Bluffton Region Visited by Bishop of Charleston

On Friday, June 29, 2026, the Developing Region of Bluffton, SC, welcomed the Most Reverend Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, Bishop of Charleston, to St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton, SC.  This special mass on the feast of St. Peter and Paul also honored the Order of Malta and its charitable work in the local community.

Knights and Dames from Bluffton and Charleston, SC, and the Savannah, Georgia Region of the Order of Malta joined in prayer and fellowship, celebrating our collaborative growth and expanding capacity to support the poor in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

During this pastoral visit, Bishop Fabre-Jeune toured several of the Order of Malta projects serving Hilton Head Island, Hardeeville, SC and Lady’s Island, SC:

The Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Low Country, which provides  prenatal and infant life-affirming services to Hilton Head Island, Moss Creek, and Ridgeland, SC. During the visit, Bishop Fabre-Jeune was presented with the first commemorative brick for the new “Walkway of Life” memorial being established at the new Pregnancy Center of the Low Country's main office on Hilton Head Island, SC.

The Family Promise Center, which provides temporary housing and compassionate support for families experiencing homelessness as they work toward renewed stability and self-sufficiency. The Federal Association of The Order of Malta has provided grants to assist with driveway construction and room modifications, ensuring several young families living together have a safe and welcoming place to rebuild their lives.

The Mercy Mission (Catholic Charities): Located in Hardeeville, SC, this mission provides essential food and clothing to those in need. Members of the Bluffton Region volunteer monthly to distribute food donated by St. Gregory the Great parishioners.

The St. Francis Center, located on Lady’s Island, SC, serves the generationally poor by providing essential services including food, clothing, housewares, home repair, and educational services. The center is operated by four religious sisters of the Order of St. Cyril and Methodius and many volunteers.  Consecutive grants from the Order of Malta Federal Association help support the Emergency Roof Repair program. Additionally, the Bluffton Region members provided portable air-conditioning units each summer and assisted in purchasing a food and furniture delivery truck.

Bishop Fabre-Jeune’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase how the Order of Malta becomes the hands of Jesus and serves our local communities through the hard work and dedication of our Knights, Dames, Candidates, Members of the Auxiliary, volunteers, partners, and benefactors. We are grateful for our Bishop's encouragement and prayers, as we reflect on our shared vocation of faith, service, and charity.