station in Bangkok. Here hundreds of INAUGURAL CHRISTMAS AND homeless gather to spend the nights. NEW YEAR’S NATIONAL DAY They provided 420 blankets, 600 OF THE ORDER GIVING hygiene sets, 300 socks, 1,000 noodles soups in cups and toys for OF MALTA IN A tradition of the Order of the children, as well as support, love Malta Australia each year is FEBRUARY 2020 AUSTRALIA and understanding. for Members in Sydney to visit The National Day of the Order of patients at Gorman House Order of Malta Volunteers in NEWSLETTER Malta was an initiative started Detoxification unit and Tierney Brisbane started the New Year by by Members in Italy in 2018. The House Homeless Health service supporting Rosies friends with their IN THIS ISSUE - PROJECT UPDATES / UPCOMING EVENTS / LATEST NEWS success of this day was quickly on Christmas Day to give gifts monthly BBQ and groceries outreach recognised, and other countries to the patients there. This is in at Rotary Park Aspley serving 47 were encouraged to adopt addition to the thrice weekly patrons. similar activities. It is celebrated BBQs held year round at these in October to coincide with the facilities. This year was no Our volunteers distributed 68 hygiene feast day of our founder Blessed exception and the residents items kindly donated by Order of Fra Gerard. were grateful for not only the Malta Members and friends. Amid AUSTRALIAN gifts but the companionship and the soaring temperatures, patrons In 2019, Members in Hawthorn, understanding provided. expressed particular appreciation Black Rock, Toorak and Adelaide for the sunscreen and antiperspirant. Members in Thailand also undertook spoke at churches to inform Toothbrushes and toothpaste, BUSHFIRES additional activities for the less parishioners about the work of shampoo and hair conditioner were fortunate at Christmas. During the the Order both nationally and also very well received. MESSAGE FROM THE HOSPITALLER month of December members, internationally. After mass, aspirants and friends visited the Members were available to answer Interested in volunteering? homeless in Hua Lamphong train questions about our activities and Visit www.orderofmalta.org.au The Grand Chancellor The Grand Hospitaller - Dominique Prince distributed information brochures, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel Lourdes Holy Water, Rosary beads and prayer material. Chancellor, Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, 2019 ASIA PACIFIC H.E. The Grand Hospitaller, Dominique Prince FOR MORE ORDER OF CONFERENCE de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel and H.E. MALTA NEWS VISIT Reverend Monsignor Jean Laffitte, Prelate Dear Members and Supporters those affected by them, at a Mass at St WWW.ORDEROFMALTA.ORG.AU Mary’s Cathedral to pray for and with IN MELBOURNE of the Order of Malta. They provided insight Like all Australians, and indeed the victims of the fires. Between 21 and 24 November, into international matters and reaffirmed South Eastern Region Annual Mass for the rest of the world, it was with great members of the Order of Malta in that the Order’s 900 year old mission is as Faithful Departed sadness that we welcomed in 2020 Members recently visited the major relief relevant as ever. Australia hosted 98 delegates for the Members in the North Eastern Region celebrate with heartbreaking footage of families centre in East Gippsland and can say Annual Asia Pacific Conference of the Advent Mass losing everything as bushfires rage that the work is just beginning as there Order of Malta in Melbourne. The Asia “Our lay Order is not a contemplative Order; throughout parts of the country. will be much more to do to assist these we live our faith by sharing and helping Members of the Order of Malta Thailand join Sydney's air quality has plunged Pacific conference is the only annual the festivities to welcome the Holy Father Pope Further catastrophic conditions are communities rebuild after the fires are others. We are at the service of our Lords the to hazardous levels due to the international conference of the 900 year Francis forecast over the coming months. gone. At the time of this newsletter going old organisation worldwide attended by Sick, the Poor and those in Need” explains to print our generous members and bushfires burning across the One knight and four dames invested at The Order of Malta Australia has provided both the Grand Chancellor and Grand H.E. The Grand Hospitaller, Dominique supporters have donated an additional state. Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul, Korea support from our Natural Disaster Fund to Hospitaller on a yearly basis. Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel. “This $35,000 to assist the rehabilitation effort. provide emergency relief to those directly On the worst days, people have is why, 900 years later, the hospitallers, like Catholic Bioethics Conference – the Future of Members are already in discussions with “The theme of the conference was ‘Living impacted. $20,000 has already been been advised to stay inside to the volunteers and staff, are responding Freedom in Healthcare and Doctor-Assisted impacted parishes and are visiting the our Faith in a Secularized World’” explained distributed in funds and food vouchers to limit exposure, however that is to Pope Francis’ invitation to ‘go to the Suicide and Euthanasia legislation affected areas to understand how the National President, The Hon Justice James those who have lost homes in Batemans easier said than done for the outskirts’ to meet the others and with them Order of Malta can use these funds to Douglas. “The focus was for delegates to Bay, Moruya, Cobargo & Narooma (NSW) to encounter Christ.” Learn about activities as they happen. Follow us: assist their recovery. homeless. understand our priorities and plans at both and $20,000 in food vouchers have been a national and international level for both delivered to Bairnsdale Relief Centre to I request all members and supporters Our Order of Malta Community H.E. The Grand Chancellor, Albrecht Freiherr “The National Day is a wonderful our charitable works and defence of the support those impacted in Mallacoota, consider a donation to our 2020 Bushfire Care Van volunteers have been von Boeselager was encouraged by the Asia opportunity to not only improve the faith initiatives. We wanted them to have an Buchan, Cann River, Sarsfield, Nowa Nowa Appeal if they can. To those who have distributing face masks, as well Pacific’s growth in recent years but stressed wider community’s knowledge about opportunity to learn and contribute to the and Omeo (VIC). A further $15,000 worth donated, on behalf of those we help, please as water, sun screen and hygiene the importance that the Order of Malta “must our activities, but to give them the Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: future plans of our Order”. orderofmaltaau @orderofmalta.org.au orderofmaltaaustralia of vouchers will be distributed through the accept my thanks. I encourage you to packs, to help limit the exposure do more for the sick and poor and cannot opportunity to volunteer and support get distracted from our mission”. He was Archdiocese of Adelaide (SA). continue visit our website and social media of the homeless. Topics ranged from internal reform to our projects” explained National encouraged by the regional plans presented pages for regular updates on how this countries outlining their priorities and plans, Hospitaller, John Murphy. Members of the Order of Malta also Thank you to Tecmask for at the conference to expand Hospitaller money will be used. as well as discussion and planning regarding Please note our postal address has changed: joined over a thousand people, including donating the masks for activities and urged Members to be actively “It is heartening to see us starting projects in the region, such as the Order’s representatives of those fighting the fires With confraternal best wishes distribution through our van. involved with works, stating “we must go this event in solidarity with fellow The Australian Association of the Order of Malta medical clinic in Timor-Leste and the annual and other organisations working to assist John Murphy - National Hospitaller beyond being generous. We need to be with associations in other parts of the PO Box 79, Caringbah NSW 149 Asia Pacific Camp for Disabled Youth. Telephone: +61 2 9331 8477 | [email protected] the poor to be part of their lives.” world and I anticipate that this www.orderofmalta.org.au Delegates from across the Asia Pacific will be a highlight in the Australian region attended, as well as high charges The 10th Asia Pacific Conference will be Association’s calendar with a greater If you would like to make a tax deductible donation towards our Natural Disaster Fund from Rome, including H.E. The Grand geographic distribution in 2020”. hosted by Hong Kong in October 2020. The Order of Malta (ABN 37 142 209 121) is a Public Benevolent institution and is endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as Deductible Gift Recipient. – 2020 Bushfire Appeal you can do so using the donation coupon on page 5. Licence : SA - CCP3236, WA - 21310 It was celebrated again by His Grace, AWARDS, HONOURS AND RECOGNITION LOURDES Archbishop Anthony Fisher with CELEBRATIONS three of our conventual chaplains as FOR MEMBERS OF THE ORDER IN SYDNEY, concelebrants. Of the attendees at St Mary’s, 60 were MELBOURNE AND malades accompanied by carers, SINGAPORE including two sisters and some residents from the Little Sisters of the Poor On the 7 December, members in Complex at Randwick. 40 Knights Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore and Dames from the region were in hosted Lourdes celebrations, where attendance as well as a visiting American attendees receive small bottles of Knight. water from the grotto at Lourdes, In Singapore, Members hosted the Professor Ashley France and receive a blessing for Order’s fourth Lourdes Experience. The Goldsworthy AO OBE has good health. celebration was held at Singapore Indoor been honoured by Pope Stadium where 11,000 people from 30 Adam Walk (second from Francis, being invested The Hon Gregory Crafter In Melbourne, an estimated 1,200 people parishes attended. right) was ordained deacon as a Knight in the Order AO and Mr James Varghese attended the annual mass at St Patrick’s ASIA PACIFIC CAMP bricolage workshops and numerous other together in Australia for a once in a lifetime on 30 November at St of Saint Sylvester. The AM were awarded the Cross Cathedral, which was celebrated by The healing Mass was presided over by indoor games. week of fun, friendship and adventure. Stephen’s Cathedral. Photo award recognises Ashley’s of Commander pro Merito the Most Reverend Archbishop Peter Archbishop William Goh, concelebrated Guests from all around the Asia Pacific by Alan Edgecomb. FOR YOUTH Days 2 and 3 included a voyage on the exemplary devotion and Melitensi. They were granted Comensoli and concelebrated by the by many priests from the diocese. region, including Australia, Philippines, Adventure-Ship, an organization that helps generosity to the Church and with a Decree “Motu Proprio” Order’s Chaplains. A candlelight, multilingual rosary For the last thirty years the Order Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore will young people of all abilities to develop his service on numerous of the Grand Master on 7 procession with the statue of Our Lady of of Malta has a tradition of holding participate. The congregation included 32 members self-esteem and self-confidence through Archdiocese of Brisbane November 2019. and volunteers from Mandeville Hall, Lourdes was also be conducted on the summer camps for disabled youth aged stadium floor and the Blessed Sacrament adventures at sea. Guests were also able to For our guests with disabilities, the Camp is Councils and Boards. Genazzano, Xavier and De la Salle between 18 to 30. However it was not was carried in a monstrance and brought admire Hong Kong’s beautiful coastline and more than just a break from daily routine. It’s colleges. Galleries and videos from these until 2017 that this tradition crossed among the sick, as well as around the take the tram that climbs to Victoria Peak, an opportunity to get out in the world and be celebrations are available at the borders into Asia. In Sydney, approximately 750 people stadium to bless all who came to honour the highest point of the island, offering them inspired by what it has to offer. www.orderofmalta.org.au attended the mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. Our Lady at this great Marian event. The third Asia Pacific Summer Camp for a spectacular view over the city and its port. For volunteers the camp is a fantastic Disabled Youth took place from October Music and magic were part of the evening opportunity for energetic, enthusiastic and 23 – 26, 2019 in Hong Kong. As the Order entertainment with a DJ from Berlin and a Rebecca Davies, with compassionate youth who would like to of Malta Hong Kong received the guests professional magician. Archbishop Anthony Fisher make a difference by providing support to has been honoured by Pope together with local and foreign volunteers, Over 50 guests with disabilities attended, the young disabled participants and their Francis for her service On 9 October 2019, the there was an atmosphere of excitement and coming from Hong Kong, Indonesia, carers at the camp. to the people of NSW Grand Master and the enthusiasm. continental China, Cambodia, Australia and and the country and her Sovereign Council accepted Netherlands. The Hong Kong volunteers After the inaugural mass and welcome commitment to the Church. the nomination of Frank were flanked by those from Singapore, H.E. Cardinal Andrew Yeom speeches, the camp was declared open by Rebecca was made a Dame Zipfinger as the new Australia, Cambodia, United States, China, received the award of Bailiff Grand Hospitaller Dominique Prince de La Commander of the Order of Counsellor of the Embassy Germany, Austria, Korea, United Kingdom Grand Cross of Honour Regional Hospitaller, Danny Rochefoucauld-Montbel. Guests from each As host nation, we need to raise St Gregory the Great for her of the Sovereign Council of and Italy. and Devotion from Grand Higgins, was awarded the country paraded with their flags to great $250,000 for the accommodation, service through not-for-profit the Order of Malta to the Chancellor H.E. Albrecht Catholic Leader Community applause from all participants. activities and domestic transfers organisations. Kingdom of Cambodia. Freiherr von Boeselager Leader Award. THE 2020 ASIA PACIFIC for the guests, carers and Name The first day consisted of numerous YOUTH CAMP WILL BE HOSTED I WANT TO HELP activities. Guests could swim, practise volunteers. BY AUSTRALIA ON THE Address archery or climb an artificial climbing wall Donations to support this project You can make a donation by completing this form and GOLD COAST! returning it in the reply paid envelope provided. with harnesses for all guests, including can be made on page 5. those in wheelchairs. There were also For the 4th Asia Pacific Camp, young people State Postcode Telephone  I am happy for the Order to allocate my donation various creative activities, from make-up to with disabilities and volunteers will come SAVE THE DATE to where the need is greatest; or Please find enclosed a Cheque/ Money Order I would like to support: (payable to ‘The Order of Malta’) for $ or; Australian Bushfire Appeal impacted 400,000 households in 7,000 11 FEBRUARY 2020: 21-25 OCTOBER 2020: Please debit my credit card the amount of $ WORLD DAY OF villages, killing 30 people. Members made 2020 Asia Pacific Youth Camp Lourdes Day Mass Asia Pacific Conference numerous deliveries of not only emergency THE POOR 2019 St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Hong Kong Coats for the Homeless Frequency Once only Card Type Visa response items, such as survival kits, food Adelaide, 10am The Third World Day of the Poor was and blankets, but longer-term assistance REMEMBER, GIFTS OF $2 AND OVER Monthly MasterCard celebrated on Sunday 17 November, 5 DECEMBER 2020: including building materials, electrical items, 22 AUGUST 2020: Lourdes Day Mass ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. and the Order of Malta once again school books and stationery for students. Lourdes Healing Mass St Patrick’s Cathedral, Send me information about leaving the Order a bequest organised numerous initiatives to bear St Paschal’s 40 Warraba St Melbourne Please remove me from your mailing list. Credit Card Number witness to its daily presence alongside Members across Australia, Korea and New Wavell Hts, 10am people in need, in 120 countries around Zealand also participated in activities to Lourdes Day Mass Donations will be allocated to projects as requested by Expiry Date Cardholder name the world. assist the homeless and disadvantaged to 20 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2020: St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney the donor. However if the needs of a project have already help raise awareness of their daily plight. Asia Pacific Youth Camp been met, we will allocate funds to another Order of Malta X In Thailand World Day of the Poor initiatives Activities included food preparation and Gold Coast charitable activity. Signature

focused around continuing to assist victims distribution, supplying hygiene items,

following the devastation of storms Podul support and understanding. ✁ and Kajiki that arrived early September and 3 4 5