ORDER OF MALTA MOMENT
OCTOBER 24, 2013
MATTHEW AND THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, V.F.
“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (Matthew 9:9)
Imagine if Jesus used a search committee and a focus group and had a series of risk management assessments for every disciple he was thinking of asking to follow him. I know---it would be purgatory! He would still be on earth looking for the perfect disciple. Thankfully, Jesus provides an example of calling others in freedom and spontaneity.
Jesus takes the initiative in calling the tax collector, Matthew. He must have recognized a quality about the man that was crucial to discipleship. While others were used to identifying this man with his trade, which was scandalous to his fellow Jews, Jesus saw beyond that and perhaps noticed the value of Matthew not caring what others thought. That bold characteristic is needed in one who is going to follow Christ in any age. If Matthew could stand the snide remarks and sarcastic comments from his own people and still show his face in the marketplace, maybe he was tough enough to be a disciple. If our self-worth only comes from what others think, then we are useless to God as evangelists. READ MORE - -
2013 - DEFENSE OF THE FAITH FORUM
“Religious Freedom and the Courts”
Please click on the player below to listen to a podcast of the 2013 Defense of the Faith Forum.
Professor Mark Rienzi of The Catholic University of America’s School of Law spoke at Friday’s Defense of the Faith Forum, held at the Mayflower Hotel. The topic under discussion was “Religious Freedom and the Courts.”
ORDER OF MALTA HOME REPAIR PROGRAM - NEW ORLEANS
Helping a disabled single mother repair her hurricane-damaged home.
The Llopis Family home in New Orleans.
This year, the Order of Malta will be working to repair the hurricane-damaged home of Theresa Llopis. The home has been in Theresa’s family since 1953. Theresa grew up there with her three siblings, and then raised her four children in the house.
In 2002, Theresa became disabled with debilitating arthritis in her back and could no longer work. Theresa and her sister Betty cared for each other in the house, until they lost everything in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They lived in a trailer for two years, but were defrauded by a contractor and could not finish rebuilding their home.
We need your help to finish the work on Theresa Llopis’ house. We need four teams of 15-20 volunteer workers for each of the weeks listed below. Volunteers will arrive on Sunday afternoon, and check into the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street.
We work Monday- Thursday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. All three meals will be provided Monday through Thursday, except for dinner on Wednesday night, and there will be a farewell party on Thursday night. There is no work on Friday.
The work weeks are: November 10-15,2013 - January 19-24, 2014 - February 23-28, 2014 - March 23-28, 2014. Please click here for more information and to sign-up for one of the work weeks in New Orleans.
MALADE AND COMPANION SHARE LOURDES MEMORIES
Hazel Pulliam and James Schreiner.
In the grotto at Lourdes, they were overtaken by a sense of peace and felt God’s promise to help them to grow in relationship with Him, with each other and with their new friends in the Order.
So said James Schreiner and Hazel Pulliam, who went together on the 2013 Lourdes Pilgrimage. Hazel, wheelchair bound and intellectually disabled, was a malade, and James, her companion. READ MORE --
BISHOP NICOLAS BROUWET OF TARBES AND LOURDES
Present with Bishop Nicolas Brouwet were members of the American Association and members of the Federal Association.
Bishop Nicolas Brouwet of the diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes visited Philadelphia earlier this week where he presided over Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Dr. John Haas, Regional Chair of the American Association, hosted a breakfast in nearby Ivy Hall where the Bishop brought everyone up to date on the flood damage and repairs underway in Lourdes.
The President of the Federal Association, Geoff Gamble, along with David Ermine of the American Association, John Hoy, board member of the Federal Association, and others joined the Bishop for dinner that night. The Bishop and Father de La Tessonniere toured Charles Seminary at the Cathedral before departing.
Bishop Brouwet has agreed to speak at the planned Federal Association Reception at Lourdes on Sunday 4 May 2014.
CHICAGO CONCERT TO BENEFIT LOURDES SHRINE
Please click on the image above to read more about the concert to be held in Chicago with the Lourdes Shrine Choir.
ORDER OF MALTA NEW ORLEANS HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
Please click on the image above to register.
We need four teams of 15-20 volunteer workers for each of the weeks listed below. Volunteers will arrive on Sunday afternoon, and check into the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street.
The work weeks are:
November 10-15, 2013
January 19-24, 2014
February 23-28, 2014
March 23-28, 2014
THE DAILY PRAYER OF THE ORDER
Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee, through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin of Philermos, of Saint John the Baptist, of Blessed Fra’ Gerard, and of all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order.
Be it mine to practice and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman Faith against the enemies of religion. Be it mine to practice charity towards my neighbors, especially the poor and the sick.
Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy Holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem.
Amen.
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
Federal Association, U.S.A.
1730 M Street, NW | Suite 403 | Washington, DC 20036
202.331.2494 | Email Us