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Those of you who have been to New Orleans as part of this project know what a good experience you had. I am pleased to report that the three United States Association of the Order of Malta have agreed to continue the program. This is the announcement of New Orleans, Phase IV. Below are a schedule of work weeks and a sign-up sheet. The next work week will be September 13th to 18th (Sunday through Friday).
If you can work a week in New Orleans into your schedule, you will not be disappointed.
Confraternally,
Bill Ragan
About Phase IV
Since the program has proven so successful and since there is still great need among the citizens of
New Orleans, Phase IV has been announced and the program extended for seven more sessions—September
2009 through May 2010 (exact work-weeks
listed below). Only 25 volunteers per work-session
will be accepted—since the nature of the work requires
this size group.
Our efforts will once again be
concentrated in the Tremé/ Esplanade Ridge section
of New Orleans—nearby downtown/French Quarter.
These neighborhoods—in center-city—are situated
on higher ground than other areas, and so, have the
highest likelihood of eventually being entirely re-built.
Phase IV Work Sessions
- Sunday, September 13 - Friday, September 18
- Sunday, October 11 - Friday, October 16
- Tuesday, December 8th - Sunday, December 13
- Sunday, January 24 - Friday, January 29
- Sunday, February 21 - Friday, February 26
- Sunday, March 28 - Friday, April 2
- Sunday, May 9 - Friday May 14
For more information, including Frequently Asked Questions, Volunteer Registration form, and more click below for the PDF.
Read More Info & Sign Up (PDF) >>
To see the work the Order of Malta has already done to help New Orleans, talk a look at the PDF below filled with quotes and pictures of Home Renovation Program veterans.
Eight Western Association members and volunteers made the first "Malta "pilgrimage" to New Orleans from March 26th to 31st. The devastation was awful, the need was enormous. We had an incredible expereience, as you will learn. We brought two houses back to life and returned them to their owners.
Read Previous About Renovations (PDF) >>
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A great time was had by all as an intrepid and enthusiastic collection of Dames and Knights created a small town 4th for the residents of facility “First Step for Families” on Independence Day. Tables of traditional food and a true holiday spirit, festive balloons and table coverings, grilling of the standard hot dogs and hamburgers with many smiling faces of children asking “May I have some more mustard, please” set the stage for a fun filled late afternoon shindig and blowout.
The beautiful facility is a short short-term (up to 2 months) and mid-term transitional housing (up to 6 months) facility so many of the residents are not that familiar with each other but this community builder got everyone’s attention and provided many of the Order a chance to remember what the 4th of July looks like through a child’s perception.
Who knew that a wedge of watermelon was going to be such a hit and had children hopping on one foot then the next to get a slice, even before the burgers were ready? The gifts we get from our guests we served are always unexpected, but to see a young child’s fascination at looking at a beautiful Jell-O molded salad and how it “wiggles” and sharing her discover with the other children was magical.
We had the battle of the potato salads - all wonderful family recipes, an ice cream sundae bar that had everyone standing in line to get a custom made order, and food a plenty to stock pantries and feed the residents for the following days made the efforts of the many members that generously contributed time and culinary talents richly appreciated.
Everyone feasted and enjoyed the baked beans, pies, fresh green salads, fruit, relish and fresh vegetable trays that overflowed with excellent food and the best of what anyone would take to a family reunion on the 4th. Held outside in the children’s play area…the energy ratcheted up the closer we got to serving time as more and more trays were brought out and the colors and presentations were beyond beautiful: corn salad, Chinese chicken salad, slabs of roasted chicken and deviled eggs left residents smiling to have the happy option of having too much and having to select what not to take.
Many of the residents commented that they had no idea what they would have done for the day with many entertainment options priced out of their reach and food budgets and mobility limited. The Order brought the party to them in a grand style and had a great time serving everyone, from infants to grandmothers.
The commuter train provided the background punctuating the laughter and the excitement as the late afternoon progressed. Desserts overflowed, with pies and cakes and It-Its’ cold from the factory. Plans are underway for next year to provide more entertainment for the children, more tables to be brought in so everyone can linger longer and get acquainted… just like you do at any “family reunion”.
For many, it was a reunion like no other, a group of wonderful residents with smiles and concerns but for those few hours, a great escape into a “4th of July” suitable for any family, our new friends at “First Step for Families”. And, we all got to fireworks with plenty of time to spare….it was the best 4th for many and many thanks to the members of the Order, families and friends that happily made it all happen so seamlessly.
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Dr. Thomas E. Dillon, President of the Thomas Aquinas College and Chairman of the Western Association’s Defense of the Faith Committee, was laid to rest on April 24th following a funeral Mass in the magnificent chapel of his college, which was dedicated just a month ago. Dr. Dillon served on the faculty of Thomas Aquinas College since 1972, and contributed much to the school’s reputation for intellectual rigor and fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Dr. Dillon was received into the Order of Malta in 2006, and recently assumed responsibility for the Defense of the Faith. His monthly mailings, which brought together inspiring and instructive material from a variety of sources, was a great source of spiritual nourishment to the members of our Order.
Dr. Dillon was killed in a car accident on April 15th, while travelling in Ireland. While we mourn his sudden loss, we are consoled by the same faith to which he was so deeply committed: he went home to God within the Octave of Easter, the great celebration of Christ’s victory over death. Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for his family, especially his wife Terri, who was seriously injured in the same accident.
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The Chapter General of the Sovereign Order of Malta, called every five years, took place in Rome on June 8th, 2009, under the chairmanship of His Highness Fra’ Matthew Festing, 79th Grand Master of the Order. Sixty representatives were present: the members of the Government, the Grand Priors, the Regent of Sub-priories, and the elected presidents of the 47 National Associations of the Order established around the world.
The Chapter General is the Supreme Assembly of Knights, which elects the members of the Sovereign Council (the Government of the Order), the Government Council and the Board of Auditors, amend the Constitutional Charter and Code as appropriate, and discuss important issues such as spiritual status, the humanitarian activities and diplomatic relations of the Order.
Today the Chapter General has elected the following members of the Sovereign Council for the period 2009-2014:
Grand Commander (Head of the Religious members):
H.E. Fra’ Gherardo HERCOLANI FAVA SIMONETTI
Grand Chancellor (Minister for External and Internal Affairs):
H.E. Jean-Pierre MAZERY
Grand Hospitaller (Minister for Health and Humanitarian action):
H. E. Albrecht Freiherr von BOESELAGER
Receiver of the Common Treasure (Minister for Budget and Finance):
H. E. Marquis Gian Luca CHIAVARI
Members
H.E. Fra' Carlo d'IPPOLITO, di SANT'IPPOLITO
H.E. Fra' John T. DUNLAP
H.E. Duncan GALLIE
H.E. Emmanuel ROUSSEAU
H.E. Antonio SANCHEZ-COREA, Jr.
H.E. Winfried Graf HENCKEL von DONNERSMARCK
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