On Monday, May 4, the NYC Area celebrated our First Monday Mass in the Lady Chapel of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as we prayed for our malades and pilgrims in Lourdes. Fr. Zachariah Presutti, SJ, founder and executive director of Thrive for Life USA, a Catholic ministry dedicated to transforming lives behind and beyond prison walls, was the celebrant of the Mass. The Area is humbled to be able to partner with Thrive for Life through our Mobile Ministry. Charles Firestone East, YOF proclaimed the first reading, and Area Hospitaller Erin O’Kane, DM led the Daily Prayer.
In his homily, Fr. Presutti drew on both the first reading and the Gospel to invite us to examine where we truly place our faith. In the reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas heal a man crippled from birth. The crowds, rather than recognizing the living God at work, immediately try to worship the apostles as Zeus and Hermes. Fr. Presutti noted that this reaction reveals something deeply human: We are always tempted to worship what is visible rather than what is absolutely true. We look outside ourselves for God, misplacing our faith in human figures, in success, in power, in control—and when we do, we are left disappointed, having missed the real and living presence of God entirely.
The Gospel offers us healing through truth. Jesus promises that whoever loves him and keeps his word will be dwelt in by the Father and the Son. And the Holy Spirit, Jesus tells us, will teach us everything and remind us of all he has said. We are not left to figure this out alone. Fr. Presutti encouraged us to ask ourselves honestly: where might we be mistaking something or someone for the living God? And are we truly allowing God to dwell within us? When we turn toward God in genuine conversion, he reminded us, everything changes. We stop grasping at idols and living in fear. Because God is not a distant judge, but a loving presence dwelling in every breath.
Following Mass, a large group enjoyed fellowship at a nearby tavern. Please join us for our next First Monday Mass and monthly social hour on Monday, June 1.
Please scroll through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Mass.
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For the next 33 years, the"},{"id":"81413","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/honoring-the-eucharist-cleveland-area-celebrates-corpus-christi\/","name":"honoring-the-eucharist-cleveland-area-celebrates-corpus-christi","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-10.png","alt":""},"title":"Honoring the Eucharist: Cleveland Area Celebrates Corpus Christi","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:50:41","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 19:50:43","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:50:43","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/ohio-cleveland\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Ohio - Cleveland<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/ohio-cleveland\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Ohio - Cleveland<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":30},"status":"publish","content":"The Cleveland Area was honored to accept an invitation from Deputy Chaplain Rev. John Valencheck to participate in the Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession"},{"id":"81410","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/boston-malta-walk-brings-prayer-and-service-to-the-streets\/","name":"boston-malta-walk-brings-prayer-and-service-to-the-streets","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-Boston-MW-June.png","alt":""},"title":"Boston Malta Walk Brings Prayer and Service to the Streets","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:44:01","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 19:44:03","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:44:03","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/boston\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Boston<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/boston\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Boston<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":38},"status":"publish","content":"Members of the Boston Area gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for a Malta Walk dedicated to serving the local homeless community. Participants"},{"id":"81404","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/new-jersey-hosts-first-area-wide-overnight-retreat\/","name":"new-jersey-hosts-first-area-wide-overnight-retreat","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4-5.png","alt":""},"title":"New Jersey Hosts First Area-Wide Overnight Retreat","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:38:44","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 19:38:46","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 19:38:46","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-jersey-auxiliary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New Jersey<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-jersey-auxiliary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New Jersey<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":48},"status":"publish","content":"Members of Order of Malta's New Jersey Area, joined by members from Connecticut and New York, gathered June 5\u20137 at the Loyola Jesuit Center in"},{"id":"81391","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/heart-to-table-celebrates-the-end-of-a-wonderful-year\/","name":"heart-to-table-celebrates-the-end-of-a-wonderful-year","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4-4.png","alt":""},"title":"Heart to Table Celebrates the End of a Wonderful Year","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 18:39:49","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 18:39:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 18:39:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/connecticut-western-northern-spirituality-in-action\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Connecticut - Southern, Western & Northern<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":46},"status":"publish","content":"On June 4th, the Malta House Heart to Table Ministry celebrated the conclusion of its inaugural year with a festive summer BBQ. Residents and volunteers"},{"id":"81384","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/lunches-with-love-launches-on-first-friday\/","name":"lunches-with-love-launches-on-first-friday","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2-6.png","alt":""},"title":"Lunches with Love Launches on First Friday","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 14:16:51","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 14:17:55","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 14:17:55","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-westchester\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - Westchester<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-westchester\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - Westchester<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":49},"status":"publish","content":"On First Friday, June 5th, members of the Westchester Area gathered at Saints John and Paul Parish in Larchmont, NY, to celebrate First Friday Mass.\u00a0\u00a0A"},{"id":"81374","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/11\/michigan-area-joins-archdiocese-of-detroits-june-7-corpus-christi-mass-eucharistic-procession\/","name":"michigan-area-joins-archdiocese-of-detroits-june-7-corpus-christi-mass-eucharistic-procession","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-5.png","alt":""},"title":"Michigan Area joins Archdiocese of Detroit's June 7 Corpus Christi Mass, Eucharistic Procession","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-11 13:29:50","modifiedDate":"2026-06-11 13:36:53","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-11 13:36:53","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/michigan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Michigan<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":12},"status":"publish","content":"In keeping with a long-standing tradition, Michigan Area members attended the Archdiocese of Detroit\u2019s Corpus Christi celebration on June 7 at the Cathedral of the"},{"id":"81344","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/09\/nyc-area-pilgrims-reflect-on-their-lourdes-experience\/","name":"nyc-area-pilgrims-reflect-on-their-lourdes-experience","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/14-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"NYC Area Pilgrims Reflect on Their Lourdes Experience","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 9, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-09 20:15:16","modifiedDate":"2026-06-10 13:20:17","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-10 13:20:17","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/new-york-nyc\/\" rel=\"category tag\">New York - NYC<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":43},"status":"publish","content":"In 1858 in Lourdes, a peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous was visited 18 times by the Virgin Mary, who revealed herself as the \u201cImmaculate Conception.\""},{"id":"81337","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/2026\/06\/09\/philadelphia-area-gathers-for-mass-fellowship-and-service\/","name":"philadelphia-area-gathers-for-mass-fellowship-and-service","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-PA-PH-June.png","alt":""},"title":"Philadelphia Area Gathers for Mass, Fellowship, and Service","author":{"name":"tmazza","link":"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/author\/tmazza\/"},"date":"Jun 9, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-09 14:40:11","modifiedDate":"2026-06-09 14:40:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-09 14:40:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/pennsylvania-philadelphia\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Pennsylvania - Philadelphia<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/latest-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Latest News<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/orderofmaltaamerican.org\/category\/area-news\/pennsylvania-philadelphia\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Pennsylvania - Philadelphia<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":51},"status":"publish","content":"On Saturday, June 6, members of the Philadelphia Area came together for their monthly meeting and service project, beginning with Holy Mass on the feast"}]
