Order of Malta Motto: "Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum"
Summer Edition 2016 
Ordinary Time   
 

Dear Confreres-
Today is September 1st and for us here in Minnesota it is the month that we change from summer to autumn.  With that for us we will be celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Philermo on the 8th of September. Please join us for Vespers, Mass and social to honor this beautiful feast.
 
Please continue to keep Nicky Carpenter in your prayers. She is still struggling with different health issues. She did have eye surgery on the 31st which her daughter reports went well. Nicky wanted me to pass on to all of you her gratitude for your prayers, cards, notes, visits etc. - she is unable to send you notes, email or talk much on the phone right now so apologizes for this. I assured her that none of us expected anything. 
 
I was hoping to have the 2016 - 2017 Calendar attached to this newsletter but have not finalized everything for next year yet. I will be sending it off to you in the next few weeks. 
 
Please note that the next few events are as follows:
  • September 8th - Feast of Our Lady of Philermo - 6:30 Vespers and Mass and social to follow - St Peter's, Mendota
  • September 24th - Family Picnic - 10:30 Mass at Little Sisters of the Poor with Potluck to follow
  • October   22nd - Commemoration of the Feast of Blessed Gerard / Fall Morning of Reflection, New Member Orientation, sending forth of those being Invested in November- Holy Family, St Louis Park
  • December 10, 2016 - Holy Family Hospital Luncheon - University Club, St Paul
Many blessings and  Warmest Regards,

Anne Marie Hansen, DM
Minnesota Area Chair
Prayer Intentions
Minnesota Prayer Intentions
  • Nicky Carpenter, DM
  • Repose of the soul of Jack Hooley - father of Tom Hooley, KM
  • Ed Callahan
  • Michael Stenquist, KM's mother
  • Malades who took part in the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help: 

  • Colin Chisholm 

  • Jayme Chapman

  • Larry Pavlicek

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
MN Area Order of Malta Knights and Dames attended a Mass celebrated by His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke in LaCrosse

Thoughts of Brit Noser, KM     -Rochester area
On Saturday, July 30th
Minnesota Area Order of Malta Knights and Dames attended a mass celebrated by His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  The Cardinal Patron of the SMOM, Cardinal Burke is also the founder and patron of the Shrine and his high regard for beauty and tradition are evident in the edifices and liturgical celebrations therein. Click here  to read the rest of this article.

Dame Dorothy G uanella, of Eagan, said of the Shrine of the Lady of Guadalupe,  "Every time I pull into the parking lot and wind up the path to the chapel of the Shrine of the Lady Guadalupe, I am in awe of the vision of Bishop Burke, the generosity and love of God's people to build a such a breathtaking tribute to our Blessed Virgin Mary. The Shrine graces the beautiful hill side of Mormon Coulee a short distance from my former home.

Being present as our Cardinal Patronus celebrated Mass was a humbling experience, and it renewed my spirit and conviction to carry out the mission of the Order of Malta. "

Larry Pavlicek Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help
Two Smiles and a Healing
By Larry Pavlicek
            
A year or so ago a routine chest x-ray showed a few glitches in my lung tissue a CAT scan later confirmed were the early stages of   idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive  disease, considered incurable, with widely varying estimates on life expectancy.  So when my friend and Dame of Malta Anne Marie Hansen, invited me on the Order's August pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Hope in Champion, Wisconsin, it brought to mind the Yiddish expression, "It vouldn't hoit, might help."  But even though Our Lady of Good Help, the only approved Marian Apparition site in the U.S., has been the site of healing and other miracles, I knew to leave expectations behind simply look forward to a peaceful, quiet time of recollection. Click here to continue reading Larry's story.
Kevin Connors, AUX, reflection on the  Residents Encounter Christ (REC) retreat held inside the Rush City Correctional Facility weekend of August 20th
The Catholic based Greater Twin Cities Residents Encounter Christ (REC) Ministry conducted a retreat for the first time at Rush City the weekend of August 20. The REC ministry was invited into Rush City for the first time ever because the Department of Correction   Administration knows of the life changing blessings this experience can bring. 
 
There were many unknowns and obstacles as this was the first time a retreat type weekend was conducted at this level 4 facility in over 12 years. As a result of many prayers and the power of God the path was laid smooth and 28 men attended the retreat. The peace and fire of the Holy Spirit were alive as hearts of residents were strengthened, and in some cases turned, and a true brotherhood in Christ was developed inside this prison facility. I can even say staff security were affected by the love and brotherhood shared through the event.
Praise God! 

Click here to read more of Kevin's article. 

Click here to read the article from the Catholic Spirit on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis "Embrace" initiative designed to aid those transitioning from prison back to society. 
Saint of the Order: Saint Nicasius
Saint Nicasius  was a member of the Knights Hospitaller. His feast day is July 1. Born in Sicily -perhaps Palermo- to the Kameti (or Camuto) family (later known as de Burgio) in the twelfth century, he joined the Order as a knight with his brother Ferrandino.

He assisted in the defense of Acre, but was captured and beheaded there in 1187. Alternatively, another tradition claims he was captured during the battle of Hattin and was decapitated in the presence of Saladin after refusing to convert to Islam. 
MN Member Spotlight
Joe Micallef, KMOb 

Knights, Memory, and the Siege of 1565: An Exhibition of the 450th Anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta
MN Area Knight Joe Micallef provided assistance and input for a recent exhibition for the Hill Museum and Manuscript library entitled, "Knights, Memory, and the Siege of 1565: An Exhibition of the 450th Anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta". 

Joe assisted the curator of the exhibition, Daniel K. Gullo on the exhibition. A reception that was held on July 7th at the James Ford Bell library at the University of MN Twin Cities campus.  You can view the exhibition by clicking here .

Sandra Davis, DM

MN Area Dame Sandra Davis was recently honored by the Twin Cities Business Journal as one of the 2016 Marvelous Mentors. This award is given to business leaders in our community who have helped others become leaders themselves. Sandra is the founder and chair of MDA Leadership, a Minneapolis-based leadership development consultancy, Sandra has provided professional coaching to numerous executives. But she's found being a mentor uniquely rewarding. 

Click here to read an article about Sandra's mentoring activities that is published in the September 2016 edition of Twin Cities Business Journal
A Reflection by Pope Francis
"In today's Gospel Jesus insists on the conditions for being his disciples: preferring nothing to the love of Christ, carrying one's cross and following him. Many people in fact drew near to Jesus, they wanted to be included among his followers; and this would happen especially after some miraculous sign which accredited him as the Messiah, the King of Israel. However, Jesus did not want to disappoint anyone. He knew well what awaited him in Jerusalem and which path the Father was asking him to take: it was the Way of the Cross, the way of sacrificing himself for the forgiveness of our sins. Following Jesus does not mean taking part in a triumphal procession! It means sharing his merciful love, entering his great work of mercy for each and every man and for all men. The work of Jesus is, precisely, a work of mercy, a work of forgiveness and of love! Jesus is so full of mercy! And this universal pardon, this mercy, passes through the Cross. Jesus, however, does not want to do this work alone: he wants to involve us too in the mission that the Father entrusted to him."
- Pope Francis
" Jubilee of Mercy" for the official site
Mercy in Action in Minnesota
The spiritual work of mercy for your reflection and practice is: Comforting the Sorrowful. Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief.  Even if we aren't sure of the right words to say, our presence can make a big difference.

The corporal work of mercy for your reflection and practice is:   Visit the Sick. Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided.  In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.

Upcoming MN Area opportunities to put into action the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy for our Masters the Sick and Poor:
  • Feed the Poor at the Dorothy Day Center on Friday, September 23rd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. If you have any questions please contact Steve Hawkins, KM
Dorothy Day Center men's overnight volunteers needed for the upcoming fall and winter
For the last 7 winters, men from the Order have organized and help staff an overflow space for up to 40 homeless men each night from October through April, so that no one would be turned away from the Dorothy Day Center because there was simply no more space.  

The new DDC will open this December and there will no longer be a need for us to provide temporary shelter.    We have, however, been asked to organize and help volunteer to serve up to 70 individuals (10 of whom will be in medical rehab) on the second floor of that new building, every evening from about 6:30 pm to about 8:30 pm, providing dinner and friendship much as we did at overflow but without sleeping over. 
 
The effort will be 365 days of the year and will require up to 4 individuals each evening.  Though we continue to have more than 100 men from more than 20 parishes who will continue to participate, many more are needed as the effort grows ever larger.  For an overview of the process, please click here
 
We will also partner with Mile In My Shoes to establish a running club for residents of the new DDC that will launch in March.  If you are a runner in the St Paul area, and wish to encourage others through running together, please consider joining us. If you have more questions please email Steve Hawkins
 
Thank you and God Bless
Steve Hawkins, KM
Upcoming MN Area Events
1. The Feast of Our Lady of Philermo, September 8th starting at 6:30 PM

We will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Philermo, Patroness of the Order of Malta, at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota on Thursday Sept.8th. Our celebration will start with Vespers at 6:30 PM followed by Mass at 7:00 PM.  Fr. Joseph Johnson, MN Area chaplain will be the celebrant.

Afterwards, around 8:00 PM, we will gather for fellowship at Axel's located a few blocks away on HWY 13 in Mendota. Anne Marie Hansen, DM and MN Area Chair, has made reservations under her name. Attendees will need to purchase their own drinks and/or food.
Knights and Dames are asked to vest for Mass.  Auxiliary and Friends of the Order are asked to wear red. 


2. SMOM MN Area Picnic - September 24th beginning with Mass at 10:30 Am at Little Sister's of the Poor Holy Family Residence

Our annual Summer Family Picnic will be Saturday, September 24th and will again be held at Little Sister's of the Poor, Holy Family Residence in St Paul, beginning with Mass at 10:30 am  (no need to vest).  We'll follow Mass with a tour of the facility outlining possible areas members and their families may consider volunteering in the future, and then head to the Garden House overlooking the river for a pot luck luncheon at noon.  To learn more and to sign up, go to:
 
 
Family and friends are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.  If you can help with food, we have plenty of opportunities.  Otherwise, please sign up as a guest.  Last year's event was enjoyed by all.  Hope to see more of you this year.   
 
Click here to get directions to the Little Sister's of the Poor, Holy Family Residence
American Association Fall Retreat Oct 14th -16th at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, in Mundelein, Illinois
The American Association's Fall Retreat is scheduled for the weekend of October 14  to October 16 at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, in Mundelein, Illinois. 

Father Eric Hollas, a familiar face to many of our members, will once again bless us as our Retreat Master.

Mundelein, Illinois, the site of the retreat, is about a forty-five minute drive from Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
The weekend will begin with check-in on Friday evening, October 14 and will end on Sunday morning, October 16, 2016. 

Click here to read the fall retreat announcement. You can access the fall retreat registration form by clicking here.
Minnesota Area Grants
The MN area gave a $4,400 grant to the Dorothy Day Center to purchase new kitchen supplies for the new center being built. For those of us who enjoy preparing and serve meals at Dorothy Day, we are very much looking forward to the using the kitchen and equipment.  

It is also time to start think about next year's 2017 grants the applications the window starts January 1, 2017 and ends March 15, 2017.  If you know of a worthy organization that could use a grant now is the time to start the process and if you any questions about the process please contact Marc Jenny , KM  
In This Issue
An Extraordinary Jubiliee of Mercy thought...

The Jubilee Year of Mercy  Hymn "Misericordes sicut Pater"
SMOM MN Area 2016 Events Calendar
Spirituality Corner
Fidelity
"Our essential nourishment is the fidelity to the thousand and one small demands of each day, the effort to love and forgive 'the enemy' and to welcome and accept community structures, with all that this brings by way of co-operation with authority. It is fidelity in listening to the poor of the c ommunity, in accepting a simple and unheroic life. It is fidelity in directing personal projects towards the good of the community
and its
poorest members and in renouncing purely personal prestige."
 
Jean Vanier

Love is Necessary
"Community life demands that we constantly go beyond our own resources. If we do not have the spiritual nourishment we need, we will close in on ourselves and on our own comfort and security, or throw ourselves into work as an escape. We will throw up walls around our sensitivity; we will perhaps be polite and obedient, but we will not love. And when you do not love, there is no hope and no joy."
 
Jean Vanier
2016 Year of Discernment for Investiture
Barbara Dries
Dr. David Dries
Jacob Rodenbiker
2016 MN Area Auxiliary Members
Jessica Aleman
Richard Aleman
Barry Bruss
Paul Drucker
James Fredrickson
Lisa Hanten
Susan Linnell
Eileen Noble
Jim Noble
Order of Malta Around the World
Click here to read how 70 members of the Order of Malta are aiding those affected by the Aug 24th earthquake in central Italy and learn how you can donate to help in the disaster relief.
MN Area Board
Read the current edition of the American Association Newsletter, "Hospitallers"

Download the Order of Malta, American
 Association mobile app
The Holy Door or 
'P orta Sancta'
at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

   - Malta  Pilgrimage 2016
Click here to see a larger version of this photo and read more about what is a Holy Door?
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