SOUTHERN COMMANDERY VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 NEWS DECEMBER 31, 2008 Patriarchal Order of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem
Special Points of Interest: Grand Master ponders replacement candidates First year Memorial Mass Historian named Appeal launched
PROVINCE AWAITS APPOINTMENT OF NEW GOVERNOR GENERAL The Southern Commandery the Order and to the Holy Provincial Secretary/General will sponsor a 1-Year Memo- Land. located in Yonkers, New rial Mass for the late Gover- York. nor General Ernest F. Russo. Meanwhile, the Grand Mas- Sir Ernest served the Prov- ter, among his many other The Provincial records are in ince of the United States for concerns, quietly deliberates secure storage in New York many years creating a viable a successor to the Governor until such time as the new organization in the country General’s chair. Provincial governor general takes of- and successfully implement- officers spoke of several fice. potential candidates, but we ing the mission of the Order still await word as to the The Commander remains in The Governor General went decision of the Grand Mas- contact with the Provincial to be with the Lord on Janu- ter. At the time of succes- officers from Seattle to the ary 5, 2008 only eight sion, the Grand Master will East coast. Lines of commu- months after his beloved issue a Patriarchal Bulla nication are vital to the Or- wife Lady Irene found her which in effect will be the der and are employed often way to heaven. formal appointment author- during the transition period. ized by His Beatitude Greg- During this period of inter ory III Laham. regnum, the Southern Com- +++ mandery continues to dis- The Provincial Newsletter charge its duties and respon- will continue to be distrib- sibilities to the members of uted twice per year by the Inside this issue:
Christmas Message 2
New Position 2 GRAND MASTER VOICES APPEAL TO WORLD LEADERS
DAMASCUS, Syria Judaism, Christianity and ties -- and also the League of Grand Chaplain 2 (Zenit.org) - A Syrian Islam" and that these relig- Arab States and its mission archbishop is calling on ions are committed to com- to preserve the coexistence Calendar 3 world leaders and the Arab mon spiritual and humanitar- that characterizes this region League to rescue the Chris- ian values. of the world." tians of Iraq. Patriarch Melkites Praised 3 Gregorios III Laham of An- He said he launched "this tioch of the Melkite Greek urgent appeal to the world: +++ Catholic Church launched an kings and presidents and Reports 4 spiritual and civil leaders, so appeal Wednesday, recalling that Iraq is "home to Abra- they all work -- each from Oath of the Order 4 ham, the father of faith in his position and responsibili- Page 2
SOUTHERN COMMANDERY NEWS
COMMANDER’S CHRISTMAS COMMUNICATION Merry Christmas to you all! The chronology remains the agnostics, non-Christians and There I said it. The past few same, so it is apparent that atheists, among others, would years there has been a move- we are to remove the name be a ministry worthy of our ment, at least in the US, to de of Christ from all historical charge. -sanctify the season and the mention. In any event, this message. It seems that we adaptation by the secular pro- And so, with the onset of are to acknowledge Holiday gressives still rely on basing Christmas, may we too look Trees, Happy Holidays and their new time line designa- anew at the world with eyes Season’s Greetings at the tion from the birth of Jesus of wonder and pleasant antici- pation of the good works and expense of the above greet- Christ! prayer that we can offer to ing. In certain scientific circles Bernard W. Wolff, KGCCJ B.C. and A.D. are replaced by I would like to see us, as an make our planet a little bit Order of knighthood be edu- Provincial Defender of the Order B.C.E. (before the common closer to Eden. Commander cated in apologetics. To be era) and C.E. (common era) in May the Almighty God bless Southern Commandery order to placate the trendy able to defend our faith em- us all. and be politically correct. ploying ready, intelligent re- sponses to questions from
GRAND CHAPLAIN MONSIGNOR CANAVAN REASSIGNED “To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.” Our Grand Chaplain, the Rev- In Miami, he was the pastor of in the 40-day Memorial Mass erend Monsignor Martin Ca- Dormition Ukrainian Catholic for the deceased Governor navan recently moved to Church. I must say that it was General Ernest F. Russo of Parma, Ohio to become the a novel experience to attend fond memory. pastor at St. Josaphat Cathe- Mass and listen to him deliver God speed and God bless, dral on September 1, 2008. a homily in the Ukrainian lan- Monsignor. We look forward guage. Monsignor Canavan is a to meeting the new pastor at charming and delightful man We thank him for hosting one Dormition Ukrainian Catholic of God who always has a wel- of our gatherings for Vespers, Church, the Reverend Mat- coming smile and pleasant enjoying his spiritual hospital- thew Schroeder. manner. He is acquainted ity. with the Grand Master and met with His Beatitude during Additionally, we all recall as Monsignor Canavan assisted +++ Monsignor Canavan a mutual visit to Ukraine. (l.) clarifying a point to the Grand Master while in Ukraine SIR RONALD KOIVU ENTRUSTED WITH HISTORIAN ROLE Ronald Koivu, KCJ appointed Jude choir blending his voice If the members peruse their as Historian for the Southern with the other accomplished scrapbooks and computers or Commandery effective August can remember occasions of musicians in the loft. 1, 2008. Sir Ronald will be the past concerning the Or- Sir Ronald became a member responsible for taking photo- der, it would be helpful if you graphs at our assemblages and of the Order during the previ- could pass these remem- Photo unavailable other events. Eventually, ous commander’s (Sir Walter brances along to assist in the at publishing time. these will become a part of a Meshaka) time in office. project. written history of the South- Interviews will be conducted
Ronald Koivu, KCJ ern Commandery. with the previous command- Southern Commandery The Historian is a faithful ers to gain their perspectives +++ Historian member of St. Jude Catholic on the times and happenings Church in Miami, Florida. He during their respective is also a member of the St. watches. Page 3
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Schedule of Events
DECEMBER 2008 December 7, 2nd Sunday of SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Advent December 7, Pearl Harbor Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 December 8, Feast of the Im- maculate Conception December 14, 3rd Sunday of 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Advent December 21, 4th Sunday of Advent 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 December 25, Nativity of our Lord 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
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POPE BENEDICT PRAISES HIS BEATITUDE GREGORY III
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Melkite Church.” With the Melkite patriar- chate based in Damascus, The pilgrimage was part of Syria — the destination of the Melkite church’s prepa-
St. Paul when he was con- rations for the Pauline year, which Pope Benedict will verted to Christianity — Pope Benedict XVI asked open in late June to mark Pray for the intentions of Melkite Catholics to be the 2,000th anniversary of enthusiastic participants in St. Paul’s birth. the Grand Master the upcoming Pauline year. Pope Benedict praised the The Pope asked each Mel- Melkite church — an East- kite Catholic, diocese and ern Catholic church — for parish for “a more intimate maintaining its vitality knowledge of the person “despite the difficulties of of Christ, thanks to a re- the social and political newed reading of the Grand Master His Beatitude Gregory III situation” in its Middle East Laham Pauline literature.” homeland. Meeting Melkite Patriarch
Gregory III Laham of Da- mascus, members of the +++ Melkite bishops’ synod, heads of Melkite religious orders and hundreds of pilgrims at the Vatican May 8, the Pope said a renewed faith would lead to a pow- erful witness to the gospel and would “guarantee a flourishing future for the PATRIARCHAL ORDER OF THE HOLY CROSS OF JERUSA LEM Oath of the Order
21340 SW 94th Avenue Lord Jesus Christ, you are our King forever. By your Cross you have Cutler Bay, Florida 33189 brought salvation to the world and redeemed me, a poor sinner. As I
take upon myself the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, I swear allegiance to You, Phone: 305-254-8067 to Your Holy City, to all Your Holy Land, and to the Christian communi- Fax: 305-254-8067 E-mail: [email protected] ties therein which make You present today in the Land sanctified by Your life-giving life, death and resurrection. O Lord, make me worthy of Your kingdom. Amen.
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REPORTS
Hospitaller Appeal (cont’d) Lady Delores Wolff conferred Patriarch Gregorios III urged with Friend of the Holy Land the leaders to act quickly "to member Simone Zontini of St. save the people of Iraq, with Jude in Miami, and reports that all its historical and religious only one member is placed on and cultural heritage, from the the Prayer List: Lady Virginia risk of fragmentation to which Nimer. it is exposed, especially after the discord began spreading its Additionally, postulant Joseph Weeks of St. Basil, also in Mi- poison" on Mosul Christians. ami, requests our prayers for A spokesman for the U.N. his mother Mellicent, who lives High Commissioner for Refu- in Atlanta. Icon of St. George gees told reporters last week Also, Sir Doctor Alessandro that more than 13,000 Chris- Grecchi of the Province of tians had fled Mosul during the previous two weeks, which is Northern Italy requests spiri- more than half of the total tual blessings for his mother number of Christians living in Marisa. the city. +++ +++