Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

North Central
Lieutenancy
Equestrian Order of the
Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Why I Believe In The Order
Sir Mark Ford, Chancellor
The call to join the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre came at a time when I
was searching for a way to live more concretely my Christian vocation that would
benefit others. The words of Christ, so familiar and so challenging, ending in the
admonition “...as you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Mt
25:35-40) troubled me. I had received many blessings from the Lord and I knew it
was long past due to share with others.
Summer 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
Investiture Update
The Order in Action
Resources
Having the Mind of Christ
Being the Hands of Christ
Mother’s Calling...
In Memoriam
Pilgrimage
Sir Mark Ford, KC*HS
Chancellor
When Sir James Wernsing, KC*HS, nominated me; I was at first reluctant
because I knew nothing of the Order and the lifelong commitment to its mission
seemed daunting. However, I soon discovered a community of faithful Catholic
men and women who, along with prayer and sacrifice, were offering a portion
of their financial resources to assist the Catholic Church in meeting the needs
of the Christian people living in the Holy Land. They were providing the Latin
Patriarchate of Jerusalem with valuable spiritual and material assistance to build
and maintain the educational and social resources required for the people to live
lives of dignity and self-reliance. These “living stones” of the Church, could then
remain in their homes, keeping the Church alive and serving as a conduit of charity
to their Jewish and Muslim neighbors.
The Order was doing this without fanfare or accolades in the manner Christ had
asked: “...do not let you left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your
alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Mt 6:3-4)
I have been in the Order eight years; I learned that the ‘take charge and see how you
can help them’ attitude we Americans have to be subordinate to a new attitude of
solidarity with brethren who daily walk the Via Crucis of hardship and deprivations
resulting from war, violence and military occupation. Though distance separates
us, we can still walk with them, and be present with them through the Holy Spirit:
in prayers of petition for their welfare, Masses offered for their intention, sacrifices
made in solidarity with their suffering and contributions for their material support.
I entered the Order thinking I would be the one to help those less fortunate than
I – but now I see that they, by their selfless acceptance of their situation, offered
willingly for the sake to continue living the Catholic Faith in their homeland – have
helped me.
Unlike Normandy or Gettysburg, whose landscapes are icons of events past;
theHoly Land tells the story of salvation history whose story is still unfolding.
When peace comes to the Middle East, it will come through the Catholic Church by
the living witness of her children living there and with them, I want to be a part of
making it happen! Deus Lo Vult! Deo Gratias!
New Editor - Sir Jeffery M. Abood, KCHS
Jeff lives in Northeast Ohio with Denise, his wife of 33 years. They have 2
married children and 2 grandchildren, Moses and Atticus. Jeff is former
President of Northeast Anesthesia Associates and is currently semi-retired.
He spends much of his free time working to help build bridges between
Christians in the U.S. and Christians in the Holy Land.
Jeff has served as Advocacy and Outreach Director for the Holy Land
Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF.org), based in Bethesda, Maryland
and Bethlehem, Palestine. He is also former Director for its’ U.S. chapters.
In 2007, he received a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for
his leadership in working with the Palestinian Christian communities in the
Holy Land.
He currently serves as the Education Master for the Cleveland Section of
the Order, as well as Co-Chair of the Education Committee for the North
Central Lieutenancy. He is a speaker and writer on the Churches’ perspective
of the current situation of the Christians in the Holy Land. Most recently,
he has completed a book entitled: A Great Cloud of Witnesses: The Catholic
Churches’ Experience in the Holy Land which is available on Amazon.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio / Photo: Creative Commons.org
Investiture Update
A TIME FOR COMMUNITY AND RENEWAL
Investiture Update - 2015 Columbus
Sir Charles Hickey and his wife Lady Susan Hickey, along with numerous
collaborators in the Columbus Section are busily preparing for this annual
event scheduled for the weekend of October 23-25, 2015. The Annual
Meeting draws members from across the North Central Lieutenancy.
Historically, about 400 Knights and Ladies experience the fellowship,
meetings and ceremonies that make up the Annual Meeting. It is one of the
most important events in which members of the Holy Sepulchre participate
and is critical to ensuring the continuity of the Order into the future.
The Annual Meeting is a time for renewing old friendships and beginning
new ones. It is a time for discovery about the mission of the Order in the
ever-changing environment of the Holy Land. Importantly, it is also a time of
prayer.
Columbus, Ohio will be
the site of this year’s
Annual Investiture of
the Equestrian Order of
the Holy Sepulchre of
Jerusalem’s North
Central Lieutenancy, USA.
Beginning on Friday evening with hospitality and dinner, members from
throughout the Lieutenancy, are able to experience immediately the sense of
community and common purpose that is so key to the success of our mission.
Speaker presentations are the order of business on Saturday and Sunday
mornings. The Education Team of Lady Christine Fletcher, LCHS, Sir Jeffery
Abood, KCHS, and Sir Matthew Bunson, KHS select speakers according to
the Investiture’s theme and that focus on the Church in the Holy Land and
other issues relevant to Catholics living in a secularized world.
Saturday afternoon, the Promotion Ceremony honors those who have gone
beyond in their commitment to the work of the Order. The Memorial Mass
remembers those members who have died during the previous year. Following dinner on Saturday evening,
the Vigil Service through the Liturgy of the Word focuses the new members on the mission of the Order. Then
in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, they make their solemn promise “to sustain the charitable, cultural,
and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.” The Blessed Sacrament will remain
exposed on an Altar of repose through the night for the private veneration of the members, most especially
those to be invested. This practice harkens back to a time when a Knight would spend the whole night in prayer
before entering formal Knighthood.
On Sunday afternoon, the Investiture ceremony precedes the Sunday Liturgy where the new Knights and Ladies
are solemnly invested into the oldest Order of Chivalry of the Catholic Church and the world. It is the most
poignant moment of the weekend. A formal dinner on Sunday evening closes the Annual meeting.
Along with the entire Executive Committee of the North Central Lieutenancy, we strongly encourage
members of the North Central Lieutenancy to attend! Celebrating with fellow Knights and Ladies our common
mission will strengthen our resolve to pray, sacrifice and contribute to this important work. We are confident
you will return home strengthened by the knowledge that you are not alone, but part of a larger community of
believers working to keep the Catholic Faith alive in the land made sacred by the Life, Death and Resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
Sir Mark Ford, Chancellor
The Order in Action
La Crosse
Bishop’s Mass and Dinner
On May 11, 2015, Section Representatives Jerry and Mary Kuehl and Section Prior Msgr. Matthew Malnar
(who will be celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination in July) hosted some forty Knights and Ladies for La
Crosse’s annual Bishop’s Dinner. Mass was celebrated by Bishop William Patrick Callahan, OFM, at the beautiful
Saint Joseph the Workman Cathedral. Following Mass a dinner was held in the Ballroom of the Raddison Hotel.
Lieutenant Max Douglas Brown briefly spoke on the importance of the mission of the Order.
Knights and Ladies
Pray and Dine with
Bishop Callahan
Local Section of Equestrian Order Raises Awareness of the Middle East
The La Crosse Section, on April 12, 2015 held a wine
and cheese social where interested individuals were
informed of the situation in the Middle East. It was
held at the River Bend Winery in Chippewa Falls.
Dr. Mary Kuehl, in an April 24, 2015 interview with
The Catholic Times said that the purpose of the
function, known as “The Christian Responsibility to
the Holy Land,” was held to increase awareness of the
situation of the Christians who live in the Holy Land.
Kuehl said “This included their social and economic
difficulties. We also asked for prayers to be offered for
these people, the ‘living stones’ of our faith” she said. “We introduced the attendees to the efforts of Equestrian
Order of the Holy Sepulchre, La Crosse Section, to assist the Christians and Churches in the Holy Land.” Mary
Kuehl said that 20 guests attended the function. She said that this was their first outreach, and that it went very
well. A member of their order, but from a different lieutenancy, took many photos during a trip to the Middle East
several years ago. The images were used in a slide brief to educate and inform the attendees on the situation in the
Middle East. Another similar event is in the initial planning stages for next November.
Courtesy of The Catholic Times for the Diocese of La Crosse (www.thecatholictimes.com)
Improving Our Outreach
Rather than a traditional “seek and destroy” approach of calling a nominee (who may have no knowledge of
the Order), giving a synopsis of the Order and asking for a decision to join, the La Crosse Section is developing
a different tactic. We have entitled our outreach Christian Responsibility to the Holy Land to underscore that
both members and non-members alike have a responsibility to the Holy Land. We send out invitations via a
cover letter and bulletin insert to area priests, introducing them to the Order as well. We give each Priest only
2-3 invitations to personally invite their parishioners. We also send out individual invitations to people who had
previously been contacted by or nominated to the Order.
Our first outreach was held at a local winery and we were grateful for the help of 10 other Order members in our
area to help welcome, socialize and answer any questions. We served drinks and light refreshments including
some with Middle Eastern food. Presentations were given by the Section Representative and a short
discussion of the Order by our Section Prior. Our goals were to teach as many people as we can about the
plight, root cause, and difficulty that life has become for Christians there. The resources and presentations on
the Lieutenancies website have proven a very useful aid. This was all very relaxed and informal. We followed-up
with personal phone calls to obtain feedback and to continue the process of discernment regarding the Order.
Jerry and Mary Kuehl, La Crosse Section Reps
Green Bay
Bishop’s Mass and Dinner
On Tuesday, May 12th, forty-six Knights and Ladies and ten candidates of the Green Bay Section had their
Annual Mass and Dinner with their ordinary, The Most Rev. David L. Ricken. Bishop Ricken celebrated Mass
at St. Joseph Chapel on the diocesan campus, and four priests of the Order were his concelebrants. The prayers
of the Mass were for persecuted Christians and in his homily, Bishop Ricken challenged the Knights and Ladies
to strip themselves of the things of this world that are obstacles to what we pray in the Lord’s Prayer – “Thy will
be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” He called to mind that many of the persecuted Christians in the Holy Land
and throughout the world have been denuded of
these obstacles, which allows them to fully focus on
the two great commandments of love of God and
love of neighbor. The evening was concluded with
dinner at Green Bay Country Club, where the new
investees from 2014 received their diplomas and
Sir Greg and Lady Ann Rotherham received their
Pilgrim Shells.
Bishop Ricken extended his sincerest gratitude to
hosts Tom and Ann Vorpahl and the Knights and
Ladies for the evening, an enlightening meeting
and the generous contribution to the Bishop’s
special charities.
Front row L-R
Lieutenant of Honor Sir James
Madigan, Lieutenant Sir Max
Douglas Brown, Bishop David Ricken,
Treasurer Sir Thomas Olejniczak &
Lady Dawn Olejniczak;
Second Row L-R
Lady Cynthia Bell, Lady Carol Ricken,
Sir Roy Krizizke, Host Couple Lady
Ann Vorphal & Sir Thomas Vorpahl.
Detroit/Saginaw
Youth Auxillary Program
The North Central Lieutenancy has received approval from the Grand Magisterium to develop a Youth Auxiliary
program. In a recent meeting, the project was presented by the exploratory committee to the Council and Section
Representatives, receiving overwhelming support and approval.
2015 Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
The Youth Auxiliary will be composed of young adults 18 to 29, who will become familiar with the mission of the
Equestrian Order. Members will be given the opportunity to support specific Auxiliary projects within the Latin
Patriarchate, organize periodic meetings and attend area activities of the Order, including the yearly Investiture.
In order to promote the life–changing experience of walking in the footsteps of Christ among our youth, the
Auxiliary will also have a prime mission of bringing its members in pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We expect the
Auxiliary to become an invaluable resource of self-renewal of the Order and increased awareness of our mission
among younger generations. DEUS LU VOLT!
Please contact Irene Lis-Planells, LHS or Miguel Lis-Planells, MD, KHS
at [email protected] for information and participation in this exciting new project.
Cleveland
While recently traveling in France, Sir David and Mary Ann
Dombrowiak, discovered a small side chapel inside the famous Notre
Dame Cathedral. The Chapel is dedicated to the Equestrian Order of the
Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Sir David and Mary Ann
Dombrowiak of Cleveland
beneath the Orders’
Coat of Arms.
Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Section, with 55 members in attendance, gathered for Mass and the annual Archbishop’s Dinner
on May 27, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in downtown Cincinnati.
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, KC*HS, spoke movingly about his experience leading a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land in December, where he observed first-hand the good work of the Order supporting the beleaguered
Christian community. He
thanked the members for their
support of Christians in the
Holy Land.
Sir Thomas McKiernan,
KGCHS, a member of the Grand
Magisterium, updated members
on recent projects of the Order
in the Holy Land. Archbishop
Schnurr presented diplomas to
three Knights, two Ladies, three
Knight Commanders, two Lady
Commanders, and one Lady
Commander with Star.
Spring Council Meeting
Lieutenant Max Brown welcomed 45 Council
members of the North Central Lieutenancy to
the Spring Council meeting held on Saturday,
May 2, 2015 at Techny Towers Conference and
Retreat Center in Northbrook, IL.
Business meetings were held in both the
morning and afternoon. Some highlights
of the sessions included: Tom Olejniczak
was introduced as the new NCL Treasurer.
Mark Ford and Bill Bobowicz reported on
the new program on the orientation of new
investees this October. Fr. Baima reported
on the changes to order of the Liturgy for
the Investiture ceremony. Owen Hilding
provided a side-by-side comparison of the
regalia offered by two competing jewelry firms. Jeff Abood was introduced as the new Editor of The Page. Joan
Carey presented the evaluation reports on the Investiture in Detroit. Charles and Susan Hickey reported on the
upcoming Investiture in Columbus. Lilliam Civantos was introduced as the host with her husband, Dr. Joseph
Civantos for the 2016 investiture in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Joan Carey provided a presentation on the new Manual now available on the NCL website. Reports were also
provided by the Bereavement Committee (Tom McCabe), Pilgrimage Committee (Guy & Gisele Di Spigno),
Education Committee (Chris Fletcher, Jeff Abood & Matthew Bunson) and Youth Auxiliary Committee (Miguel
& Irene Lis-Planells). Tom & Ann Vorpahl presented several case studies on applying the new Membership
Policy to inactive members. There was general discussion about the possible adoption of bylaws and the process
for finding a successor to our beloved Cardinal Francis George.
Mass was celebrated by Fr. James McIlhone (NCL
Pilgrim Master) in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
Following dinner most attendees enjoyed getting to
know each other in the Retreat Center’s hospitality
suite. All in all it was a very productive and
informative meeting with opportunity for spiritual
reflection and socialization.
North American Lieutenants Meeting
Lieutenant Max Douglas Brown attended the annual meeting of the North American Lieutenants on June 4-6,
2015 at the Hotel Frontenac in Quebec City. The meeting was opened by the Grand Master Cardinal Edwin
O’Brien. Major addresses were given by Governor General Agostino Borremeo on the current state of the
worldwide Order, Vice Governor General Patrick Powers on the Order’s finances and Thomas McKiernan,
Chairman of the Holy Land Commission, on the status of current projects in the Holy Land. A major topic of
discussion at the meeting was the American University of Madaba.
Resources
For more information the NCL recommends the following websites:
Latest information on Latin Patriarchate projects - project.lpj.org
EOHSJ Vatican’s website - vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/oessh
Society of St. Yves, Catholic Center for Human Rights of the Latin Patriarchate - saintyves.org
Bethlehem University - bethlehem.edu
Latin Patriarchate Pilgrimages - en.lpj.org/pilgrimages-lpjp
Official website - Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land
on visit of Pope Francis in the Holy Land - popefrancisholyland2014.lpj.org
Having the Mind of Christ
SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land with
about 30 Diocesan parishioners. It was to be a pilgrimage to the land of our Lord
focusing on the area of Galilee and then traveling south to Jerusalem. It was a
blessed opportunity for all of us to experience the countryside that Jesus was
familiar with as He and His followers went to small towns both inland and on
the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River.
Each day our travels brought us to places that we had read about and heard in
the proclamation of the Gospels. As we went to each place arrangements had
been made so that our group was able to participate at Mass, further helping us
appreciate either what we had seen or would be seeing later that day.
While we did not experience any anxious moments in our travels, we did
experience the challenges that Christian Arabs often encounter in their everyday
life, and in the practice of their Faith. We tried to learn as much as we could about the situation in the Holy
Land and in the Near East and the Middle East.
After returning from the pilgrimage I believe that all of us pilgrims are very concerned about the situation in
that part of the world as we had met and conversed with Brothers and Sisters in our Faith.
Needless to say as we reflect on our trip and hear about what continues to happen there, I believe we all regularly
pray for the Christians in the Holy Land and in other areas in that part of the world.
So that I may better understand the situation, I have contacted the Catholic Near East Welfare Association
which is a Catholic organization. Their materials are very helpful in providing important information about
the situation and how we can assist those who live in this area. If interested, please contact: Catholic Near East
Welfare Association
Most Reverend Bishop Richard G. Lennon, KC*HS
Bishop of Cleveland
“People (in New Testament times) were just as unwilling to suffer hardships as
we are today. We know the crowd in the New Testament was fickle: they cried
“Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday. and “Crucify Him,!” on Good Friday. It is a reminder
for us that we need to have the virtue of Faith - to stick to our beliefs and not be
swayed by the latest fad or discouraged at hardships.”
Dr. Christine Fletcher - 24/7 Christian
Pentecost in the Holy Land
SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
The Descent of the Holy Spirit allowed the Apostles to be witnesses to Christ. This
Christian mission began in Jerusalem and quickly spread into the world. The early
Christians faced incredible obstacles in bringing the message of Christ to Jew and
Gentile alike. Two thousand years later, Christians continue to face the same challenges
and difficulties as did the Apostles.
As men and women of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, the mission of Christ is dear
to our hearts and we understand the plight of the early Church which continues to this
very day. As Knights and Ladies it is imperative that we live with a constant awareness
of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and with those who suffer for the faith. The Church in the Holy Land
faces great obstacles to the point of persecution. In spite of the difficulties, these Christians continue to witness
to the grace and power of the Holy Spirit and live as a people of hope and confidence in the Lord.
I hope every Knight and Lady will make a special effort to pray for the suffering Christians of the Holy Land and
to renew our efforts to be committed to the preservation of the faith in the Holy Land and throughout the world.
Deus Lo Vult!
Very Rev. Msgr. Anthony S. Spinosa, KCHS
EOHSJ Cleveland Section Prior
Protopresbyter - Basilica and National Shrine
of Our Lady of Lebanon
“This is the mission entrusted to the Church, a hard mission: to uproot sins from
history, to uproot sins from the political order, to uproot sins from the economy,
to uproot sins wherever they are. What a hard task! It has to meet conflicts
among so much selfishness, so much pride, so much vanity, so many who have
enthroned the reign of sin among us. The Church must suffer for speaking the
truth, for pointing out sin, for uprooting sin. No one wants to have a sore spot
touched, and therefore a society with so many sores twitches when someone
has the courage to touch it and say, “You have to treat that. You have to get rid of
that. Believe in Christ. Be converted.”
Archbishop Oscar Romero, Martyr - Homily on January 15, 1978.
Being the Hands of Christ
Thanks to your generous support over the years our Lieutenancy has been
active in supporting many projects in the Holy Land. Below are a few of these:
Dormition Abbey for general support of their existence on Mt Sinai.
L’Ecole Biblique et Archeologique in Jerusalem has been the recipient under the list
of needs sent by the Grand Magistry . It is also the home of St Stephen’s Dominican
Priory which accommodates us for our Mass requests.
Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem towards their programs of
providing extensive prenatal, natal and women’s health care including,
aging women and medical assistance to the Bedouin regions of Palestine
and the Holy Family Hospital Orphanage.
Bethlehem University - multiple projects, including scholarships, library
renovations, an exercise facility, and more.
Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth has been sent for the support of
the religious sisters who are nurses there from the Maria Bambina
Community (Italian and Indian nursing sisters).
The Vatican and Palestinian
flags as they fly over
the University
Friends of the Benedictines in the Holy Land that supports all of
the Benedictine institutions there and of which Abbot Murphy of St
Procopius is on the board.
Religious community and orphanage in Jerusalem for Hebrew Speaking peoples.
Gaza and other refugee relief.
Beit Jala Seminary operated by the Latin Patriarchate.
Bethlehem University scholarships for nurses (LPN grade) to go back to school
and advance their training to RN and midwifery certification.
Path to Peace Foundation appeal from the Vatican Mission to the United Nations.
Catholic Scout Center in Bethlehem is now finished
BETHLEHEM – The Catholic Scouts
Center project has recently been
completed. It will serve about 2500
members of all ages and both genders, in
a centralized and comprehensive scout
camping site and center.
Catholic scouting in the Holy Land
dates to the start of the 20th century.
Evolving around the church scout
groups is a natural outgrowth of its
pastoral and social work. Scouting on
one hand is a civic movement that is
built on Christian values of mutual
respect and affiliation with the other.
It is also a very strong spring board for
the formation of social leadership. Scout activities include excursion, camping, and volunteering, that contribute
to the making of the local society. Key to the formation of scouts is the ability to ensure sustained exposure to
scouting activities.
Despite the fact that there are 12 to 14 catholic scout groups in Palestine alone including Gaza, exchanges and
joint programs are generally represented in major events such as Christmas parades, the Epiphany, Palm Sunday
and Blessed Saturday. After the completion of this project, meetings and exchanges of groups from different
areas are now possible, allowing for greater fellowship between groups often isolated from each other.
The construction of the Center included the following:
Construction of the Scout center building includes a meeting hall, administration room, storage for the camping
tents, a clinic, a kitchen, WCs and two bathing units. Landscaping and external works. Allocation and moving of
portacabins from the Mount of Olives to the new site.
The project has been possible thanks to the support of many generous donors.
Some of the Scouts the new Center (seen on hill) serves
Stella Maris Parish - Aqaba, Jordan
In addition to our support of the daily operating costs of the Patriarchate; the patriarchal schools; the
seminary; humanitarian aid and special requests of the Holy See, we finance some special projects requested
specifically by the Latin Patriarch. These projects, almost all in parishes or schools, range from small to very
large. In this article we will focus on the new church in Aqaba, Jordan.
Aqaba is the only costal city in Jordan. It is on the tip of the Red Sea and only a few kilometers from the
border of Saudi Arabia. It is best known today as a seaside resort and also for a thriving special economic
zone. Aqaba has a very high population growth rate and tourism is a major factor in its economic growth.
The Latin Patriarchate had a small parish in Aqaba with a meeting hall which also served as a church for
Sunday Mass. When I began traveling to Aqaba the Catholic population was small but as tourism increased,
migrant/temporary workers came to work in the hotels and resorts, many of them from the Philippines and
almost all Catholic. At that time, Bishop Selim Sayegh, the patriarchal vicar in Jordan, would drive the 275
mile desert highway route every weekend to celebrate Mass in the small parish. The Holy Land Commission
recommend the project with the provision that a parish priest would be assigned.
About four years ago a priest was assigned and the project was started. I visited it several times during its
two year construction and made my final trip just before the formal dedication. It is a gorgeous church and
the parishioners are extremely happy and thankful and most importantly proud of this symbol of their faith
and vales.
Take a look at what you have done and be very proud!
Thomas E. McKiernan KCSG, KGCHS
Member of the Grand Magisterium
President of the Holy Land Commission
Mother’s Calling
THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH
Bishop Shomali of the Latin
Patriarchate outlines the Challenges
of Christianity in the Middle East
Adapted from Our Sunday Visitor - Dr. Matthew Bunson, KHS
Our Sunday Visitor (OSV): How would you describe the
present situation for the Latin Patriarchate?
Bishop William Shomali: The patriarchate covers three
countries in a state of violence and war: Jordan, Palestine and
Israel. We have two languages, three governments and three
currencies. There are difficulties for the clergy in moving from
one side of the diocese to another. There are borders or check
points. If faithful from Palestine want to come to Jerusalem
or Israel they need a permit. If a Palestinian gets married to
a non-Palestinian, there are difficulties in securing a visa or a
passport. “If the Holy Land loses its Christian population, it will be deeply impoverished. ... [I]f we don’t stop
this flight of immigration, we will have fewer numbers, and the weaker we are, the more those that remain here
are motivated to leave.”
OSV: Could you talk about the importance of helping
Christians not just to stay in the Holy Land, but to flourish?
Bishop Shomali: Yes, for us it’s a priority. If the Holy Land loses its Christian population, it will be deeply
impoverished. Many Muslims and Jews say this publicly, and they acknowledge that we are moderate and form a
bridge of peace. And we are diminishing. In 1948, there were 30,000 Christians in Jerusalem; in 1922 according
to the British census, Christians were 25 percent of the city. Now we are 10,000, and we are around 2 percent of
the total population. So if we don’t stop this flight of immigration, we will have fewer numbers, and the weaker
we are, the more those that remain here are motivated to leave.
OSV: In Bethlehem, you have the place of the Incarnation, and in Jerusalem, you have the place of Our
Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. How can we help to keep those two together, because right now, they
seem physically and symbolically divided?
Bishop Shomali: Bethlehem and Jerusalem should be together spiritually and physically. But there is a wall,
which will be a disaster if it continues. As you said, the city of the Nativity of Our Lord and his resurrection
are spiritually connected, and there should be open access between them. Any solution should take into
consideration that Bethlehem and Jerusalem are inseparable.
We obtain permits during feasts to help people from Bethlehem come to Jerusalem. But this is not the ideal
solution. We need totally free access without checkpoints.
OSV: What would you say are your biggest needs that American Catholics should be aware of?
Continued on next page
Continued
Bishop Shomali: We need to maintain our schools, parishes, to implement
some projects and some social programs like housing. I believe that in the
U.S. there is a huge awareness about our issues. When the U.S. bishops come
to visit us, we feel they are concerned. At the same time, I thank the Knights
and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre; they were specially established to help
the Holy Land and more specially the Latin Patriarchate. We thank also
American Catholic parishes and dioceses for their sensibility and generosity.
They help us directly or through Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic
Near East Welfare Association.
OSV: You mention the word hope.
Are you hopeful for this new century for the patriarchate?
Bishop Shomali: From one side, I am invited to pessimism because the political situation seems to be desperate
and hopeless. On the other side, we know that the Lord will answer our prayers and will give us peace. No prayer
will remain unanswered. We believe and hope that peace will come. We don’t know when, but it will come
according to the agenda and time of the Lord. This is an invitation to optimism. I believe deeply that the Lord
will never allow the extinction of the Christian community in the very place where it started. But it depends
upon us to work in that sense. The Lord doesn’t work without us.
H.E. Bishop William Shomali will be our keynote speaker at the 2015 Investiture in Columbus, Ohio
Christian Schools in Israel Stage Protest
by Fr. Elias D. Mallon, S.A., Ph.D. adapted from ONE magazine, CNEWA, 27 May 2015
Christian educational institutions in the State of Israel are now facing new challenges, including cuts in funding
that threaten their mission and could impact tens of thousands of students. On 27 May 2015 Christian educators
held an unprecedented demonstration in the front of the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of Education.
According to the press release of the Office of Christian Schools in Israel, the schools serve more than 30,000
students both Christian and Muslim. The press release states “These schools belong to the ‘recognized but not
public’ classification of schools...and receive partial funding from the Ministry (of Education). The rest of their
funding comes from fees that are collected from the
parents.” The Ministry of Education has reduced the
funds going to Christian schools by 45 percent over the
last ten years, making the schools’ survival increasingly
dependent on tuition paid by parents. Now, according
to the news release, the Ministry has “issued new
regulations that even limited the ability of Christian
schools to collect feels from parents.” As a minority in
Israel, Christians see the latest moves as threats to the
ongoing sustainability of Christian education in the
Holy Land — a service Christians have been rendering
for centuries.
In Memoriam
His Eminence, Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., KGCHS
Grand Prior, North Central Lieutenancy
1937 - 2015
Throughout his life and ministry Cardinal Francis George
served the Church Universal with unequaled honor and
distinction. He assumed the position of Grand Prior for the
North Central Lieutenancy shortly after being installed as the
Archbishop of Chicago in 1997.
In 1998, he was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals
by Pope John Paul II. He was the author of two books:
The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith,
Communion and Culture (published in October 2009) and
God in Action: How Faith in God Can Address the Challenges
of the World ll(published in May 2011).
He was Vice President (2004-2007) and President (2007-2010)
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cardinal
George was named to several significant posts in the Roman
Curia and served in numerous other important positions in
the Church. Following his retirement in September of 2014,
he continued to serve as Grand Prior of the North Central
Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of
Jerusalem.
A Personal Reflection on Cardinal George
In 2012, when Cardinal George made his last ad limina trip to Rome, several dozen parishioners from across
the Chicago Archdiocese were invited to accompany him. While we laity pleasantly spent our days sightseeing
in and around The Eternal City, Cardinal George and his bishops kept up what had to be a grueling schedule of
meetings at the Vatican. Yet, each evening he was able muster up the energy to join us for dinner.One evening, I
found myself sitting at his table when he was fondly reminiscing on his parents, Francis and Julia. He told those
of us at his table that when he was younger, he was sure he took after his mother’s side of the family, but the
older he got he realized he was very much like his father. I could not resist asking him, “So, what kind of man
was your father?” Cardinal George gave a silent chuckle, tilted his head, raised his eyebrows and replied, “Well,
he certainly spoke his mind! He was very smart…but he could also be very direct. And he was stubborn…and I
guess a little difficult at times.” Then he paused and a warm smile enveloped his face when he concluded, “But he
had a good heart…and he tried to hold things together.” I have thought many times since this brief exchange in
the Ristorante Sabatini near the Basilica Santa Maria in Trastevere, how these same loving words about his father
might equally describe Cardinal George. How they might, upon his death, serve as the simplest of eulogies for
this very special man, priest and episcopal leader.
We will truly miss you, Cardinal George.
Lieutenant Max Douglas Brown
Sir John C. Willke, KGCHS
1925 - 2015
Sir John C. Willke, KGCHS, widely acknowledged as one
of the founders of the American pro-life movement, died
on Feb. 20, 2015 in Cincinnati at the age of 89. Sir John
had been a member of the North Central Lieutenancy’s
Cincinnati section since 1981.
Dr. Willke with Mother Teresa before her address to
the 1985 National Right to Life Convention.
Photo: National Right to Life
“There is no way to quantify the contributions Jack
Willke, along with his wife Barbara, made to the right-tolife movement,” said Carol Tobias, president of National
Right to Life. “Jack’s generous heart and wonderful sense
of humor will be greatly missed. He and Barbara devoted
their lives to the right-to-life movement, and we will be
forever in their debt.” An obstetrician, Sir John retired
from the practice of medicine in 1988 to dedicate all
of his energies to the pro-life cause. The Willkes were
married almost 65 years and had six children. The couple
co-founded Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati in the
1970s. Sir John held many positions with National Right
to Life, including president (1984-1991). He co-founded
the Life Issues Institute in 1991.
Sir John’s tireless efforts to build a culture of life focused largely on education. He and Barbara, who died in 2013,
together wrote a dozen books about abortion and human sexuality. Their first, The Handbook on Abortion, sold
an estimated 1.5 million copies. Their audio-visual materials about fetal development have been translated into
30 languages. They spoke in 64 countries, as well as around the United States.
In Memoriam
Sir Michael Stephen Ariens,
KC*HS 2/28/2015
Lady Julia C Cincione,
LC*HS 1/28/2015
Sir Alan N Dekker,
KHS 2/9/2015
Lady Joyce L Kerwin,
LC*HS 3/12/2015
Sir Edward N Mills,
KGCHS 1/17/2015
Lady Ann M Rogan,
LC*HS 1/28/2015
Lady Mary F DeShaw,
LHS 4/16/2015
Reverend Msgr. James
Le’Roy Tonkinson Ruef,
KHS 1/12/2015
Lady Margaret S Ferrell,
LCHS 4/1/2015
Sir Carl H Schmidt,
KGCHS 1/19/2015
Lady Celestine
Fredericks Sehn,
LC*HS 12/9/2014
Lady Mary Joan Stuessi,
LCHS 4/21/2015
Lady Jacquelyn Toscas-Fuchs,
LGCHS 2/16/2015
Lady Shirley Velasquez,
LC*HS 2/9/2015
Lady Helen D Williams,
LGCHS 1/17/2015
*Based on notifications received as of June 1st.
Pilgrimage
The next pilgrimage sponsored by the North Central Lieutenancy
of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem will
be February 10 through 20, 2016.
This will be at the beginning of the Holy Year 2016. In his announcement of the Holy Year, Pope Francis noted
that one thing the faithful can do during the Holy Year is Pilgrimage. He said, “The practice of pilgrimage has a
special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life.” Thus, not only is a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land a part of each member’s commitment to the order, but also this year, it is a perfect
way to participate in the Holy Year.
I have found that departing for the Holy Land on Ash Wednesday and spending the first 10 days of Lent visiting
the sacred places is a wonderful way to begin that Holy Season. Then on return, the remainder of the season of
Lent can be a wonderful time to process the experience, and the Triduum at the end of Lent takes on a meaning
that is much more profound having walked the Via Dolorosa, prayed and celebrated Mass in the Holy Sepulchre,
and visited and prayed in the Room of the Last Supper.
This pilgrimage will have a qualified Palestinian guide, visit many of the projects that our Lieutenancy is
sponsoring, and have as spiritual director a qualified and trained scholar of the Sacred Scriptures. The cost is
$3,000 per person which is a very good price. Please consider joining us next year.
For more information please contact: Rev. James IcIlhone, KCHS, Pilgrim Master 847-987-6875.
Anyone needing to replace or wishing to donate medals please contact our Lieutenancies
Medal Masters: Sir Owen or Lady Gail Hilding, KGCHS/LGCHS at 630-573-0033
Summer
2015
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Newsletter inquiries:
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2015 Columbus Investiture Speakers
Father Drew Christiansen
His Excellency
William Shomali
Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin
Patriarchate of Jerusalem
S.J., Distinguished
Professor of Ethics and
Global Human Development,
Georgetown University
Tobias Winright
PhD, Hubert Mäder Endowed
Associate Professor of Health
Care Ethics, Associate Professor
of Theological Ethics
Berlanti Azzam
Gazan Catholic
and Bethlehem
University Alumni