The international Emergency Corps of the Order of Malta (ECOM) - soon to be called Malteser International - is responding to the tragic events unfolding in South Asia, and the following is the most recent report of their efforts. This calamity underscores the importance of international cooperation by members of the Order, and in the months ahead we will highlight important developments in this aspect of the Order's life. For now, it is imperative for us to respond as quickly and as generously as our means allow to those effected by the terrible devastation wrought by the Tsunami. Your contributions may be sent to the Western Association Office (465 California St., Suite 818, San Francisco, CA 94104-1820), which will forward them to the Emergency Corps of the Order of Malta. The report from ECOM follows:

Overall Situation

The situation in general has not changed during the last three days. As of 2 January, the estimated death toll has reached the mark of 150.000. A great effort is undertaken in all affected countries in order to help the surviving victims and to bury the dead corps. Clean drinking water remains a major issue in most of the countries. The severity of this disaster has prompted an unprecedented world-wide humanitarian relief effort.

ECOM Activities

ECOM via Malteser Germany is currently focussing its emergency relief operation on India and Thailand, an assessment team will be sent to Sri Lanka within the next three days.

In India, help began on Sunday, 26 December, via our local partner Health for one Million HOM in the Diocese of Marthandam and has been extended on the Diocese of Trivandrum. Malteser is distributing food, clothes and medicine. Together with the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), we are providing medical aid for the victims by establishing to medical basis camps. In close cooperation with ECOM OHFOM extension of help to the east coast of India, to Pondicherri and Kollam in Kerala district, is currently being assessed. More than 300 local helpers have worked in India within the framework of ECOM and its partners during the last days, they managed to help approximately 40.000 people. From 5 January on ECOM will be represented in India by Martin Pfeiffer.

In Thailand, an ECOM team of 2 expats and 3 local Thai members from the refugee camps in North West Thailand arrived in the region of Phuket on 29 December and began first relief operations with the distribution of food and non-food items such as shelter material, blankets, kitchen sets and mats to the most vulnerable and poorer villagers in the severely neglected towns of Ban Muang (2.000 inhabitants) and Ban Nam Kem (8.000 - 10.000 inhabitants). The focus was made on the people of the totally destroyed village of Ban Muang who actually live in a camp close to the village. The Community hospital in Thai Mueng and the General Hospital in Taku Pa have received drugs and dressing materials. All distributed relief items were pursued on the local market.

The assessment team has extended its operations in the region to the island Koh Kwao which is situated close to the coast near Ban Nam Kem. We are planning to contribute to the heavily damaged water distribution system on the island. Further activities in the region will be planned within the next days. In Thailand, about 100 helpers supported our ongoing relief operation, their activities reached about 15.000 people.

In cooperation with Caritas Internationalis (via Secours Catholique France and Caritas International Germany) and the THW (German Technical Relief Organisation) ECOM via Malteser is planning an assessment in the coastal areas in the South of Sri Lanka. The assessment team will be directed by Mr. Roland Hansen (Head of Asia Desk Malteser Germany), the other members are Mr. Klaus Peters (working for Malteser Germany in Afghanistan), Mr. Lothar Berres (water purification specialist from Malteser Germany) and Ms Anne Broquet (relief specialist of OHFOM France). Actually the team is preparing to leave towards Colombo for carrying out the assessment in the southern part of the country. It shall result in the identification of the areas and people with the most urgent need for help. Contact to the archbishop of Colombo has already been established, a first installment of $25,000 to the Bishop's Tidal Wave Relief Fund has been made yetsreday. The assessment team will also bring an Emergency Health Kit to Sri Lanka, with which 10.000 people can be treated for a period of up to 3 months.

Together with Caritas and THW, Malteser agreed to set the main focus on the rehabilitation of water and water related issues and general activities for a sustainable long-term rehabilitation.

return to top

On our patronal feast of Our Lady of Philermo, September 8th, His Excellency Richard J. Dunn told the beautiful story of the icon of Our Lady which has been venerated by the Order of Malta for centuries. After the Knights of St. John left the Holy Land in 1291, they were welcomed to the island of Cyprus; for sixteen years new knights from Europe joined the Order there. In 1307 the Knights conquered the Byzantine stronghold of Rhodes, in order to continue their counteroffensive against the Muslims. Before capturing the principal city on Rhodes, it was necessary to take the mountain of Philermo seven miles to the west. When they captured the fort on that mountain, they found a beautiful icon in a chapel. They honored the icon in that chapel, but removed it to carry into battle.

Where did this icon first come from? There is a legend that around the year 950 a powerful resident of Rhodes climbed Mt. Philermo with the idea of taking his life. When he was about to throw himself from the top of a cliff, Our Lady appeared to him and asked him not to give in to despair. The man repented, and settled in this locale to devote himself to prayer. Having heard that there was a beautiful icon of Our Lady in Jerusalem (which tradition ascribed to St. Luke), the man bought the icon and placed it in his chapel.

Then the Knights were driven from Rhodes by Suleiman in the year 1515, they took this icon with them to Malta. It gave them tremendous hope during the Great Siege of 1565, and when the Muslims were turned away the Knights placed the icon in the co-cathedral of St. John at Valletta, the new capital of Malta.

When the Knights were forced to leave Malta in 1798, they carried the icon with them to Russia, where it was placed in the Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg. It remained there until the Russian Revolution, when a member of the royal family carried it with her to Denmark. She gave it to the Orthodox patriarch of Serbia, who placed it in his cathedral in Belgrade. In 1942 the cathedral was heavily damaged during a bombardment and the icon disappeared.

There was a copy of the icon in Assisi, and this was used to make holy cards when the Order of Malta was dedicated to Our Lady during the Marian Year of 1987. Marygrace Dunn believed that the original icon had not been destroyed in 1942, and she decided to do some detective work. After the 1988 Lourdes Pilgrimage she went to Medjugorje and carried a hundred holy cards with her. A friend in Yugoslavia distributed these to students who were visiting museums and monasteries in the region. In 1997, the original icon was discovered in an Orthodox monastery in Montenegro. Last year, the Grand Magistry held its first pilgrimage to venerate the icon so connected with the history of our Order. Did Marygrace's cards lead to the discovery? This is the newest mystery to be woven into the saga of this holy image.

return to top

When Joseph Nally met the Little Sisters of the Poor, he purchased raffle tickets but he also asked if there might be a way he could help, telling the Little Sisters, "There has to be a better way."

Before long, Joe found himself assisting with the formation of a new Advisory Board, to which he was appointed chairman. He realized that the Board would be a valuable resource for the Sisters in areas such as contracts, construction, financing, accounting, insurance, and fund-raising. Thanks to Joe's leadership and diligent record keeping, much has been accomplished and the Advisory Board's model has been adopted by other Homes in the Chicago Province.

Other organizations also have benefited from Joe's generosity. From past Regent and Trustee of Santa Clara University to Board member of the Doheny Foundation; from the Good Shepherd Home for Homeless Women to the Cloistered Carmelites; from Santa Teresita Hospital to Jesuit Charities; from the Knights of Malta to the Knights of Saint Gregory, it seems he never turns down an opportunity to help.

A native of Los Angeles, Joe graduated from Santa Clara University, played on the New York Yankees Farm Team, served in the Korean War, and went on to hold many executive positions in the insurance industry. He and his wife, Teresa (Terry), have two grown children, Patrick and Mary, and six grandchildren

return to top

Kenneth Olsen is celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Little Sisters' move to San Pedro in a very personal way. In the mid-70s, he was asked to join with other prominent Los Angeles businessmen in helping the Little Sister to raise nearly $7 million to build a new Home. This was a task that he took on enthusiastically, having known the Sisters since 1941.

In 1997, when the Little Sisters needed help forming a new Advisory Board, Ken was glad to offer his services. He remains on the Board today.

Ken has agreed to help many others including the Finance Council and Long Range Strategic Planning Committee of the Archdiocese of LA, St. John of God's foundation, the California Adoption Foundation, United Way and the Los Angeles Rotary. He was chairman of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee of Loyola Marymount University, co-founder of the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger, and president of the Food Industry Circle for the City of Hope. He and his wife, Dorothy (Dickie) are both members of the Order of Malta and the Knights of Saint Gregory.

A native of New York, Ken attended New York University. After four years as an officer in the military, he began his career with Vons Grocery Company in 1946 and retired as president in 1984. He and Dorothy live in Los Angeles and are the parents of seven children, grandparents of eighteen, and great-grandparents of eight.

return to top

When the Order of Malta conquered the lands of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which is now Lebanon, the Knights of Saint John erected approximately fourteen massive defense fortresses. Today, the Lebanese and French Associations of the Order of Malta operate state of the art medical clinics in near proximity to these forts. The clinics are administered by the Sisters of Charity, and members of the Western Association contribute financial assistance.

The Robert de Lobokowicz Center, at B'Hannes, is one of the most extraordinary of these clinics. Its special purpose is the care and nurturing of children with cerebral palsy. The care given at B'Hannes, with its specialized equipment and facilities, is outstanding and provides a beacon of hope and a sign of Christian charity in that war-torn region.

return to top