The Missouri Region celebrated St. John’s Day at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Webster Groves with a Mass concelebrated by Msgr. Vernon Gardin, ChM, and Msgr. James Ramacciotti, ChD. After Mass, members gathered for dinner at Algonquin Golf Club. Area Co-Chairs Helen McCadden, DM and Michael McCadden, MD, KM reported on the Area’s recent activities. Mike Heck, KM spoke about a program though which Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, a Catholic Charities agency, assists low-income senior citizens who are raising grandchildren or other relatives.

Heck became acquainted with the program though his service with Malta Mobile Ministries and was impressed by the importance of the work it does. He called on Order of Malta members in the Area to find ways of that work. As the evening drew to a close, the Area acknowledged the retirement of Msgr. Gardin and thanked him for him years of service to the Order and its members.