The Order of Malta American Association Board of Councillors gathered in Boston for Mass and dinner on Wednesday, September 18 to kick off their 2019 fall board Meeting. Each year, this fall meeting rotates to a different city and Boston was selected this year. The late afternoon Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Dennis Sheehan at Our Lady of Good Voyage, also known as the Seaport Shrine in the Seaport District of Boston. The Shrine has 250 seats and holds Mass twice daily and three times on Sundays. The original chapel was located a short distance away and was built to serve the fisherman and dockworkers in what was then an industrial neighborhood.
In 2017, a new church was constructed as part of a land swap deal with a developer who wanted to build on the location of the original chapel. Today, the Seaport Shrine serves as an apostolate of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross with a heavy focus on the young adults who live in the neighborhood. The new building, like the original, has a strong nautical theme.
After Mass, members, clergy, candidates, and guests made their way a few blocks away to the reception and dinner at the Boston College Club. As always, the NY Office staff welcomed each of us with warm hospitality and open arms. The reception was well attended and provided a nice opportunity for attendees to get caught up with one another.
In the heart of Boston’s financial district, on the 36th floor of 100 Federal Street, the Boston College Club is captivating with stunning views of a beautiful city rich in history. The BC Club welcomed guests into a sophisticated, comfortable environment providing essential services, amenities and uncompromising attention to detail, caring for all in attendance.
The assembled group was seated for dinner at 6:30PM and the attendance topped out at just over 70 people. The program opened with the blessing before dinner by Bishop Robert Reed. He was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Boston in 2016. A priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and President of The CatholicTV Network, he currently lives in Wayland, MA, where he is pastor of Good Shepherd Parish. He prepared for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Bishop Reed is pictured below with Peter Kelly, Karol Corbin Walker, Msgr. Dennis Sheehan, Mary Beth Fessler, and Fr. Brian Kiely.
A group of long-time members had an unexpected chance to sit together and recall Malta memories from days gone by. The group included: Jack Shine, Msgr. Dennis Sheehan, Joe Finn, Joe Cianciolo, Jack MacKinnon, Kathleen Hegenbart, Joe Feitelberg, and Marion Glennon. Joe Finn and Joe Cianciolo were former Treasurers for the American Association. Jack MacKinnon, as Boston Area Treasurer, and Joe Feitelberg as former Area Chair have also supported the local leadership efforts. As Area Chairs, Joe was followed by Sue Downing, and then Damien DeVasto more recently.
The evening wrapped up after dessert, extended final conversations and goodbyes, with many extending thanks to the American Association’s staff, along with Jim O’Connor for the time and energy in planning and pulling together all the plans for the event!
