The March 2025 Newsletter of the | |
Upcoming Calendar of Events | |
All members of the Order of Malta, especially those in the Ohio Areas, are invited to attend any events or opportunities. This includes Knights, Dames, Auxiliary/Associates, and Volunteers. Please mark your calendars for these opportunities, for questions please reach out to the Area Chair(s) or the contact person listed for the event or ministry. | |
March
- 3: Malta Monday: St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati Pantry; 9:00am to 11:00am
- 17: Malta Monday: St. Anthony Center Kitchen; 7:00am to 9:00am
April
- 3: Installation Mass of Archbishop Robert Casey as the 11th Archbishop of Cincinnati; Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, 2:30pm. Save the Date!
- 4: Mass & Quarterly Area Meeting at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains; 8:00am. RSVP below.
- 7: Malta Monday: St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati Pantry; 9:00am to 11:00am
- 21: Malta Monday: St. Anthony Center Kitchen; 7:00am to 9:00am
- 29-May 6: Lourdes Pilgrimage
May
- 5: Malta Monday: St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati Pantry; 9:00am to 11:00am
- 19: Malta Monday: St. Anthony Center Kitchen; 7:00am to 9:00am
- 30: Annual Day of Recollection at Xavier University, 8:30am to 1:00pm. RSVP to Kathryn Dierckes.
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RSVP for the Quarterly Area Meeting | |
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Mass & Quarterly Area Meeting
Join together with fellow members of the Order in our Area. Our quarterly meeting will take place in Synod Hall following the conclusion of the 8:00am Mass.
For those who arrive prior to 7:30am, please wait in the vestibule at the main doors on Plum Street until the conclusion of the 7:00am Mass.
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Mass & Quarterly Area Meeting RSVP |
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains (325 W 8th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202) |
04/04/25 8:00am - 04/04/25 10:00am US/Eastern |
Join us for Mass and our Quarterly Meeting. Please note this is on a Friday. | | | |
Changes to Traditional Meeting Dates | |
Traditionally, the Cincinnati Area hosts our quarterly meetings on Thursdays. Due to changes in Bishop Binzer's schedule we have moved two of our meeting dates to Fridays.
The following meetings will take place on Fridays:
- Friday, April 4
- Friday, September 26
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Save the Date - Installation Mass of Archbishop Casey | |
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Archbishop-designate Casey will be installed as the 11th Archbishop of Cincinnati at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati on Thursday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
Additional information for members regarding possible participation in the installation liturgy will be forthcoming. Please mark your calendars now for this important event in the life of our local Church.
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Message from our Area Chair
by Terry Horan, KM
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Hello fellow members of Malta,
I am Terry Horan and the new area chair for our membership. I think I know most of you and will look forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming various meetings and opportunities to be of service in our community. Tom Gruber, KM did such a great job as the former Area Chair; I am truly humbled to try and fill his shoes.
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Update on Area & Association Grants | |
As we start the year, the Order is currently in the midst of our Area Grant Allocations work. We have a budget that we can spend on works with not for profits that align with our work in Malta and which our members are actively involved with. I am proud to announce that we have four members on our local Area Grants Committee: Virginia Wiltse, Rob Heidt, Greg Hartman and Kathryn Dierckes. Please reach out to one of them if you have a charity or outreach that you believe we should support.
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Fundraising for Holy Family Hospital Bethlehem Update | |
At our annual Christmas Party, we heard about the great need of Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. As you may recall, this is one of the great works of our Order and provides vital care to the region. Our fellow Dame of Malta, and the new Area Chair of our Cleveland family, Nicolle McGowan serves on their board.
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Towards the end of our evening, Niki came forward to passionately invite us to answer the call to witness to the beauty of every human life. And answer that call we did!
The Ohio Area came together to raise $251,545 for the hospital to help close a $500,000 shortfall!
Please see below for a thank you letter from Ambassador Michele B. Bowe, GCM. God is truly great, and he works through all of us to create good in the world.
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Exploring our Roots - Traveling to Paris & Malta | |
A few weeks ago I reached out to you about planning a trip to visit Notre Dame in Paris and the Island of Malta. Your responses have been wonderful and I am happy to say there is considerable enthusiasm for going, however, the timing simply did not work for many of our members. Therefore we will rethink the dates and send out a fresh survey to offer some alternative dates to explore in 2025 and 2026 to see if we can get more members to consider the trip and find a better time for everyone. It is my hope that we will be able to spend some time together in the coming months as we deepen our appreciation for our faith, the Order, and one another.
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While it cannot come soon enough, winter will soon release its grip on the Ohio region and we will see the first green shoots of Spring. I know we will all look forward to that. In the meantime, I pray you will have a blessed Lent and please, if possible, offer your help to our various volunteer opportunities in the area. | |
Area Hospitaller Message
by Kathryn Dierckes, DM
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Care for the Poor & the Sick: Ministry Spotlight |
If you asked most people what they are doing on a Monday morning, chances are they would say, "going to the office", even if the "office" means a golf course! Yet, for members of our Order, we do things a bit differently. Each month on the third Monday of the month for the past several years, we gather to serve breakfast at the St. Anthony Center in OTR, one of the programs of Saint Francis Seraph Ministries.
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The mission, vision and values of Saint Seraph Ministries share much in common with the Order of Malta. We both believe in caring for our neighbor – holding special concern for those in need. We both also affirm the goodness and value of each person created in the image and likeness of God.
The Franciscan Friars have been serving the homeless and working poor in our community for more than 175 years. The St. Anthony Center (SAC) opened in 2017 as an expansion of the St. Francis Seraph Soup Kitchen founded in the 1970’s. Prior to 2017, the soup kitchen was located in the basement of the school and was a ministry of the parish who ran it for many years.
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The change in 2017 was the result of a collaboration with the Franciscan Friars to become the ministry it is now. SAC houses several other ministries (Center for Respite Care, Mary Magdalen House, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, Haircuts from the Heart) which are independently run, as well as other St Francis Seraph ministries such as a foot care clinic, bag lunch program, and the Sarah Center which offers sewing and jewelry making classes. St. Frances Seraph Ministries serves dinner as well as breakfast in the SAC five days a week and utilizes volunteers at both meals.
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In 2017, the Executive Director (who was familiar with our works) invited the Order of Malta to volunteer with the serving of breakfast. This opportunity continues today with Nancy Gruber, DM serving as the local coordinator for this charitable work. She forwarded a letter from the Executive Director of Saint Seraph Ministries regarding the demand on the program - both breakfast and dinner. Please consider supporting this important ministry! If you are working, we finish in time for an almost full morning in the office. Parking is available nearby and often there is no charge at the meters.
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Please consider supporting this important ministry! If you are working, we finish in time for an almost full morning in the office. Parking is available nearby and often there is no charge at the meters.
Please contact Nancy Gruber to learn more.
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Save the Date...or RSVP right now! | |
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Annual Day of Recollection
Xavier University Campus
Returning to guide our Annual Day of Recollection, Fr. Jeff Kemper will guide us on a journey of Hope, drawing inspiration from the current Jubilee of Hope declared by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. We will gather in the Clock Tower room of the Gallagher Student Center for a continental breakfast, time of recollection, and have Mass at Bellarmine Chapel. A boxed lunch and time for fellowship is included. There is no cost for this event; please feel welcome to invite friends, family, guests and even potential members.
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Annual Day of Recollection RSVP |
Xavier University Campus, University Drive |
05/30/25 8:30am - 05/30/25 1:30pm US/Eastern |
There is no cost for this event; please feel welcome to invite friends, family, guests and even potential members. | | | |
Message from our Area Chaplain
Bishop Joe Binzer, ChM.
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Lent – Give in to the Love of Jesus | |
When I was a child, the typical sacrifice my siblings and I made during Lent was to give up a favorite food. During recent years, rather than giving up a favorite food item, I’ve tried to do something that allows me to give in to the love of Jesus. One year, I read a short spiritual reflection each day. Another year, I tried to do an act of mercy each day. I did those things because Lent is a time to draw closer to Jesus as we seek a true change of heart.
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One of many ways to draw closer to Jesus is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Those who receive this Sacrament obtain pardon because of God’s mercy. Stories of mercy fill the Bible. Here are some examples. In the book of Genesis, we learn of the sin of Adam and Eve. Because they sinned, they have to leave the Garden of Eden. But before they leave, God showed mercy and made Adam and Eve garments of skin to protect them from the elements. In St. Luke’s Gospel, we know the teaching of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son where people experience mercy. And we remember Jesus asking His Father to forgive those who crucified Him. | |
When I was in elementary school, we went to confession monthly during the school year. After graduating from elementary school, I waited over twelve years to go to confession. When I returned, the kind priest helped me with the steps in the ritual because I had forgotten the steps. It is a day I’ll always remember because I felt, not only the pardon, but the peace that comes with the sacrament.
Sometimes people fear they have been away too long, or their sins are too great, for them to be forgiven. Some years ago, Pope Francis offered these reassuring words:
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God never tires of forgiving us, but we sometimes tire of asking Him to forgive us. Let us never tire of asking God’s forgiveness. He is the loving Father who always forgives, who has that heart of mercy for all of us. | |
God is merciful. Mercy is a free gift of God’s love. Everyone needs mercy. If you haven’t received the Sacrament of Reconciliation recently, consider receiving the Sacrament this Lent.
May God bless you and keep you. I’ll be praying for you, your loved ones, and all the members of Malta this Lent. Peace and all good!!
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Membership Corner: Affiliate & Volunteer Membership | |
Know of someone interested in exploring more of our Order before becoming a Knight or Dame? Then the Affiliate program may be for them!
Affiliates are categorized into three groups:
- Auxiliary are aged 18 to 39.
- Associates are those who are 40+.
- Volunteer Auxiliary is open to those 18+, as well as anyone non-Catholic.
Members of each group are afforded a unique opportunity to:
- Learn about the Order of Malta with the chance to consider membership at some future date
- Engage in hands-on works aligned with the Order’s mission of serving the poor and the sick
- Receive support in their spiritual development
- Participate in the activities of the Area and the Association
- Participate in the Catholic community, providing an evangelization opportunity
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For more information on types of membership, possible candidates, or supporting someone in their discernment of joining, please contact our Area Membership Co-Chairs - Tom Gruber & Chad Summe. | |
Update from around the Association | |
Malta Uniforms & Merchandise
Are you anticipating going to Lourdes this year? Do you plan to be involved in another Malta Pilgrimage in the coming months? Take a look at the new centralized website for all of your Malta uniform needs, including guidelines on uniforms, Association patches, or even general Malta merchandise supporting a variety of Areas within the Association.
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Looking to get more involved? Reach out below! | |
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St. Vincent de Paul - Cincinnati Catino Choice Food Pantry:
Jack Leibold, MD, KM
1st Monday of the month in Cincinnati, helping neighbors select their food and load their vehicle.
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St. Francis Seraph Ministries at the St. Anthony Center:
Nancy Gruber, DM
3rd Monday of the month in Cincinnati, serving meals at the St. Anthony Center
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Net Ministries Prayer Partnership:
Thomas Gruber, KM
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Last Call! Area Dues Reminder! | |
Dear Confreres and Consouers,
Consistent with the last few years, it is time to assess and collect our annual dues for our local Area and help us with a productive and caring 2025.
In the last couple of years, we have been fortunate to support some outstanding and worthy local causes including:
- Caring Madagascar
- Ruah Woods
- Jesuit Retreat Center
- Holy Family Hospital
- St. Francis Seraph and
- St. Vincent DePaul
Annual dues are now $250 per each local full time member and are used to finance the activities of our Ohio area Malta organization, including the 2025 grants that will be suggested by our grant committee. If you and your spouse are both members, please send in $500.
We plan that the only other local charge you will have in 2025 is your participation in our annual Christmas Mass and Dinner.
Please make your checks payable to:
Order of Malta - Cincinnati
Mail your checks to:
Brian Carley
7676 Coldstream Woods Dr
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Please submit your payment no later than March 31, 2025 if possible.
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Membership Information Update | |
Have you moved in the past year? Do you have a new preferred phone number or email that we should use to connect with you? Be sure to reach out and provide your latest contact information (mailing address, primary & secondary phone, primary email, seasonal information, etc.) so we can keep you informed. This information is not shared outside of the Order of Malta without your permission | |
Daily Prayer of the Order | |
Lord Jesus, thou hast seen fit to enlist me for thy service in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee, through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St. John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard, and all the saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order.
Be it mine to practice and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against sacrilege. Be it mine to practice charity towards my neighbors, especially the poor and sick.
Give me the strength I need, to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy Holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God's Glory, the world's peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Amen.
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