Greetings One and All

NEWSLETTER 43 JANUARY 2016

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. May God bless the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul.

Greetings one and all.

The first month of the New Year was very hectic although some of us where still on holiday. While I was on holidays, I visited Canberra the CapitalCity of Australia, wherethe Grand Chancellor Chevalier Joseph Coleiro gave my wife and I a tour of the City, Parliament House and the War Memorial to mention a few places of interest.

While in Canberra we had an official meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Joseph Pirotta at the Maltese Embassy.

We also visited our Prior Chevalier Alfred Flask and Ann Flask at their residence. It was good to see them again and God willing we should meet in Malta next year.

As I got home from my 10 days rest, suddenly I found myself busy exchanging emails with our newly appointed Grand Prior in Germany Chevalier Professor Dr. Lothar Gellert.

It's like a reborn Chapter of Germany. On behalf of the Supreme Council, I like to thank Chevalier Professor Dr. Lothar Gellert for his offer to lead the Grand Chapter of Germany.

Yours faithfully in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Peter Paul Portelli - Grand Master

Our aims in 2016

• To continue support the Mission of H.E. Bishop Emanuel Barbara in Malindi, Kenya.
• To assist to who are mostly in need of our help.

THE CONVENTION IN MALTA IN JUNE 2017 IS SUPPORTED BY THE MALTA HIGH COMMISSION IN CANBERRA

By the Grand Chancellor Chev. Joseph Coleiro.

Personal Secretary to the Grand Master.

On Friday 8 January 2016,at O'Malley in the Australian Capital Territory, his Excellency Grand Master Peter Portelli, Mrs Portelli and ChevJoseph Coleiro, Chev Portelli's personal secretary and Knight Commander of Justice met withDr Joseph Pirotta who is deputy to Malta's High Commissioner to Australia. Dr Pirotta, a very learned gentleman with a doctoral degree in bibliographic studies and a deep interest in the preservation of old texts, set aside considerable time from his schedule to meet with the delegation.
He provided the delegation with a long and fruitful audience in which topics of relevance to the Confraternity were discussed. The meeting included discussions, about planning for, and the details of, a conference for all the Confraternity's worldwide members to take place in Malta and Gozo in the last week of June 2017 at the time of the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with plans for cultural visits to the islands of Gozo and Malta as part of the conference program.
These ideas were received with great interest. The delegation was also greatly honoured to meet His Excellency Mr Charles Muscat, Malta's High Commissioner to Australia who graciously took time out from his busy schedule to meet the delegates, and with whom the delegation also had discussions about the Confraternity, its work and plans for the conference in 2017. The delegation was made warmly welcome by the High Commissioner, his depth and their staff.​

Proposed Program for the Convention 2017 on Malta

This is subject to change.

Friday, 23 June:

Meeting the knights at LuqaInternationalAirport.

Saturday, 24 June:

8.30 am. We leave to Malta by ferry and we visit the old city of Mdina. The Cathedral of St. Paul. We also visit other historic places around Mdina.

We visit of Mosta church and other places of interest in Malta.

5.00 pm. We attend the Parade of the Knightsat the old city of Mdina ??

9.00 pm. We go to the town of Xewkija ( Thistle ) in Gozo for the celebration of St. John the Baptist.

Sunday, 25 June:

9.30 am. Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter & Paul in Nadur.

10.30 am. Visit the Harvest Festival in Dun Martin Camilleri Square behind the basilica.

11.00 am. We leave to visit the Gozo Cathedral in Victoria.

11.30 am. We travel to XlendiBay.

12.30 pm. We visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu, where the Virgin Mother spoke to a local country girl by the name of Carmen Grima.

1.00 pm. We go to MarsalfornBay. There is bars and restaurants if anyone want to buy lunch.

7.00 pm. We go Xewkija to enjoy the feast of St. John the Baptist.

Monday 26 June:

10.30 am. Opening of the Convention.

Introduction by Chancellor Chevalier Joseph Coleiro - Private Secretary to the Grand Master.

2.. Opening speech by H.E. Peter Paul Portelli - Grand Master.

3. Other speakers.

12.00 pm. Start of the discussions on how to improve the Confraternity. The knights and dames are invited to provide ideas to build a stronger Confraternity.

2.00 pm. Investiture ceremony in the Hotel.

5.00 pm. Formal dinner at the hotel.

7.00 pm. Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul celebrated by H.E. Mons. Emanuel Barbara ( Maltese) bishop of Malindi in Kenya.

9.00 pm. We attend the procession with the statue of St. Peter and Paul in the main streets of Nadur, accompanied by 2 bands.

Fireworks at the end of the procession.

Tuesday 27 June:

8.30 am. We leave to Malta by ferry and we visit Valletta the heart of the Knights of Malta.

We visit St. John Co-Cathedral built by the Knights of Malta, the Museum, the Palace and the armoury.

Visit other places of interest in Valletta.

Have an audience with the President of Malta, the Prime Minister, the Leaders of the Opposition and the Archbishop of Malta.

7.00 pm. We attend the celebration of the feast of St. Peter and Paul in Basilica of Nadur, Gozo.

9.00 pm. We join in the celebrations in the main streets.

12.00 am. They place the statue on the pedestal in the town Square and fireworks display.

Wednesday, 28 June:

7.00. We attend Mass as part of the feast of St. Peter and Paul in Nadur.

9.00 pm. One hour of fireworks display at the LocalCouncilGarden.

12.00am. Fireworks display in St. Peter Paul Square.

Thursday, 29 June:

8.00 am. We attend the Pontifical Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul. At the end of the Mass, we present a donation of money to a mission.

11.00 am. We join in the street celebrations.

2.00 pm. The knights will return to the hotel to rest.

7.30 pm. We attend the celebrations in the basilica.

8.00 pm. The procession from the basilica will commence with the statue of St. Peter Paul.

The Band plays the Hymn and fireworks display.

10.00 pm. The procession concludes.

All the ambassadors where we have chapters will be invited to the Convention.

St. Paul's Catacombs in Rabat, Malta.

St. Paul’s Catacombs

St.Paul’s Catacombs are a typical complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. They are located on the outskirts of the old Roman capital Melite (today’s Mdina), since Roman law prohibited burials within the city. St Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. The site was cleared and investigated in 1894 by Dr A.A. Caruana, the pioneer of Christian era archaeology in Malta.

The Catacombs of St Paul are situated in the zone ofĦal Bajjadain Rabat, in an area which is at times also called asTad-Dlam. The site consists of two large areas called St Paul’s and Saints Paul/Agatha, and are littered with more than 30 hypogea, of which the main complex, situated within the St Paul’s cluster, comprises a complex system of interconnected passages and tombs covering an area of well over 2000 sqr metres.

The cluster gets its name from the myth that it was once connected with St Paul’s Grotto, which was once also partly re-cut into a Palaeochristian hypogeum. The origin of the main catacomb most probably started from a cluster of small tombs of the Punico-Roman type and hypogea which were eventually enlarged and joined haphazardly to create the complex system of passages and tombs used in the late Roman period. Although much smaller when compared to the catacombs of Rome and other large Roman centres, the catacombs of St Paul are a good example of the Maltese underground architecture, which is the result of an indigenous development which was barely influenced by overseas traditions.

The entrance to the main complex of St Paul’s Catacombs leads to two considerably large halls, adorned with pillars made to resemble Doric columns and painted plasters most of which have now disappeared. On keeping with what seems to have been a norm in most Christian catacombs, these main halls are equipped with two circular tables set in a low platform with sloping sides which resemble the reclining couch (triclinium) present in Roman houses. In all cases found in the main complex and the numerous other Christian Hypogea of the site, both table and couch are hewn out in one piece form the living rock forming a single architectural unit within an apsed recess. Although various interpretations may be found, these triclinia, or Agape tables, were probably used to host commemorative meals during the annual festival of the dead, during which the rites of burials were renewed.

The complex was probably abandoned and to some extent despoiled during the Saracenic period, when burial customs changed dramatically to suit the practices of the new conquerors. Part of the catacombs were used again during the re-Christianisation of the Island around the 13th century, when an open space was re-cut and used as a Christian shrine decorated with murals.

The catacombs were eventually abandoned and the site fell in disrepair. The main entrance was blocked off but access was still possible through an independent hypogeum inDjar Ħanżira(now Catacombs alley).

Grand Chapter of Austria

By Dame Dr. Simone Mayer - Grand Prior.

Mass by His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn ​of Austria.

A Mass for the refugees was celebrated at the mother parish church of St. Margaret in Traiskirchen by His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn ​of Austria. The Mass was attended by the Grand Prior Dame Dr. Simone Mayer and knights of the Grand Chapter of Austria.
This took place on Saturday, 16, 2016. it was celebrated in our church in Traiskirchen,, where we have the counselling Centre. We had an exhibition, for the refugees. This Mass was celebrated by our Archbishop Cardinal Schönborn and Fathers of our Eastern Churches. They were joined by our two spiritual protectors Father Vahan and Father Hanna. Also there was our two deacons Nail Kaplan and Tony Piro, who are also candidates.
Together with our brothers and sisters of the Confraternity, also 15 representatives of the oriental Christian organizations were present. After the solemn Mass, we were able to hold intensive discussions with our Cardinal.
There was a some delicious Syrian food, cooked by our refugees.
It was a very successful event.​

Grand Chapter of Germany

Professor Dr. Lothar Gellert Meg. Werner Hartmann

Grand Prior Vice Grand Prior

HRH Prince Predrag R. Obrenovich
Royal House Obrenovicof Serbia /
Prof. Dr. Horst-Achim Ehrenbrecht
Prior of Honour for Saxony
Grand Master of the Order of St. Michael /
Chev. Hans-Georg Pesch
. Prior for Hamburg

Message from the Grand Prior Professor Dr. Lothar Gellert

Your Excellency Peter Paul Portelli
Many thanks to you and the Grand Priors and Priors for the wonderful wishes I have received after my appointment as Grand Prior of the Grand Chapter of Germany.
Many important tasks are laying in front of us. But with the help of the Lord and the assistance of all our members I am convinced that we can manage the duties we will face for the sake of all, who need our help.
God bless you all. "

Monthly Report of the Grand Chapter of Germany

The Grand Chapter of Germany was reactivated in the beginning of January 2016. At time being all efforts were directed to the question whether or not the “old” Members keep their Membership in the reactivated Grand Chapter. It was possible not only to keep the “old” Members but to gain new Members as well.

In the recent days the Grand Prior tried to establish a permanent cooperation with a pharmacy to get as donation medicines for poor and helpless people.

To be more successful in collecting pharmaceutical products, the Grand Prior tried to get in contact with wholesale companies for pharmaceuticals.

As the Grand Prior has the idea of working together with the nearby parishes, the local one was contacted as well as the parish of St Peter and St Paul in a nearby town.

The answers are still outstanding.

As to the internal work, the Prior for Lower Saxony and Northern Germany, KC Hans-Georg Pesch has finalized the work on an own homepage for the German Grand Chapter.

In addition to the information mentioned above it can be said that our Brother Hans-Georg Pesch was asked in December 2015 to help building up a school in one of the poorest regions of Kenya. First discussion were led on 11 December with Mr Lepartanapa from Kenya. In this meeting the possibilities of the Confraternity and of the Corps International Saint Lazarus (CSLI) were explained.

A collection of donation was started for this school project. At the moment ca 500 € were collected. The total amount of Euro for this project was however calculated with 30.000 €.

The collection of money still goes on.

Another aspect of this project is to collect pharmaceutical products for the hospital in Kenya as well as other medical devices and equipment (e.g. wheelchairs). Negotiations are going on with pharmaceutical companies and drug stores. It is envisaged to go on with this project within the following months to achieve the goal.

For the report

The Grand Prior

Yours sincerely

Prof. Dr. Lothar Gellert

Grand Prior.

NEW MEDALS

The Grand Master and his personal Secretary have for some time been working on producing the medal for the Confraternity. After discussing the matter with several producers in Australia and elsewhere, a producer in Australia has provided the best feedback and quotes for the medal which he describes as, among other statements, one of the most intricate and beautiful medals he has come across in his career. This person's company produces Australia's order, and for other countries.

The Grand Master and his Secretary have chosen the quote below for all Knights and Dames

Crest of on round medal, with case and ribbon - base metal is brass - face of medal is gold colour with a satin sheen, reverse if gold colour with gloss sheen, artwork is painted, and medal covered in clear coating for protection - cost with ribbon and case - $125 Australian for Knights; $154 for Dames, plus postage and handling (shown is the medal on ribbon / bow style for the Dames) (Knights will have ribbon for neck wear). Note: crest is painted not enamelled. The set includes a miniature medal to wear on evening dress (jacket, frock etc) after ceremonial wear is removed:

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Medal for Grand Master, Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Chancellor, Grand Priors, heads of Chapters who are not Grand Priors, and Chancellors appointed to them by the Grand Master. This is the actual crest (crown will be addd in final artwork) of the Confraternity, with case - base metal is brass, with enamel: cost of (Australian dollars) $415 for Knights; $454 for Dames plus postage & handling (shown is the medal on ribbon / bow style for the Knights). The set includes a miniature medal to wear on evening dress (jacket, frock etc) after ceremonial wear is removed:

Please response to this email by indicating that you will be purchasing the medal appropriate to your station, and The each confrere will need to deposit that sum into the Confraternity's account before there is commitment to commission the production of the medal set. This matter requires your quick attention and decision and to that end, please respond by 12 February 2016 to allow contact with the production team noting that the quotes will cease to apply on 21 February 2016.

PLEASE Complete:

I (name) ...... , Confraternity title - : ......

1. I will acquire the medal set R16001-18-02 (crest on round medal): Y / N

number of sets = ......

2. I will acquire the medal set R15012-90-02 (cross with crown crest): Y / N

number of sets = ......

3. Will deposit into the Confraternity account the sum for my medal as noted above, plus Postage & Handling to be advised.

It seems that the medals we been working on for quite sometime, are too expensive to buy for many of our members.

So we have to look for another manufacturer.

Feast of St Paul's Conversion 25 January
By Bishop Brad Varvil
The Greatest of Gifts:A Meditation on 1stCorinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the
gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have
not love, it profiteth me nothing…
And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
Depending on the Christian tradition in which we received the faith, it may be easier or harder to ignore the gifts of the Holy Spirit within Christ’s Church.St. Paul begins in chapter 12 of his first epistle to the church at Corinth, by describing a certain order or priority of gifts within the Church at large:And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.Each of these have their proper place, and provide for the people of God a continuing benefit as we sojourn through this world as the Church Militant.The words of the Apostles and Prophets are set down for us in Holy Scripture, helping the Church measure any new proclamation of Apostolic or Prophetic authority.Those who are well formed in the Apostolic and Prophetic Scriptures are ordained into offices of teaching, so that they might faithfully teach others the Word of the Lord, passing the faith from one generation to the next.Some servants in the Church throughout her history God has used to work miracles and healings, which bolster the faith of His people in His Word.Through others, God has accomplished works of service, of government or leadership, and even the ability to speak in new languages, so that His saving Word might be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.