Order of Malta Motto: "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum"
Winter Edition 2017
Lenten Season
 

Dear Confreres-
Lent begins this week and for us as Catholics it demands of us a closer walk with the suffering Christ.  The Church advises us to think carefully about what we can either add into our daily lives to deepen our relationship with Christ or maybe take out of our life to free up time to pray more and serve those in need.  We are fortunate in our time to have many different types of APs or web based daily prayers that can come right into our inboxes to help us keep our focus during this season of preparation for Easter.  For those of us who work and/or keep busy personal schedules these tools can really make a difference in helping us to stay focused.
 
The Minnesota Delegation of the Order of Malta has chosen to host our annual retreat during the season of Lent for just this reason.  I know we have emailed out the details for the  March 18th retreat and do hope to have a strong showing of members and/or spouses.  This year I am so delighted to share with you a longtime family friend, Fr. William Wagner, ORC ( see bio below). The community to which he belongs spreads devotion to the Holy Guardian Angels and another part of their charism is prayer and reparation for priests.  I think you will find Fathers lectures on the Angel of Fatima and the messages of Fatima very timely as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady appearing to the three children; Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia in 1917.  (on a side note - the American Association of the Order of Malta is hosting a pilgrimage there this Fall.)  Fr William Wagner lived in Fatima for about 14 years so brings a knowledge and love for Fatima with him. Learn more about the priests and sisters and their work by clicking here
 
I know I speak to all of us when I say that the reports of issues and concerns of recent months around the Grand Master and Pope Francis have caused much sorrow and confusion.  As Jack Pohrer, our President, wrote so beautifully in his letter to us: although these things are troubling we must not lose sight of our day to day calling to defend the Faith and serve the sick and the poor in our own communities.  Prayers for all involved in this situation is by far the most important thing we can do from our vantage point. 
 
Please see details below for upcoming local events and Lourdes pilgrimage. As always please keep your fellow confreres, malades and those who are in their Year of Discernment (see names to right) in your prayers.
 
In Christ,

Anne Marie Hansen, DM
Minnesota Area Chair
Prayer Intentions
Minnesota Prayer Intentions:

Lourdes 2017 Pilgrimage: May 3 - 9, 2017
 
Please pray for the following individuals who have been selected and confirmed by the Medical Committee to attend this year's Lourdes pilgrimage from the Minnesota Delegation:
 
Malades:
  • Malade: Deacon Jim Meyer
  • Caregiver: Kris Meyer, wife
  • Malade:  Mary Frances Adkins
  • Malade:   Xavier Adkins
  • Caregiver: AnnaMarie Adkins, mother
Confreres/ Chaplain:
  • Fr Joseph Johnson, Chaplain
  • Dr. David Dries, KM
  • Barbara Dries, DM
  • Anne Marie Hansen, DM
  • Sandra Davis, DM
  • Patrick Gaughan, KM
Medical Staff:
  • Dr. Paul Diekmann, (A Malade last year who was invited to be part of the Medical Committee Staff in Lourdes this year)
Nicky Carpenter, DM

Please email Ivan Posthumus, KM, if you would like to include someone in the upcoming MN Area prayer intentions list.

American Association Member's Prayer Intentions
 
Two of our east coast Knights, AC and Michael O'Rourke, have a prayer intentions email distribution list. If you would like to add your prayer intentions to the list or would like to pray for those on the list, you can request to be added to the distribution list by emailing  Michael O'Rourke, KM
Those in Year of Discernment
Dr. Paul Dickinson  Sponsor: Anne Marie Hansen,DM                                                    Tom Hooley, KM                                                                 Patty Hooley, DM
Ann Dickinson        Sponsor:  Anne Marie Hansen,DM                                                    Tom Hooley, KM
                                               Patty Hooley, DM
Dan Bigaouette      Sponsor: Jean Lown, DM
John Paul Sonnen  Sponsor: Patrick Gaughan, KM
Blessed Clemens August Cardinal von Galen, the "Lion of Munster"
Blessed Clemens August Cardinal von Galen, the "Lion of Munster" by John Dick, KM

March 22nd is the memorial for Blessed Clemens August Cardinal von Galen, the "Lion of Munster", who was a member of the Order.

Born on March 16, 1878 into an ancient aristocratic family, Bishop (later Cardinal) von Galen would become the best-known of the German churchmen speaking out against the Nazis. He had spent the first years of his priesthood working among the poor in Berlin in the 1920s, and on his appointment as Bishop of Münster he became known for his personal austerity of life and his vigorous commitment to the needs of his diocese.

In the war years, he would become the leading German speaker and campaigner against the hideous Nazi euthanasia program, which saw men, women, and children in mental hospitals or long-term institutions taken away and killed. Click here to learn more about Blessed Clemens August Cardinal von Galen.
Book Study for those in Discernment, their Sponsors and other confreres 
The MN area book study for those in Discernment, their Sponsors and other confreres will be held on the 2nd Saturday of the month following the 8:00 AM Mass at the Cathedral. The first book study session will take place on Saturday, March 11th. The book study will take place at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St Paul which is located at: 253 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102 . Click here for directions
World Day of the Sick 2017
On Saturday the 11th of February we celebrated the World Day of the Sick at St Charles Borromeo parish in Minneapolis.  The mass and luncheon was well attended by sick and their caregivers from around the metro.  We are so grateful to Archbishop Bernard Hebda for celebrating the Mass along with our Chaplain, Fr. Joseph Johnson and the chaplain for Curatio, Fr Alan Paul Eilen.
 
After Mass Knights and Dames assisted the sick in receiving a blessing with Lourdes water and distributing Miraculous Medals that we had brought back from Lourdes.  It truly felt like a mini Lourdes experience for many and the luncheon that was provided by the Order of Malta members afterwards was well received.  Knights and Dames brought sick from their parishes, family members and friends for this beautiful morning rich with spiritual blessings. Click here for more pictures this event. 
 
If you are interested in being part of the planning committee for next year please contact Michael Stenquist, KM.
 
Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe with his Emminence Cardinal Burke
His Eminence Cardinal Burke extended a special invitation to the MN area to attend Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, WI on Sunday the 11th of December. A number of the MN delegation braved the snow storm  to attend the Mass. After Mass Cardinal Burke had lunch with the MN delegation.If you have never been to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalope you should plan a pilgrimage soon to see this wonderful shrine.
Service Opportunity at the Cathedral of St. Paul
For our members that would like to serve food to the poor at the Dorothy Day center on the 4th Friday of the month but due to scheduling conflicts can't make those events, we do have another feed poor opportunity at Dorothy Day on the 2nd and 5th Saturdays of the Month. 

Volunteers from the Cathedral of St. Paul parish prepare and serve meals at the Dorothy Day Center for 150-300 people. They prepare and serve lunch 8:00 AM -1:30 PM on the second Saturday of the month and on the 5th Saturday, they prepare and serve dinner 1:00 PM -6:00 PM. This program is run by Marc Jenny, KM and his wife Suzanne. To learn more and to sign-up click here
Friends of Dorothy Day
For the last 7 winters, our Delegation has organized volunteers to staff the overflow shelter for the Dorothy Day Center.  As a result, no one was ever turned away who needed a safe, warm place to sleep.  
 
This year a new center is opening that will provide dignified accommodations for all who need.  In support of the new center, our volunteers, now called Friends of Dorothy Day, will assume responsibility to serve dinner and befriend those in need every evening of the year from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.  If you can help 1 night a month or even just 1 night a year, we would be most grateful.  For more details click here.

If you have more questions please email   Steve Hawkins, KM
 
Thank you and God Bless
Steve Hawkins, KM
Upcoming MN Area Events: March - April
1. Retreat for the Minnesota Delegation
The Minnesota Delegation Retreat is coming up on  Saturday, March 18th. The retreat begins at 8:00 AM with Mass in Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St. Catherine University and ends at 3:00 PM with Benediction. 

Parking will be available right next to the Chapel because students will be on Spring Break.  For directions to the Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St Catherine's University from your home  click here.

Father Joseph Johnson, our area Chaplain, will be the celebrant for our Mass.

Our retreat master will be Father William Wagner.
Fr. William Wagner, ORC was born in Santa Barbara, California in 1950. He went to Rome privately to study at the 'Angelicum', the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where he finished with his doctorate in theology (doctoral dissertation: The Mission of the Holy Angels in the Economy of Salvation) .  During his studies there he joined the community of the Work of the Holy Angels in Austria, which shortly after his ordination in 1977 restored the Medieval Order of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross in Portugal. He remained in Europe for 43 years (mostly in Rome for studies and service in the government of the Order; 12-13 years in Fátima, Portugal). He has preached in Italy, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland and France. During the 1980's & early 90's he also preached extensively across the United States in over 45 states. In 2015 he was reassigned to the Order's St. Gabriel Monastery in  Carrollton , Ohio. 

There is a $25.00/person cost for a light breakfast and lunch that we are asking to be paid for in advance of the retreat. Make checks payable to the "MN Delegation" and mail your payment to Mary Jo Martin, DM, 16330 Gladys, Lane, Minnetonka, MN. 55345

Please RSVP by March 15th. 

2. Chrism Mass
The Chrism Mass will take place on Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 PM at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Knights and Dames will Vest and Auxiliary should wear red. 

3. Orientation for Lourdes Pilgrimage with Malades and their Caregivers
The orientation for the 2017 Lourdes Pilgrimage with the Malades and their Caregivers will take place on
Tuesday, April 25th at 7:00 PM. The location is still being finalized

Interview of Bob Fredericks Ph.D., K.M.Ob, by Relevant Radio on Prison Ministry and ministry "outside the walls"
Over the last few months we have sent emails and included articles regarding the wonderful work that Kevin and Fay Connors, both local Auxiliary, have been doing regarding prison ministry. As most of you know the American Association has adopted Prison Ministry as a national project. Recently Bob Fredericks, Ph.D., K.M.Ob., and the Chair of the committee responsible for this national project did a second interview with Relevant Radio regarding Prison Ministry and the topic was "ministry outside the walls" The interview took place on Dec 21st and is about 15 minutes in length. To listen to the interview which begins 2 minutes and 14 seconds into hour 4 of that day's broadcast click here
American Association Website Redesign
The American Association website desktop version update will be completed as of April 1st. The mobile app updated is targeted for completion on June 1st. 
Defense of the Faith Series in 2017
The Board of Director's has approved a new Defense of the Faith Committee which has two distinct aspects to its function here in Minnesota.

 1. Minnesota Catholic Coalition
- John Dick, KM has prayerfully agreed to chair this committee who will be active participants of the MN Catholic Coalition which has been formed to educate and oppose Physician Assisted Suicide legislation in our State. If you are interested in being a part of this coalition please contact John Dick, KM for more details.

 2. Educational lectures offered within the Archdiocese on topics pertinent to current issues within our culture to help Catholics form their conscience per Catholic doctrine. Our goal is to offer three lecture series in 2017. Please keep posted for more details.
Minnesota Area Grants
We are work with three different organization on grant proposals which are due on March 15. The Grant Committee will review the grant proposals and forward these to New York by 15 April for approval. 

Once the approved the grants will be issue during the last week of June.

If you any questions about the grant process please contact   Marc Jenny, KM  
SMOM MN Area Shared Calendar
A reminder to try our new shared calendar called, "Team-Up", which has local events posted for download directly to your computer. It supports the export of calendar events to Google, Outlook, iCal, Yahoo, and other calendar applications.

For directions on how to download upcoming events to your local calendar click here.

If you any questions or feedback you would like to share please contact Ivan Posthumus, KM  
In This Issue
2016 - 2017 Order of Malta Calendar for the Minnesota Area

Suggested Lenten Reading
The Cross and the Beatitudes: Lessons on Love and Forgiveness 
by Fulton J. Sheen 

"There is no strict correspondence between the Beatitudes and the Seven words from the Cross but Archbishop Fulton Sheen in his work, The Cross and the Beatitudes assumes that they are not unrelated. Both were delivered on a mountain; Our Lord begins His public life on the Mount of the Beatitudes and closed it on the Mount of Calvary. This book tells the story of how He practiced the meekness, the mercy and the poverty of the Beatitudes."
If you are looking for a great book to read during Lent that brings you deeper in to the understanding of the Beatitudes this is a must read for you.
Order book here
2017 Year of Discernment for Investiture
Dan Bigaouette
Ann Dickinson
Dr. Paul Dickinson
John Paul Sonnen
2017 MN Area Auxiliary Members
Fay Connors
Kevin Connors
Order of Malta Around the World
In the South Sudanese capital Juba, the Order of Malta provides 2,000 children with a warm meal each day during school. Click here to learn more
MN Area Board
Read the current edition of the American Association Newsletter, "Hospitallers"


Download the Order of Malta, American
 Association mobile app
March Upcoming Events
1. Retreat for MN Delegation

The Minnesota Delegation Retreat is coming up on  Saturday, March 18th. The retreat begins at 8:00 AM with Mass in Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St. Catherine University and ends at 3:00 PM with Benediction. 

2. American Association Spring Retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz, FL

The American Association's first 2017 Retreat is scheduled for the weekend of March 17 - 19, 2017 at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz, Florida, outside Tampa. Bishop Frank Caggiano will be the Retreat Master. for more information click here.

3.  Packing food for Haiti 
Packing food for Haiti Monday March 13th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Urban Refuge Church. To sign-up  click here.   For directions to Urban Refuge Church  click here.

4. Serve at Dorothy Day feeding the Poor

Serve at Dorothy Day feeding the Poor on Friday March 24th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Dorothy Day Center, St. Paul. To sign-up  click here. For directions to the Dorothy Day Center  click here.

5. Area Book Study
The MN area book study will be held on the Saturday, March 11th following the 8:00 AM Mass at the Cathedral. The book study will take place at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St Paul which is located at: 253 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102 . Click  here  for directions

To download the March upcoming events from the shared calendar to your local calendar click here.
Mission Statement of the Order of Malta
The Order of Malta is a worldwide, lay religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, which seeks to glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through his or her work with the sick and the poor and defense of the Catholic faith. 
To learn more please visit:    www.orderofmaltaamerican.org

Order of Malta, Minnesota Delegation |  Click to Email Order of Malta MN Area | http://orderofmaltaamerican.org
14451 Hwy. 7, Suite B
Minnetonka, MN 55345