Order of Malta Moment

Congratulations toKathryn Abell, GCMOb, who last week received the Grand Cross Pro Merito Melitensi from H. E. Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta. The award recognized her dedication and service to the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem - among the 3 primary hospitaller works of the Order worldwide.

Kathryn was appointed to the HFH Foundation’s original steering committee in 1995 and then served as the national co-chair of the Foundation’s major gift campaign. During her tenure the Foundation raised $8.5 million. For 17 years, Kathryn tirelessly showcased the work of the Hospital to Knights and Dames in the U.S., to Congressional supporters and to the general public in the United States. Kathryn annually traveled to the Hospital located in the Bethlehem to oversee the Order of Malta's premier maternity hospital and newborn critical care center in the region. On receiving the award Kathryn said, “It was a nice surprise, but more an award for all the wonderful, dedicated people who work to keep the Hospital open for the poor than for me." - Michele Bowe, DM, Federal Association Hospitaller

Jim Lynch, KM, Georgia Lynch, DM, Co-Hospitallers of the Kansas City Chapter and Tom Weiford, KM, Federal Association Treasurer are three of the volunteers who serve the hungry at one of the KC Chapter’s Hospitaller works. The Chapter serves at the St. James Food Kitchen on every 5th Friday of the year. Nearly 300 individuals were served at this volunteer event. Thirteen members of the Order volunteer their time, and the Kansas City Chapter underwrites the cost of the dinners every 5th Friday.

All members of the Order are invited to attend the 18th Annual Memorial Mass sponsored by the US Archdiocese for Military Services. The Mass will be at 4:30 PM on Sunday, May 20 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The principal celebrant and homilist will be the Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, the Archbishop for the Military Services and a Conventual Chaplain of the Federal Association. Please note – Members of the Order are requested to wear church robe at Mass, and should arrive no later than 4:00 PM for vesting in the lower church. Please click here for more information and to RSVP.

Members of the Order are strongly encouraged to make at least one retreat per year. Knights and Dames attend retreats for different reasons: some come to recharge their spiritual batteries, others to pray within the community of the Order and many for the spiritual enrichment which Retreat provides. The Spring Retreat will be held Jun 16-17 at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. Rev. Thomas Hurst, S.S.,will serve as retreat director.

Click here for more information.

The retreat fee includes all meals and conferences. Overnight accommodations are available in the St. Mary’s Retreat Center; transportation can be arranged for out of town guests. This Retreat can be used to help fulfill a Candidate’s Spiritual Activity requirement.

His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl will be the celebrant at the St. John’s Day Mass for the metropolitan Washington region. The Mass will be at St. Matthew’s Cathedral and a wine and cheese reception will follow. Click here for details and the RSVP form.

All members of the Federal Association,
candidates, and their spouses
are cordially invited to participate in
the Federal Association’s primary observance of

The Feast of St. John the Baptist
Friday, June 22, 2012
Lancaster, PA
Join us for the Federal Association's primary observance of the Feast of St. John the Baptist; with Mass at St. Mary's Church, 6 PM in Lancaster. Dinner will follow at the Hamilton Club. Contact: Pat Whalen

Although details are not yet final, February, 2013 marks the 900th Anniversary of the Papal Bull Piae Postulatio Voluntatis, which placed the patronage of our Order under the Holy See as a lay religious Order. Preliminary plans call for a celebratory Mass in Rome, inviting members from all national Associations to participate - including the Federal Association. While this is an early announcement, we wanted to inform our members of preliminary plans for a celebration in February. A US celebration will also be planned.

May 19 - Chicago - Mission Outreach Sort, package and load medical supplies for shipment to needy areas of the world - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Contact: Joan Trandel
May 20 - Washington, DC - Mass in honor of those serving in the Armed Forces, 4:30 PM Upper Church of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., celebrant.
May 22 - Lancaster - Defense of the Faith Series, “With Liberty and Justice for Some”, featuring Marie Hilliard, Ph.D., DM. Dr. Hilliard is Director of Bioethics and Public Policy at The National Catholic Bioethics Center. Mass 6:30, with lecture following at St. John Neumann Church. Contact: Pat Whalen
May 28 - Syracuse - Malta House Birthday Party; arrive by 2:30 PM. Contact: Kathy Mezzalingua
Jun 11 - Kansas City - The St. James Place Steak and T-shirt Dinner for the hungry; contact Georgia Lynch for details.
Jun 15 - Syracuse - Day of Reflection - Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, NY; 10:00 AM until the conclusion of Vespers at 4:00 PM; to be followed by semi-annual evening meeting. Contact: Sharon Cirincione
Jun 16-17 - Annual Spring Retreat of the Federal Association; St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore; Rev. Thomas Hurst, S.S., retreat director. Click here for RSVP form.
Jun 19 - Wash DC - St. John the Baptist Mass & Reception; St. Matthew's Cathedral; 6:30 PM; His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, celebrant. Click here for RSVP form.
Jun 19 - Baltimore - Volunteers needed for My Sister’s Place Women’s Shelter 3rd Tuesday Dinner 4-6:30 PM Contact: Margie Counselman
June 21 - Pittsburgh - Feast of St. John the Baptist; Bishop David Zubik will celebrate mass at the Oratory at 6:30 PM; dinner will follow at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. Contact: Dan McGrogan
June 21 - Baltimore - St. John's Feast Day Annual Mass and dinner; Mass at 5:30 PM at St. Ignatius Church with dinner following at the Maryland Club. Archbishop Lori is the invited celebrant. Contact: Loretto Kane
Jun 22 - Lancaster, PA - Federal Association's primary observance of the Feast of St. John the Baptist; Mass - St. Mary's Church, 6:00 PM; dinner at the Hamilton Club. Contact: Pat Whalen
Jun 22 - Chicago - Feast of St. John the Baptist, celebrant Francis Cardinal George, 6:00 PM Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Dinner at the Glen View Golf Club. Contact: Linda Kuczma
Jun 22 - Houston - Feast of St. John the Baptist. Mass will be held at St. Mary's Seminary Chapel at 6:00 PM. Dinner follows at the Forest Club. Contact: Stephen Sleezer
Jun 23 - Montgomery County - Celebrate Summer Party for St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Chevy Chase. Contact: Chrissy Page
Jun 23 - Columbus - Mass for the Feast of St. John the Baptist - 5pm @ St. John the Baptist Church. Contact: Charles Mifsud
Jun 24 - Kansas City, MO - St. John the Baptist Mass and Dinner - is scheduled at the home of Chuck and Jackie Sullivan. Contact Georgia Lynch for details.
Jun 24 - Dallas - Feast of St. John the Baptist Mass and Dinner with Bishop Farrell as celebrant 4 PM St. Monica Church, followed by dinner. Contact: Theresa Martter
Jun 28 - Atlanta - Defense of Faith, Holy Spirit Church, 6:30 PM. Feast of St. John the Baptist, Mass in the Church followed by dinner in McDonough Hall, 7:00 PM. Contact: Diane Festa