lead the discussion followed by dinner. For more information Contact - Elisabeth Belton
September 14 - Bethesda, MD - Mass for the Sanctity of Life - Our Lady of Lourdes church.
September 15 - Atlanta, GA - Mass for the Sanctity of Life - followed by dinner, location tbd.
October 3 - (or Oct. 10) - Atlanta, GA - Malta Gala, Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center, McDonogh.
October 18 – 19 - Washington, DC - Investiture Weekend. Please click here for Investiture Weekend schedule.
November 1-3 - Annual Retreat - St. Vincent's Archabbey with Fr. Justin Matro, See brochure for information, or Contact - Dan McGrogan
November 5 - Atlanta, GA - Feast of All Saints of the Order and Memorial Mass for Deceased Members, Mass and Dinner 7:00 PM.
November 8 - Washington, DC - Memorial Mass for Deceased Members - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School - Rev. Msgr. John Enzler, celebrant.
- November 9 - Dallas, TX - Day of Reflection with Fr. Dan Hennessy - Time and location TBD - Contact - Kip Rolland
December 7 - Dallas, TX - St. Nicholas Day dinner at the home of Julie Morris - Contact - Kip Rolland
December 8 - Atlanta, GA - Annual Christmas Party - Upper School Library.
December 15 - Dallas, TX - St. Joseph's Retirement Home - Mass 10:00 AM followed by Christmas dinner - celebrant Bishop Farrell. Contact - Kip Rolland
December 19 - Atlanta, GA - Solidarity School's Annual Christmas Concert and Reception - Holy Spirit Hispanic.
January 24 – 26, 2014 - Marywood Center, Jacksonville, FL. Retreat Director - Rev. David Toups, Rector, St. Vincent de Paul Seminary
Contact - Lou Walsh
September 19 – 21, 2014 - Chicago Retreat - Retreat Director – t.b.d. - Contact - Fra' Tom Mulligan
INVESTITURE WEEKEND
October 18-19, 2013
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
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