On Thursday, December 22nd, 2017 more than 25 young adult Auxiliary and prospective-Auxiliary members (ages 18-28) gathered to participate in the Connecticut Area’s Malta Mingle. The annual Christmas celebration is an opportunity for young people to participate in a fun Advent service project and engage in a spiritual exchange, while meeting new friends and contacts.

This yearly event has helped to forge friendships as well as to increase participation in the ministries of our Order; it has led some young people to join the American Association on the annual Lourdes pilgrimage in May and some to join in the Connecticut Area local Faith in Action service work.

This year’s Malta Mingle, hosted at the home of Ann AC O’Rourke, D.M. and Michael J. O’Rourke, K.M., included making over two-hundred turkey and cheese sandwiches to help [New Covenant Center] in Stamford, Connecticut feed the hungry. The New Covenant Center is an ecumenical inner city soup kitchen sponsored by the Diocese of Bridgeport in Stamford, Connecticut.

To enrich the service of the evening Order of Malta Deputy Chaplain, Gauthier Vincent, K.M.  gave a brief Advent reflection on the importance of service work in our lives. He focused on how service to others humbles us and brings us closer to God. Everyone had a great time reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, and engaging together in service.