Latest News
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Message
Dear Fellow Knights and Dames,
On Ash Wednesday, we received ashes as a reminder that we belong to God and will return to Him. We talked about what we were “giving up” for Lent, chocolate, wine, or perhaps the opposite, doing something more spiritual. Little did we realize that our Lenten journey would take on an entirely different direction and meaning. We’ve been asked to make changes in our daily lives, not go out, stay at home. Unsettling times for sure.
We have cancelled the Mid Year meetings and other events scheduled for March and are evaluating those scheduled for April and May. Following the guidelines set forth by your Diocese and local government, your Area Councillors will be in contact regarding future events. If you have any questions, please let us know.
In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus stops at the well and asks for water from the Samaritan woman. During these challenging times, we remember that God is our living water, giving us strength. He calls us to Him, to rely on Him, that He is the center of our lives.
As members of Holy Sepulchre, we are called to serve, help our fellow Christians in the Holy Land. That call to serve includes all our fellow man. Today, our world needs His strength. We pray for God’s guidance and send our prayers to all who are suffering, whether it be over the loss of a loved one, their own health, or uncertainty over the future.
May Our Blessed Mother hold us in her arms as she did her suffering son.
Deus Lo Vult,
H.E. Margaret Romano, DGCHS
Lieutenant
Western Lieutenancy
PEACE TO PROSPERITY: A VISION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI PEOPLE
On January 28, President Trump unveiled a proposal for long-term peace in the Middle East.
Click here to see a comment by Patriarchs and Heads of Jerusalem Churches.
Click here to see the reaction of the Catholic Ordinaries of Holy Land.
Click here to see an overview and the details of the plan on the White House website.
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H.E. Michael Scott Feeley
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H.E. Michael Scott Feeley, Lieutenant of Honor and seventh Lieutenant of the Western USA Lieutenancy, has been appointed a member of the Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The Cardinal Grand Master directed that Sir Michael’s four year mandate commences on January 1, 2020. The Grand Magisterium is the international governing body of the Order.
In addition to Sir Michael, there are currently two other American members of the Grand Magisterium: H.E Tom Pogge, the Vice-Governor General for North America, and H.E. Mary O’Brien, the former Lieutenant of the Northwestern USA Lieutenancy.
Congratulations to H.E. Sir Michael!
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HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL
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By decision of the Holy Father, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni has been appointed Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre starting this December 8 2019, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We publish below the official communiqué of His Eminence Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order since 2012, who concludes his mandate a few months after reaching the age of 80.
Click here for the full announcement from the Grand Magisterium.
Celebration of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ Pilgrimage of Peace
At the end of the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the Pilgrimage of Peace of St. Francis in the Holy Land, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, blessed the new bronze high reliefs of the Via Crucis, donated by the city of Verona, Italy.
Click here for more details and pictures.
Latest visit of the Holy Land Commission to Jordan
September 16, 2019 – Mr. Sami El- Yousef , Chief Executive Officer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, shares his reflections regarding his latest visit to Jordan with the Holy Land Commission.
Click here for full letter.
Includes picture gallery.
Western Lieutenancy Appoints
Sarah Knob as Executive Director
Our Chancellor and incoming Lieutenant, Dame Margie Romano, DGCHS, announces the appointment of Sarah Knob as the new Executive Director of the Western Lieutenancy. Sarah’s extensive work experience and warm personality have prepared her well for the role. Dame Margie asks that we extend to Sarah our warmest welcome to the team.
Sarah Knob
Sarah received a B.A. in Humanities & Spanish and a certificate in accounting from the University of Steubenville. She has over 10 years of office administration experience both in the private and not-for-profit sectors. She has a strong background in board relations and membership relationship management. Her various office positions over the years included the promotion of office management best practices to streamline business flow to ensure both profitability and membership satisfaction.
Sarah was Office Manager and simultaneously managed general bookkeeping for multiple company files and worked with CPAs to provide financial reports to the Board of Directors. Sarah recently moved to Los Angeles from Chicago. She looks forward to serving the Western Lieutenancy as Executive Director and working with Dame Margie Romano to meet membership needs.