North Eastern Region Hospitaller: Danny Higgins KMG and Derek Pingel KMG
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he North Eastern Region of the Order of Malta Australia provides support across the State of Queensland and far north New South Wales. With a population of just over five million people, an Order membership base of 34 and around 70 volunteers, we face many challenges. Despite the obstacles, our members have continued to find ways to reach out into more rural and remote areas. This year, we welcomed two new members at the biennial investiture celebrations in Sydney. At all times we welcome interest from potential members seeking spiritual enrichment in their lives and wanting to make a difference in the lives of those in real need throughout this community.
of coats throughout Australia in an efficient and timely manner. This service was provided at a very heavily discounted price for which we are sincerely grateful. While this activity remains our most significant work, there are now other avenues of assistance being developed providing our members more hands-on opportunities to fulfil the charisms of our Order. This year, a fundraising dinner was held with the support of our Chaplain Father Gerard McMorrow, with more than 80 guests attending and raising several thousand dollars for the purchase of coats for the homeless. One hundred dollars will buy three specially designed, warm shower-proof coats for those who need them.
ORDER OF MALTA AUSTRALIA NORTH EASTERN REGION 2019 ACTIVITIES Coats for the Homeless In 2019, more than 40 different outreach services and organisations partnered with Coats for the Homeless to expand the service across a broad area and distribute almost 1700 coats. The program has come to be recognised as making a significant difference in the lives of the homeless throughout our region and continues to be embraced by our membership. Deep gratitude is expressed to David Simon and the team at Simon National Carriers. They provided bulk transportation
Lourdes Healing Mass On 17 August 2019, Saint Paschal’s Church, Wavell Heights, hosted the 2019 Lourdes Healing Mass, which was very well attended. Magistral Chaplains, Fathers David Pascoe and Gerard McMorrow celebrated this very special Mass with assistance by Fr James O’Donoghue. Members and young volunteers of the Order of Malta hosted nearly 200 people to celebrate Holy Eucharist. Those in the congregation in need of healing in body, mind and spirit were able to receive an anointing. A special blessing was also offered for the carers present.
Knights and Dames spent time with those in attendance and provided everyone present with bottles of Lourdes Water and Rosary packs. This activity is one of the ways in which our Order provides service to our Lords the poor and sick. Assisting the chronically ill at St Vincents Hospital Brisbane We are confronted nationally with a drive for legalising euthanasia. As such, our regional Order is proud to support the palliative care unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Kangaroo Point. Through the hospital’s volunteering program, members and volunteers visited patients. We also provide funding for a service allowing patients to enjoy a favoured tipple to help bring a relaxing moment of comfort in their illness. We hope to have a much greater hands-on involvement in palliative care in the years ahead. We honour always the late Consoeur Tess Cramond who has left an incredible legacy in her commitment to caring for those at the end of life, which can be a most difficult time. Care Packages Late 2019 saw the launch of our regional Hygiene Care Pack Initiative. This initiative has members and volunteers partnering with Rosies’ outreach program to provide much needed toiletries and personal care products at one of the inner Brisbane outreach locations. Members and volunteers have the opportunity to make a personal connection with people who are struggling in their lives while offering practical support. This initiative has been well received and benefits from the tremendous recognition our Coats for the Homeless program has achieved. SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES Parish visits Regional members strongly supported our two parish visits during the year. For Lent in March 2019, we were invited to attend The Twelve Apostles Church in the Darra Jindalee Parish. Parishioners were very interested in the history and charisms of our Order. In November 2019, the Parish Priest, our Magistral Chaplain Fr David Pascoe, and the
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2019 Australian Hospitaller
