“We are disciples, but also missionaries, bringing Christ wherever he asks us to be present.” Pope Francis at Vigil and Mass for Marian Jubilee
NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2016 Mass and Rosary 6:00PM Monday 5 December 2016 Our Lady of Lourdes 631 High Street, Prahran Refreshments afterward. All welcome to our last 2016 function.
Annual Contribution The Executive wishes to thank all members who have submitted their annual contribution for their generosity. These funds will assist the Grand Magisterium and the Latin Patriarch to maintain Christ’s presence in the Holy Land, through preservation of Holy Places, development of educational and medical facilities and support to those giving witness to Christ’s teachings. Knights and Dames who are yet to fulfil their commitment are reminded that their contribution should be paid before the end of November as our Treasurer will make the 2016 remittance in early December. If any member has not received the mailed notice of contribution or wishes to discuss their contribution, please contact me (
[email protected] or 0418 376 236) and ensure your address is current in our Directory. Those Knights and Dames recently invested are expected to make their first contribution in 2017.
Information Session for Prospective Members The Executive is planning to hold an Information Session starting 7:30PM on Tuesday 14 February 2016 to explain the mission of our Order to prospective members and their sponsors. John and Barbara Ralph have again generously offered to host the evening at Apt 3202, 368 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004. The success of recruitment is dependent on members approaching committed Catholics in their Parish or business/social networks; the Information Session is a resource to assist in raising awareness of Faith and Works that contribute to our support of the Latin Patriarch and sustaining Christ’s presence in the Holy land. Members are urged to actively engage with other Catholics to build our membership and increase our capacity to support the needs of our Christian brothers and sisters giving witness in the Holy Land.
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November 2016 Newsletter
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EOHSJ Retreat – Sydney July 2017 H.E. Justice Francois Kunc, Lieutenant of Australia-NSW, has advised that recently appointed Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballo, Apostolic Administrator to the Latin Patriarchate and formerly Custos to the Holy Land, has agreed to lead a Retreat for members of our Order. The Retreat will be from Friday 28 July to Sunday 30 July in Sydney at St Mary’s Cathedral. All members of the Order from Australia and Pacific Lieutenancies are invited. The Retreat will be a unique opportunity to meet with His Grace Archbishop Pizzaballo whose previous responsibility as Custos brings deep insight in to the needs of the Holy Land. It is also an opportunity to meet with our confreres in regional Lieutenancies. The experience can only deepen our Faith and strengthen our commitment to the mission of our Order.
Progress on Tasmania Section Knight Michael McKenna KCHS is inviting prospective members to an information session to be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, 164 Harrington Street, Hobart on Saturday 19 November 2016 commencing at 2:00PM. The session will be led by visiting Knights and Dames for Victoria and is an opportunity to outline the mission of our Order; also for prospective members to question individual Knights and Dames. Already about 20 local people have expressed interest in the Order and about 10 Knights and Dames from Melbourne have indicated their intention to attend. On Sunday 20 November visiting Knights and Dames in Robes and regalia will attend the church of St Therese of Lisieux, 24 Hopkins Street, Moonah for Mass and take part in the Procession of Christ the King. Mass commences at 10:45AM and we should assemble at 10:15AM for robing. Knights and Dames visiting Hobart are invited to meet for dinner on the Saturday evening. Time and venue to be advised.
Grand Prior honoured Pope Francis has announced ten Cardinals, seven Archbishops and ten Bishops as the new members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The congregation deals with liturgical questions and the celebration of the sacraments. Included among the appointments is our Grand Prior, Archbishop Denis Hart. Members of the Order warmly congratulates Archbishop Hart on his appointment.
New EOHSJ Vice Governor General At the recent meeting of The Grand Magisterium His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O‘Brien promoted H.E. Dr Paul Bartley KGCHS to Vice Governor General responsible for Australia ,South Africa, New Zealand, Philippines., Guam and Taiwan Lieutenancies and Magistral Delegations. The new Vice Governor General is a former Lieutenant of Australia-Queensland and currently a member of the Grand Magisterium. Members of the Australia-Victoria Lieutenancy congratulate Dr Bartley on his appointment and offer our full support as he commences his challenging duties.
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November 2016 Newsletter
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EOHSJ Newsletter n°44 (Fall 2016) The Grand Magisterium advises that its latest Newsletter n°44 (Fall 2016) is available on its website at http://www.oessh.va/content/ordineequestresantosepolcro/en/media/le-nostrepubblicazioni/newsletter-autunno-2016.html. Members may subscribe to the Newsletter at http://www.oessh.va/content/ordineequestresantosepolcro/en/newsletter/subscription.html. The Grand Magisterium has also recently opened a Facebook page (@granmagistero.oessh) and a Twitter account (@GM_oessh) and invites members to join them there, thus also creating links with the social media of our Lieutenancy.
Closing of Holy Doors in Rome One week before the feast of Christ the King, on Sunday 13 November, the Holy Doors of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls will be closed. The Year of Mercy will conclude the next Sunday, 20 November the feast of Christ the King.
Vandalism against Church of Transfiguration On Monday, 24 October 2016, the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Galilee) was robbed by unknown burglars. The intruders destroyed the tabernacle and desecrated the sacred hosts. The ciborium was stolen after it was emptied of the sacred hosts that were thrown on the floor. Some statues in the Church were vandalized and the contents of the donation box were also stolen. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, together with all Churches and the Custody of the Holy Land, condemned the desecration as a heinous crime and an act that violates the sanctity of the Holy Sites. The police were asked to apprehend the perpetrators who are culpable of these disgraceful actions. Knights and Dames who have been on pilgrimage will recall the beautifall church and join in condemnation of the desecration of this Holy Site.
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November 2016 Newsletter
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Shrine of Moses reopens in Jordan The Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, presided over a liturgy celebrating the official re-opening of the shrine atop Mt. Nebo, Jordan. The summit of Mt. Nebo is the place from which, according to ancient tradition, Moses saw the Promised Land before he died. From Cardinal Sandri’s homily: “The passage of Deuteronomy just proclaimed described Moses as a great prophet, greater than all the others, because “the Lord knew him face to face”, even before the great wonders accomplished in the presence of Pharaoh. Seeing God face-to-face means being the recipient of a singular divine grace: it was not Moses who sought out the Lord, but rather it was God, who found His servant and made him hear His voice. Thus, Moses entered into the mystery of the burning bush and became the guardian of the revelation of the living God.”
Christ’s unsealed Tomb For the first time in almost half a millennium, the marble slab covering the Tomb of Christ was completely pulled back on Wednesday 26 October 2016 as part of the restoration work of the Aedicule in the Holy Sepulchre. Under this plate, another marble slab of the Crusaders’ era was found with a cross carved on the surface. Underneath, was the original limestone burial bed, the tomb of Jesus. The marble slab of the Tomb had already been partially moved in 1809, but it was only in 1555, during the earlier renovation work of the Aedicule, that it had been completely removed. Heads of various Churches, some religious and a privileged few were present and venerated the original stone of the Holy Tomb. For this particularly delicate operation, the Aedicule was closed to the public.
The original rock of the Tomb of Christ in the light, “relive the wonder of the holy women on the morning of the Resurrection”
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November 2016 Newsletter
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Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem, was present: “It is very moving to know that the Tomb of Christ, of which the stone was rolled back in that very place two thousand years ago, on the day of Resurrection is reopened to the light. It is a totally spiritual emotion. From a biblical and archaeological point of view also, this opening arouses our curiosity and we look forward to learn more about the history of this Tomb through the centuries. This event suddenly brings back the awe and wonder of the women who arrived at the Tomb on that Resurrection morning. The original rock on which Christ was laid is there intact, and the tomb is empty. He is not here, He is risen. This is our faith.”
Palestinian President Abbas contributes to the restoration of the Tomb of Christ
During a meeting on 17 October in Ramallah with the representatives of the three Christian denominations of the Holy Sepulchre, President Mahmoud Abbas made a personal contribution to the restoration of the Aedicule. Present were HB Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem; Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land; and HB Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. The funding of the restoration of the Tomb comes mainly from the Catholic (represented by the Franciscans), the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian denominations who administer the Holy Sepulchre. The restoration, which started on 8 May 2016, was also funded by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan through a “makruma” or a royal benefaction. “The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre is a national and religious symbol for the Palestinian people,” affirmed President Abbas. “We have a duty to care, protect and contribute to the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre. Thus, we have decided to offer a personal contribution to the on-going restoration of the Tomb of Christ.” The restoration works are expected to be completed before the Holy Week and Easter feasts in April, 2017 during which both Catholic and Orthodox Christians will celebrate at the same time.
EOHSJ Australia-Victoria
November 2016 Newsletter
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Iraqi Christians Rejoice Over Liberation of Qaraqosh Qaraqosh, a formerly major Christian town on Iraq’s Nineveh Plain, has been liberated as part of the campaign to liberate Mosul, Iraq’s largest city. Before ISIS overran the plain in the summer of 2014, Qaraqosh, which is also known as Baghdida, had a population of 50,000, the great majority of them Christian. The city has 10 churches. All of the inhabitants fled to Kurdish Iraq and are now beginning to dream of a return to their homes.
King Abdullah II of Jordan meets with Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa His Majesty King Abdullah II received Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, recently appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday October 19, 2016,. At the meeting, which was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, His Majesty’s Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs and the King’s Personal Envoy, the King affirmed that Christians are an integral part of the region. He also pointed to the role and contribution of Christians in preserving holy sites in Jerusalem, adding that this requires more efforts to protect their presence and preserve their identity. King Abdullah highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue among followers of various faiths in order to enhance the values of tolerance and co-existence. He also expressed appreciation of efforts exerted by Pope Francis in this regard.
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November 2016 Newsletter
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Father Pizzaballa praised efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah to enhance global peace and security, dialogue as well as tolerance and respect among peoples. [Thirty three of the fifty five Parishes of the Latin Patriarchate are located within Jordan, as is Madaba University.]
Olive harvest in the Garden of Gethsemane
Every year in October, the faithful are given the opportunity to participate in olive picking in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. On Saturday October 15, 2016, about sixty volunteers of different ages and nationalities took part in the annual olive harvest, organized by the Franciscans Fathers, in the place where Jesus used to frequent and pray. Fra Diego OFM welcomed the volunteers and led a prayer for peace. The Garden, which occupies an area of approximately 1,200 m² beside the All Nations Church, includes eight of the oldest olives trees in the Holy Land. According to a study conducted by the National Research Council of Italy in 2012, three of the trees that were tested date back to 11th and 12th century. After 4 hours of hard work the volunteers had collected 10 bags of olives. The olives will be pressed and used subsequently by the different religious communities of the Holy Land. Then the Holy Oils will be sent to the parishes, as well as to monasteries around the world. The olive picking will continue until the end of the harvest season.
3Fraternally in Christ, Will Kininmonth KCHS Lieutenant Australia-Victoria
Please Note: From mid-January my address will be Unit 2503, 80 Lorimer Street, Docklands 3008. My mobile will continue 0418 376 236
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November 2016 Newsletter
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