St. John the Baptist Mass Draws Returning Faithful in Dallas

The Dallas Region hosted a Nativity of St. John the Baptist Mass followed by dinner at the Dallas Country Club in June. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Edward Burns, the bishop of the Diocese of Dallas and the region’s new conventual chaplain. Concelebrating was the Rev. Tony Lackland, associate chaplain and new pastor of Christ the King Parish. During the Mass, Richard Stanzel, KM, was installed as new hospitaller by former Dallas Region Hospitaller, Kip Rolland, KMOb. Additionally, all members of the Order recited the Renewal of Recommitment to the precepts of the Order.

Coming at the end of the Covid lockdown, the event drew a record number of people eager to the celebrate the feast day with a return to Mass. Many potential applicants attended and learned about the Order, three of whom accepted the invitation to join the next day.

Hospitaller Richard Stanzel gave a very brief presentation outlining the Order’s history and purpose, a few of its national and international activities, and a description of the seven service ministries and seven spiritual activities of the Dallas Region.

The event was a wonderful introduction to the Order for the guests and served to remind the knights, dames and auxiliary of the reasons they became involved with the Order in the first place. The dinner ran well into the night, and a good time was had by all.