A four-day visit by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, included the Michigan Area’s presence at a special December 7 Mass, as well as the Area’s support for relief efforts in the Holy Land.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa was frequently mentioned as “papabile” – a likely candidate for Pope – in the wake of Pope Francis’ death. The Cardinal is a member of the Order of Malta, being a Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion (BGCHD).
Cardinal Pizzaballa visited southeast Michigan from December 4 -7 to raise awareness of the plight of Christians in the Holy Land. Southeast Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, including Maronite and Chaldean Catholics.
The Cardinal’s visit included the “United in Faith” gala on December 5 at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan. The Michigan Area was well represented: Church Gaidaca, KM, served as master of ceremonies. Other Michigan Area members in attendance were Dr. Lourdes Andaya, DM; Colleen Germack; David Hocker, KM; Rev. John Maksym, ChD; Donna Nelson, DM; Doug Nelson, KM; Eileen Newell, DM; Chris Rutkowski, KM; June Rutkowski, DM; Sean Shriner, KM; Joe Thorrez, KM; and Kathy Thorrez, DM.
The Cardinal’s visit concluded with a special Mass on December 7 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak. Over 30 Dames and Knights processed at Mass, which was also attended by other Michigan Area members and guests of the Order.
At the Mass, which was concelebrated by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger and Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Fisher, the Cardinal joked about the snow falling that day, but added that “the community is very warm” in Michigan.
Reflecting on St. John the Baptist’s call to conversion, Cardinal Pizzaballa said Christians are challenged to see every event through the eyes of faith – even violence, hardship, and destruction. In such situations, “the human reaction is anger, frustration, distrust, revenge, and hatred.” But, the Christians who refuse to give in to hate “will be among those able to rebuild from the human devastation because of our trust in God.” he said.
A luncheon followed in the LIttle Flower parish school. Donna Nelson, DM, noted that the Cardinal made a point of visiting with those in the room, “with no pretense [about him] or airs,” she said. “He was engaging everyone.”
Upon learning of the engagement of Michigan Auxiliary Joshua Nelson to Sarah Louthan, the Cardinal gave them a blessing on their engagement. The couple, pictured below, then visited the Basilica’s collection of relics, where they touched their engagement ring to a number of relics, including a fragment of the True Cross, piece of Our Lady’s veil, and first-class relic of St. Joseph, among others. Joshua Nelson is the son of Donna Nelson and Doug Nelson, KM.
Detroit Catholic, the Archdiocese of Detroit’s news service, interviewed Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, about the Order of Malta’s work in the Holy Land, including Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, which serves the sick and injured regardless of their faith. “The Christians in the Holy Land are our brothers and sisters, so to be here with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is all the more special,” he observed. Read more at https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/cardinal-pizzaballa-thanks-detroit-faithful-for-spiritual-closeness-to-the-holy-land.
A short video of the Cardinal’s visit can be viewed at https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/united-in-faith-the-pastoral-visit-of-cardinal-pizzaballa-to-detroit-video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooOH1CX-AvI).
The Cardinal’s visit encompassed a particularly busy weekend for the Michigan Area, which held its annual Advent Mass and brunch on December 6, in addition to serving the homeless in Detroit. See “At Michigan Area’s Advent Mass, ‘Christ’s third coming’ heralded; Order’s Service Prayer debuts” and “Michigan Area members brave bitter cold to take food, warm clothing to Detroit streets.”
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