Central Eastern

Central Eastern Region Hospitaller: Mark Boffa KMG

Iam happy to report that the Central Eastern Region has had another successful 12 months, with the development of new programs. Our members have continued to immerse themselves in various activities over the past year, an outline of which follows.

Lourdes Day Mass

On Saturday 1 December, more than 500 worshippers (including 40 malades) joined 50 Knights and Dames for our annual Lourdes Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. Archbishop Anthony Fisher was the principal celebrant assisted by Fr Emmanuel Seo and our conventual chaplains, Monsignor Tony Doherty and Fathers Gerry Gleeson and Danny Meagher. In a moving and uplifting ceremony, we were able to distribute over 500 vials of water to the sick and the faithful, emphasising our broad co-operation as Hospitallers.

Winter Coats and Community Care Van

The Coats for the Homeless program was once again well supported by members and volunteers, charitable organisations and religious groups under the leadership of Confrere Ben Franklin. Through the generous commitment of time and resources, we were once again able to deliver 3,000 coats – a record number to those in need within the Sydney metropolitan area, rural and regional NSW, and the ACT. We continue to receive positive feedback from those we support and were also this year able to transport two dozen coats to the United States for distribution.

The Order of Malta Central East Region Community Care Van project delivers much needed community healthcare and homeless coats to the most vulnerable. The vans are now fully operational in Darlinghurst and Parramatta. Each month our volunteers distribute almost 200 hygiene packs (containing toiletries and toothpaste), and in summer we are able to add sunscreen, water and sun hats to the vans. The Sydney and Parramatta mobile Community Care Vans are so successful the Order of Malta’s Central East Region plans to expand the mobile initiative not only to other Sydney regions but to regional towns across NSW and the ACT.

Award for Excellence in Palliative Care

Each year, the Central East Region has supported a prize awarded to a student in nursing who demonstrates an understanding of the value of palliative care. This year the focus of the essay included a study of the notion of dignity and the physical and psychological effects of symptom distress on the person. The recipient in 2018 is Catherine Gale, a student in the School of Nursing in the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Mass for Deceased Members

Our deceased members were remembered at Mass held at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. We were privileged once again to have Monsignor Tony Doherty officiating at this special Mass which was well attended.

Spiritual Activities and Defence of the Faith

The robed monthly First Friday Vigil Masses at St Mary’s Cathedral continue with a regular attendance of around 20 to 25 members and postulants. The Masses are celebrated by one of the Orders’ chaplains on rotation.

Members are also expected to attend Mass before the quarterly Central East Region meeting at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart Hospice in Sydney. Monthly Masses, supported by local priests and well attended by members, are also celebrated in ACT.

On Sunday 24 June, members participated in Mass to commemorate the feast of our patron, St John the Baptist at St Mary’s Cathedral.

On Saturday 5 August, members participated in the Central East Region annual day of reflection at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. Around 40 members and postulants came together to reflect and discuss thoughts put forward by Rev (Dr) Gerard Kelly. This day followed two days of the Subpriory’s biannual retreat.

On Sunday 9 September, at the invitation of the Maltese Chaplaincy, our members celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Philermos and Our Lady of Victories at St Mary’s Cathedral. This beautiful and emotional celebration – a fixture in the calendar of the Maltese community, was

CENTRAL EASTERN REGION

made more special with readings in English and Maltese and the singing of the Australian and Maltese national anthems.

A representative from Central Eastern Region will join a National Defence of Faith Panel in 2019 in a program to regularly distribute information to assist in educating members on topical issues, and to

more actively engage the membership.

Membership

The Central East Region has eleven postulants, four of whom have now completed the approved course for formation. Postulants and sponsors attend preparatory sessions generally prior to the Vigil Mass and are led by one of the Order’s chaplains through the ‘Drinking from the Waters of Faith’ program.

This very successful program has now been in place for five years and has formed the foundation for the introduction of a new generation of active members to our Order. We are immensely grateful to Monsignor. Tony Doherty for his leadership in the application of this program.

Volunteer Support

In 2018 the number of volunteers across the region increased significantly.

In ACT, success has been achieved in attracting volunteers to work alongside members, and work continues in the provision of sacramental and pastoral support, as well as practical assistance to local aged care facilities and hospitals. Work to attract more volunteers continues with earnest and will be critical in maintaining the local activities.

Since the Parramatta Community Care Vans commenced operation in June 2018, almost 60 volunteers have registered to attend the weekly service and the roster is consistently full. Our thrice weekly barbecues at Gorman House and Tierney House and twice weekly Sydney Community Care Vans continue thanks to regular volunteer commitment.

The Community Van project delivers much needed community healthcare and homeless coats to the most vulnerable. The Parramatta Community Care Van commenced operation in June 2018, and almost 60 volunteers have registered to attend the weekly service.