ORDER OF MALTA MOMENT

We need three 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.

On January 22nd the Federal Association's Annual Mass for Life will be held at Immaculate Conception Church (711 N Street, NW). The celebrant will be Monsignor James Watkins, Magistral Chaplain. The mass will begin at 11 a.m. and there will be a luncheon following mass.

As we approach Christmas, I’m often struck by the beauty of a poem that I have used, even during a Christmas homily: “One Solitary Life”. I’m sure you have seen it but just before Christmas, this sets the stage for the wonder of the days ahead. A little baby born in Bethlehem, sent by the Father to redeem us, completely changes the course of history. Aren’t we blessed to be members of the Order which dedicates our life completely to him and the challenge of his call. Enjoy this little reflection and let it be a part of your Christmas thoughts.

One Solitary Life
He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

- Msgr. John Enzler
Magistral Chaplain

On Saturday December seventh Fra’ John Collins Harvey renewed for a third year his profession of simple vows as a Knight of Justice in the Order of Malta. This was done in the historic downtown Washington Church of the Immaculate Conception during a beautiful Mass celebrated by the pastor Monsignor James D. Watkins, Deputy Chaplain of the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes, in the presence of Joseph Gordon Metz, Regent of the Subpriory, of Donald Geoffrey Gamble, President of the Federal Association, and of a number of members of the Order. The Regent stood as one of the official witnesses, with the second one being Barbara Murphy. The vows were received by Fra’ James-Michael von Stroebel as delegate of the Grand Master. In accordance with the Code of the Order, which follows the Church’s canon law, a Professed Knight of Justice must stay in simple (temporary) vows for a minimum of three years before he may pronounce solemn (perpetual) vows.

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One month after the start of its relief efforts in the Philippines, Malteser International has been able to deliver aid to thousands of Typhoon Haiyan survivors on the islands of Samar and Bantayan. In the first four weeks, the Philippine Association of the Order of Malta and Malteser International provided affected families with 4,000 packages of food, household items and hygiene kits. On Samar, the organization distributed 800 tarpaulins for emergency shelters. Ten large-capacity tents have been set up on both islands to house emergency health care and psychosocial support units.

“Our relief efforts will continue during the Christmas season – people still need our help every day,” says Ingo Radtke, Malteser International’s Secretary General. In addition to emergency relief, which includes the distribution of food, medical care and drinking water supply, long-term recovery efforts are already under way. “Our goal to help them be safer and better prepared for a future disaster than they were until now,” Radtke explains. The water supply and sanitary facilities should also be made resistant against future storms. Malteser International’s experts are analyzing the situation on the ground and advising the local authorities on rehabilitation measures.

On Bohol Island, Malteser International is helping families rebuild their homes by providing vouchers for construction materials and technical assistance. There, more than 50,000 homes had already been destroyed by an earthquake on Oct. 15, three weeks before Typhoon Haiyan. The storm led to flooding and caused additional damages.

Every Gift Matters!

Complete your gift today to the Appeal before December 31st. Your Annual Appeal support not only unites you with the mission of the Order but also is 100% tax-deductible. 320 Members, Chaplains and Candidates have already supported, but our goal is that everyone participates. Please remember that EVERY GIFT MATTERS!