On Monday, January 5, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, Northeast Wisconsin Area members worked with a local Catholic youth mission group at the St. Gianna Clinic in Green Bay to prepare bottles of Lourdes Holy Water for the upcoming Mass for the World Day of the Sick.

In less than two hours, the group prepared 600 bottles of Lourdes Holy Water and 600 prayer cards for distribution at this upcoming Mass, all while praying the Angelus aloud. A special thank you to new Area Hospitallers Bob Kilmartin, KM and Jane Kilmartin, DM, for leading Order of Malta members and Pam Heyrman, DM, for leading the youth group.

In furtherance of the Order’s mission to serve the sick and the poor and in keeping with the theme of the World Day of the Sick, Bob and Jane Kilmartin initiated the idea for the Mass and sought the permission of The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, to offer the Mass within the Diocese of Green Bay at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Bishop Ricken, who is a Conventual Chaplain in the Northeast Wisconsin Area, will serve as principal celebrant for this special Mass. He, along with concelebrants, will administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and offer a blessing for all caregivers. Local Knights, Dames, and Auxiliary members will assist the sick and their caregivers during the Mass and Anointing as well as distribute the Lourdes Holy Water and prayer cards to all in attendance following the service.