Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller

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1 Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Founded in Jerusalem 1113, continuing through Czar Nicholas II Confirmed by the Royal Charter and Constitution of H.M. King Peter II of Yugoslavia Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 2017 INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER NEWS FROM AROUND PRIORIES AND COMMANDERIES COMMANDERY OF THE OKANAGAN, CANADA A very successful weekend of events and was organised at the end of May by the Commander and members of the Okanagan Commandery in British Columbia. The Okanagan region is well known for the excellent wines produced there. As a consequence three dinners for members and guests were held during the weekend with wines presented by different wineries and paired by the vineyard owners or managers with each course. Knights and Dames from eight Commanderies across North America attended the weekend s events, which also included a half-day winery tour and golf. Prior to the Bailiff Grand Prior of the Americas Suzanne Turner, GCSJ, held a well attended meeting of members updating us on developments in North America and encouraging a wide-ranging discussion on Sovereign Order matters. The was held in the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Kelowna. The Presiding Officer was Conventual Bailiff Grand Counsellor David Petitpierre, GCSJ and officiated by Chevalier the Reverend Trevor Fisher, KSJ. Five very worthy Aspirants were invested into the Sovereign Order and three members were promoted. 1

2 The Service was enhanced by the Cathedral choir s anthems and with a finale of the stirring Highland Cathedral performed by the Kelowna Pipe Band. The gala dinner was held at the Quails Gate Winery and included entertainment in the vineyard by the Pipers and Drummers and guests being escorted into dinner by Pipers. Thanks are due to Commander Lynda-May O Brien, DCJSJ and all who planned and delivered a memorable weekend. VANCOUVER COMMANDERY, CANADA On 10thJune the Vancouver Commandery held their annual in Christ Church Cathedral. Grand Marshal William Stein, GCSJ was the Presiding Officer and Chevalier the Very Reverend Peter Elliott, KJSJ was the Officiating Priest supported by Chevalier the Venerable William Bailey, KSJ. Eight worthy Knights and Dames were invested into the Sovereign Order and Chevalier William Clarke was introduced as a new Senator. The Service concluded with the playing of the stirring Highland Cathedral by the Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, supported on the organ by the Cathedral Director of Music, Rupert Lang. More than 150 members and guests attended a festive Reception and Gala Dinner followed. Vancouver was honoured by the presence of members and guests from Commanderies across Canada and the Priory of the Western USA. During the Dinner Senator William Clarke, KCJSJ, MMSJ was awarded the Medal of Merit for his former services as Lieutenant to the Grand Commander for Finance. A successful fundraiser was also held for a particularly needy hospice in the east end of Vancouver. 2

3 PRIORY OF BRITTANY, FRANCE Feast of St John and s From June 23rd to 25th, the Knights and Dames of the Priory of Brittany met at the Cistercian Abbey Our Lady of Joy for the feast of Saint John for new investitures and to organize some meetings. On Friday 23rd we held the General Meeting of our Association des Oeuvres Sociales et Hospitalieres de l Ordre Régulier de Saint Jean de Terre Sainte en Bretagne which is supervised by some members of the Priory. We approved the financial results and heard the activity reports of the directors of our 6 institutions (3 medico-psycho-educational Centers for children and 3 work Centers for disabled people). In the evening we had the Veillée d Arme or the Vigil Watch. It was held in the chapel of the abbey. This is an ancient ceremony we have conserved in the Priory of Brittany, where focus is drawn to the meanings of the Cross of Saint John, the four branches representing the four chivalric virtues, prudence, justice, strength and temperance, and the eight points representing the eight Beatitudes. The postulants are asked orally to justify before the assembled Knights and Dames the reason for wishing to become a part of the Order. Then they receive the ancient Règle of the Order and the prayer of the Order. At the end of the ceremony, the capes and insignia are transferred to their mentors for safekeeping until the next day. The Vigil of Arms is an important moment in the preparation for the investiture that allows everyone to reflect on his commitment to the Order. Saturday June 24th, we held The General Chapter of the Priory. Unfortunately our Prior Eric Bihan was away for family reasons. The chapter was held by our former Prior Bernard Lévêque. 3

4 We approved the financial results and reviewed participation in local activities. Our brother Patrice de Gail Grand Hospitaller, reported on the international activity of the Order. He also gave us information about the next Sovereign Council meeting to be held in 2018 in Finland. In the afternoon we had the Ceremony presided by Grand Hospitaller and member of the Regency, Conventual Bailiff Patrice de Gail, GCSJ, CMSJ. After our Marshal Jose Dayot gave a brief review of the History of the Order, the mass was celebrated by Father Jean-Pierre the chaplain of the abbey. Jean-Philippe Guillard Jean-Luc Cottin New Knights Jean-Philippe, Jean-Luc with Bailiff Patrice de Gail At the end of the mass, the Grand Hospitaller Patrice de Gail, invested two new members into the Sovereign order. For the Commandery Nantes-Pays-de-Rez, Chevaliere Jean-Philippe Guillard, who is a marketing and communications specialist, and for the Commandery of Leon-Cornouaille, Chevalier Jean-Luc Cottin, a naval officer, who speaks French, German, English and Russian. 4

5 We were honored to welcome H.E. the Grand Prior of Central Europe, Martin Marschner Von Helmreich, GCSJ and his wife, Jacqueline Von Helmreich, GCSJ, Commander of the Commandery of Monaco in Formation Dames and Knigths of the Monaco Commandery as well as the Grand Conservator Conventual Bailiff Dag von Schantz, GCSJ, PUHR, CMSJ and Priors of Brittany, H.E. Pierre Le Moine and Bernard Leveque. In the evening we all gathered for a gala dinner at the Hotel King Arthur. On Sunday, after mass and lunch together, everyone departed in the afternoon. Chevalier Rémy Leprette, KJSJ, OBITUARY Death of Brother Joël Cuzon and Rest Former Prior of Brittany Our Brother Joel Cuzon du Rest left us in his 95th year. He was Prieur de Bretagne in the 80 s and also one of the founders of our Association of Social Works and Hospitallers From the Regular Order of Saint John of the Holy Land in Britain under the auspices of the Order which help handicapped people. He was the Prior of Brittany when our Grand Master Emeritus, Yves de Villepin, joined the Order in He also played an important role in Brittany in defending the identity and culture of Brittany. Always faithful to his commitment as Chevalier, he regularly attended the meetings of the Priory and lavished with talent and discretion good advice on the conduct of our projects. Let us pray for him. Chevalier Rémy Leprette, KJSJ COMMANDERY OF ST. JOSEPH, CALIFORNIA Golf Tournament On June 12th, 42 members and guests participated in the second annual golf tournament, which included lunch, followed by the tournament and a dinner for 66. The funds raised will support the 2017 charities announced at the dinner. 5

6 St. John s Day Summer Social The St. Joseph Comandery held a summer afternoon social for members and guests in the glorious gardens of Dame Gloria Citti, KGSJ. During the party Commander, Christopher Citti presented bronze plaques to each of the Order s 2016 charities: Alzheimer s Activity Center, Hope Services and Live Oak Adult Hope Services. COMMANDERY OF THE PALM BEACHES, FLORIDA The Can-Do Commandery with a Big Heart We reported briefly in the May 2017 International newsletter of how members of The Palm Beaches Commandery, led by Dame Judi Miller, hosted the hugely successful Christmas Party for the Florida Outreach for the Blind and their families, and that funds were provided for Christmas presents for the young children. Similarly Chevalier Joe Mastrullo and others collected 129 toys for Christmas distribution to needy children in Belle Glade much to the delight of the Pastor Morales St. Hilaire. More recently members of the Commandery had a Road Trip to Margate, Florida. The following is the report by Commander Toni Mastrullo: 6

7 The Commandery on a Road Trip In Jacobs Shoes Foundation in Margate Our monthly meeting on July 24th was changed to a road trip for a shoe cleaning night at In Jacob s Shoes in Margate, Florida. Our group was made up of the Grand Prior from Washington, D.C., Past Commander from San Francisco Commandery, 8 members from Palm Beaches, 7 future Aspirants and other guests. What a fun night! In Jacob s Shoes provides 15,000 20,000 pairs of shoes and backpacks with school supplies annually to children in need through requests from schools, shelters, partner charities and social service organizations and agencies. One such partner is The Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, Commandery of The Palm Beaches (SOSJ). In Jacob s Shoes and SOSJ have worked together to provide for the youth and families in need at many schools, agencies and churches. Snacks were provided and of course we had WINE! Shoe cleaning goes faster with WINE!!! The Story Behind the In Jacob s Shoes Foundation Harlene and Murray Zweig and their Foundation is very special to us. Jacob was their son who at 17 traveled to Israel and saw so many children without shoes that he left his shoes behind. The Foundation was formed in Jacob s loving memory and honors the love and encouragement Jacob gave to all who knew him and strives to continue Jacob s way of making a difference in the lives of others. He was a loving soul and buddies to many of those little soles! In his honor they established this Foundation and they have supplied thousands of children with shoes and back packs. In 2017 the Hospitality Committee created the 2017 Charity Champion Challenge. The Commandery raised funds and along with the Philanthropy Committee developed the application for charities to be recognized. The first recipient was The Jacob Zweig Foundation aka In Jacob s Shoes Foundation. The check was presented to Harlene Zweig co-founder and, most importantly, Jacob s Mom! Commander Toni Mastrullo, DCSJ The Palm Beaches 2017 and related events will take place from November 2 to 4 with the of 15 Aspirants on Saturday, November 4th. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Dame Judith Miller at mill1313@comcast.net or phone at (561) by Monday, October 9 at the latest. Accommodation will be at the PGA National Resort and Spa. 7

8 STOP PRESS We are pleased and relieved to report of no serious damage to the homes of members and charities supported by The Palm Beaches in Florida following the devastation elsewhere by Hurricane Irma. The is going ahead as planned. PRESENTATIONS OF MEDALS OF MERIT Recent presentations of the Medal of Merit to the following Members. Senator William Clarke, MMSJ of Vancouver with Grand Counsellor David Petitpierre and Vancouver Commander Anne Rowland. Deputy Grand Prior Tuomo (Thomas) Pälviranta, MMSJ of St. Henrik, Finland with Grand Commander Owen Brown and former Grand Prior Markku Salmenphoja Former Grand Prior Markku Salmenpohja, MMSJ of St. Henrik, Finland with Grand Commander Owen Brown. Bailiff May Storrie in the foreground. FUTURE 2017 INVESTITURES Victoria, Canada Dacia, Copenhagen, Denmark The Palm Beaches, Florida 21 October 28 October 4 November Other s Reports of investitures held in Glasgow on August 26th and Hattula in Finland on September 2nd will be included in the December newsletter as with the other forthcoming s. Editor: Grand Counsellor David Petitpierre, GCSJ Layout: Alexandria Gordon-Collins INTERNATIONAL OFFICE West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1E5, Canada Phone: Fax: registrar@sosjinternational.org 8