Please note these upcoming events. For a complete list, see the Calendar page.

• May 1-9: Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage - Lourdes, France (PDF)
• May 28: Memorial Day Picnic at St. Anne's - San Francisco
• See the complete San Francisco Chapter calendar (PDF)
• See the complete Los Angeles Chapter calendar (PDF)

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The MVP Charter School teacher, Laura, spent two years in India with Mother Teresa and it is through her connection with the Missionaries of Charities, which was started by Mother Teresa, that the Sisters started the Catechism program at MVP.

Pictured here is Sister Damasy (from India) who together with two other Sisters spends one night a week with the MVP children who are refugees, so to speak, from a neighborhood racked by drugs and violence. They are very appreciative of the materials provided by the Growing the Faith Program the grant and volunteer help from the Sacramento Knight and Dames.

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We have increased our attendance with regular monthly meetings and a new level of team spirit and camaraderie, welcoming spouses and potential new members to all our meetings. We have good interactive communications and a monthly newsletter called “The Chapter Alert” which summarizes the month and announces future meetings and activities.

By working with our three major charities to set up times when volunteers are really needed and yet with variety to accommodate our member’s diverse schedules we have been able to increase our service hours.

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At Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home we have two members leading a regular weekly bible study. Twelve members and spouses helped with their rummage sale fund raiser, giving 74 hours of volunteer time. The Chapter participated in a Christmas tree decorating party, complete with gifts, carols and refreshments.

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On October 27, 2006 in Rome at the Grand Magistry, with the Sovereign Council and the Grand Prior of Rome in attendance, the Grand Master presented Lucille Sanchez-Corea the Grand Cross of the Order. This is noteworthy because this honor has never been awarded to a North American before and there is just a small number of Dames Grand Cross, worldwide. Lucille was especially touched by the luncheon presentation at which each of the guests expressed their personal and sincere good wishes. Taken by surprise, Lucille could only assure her beloved confrere of her continued dedication and support for them and for the Order of Malta.

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For Sacramento area members, our year ended with Christmas Celebration Mass and tour by Msgr. Kidder at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a truly memorable wild duck feast with individual post dinner sharing by all on the roll of Malta in their lives. We have really come to know the meaning of “being one in community.”

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Wellspring, established in 1987 by two Sisters of Social Service; where an average of 175 women and their children start their day with a hot breakfast.

Volunteers provide supervised creative play for the guests’ children, while counseling is available for guests with a regular staff member. This is a special place where two of our Dames volunteer on a weekly basis. Our Chapter gathered at Wellspring for a luncheon meeting and tour in February.

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A meeting of the Chancellors and Treasurers of the entire, global Order of Malta was convened by the Grand Chancellor and the Receivor. The meeting was extremely well attended. Participants from as far away as Australia and the Americas met with the European confreres and for the first time since the fall of communism, the Eastern European members were well represented.

The goal for interaction among the participants met and exceeded the expectations of the organizers. Some of the highlights from a Participants point of view were:

• A comprehensive report on the activities of the Strategic Committee established for the implementation of the Malta Conference recommendations. Including a discussion of a user-friendly reporting process in which the Western Association will actively participate.
• A report on the Masterplan that has been initiated for the financial technology and organization for the Grand Magistry.
• Better appreciation of the work at the Grand Magistry by all who attended.
• A report on the success of the Membership Audit that included a clearer understanding about the importance of the Official Grand Chancellery membership lists being corrected by the Priories and Associations and returned to OUR database. This differs from the common belief that Associations can produce their own information and the Grand Magistry can adapt to them.
• Clearer understanding that all sub-groups must be designated by DELEGATION and not any other name.
• Understanding that no publication can be produced about the Order of Malta without approval from the Grand Magistry.
• A very good intervention by the Grand Commander that allowed the attendees to get to know the Grand Commander and HIS philosophy regarding the Spirituality of the Order.
• Good ideas offered for “Fundraising”. The discussion also showed how “different the associations are, example: Tax deductions allowed in Portugal, but not in Italy.

The meeting was hosted by His Excellency the Marquis Fausto Solaro del Borgo, President of the Italian Association of Knights, at our Hospital of Saint John the Baptist at Magliana which allowed all of us to see, first hand, a most important work of the Order in Italy, the modern facility for neurological disorders housed on the site of A Castle of the Order. A unique structure on the property, Chapel/Conference Center was the site of our meeting. The structure is a “permanent” tent constructed in the shape of a Malta Cross. It is provided with HVAC and audio visual equipment and was a great place for our meeting.

The social gatherings were held at the Grand Magistry and Palazzo Orsini, a most beautiful property of the Order that is used for celebrations and social gatherings for dignitaries and members of the Order.

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