Order of Malta Moment

Just over two weeks remain to submit an application to the Grants Committee for projects serving the poor and the sick. Knights and Dames who actively participate in such programs may apply for grants if they conform to the Guidelines listed in the members' section of the Federal Association's website.

Further guidance and a copy of the electronic form is available by calling the Programs Director, Leif Carlson at 202-331-2494 or emailing him by clicking here.

Last spring, the Association was able to provide over $300,000 in 14 domestic grants and three international grants. Programs included refurbishing a kitchen for a homeless shelter, equipping a program for young autistic children, providing shipping costs for donated medicines and paying for roofing and insulation supplies for volunteers to rehab houses for the poor. Donations to the Annual Appeal enable the Order to improve the lives of countless sick and poor persons.

Completed applications must be submitted electronically no later than October 1. - Rowena Morris, DM, Chair, Grants Committee. Two recently funded examples of Federal Association Grants supporting our members’ regional projects appear below:

Members of the Lancaster Region recently presented a $25,000 check to St. Anne’s Retirement Community in Columbia, Pa. The check was the result of a grant approved by the Federal Association for a complete refurbishing of the continuing care centers community room. The room will be used as a gathering and celebration room for residents and their families/friends who visit them. Upon completion, St. Anne’s has agreed to name the room “The Order of Malta Community Room”. A plaque will mark the room’s new designation.

The Mayflower is sold out, there are a few rooms left at the Beacon Hotel. A room block is now available at the University Club and the Hay Adams. Click here for hotel information, and reserve your room today!

Register to attend our Annual Meeting (members only) on October 19, 2012 in Washington, DC at the Mayflower Hotel. Following the Annual Meeting at 2 PM there will be a presentation introducing the Order of Malta’s prison ministry program and at (note this new time) 3:30 PM the Association will present its third annual Defense of the Faith Forum “Challenges Facing Catholics in America Today”; the principal speaker will be the Most Reverend William E. Lori, the Archbishop of Baltimore and Conventual Chaplain ad honorum of the Order. A reception at 6 PM concludes the day.

On Saturday, October 20 at 10 AM, members of the Order, family and friends are invited to attend the Investiture Mass at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral. The Most Reverend Kevin Farrell, Bishop of Dallas and Conventual Chaplain ad honorum will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Immediately after Mass, the Investiture Luncheon will be held in the Grand Ballroom of The Mayflower Hotel. Family and friends are invited to this celebratory lunch which features the presentation of a few special awards.

Saturday evening, the Association’s Annual White Tie Dinner will be held at The Hall of Flags in the United States Chamber of Commerce building. Click here for more information.

The Holy Trinity group in Washington, DC will host its annual Day of Reflection and Healing for the sick and elderly on Saturday, October 27 at 9 AM at Visitation School. Volunteers are needed to help with the event. We also encourage all members to make this opportunity known to the sick and homebound who they feel might like to attend. Rev Joseph Lacey, SJ will preside. Transportation can be provided to those attendees who need it. Please contact Ann Fox or Louise Lynch to volunteer or for more information.

At the October meeting, the Board of Directors will elect three executive officers for a 3-year term beginning in 2013: Vice President, Chancellor and Hospitaller. Members who wish to be considered for these positions must submit a self-nomination form to the Nominating Committee by October 1, 2012. Please click here for a copy of the form.

Fall Retreat at St. Vincent Archabbey
November 2-4, Latrobe, PA
The Retreat Master is Fr. Justin Matro
Contact: Dan McGrogan

Federal Association Fall Retreat
November 16-17, Atlanta, GA
Contact: Diane Festa

Sep 14 - Columbus - Mass for the Sanctity of Life. 6 PM Mass – St. John the Baptist Church; 7:15 Reception & Dinner - Kinder Women’s Care Center, Columbus. Contact: Charles Mifsud
Sept 15 - Bethesda, MD – Mass for the Sanctity of Life – Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 10:00 AM, Rev. Msgr. John Enzler, click here to RSVP
Sep 16 - Atlanta - Mass for the Sanctity of Life, Holy Spirit at 5:30 PM followed by dinner in McDonough Hall. Contact: Diane Festa
Sep 19 - NoVA - Defense of the Faith meeting with Robert R. Reilly “Islam, Reason, and the War of Ideas” 8 PM Contact: Terry White
Sep 20 - Atlanta - Advice & Aid Pregnancy Gala in McDonough Hall, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Contact: Diane Festa
Sep 20 - Baltimore - Annual Sanctity of Life Mass; Basilica of the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary - lower chapel. Msgr. Richard Cramblitt will be the celebrant. Please wear Robes with decoration. Dinner will follow. Contact: Loretto Kane
Sep 22 - Wilmington - Mass and Annual Diocesan Marian Pilgrimage. Holy Spirit Parish, New Castle, DE. Contact: Geoff Gamble
Oct 16 - Chicago - Mass for the Sanctity of Life, will be held at Holy Family Church. Dinner follows at Rosal’s, Taylor St. Contact: Sam Ciccarelli
Oct 19-20- Investiture Weekend, Washington, Click here for more details.
Oct 21 - Washington, DC - Fifth annual CRUDEM benefit for Hopital Sacre Coeur, at Georgetown Visitation School, 1554 Mass at 10 AM followed by a champagne brunch from 11 to 1.
Oct 27 - MontCo, MD - Halloween Party 4-6PM at St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families (www.stanns.org) in Hyattsville, MD. Contact: Chrissy Page
Oct 27 - Charlotte - Retreat 9 AM- 2 PM at Belmont Abbey. Retreat given by Abbot Placid. Contact: Jerry Schmitt
Oct 27 - Wash, DC - Day of Reflection and Healing for the sick and elderly at 9 AM at Visitation School. Contact: Ann Fox
Nov 2 - Columbus - Mass for the Deceased of the Order at 6 PM, St. John the Baptist Church, 720 Hamlet Street, followed by 7:15 PM Reception and Dinner at Cafe Del Mundo. Contact: Charles Mifsud
Nov 2-4 - Pittsburgh / Western PA Retreat at St. Vincent's Archabbey with retreat master Fr. Justin Matro. Contact: Dan McGrogan
Nov 6 - Chicago - Mass for deceased members of the Order will be held at St. Louise de Marrillac Chapel at Catholic Charities with dinner to follow. Contact: Sam Ciccarelli
Nov 8 - Washington, DC - Memorial Mass for Deceased Members. Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School; Rev. Msgr. John Enzler
Nov 9-11- Dallas - Retreat, featuring Fr. Brendan Gatt, from Malta. Contact: Theresa Martter
Nov 11-16 - New Orleans – Order of Malta Home Repair Program – work week # 1. Please click here for details and sign-up sheet.
Nov 14 - Atlanta - Defense of Faith in Side B of McDonough Hall. 6:30 PM. 7 PM Memorial Mass for Deceased Members, St. Mary’s Chapel followed by dinner at the Rectory. Contact: Diane Festa
Nov 16-17 - Atlanta - Fall Retreat of the Federal Association. Jesuit Retreat Center at Ignatius House - Sandy Spring, GA; Rev. Niel Jarreau, SJ - retreat director Contact: Diane Festa