NEWSLETTER 55 DECEMBER 2016

Christmas Special

Message from the Grand MasterDear Confreres and friends of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul.

PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD

Celebrating the birth or our Lord Jesus Christ is the most beautiful time of the year. You can feel it in your bones, everywhere you go, you are reminded that the big day is near. Shopping centre and stores are decorated with Christmas lights and other ornaments, carols are played,

it’s a good feeling.

Houses are decorated with Christmas lights, many people have a nice display with a nativity set.

In the churches too, you see the Christmas tree with food under it, to be given to the less fortunate people.

Come Christmas day and you can sense the difference. The shopping centre car park is empty and the doors are closed. You can feel the stillness, people are at church to celebrate the birth of our Lord, or enjoying a family get together. The television is showing carols singing at some Cathedral or the midnight Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Most television stations shows Christmas movies.

Oh what a feeling. How lucky we are to be Christians.

Having said all this, for us knights and dames, it is also very important to remember on Christmas day those who are lonely, the sick, the poor and most importantly the persecuted brother and sisters around the world.

Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli - Grand Master

Message from the Grand ChancellorChev Joseph J Coleiro

"Dear ConfreresCongratulations on a successful 2016 in our charitable work, whether as a group or individually. It has been an eventful year with growth in the Confraternity, and success in our own lives, yet we all in some way were also touched by some challenge or loss. We see positive development with many we support as a Confraternity or individually as Confreres, and surely that is warming and encouraging. It takes effort to do this, like patience, and using a kind word to build the other. And so, as we approach the close of 2016, it is lovely that Christmas is with us giving us a time to reflect, and remember God becoming man, bringing His grace, patience and hope to us. So, I encourage all Confreres to celebrate Jesus' birth in the spirit of love and joy, not chasing material things in

a monetary world. Please be safe, and take time out for yourselves to meditate on the true meaning of the season. I close by wishing each of you an exciting 2017. I hope to meet each of you in Malta at the conference that also coincides with the 150th anniversary of the consecration church of St Peter & St Paul at Nadur, Gozo, Malta; I encourage as many Confreres as are able, to attend.

Your Grand Chancellor

Chev Joseph J ColeiroGrand ChancellorSecretary to HE Peter Paul Portelli, Grand Master"

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN IN MELBOURNE

Chevalier Rev. Fr. Manuel Sunaz CMFI came back two weeks ago from the pilgrimage and a vacation in the Philippines. I am now a little more settled here in St Paul Glengala, my new parish. I am sorry to say that I simply did not and cannot have the opportunity to meet Cardinal Chito Tagle. He was twice outside the country when I was there. I wish you are Merry Christmas and may your family continue to receive the favor of the Lord. By the way the feast of the parish here is on Feb 19. you might like to take part in it. God bless you.

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP EMANUEL BARBARA OFM Cap.Malindi, Kenya.

H.E. Bishop Emanuel Barbara OFM Cap.Your Excellency,May I take this opportunity to wish you every God's blessing for Christmas which gives us hope in all situations that in many ways make us sad, as God is not present.

We are looking forward also for your convention in Gozo next year to strengthen our faith and vigour in what we do.Best wishes,

+Emanuel Barbara OFM. Cap.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHPRIEST OF NADURMonsignor Jimmy Xerri

Monsignor Rev. Fr. Jimmy Xerri

Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year from the parish basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Nadur, Gozo.

Awguri għall-Milied u s-sena l-ġdida mill-parroċċa ta' San Pietru u San Pawl.  Fr. Jimmy Xerri 

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN OF PORTUGALParish Priest of S. VERÍSSIMO DE PARANHOSPorto.

Chevalier Rev. Fr. Antonio Manuel Martins

BY THE DREAM WE GOLet's penetrate the divineLike Joseph and Mary:It is Christmas of the Child God,Let us rejoice in joy.No love that everything turns upUNDERSTAND ANGELS OF THE HEIGHTS:GLORY TO GOD AND PEACE ON EARTH,PEACE AND LOVE TO THE CREATURES.If the dream commands life,Mary guides us,Encourage and invite usTo the sources of joy.Let's project utopiaTo see in the other a brotherLet's share in harmonyLife, love and bread.P. Manuel Martins, CMVotes from oneMerry ChristmasAnd Prosperous New Year

PELO SONHO É QUE VAMOSPenetremos no divinoComo José e Maria:É Natal do Deus Menino,Exultemos de alegria.NO AMOR QUE TUDO ENCERRADESCEM ANJOS DAS ALTURAS:GLÓRIA A DEUS E PAZ NA TERRA,PAZ E AMOR ÀS CRIATURAS.Se o sonho comanda vida,Maria é quem nos guia,Nos alenta e nos convidaÀs fontes da alegria.Projectemos a utopiaDe ver no outro um irmãoPartilhemos na harmoniaA vida, o amor e o pão.P. Manuel Martins, CMVotos de umFeliz Natale Próspero Ano Novo

Chevalier Rev. Fr. Antonio Manuel MartinsChaplain and Prior of Portugal.

Chevalier Rev. Fr. Antonio Manuel Martins is organizing a tour from Portugal to Malta for the Convention. If anyone wishes to join the tour, contact Fr. Antonio on his email: melbmartins@gmail.com

FROM CHEVALIER PAULO MARTINHOGrand Prior of Portugal

Chevalier Paulo Martinho

Dear Grand Master and my friends,

Here I send the Christmas Greetings from the Portuguese Chapter:

From the Chapter of Portugal, I would like to send all the members of this great Confraternity our warm Christmas best wishes and votes of an excellent 2017, with all your families in the love of Jesus.I also want to invite you to visit Portugal and Fatima on the 12 and 13 of May for the 100 year of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary. It would be excellent to have a committee of our Confraternity present on the celebration.Anyone interested on coming to Portugal for the event, contact me on the: paulojamart@hotmail.com

FROM CHEVALIER ANTONIO SCIORTINOGrand Prior of Sicily

Cordial greetings

Chevalier Antonio Sciortino

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas 2016 and Happy New Year 2017

Yours sincerelySciortino.

Tanti  auguri  di  Buon  Natale   2016  e  Felice  Anno   2017Cordiali salutisciortinoGrato   ricambio  gli auguri  di  Buon  Natale  e  Felice Anno  nuovounitamente ai  miei saluti  cordialisciortino

GREETINGS FROM DAME CARMEN GALEAChapter of Toronto Canada

Dame Carmen Galea.

Wishing you all "A Merry Christmas" and"A Healthy, and Peaceful New Year". Dame Carmen M. GaleaToronto, Canada

FROM THE GRAND CHAPTER OF GERMANYChevalier Professor Dr. Lothar Gellert

Grand Prior and Assistant to the Deputy Grand Master in Europe.

 Chevalier Lothar Gellert.

"The Grand Chapter of Germany of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter & St. Paul would like to send the warmest Christmas Greetings to all our Brothers and Sisters within the Confraternity and to all other persons in the world who have dedicated their life to the help and support of needy people. In these days where many of us are thinking of Christmas gifts - what to get and what to buy - we should stop for a moment and think about those poor fellows who are far from getting any presents. And then it should come into our mind how we could ease their lives. But this help cannot stop on Christmas Day but should be continued within the next year and after too. There is much to help, please let us give support to all who need it in a close cooperation between all of  us.With these words I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Prof Dr. Lothar GellertGrand Prior of theGrand Chapter of Germany" Best regards your friend Lothar

FROM THE PRIOR OF LOWER SAXONY

Germany

Chevalier Hans-Georg Pesch

Dear Grandmaster,

The Priory of Lower Saxony wishes you, your family and all the brothers and sisters of the Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul a happy and blessed Christmas party and a good start to a more peaceful year 2017.

We are looking forward to a good and successful collaboration with you and all the brothers and sisters of the individual chapters in the coming year.

Your brother and prior of Lower SaxonyHans-Georg Pesch, KCJ

Nativity scene by Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli – Grand Master

GREETINGS FROM MARLENE FARRUGIA MPParliament HouseMalta

 

Ms. Marlene Farrugia MP

I wish to convey my best wishes to all of you brothers and sisters.

Marlene Farrugia MP.

GREETINGS FROM MARIA VAMVAKINOU MP

Parliament HouseCanberra. Australia.

Maria  Vamvakinou MP

On behalf of Maria and all of the staff we would like to wish you and members of Confraternity of the Knights of St. Peter and St. Paul a Merry Christmas and our very best wishes for the year ahead. Best wishesPaul Caruso – Secretary.

MESSAGE FROM CHEVALIER ANGE KENOSMember of the Supreme CouncilMelbourne.

Chevalier Ange KenosLet us never forget, as far too many in society and businesses have, that 25 December is a Holy Day honouring the birth of Christ The Lord. It is birthday not an excuse to buy dad an electric saw, mum a dish washer and the kids some electronic games. It is a say to remember Jesus and why he came to us. It is a day to attend Church and to spend the rest of the day with family and, maybe, dear friends. It is a time when gifts are nice but remember those in need and so give a gift to the needy. A present via any Church. An item under the tree at a shopping centre. A gift of blood as a donor. Something that shows you understand the true meaning of Christmas.

I wish one and all a Merry Christmas, an occasion named after Our Lord, and my hopes for a better 2017.

MESSAGE FROM CHEVALIER LES TARCZONChairman of the Supreme CouncilMelbourne.

Chevalier Les Tarczon.Dear Confreres and friends,It is my pleasure to write to you for the celebration of the birthday of our Lord Jesus.This year was a very eventful one for our Confraternity, many good things happened for us, the receiving of the Holy relics of St, Peter and Paul was the most precious thing that happened to us.Thanks to our Grand Prior in the Philippines Chevalier Ramon Moreno, the Holy relics of St. Peter Paul have a long history. They were in a convent in France for some 800 years before they went to the Philippines and eventually came to us.This is all the works of God himself.I encourage you to keep working for the aims of the Confraternity to serve God and His people.God bless you all and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.Chevalier Les TarczonChairman.

CHRISTMASS GREETING FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide, South Australia

Kind regards and best wishes fromChevalier Frank L SciclunaPrior.

GREETINGS FROM MALTA

Chevalier Paul Callus

Sending you and your beloved ones sincere wishes for a most Happy and Blessed Christmas and all the best for the New Year..

GREETINGS FROM CHEVALIER PAOLO TARTAGLIA

Melbourne.

Chevalier Paolo Tartaglia

Dear friends of the Confraternity and all your families around the world, I wish you all the best for a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2017.

Your friend Paolo

God bless you all

GREETINGS FROM NEW ZEALAND

Chevalier Nick Pacey

Warm greetings from the New Zealand chapter to all members. A happy and Holy Christmas! Spare a thought for those less fortunate especially our persecuted brethrens in distant lands. 

Chevalier Nick Pacey

GREETINGS FRO CHEVALIER SYDNEY VAS

Member of the Supreme Council

Melbourne.

Chevalier Sydney Vas.

Dear Grand Master Chevalier Peter Paul Portelli Thank you and if I haven’t already wished you please accept my and my family’s best wishes for Christmas and the coming New Year 2017 which I hope and pray is a good year for all of us and the world’s nations and peoples, especially those undergoing terrible suffering and pain because of war and many injustices.  May God Almighty bless them and give them relief from suffering and pain especially at this holy occasion of Christ birth.Cav. Sydney Vas & Rebecca and family.   

GRAND CHAPTER OF MALTA

NewsThe Grand Chapter of Malta had its meeting and dinner on Thursday 8 December, at the Grand Hotel in Gozo.

The President of the grand chapter Chancellor Chevalier Eddie Vella chaired the meeting.

Also in attendance were Chev. Dennis Mifsud Grand Prior, Dame Sue Ellen Bugeja Secretary, Chev. Carmel Saliba PR. Chev. Michael Camilleri Cauchi, Dame Veronica Camilleri Cauchi, Chev. Joe Zerafa, Dame Carmen Cefai and candidates Charles and Virginia Coleiro.

Chevalier Carmel Saliba was accompanied by Jane Saliba and Chev. Joseph Zerafa was accompanied by Elizabeth Zerafa.

NEWS FROM PAKISTAN (This article was first published in the Christian Voice, Karachi on December 18, 2016) Carol Evening at St. Anthony’sbyMichael Ali Hope was Born this Night, yes, with these words the senior choir of St. Anthony’s opened the evening of carols at the St. Anthony’s church premises on December 4, 2016.The parishioners and their guests not only filled the church but overflowed into the compound. The weather was pleasant and ideal to usher in the Christmas spirit to this part of Karachi.The premises was tastefully decorated with colorful twinkling lights and a live crib by the doorway of the church under the lighted star which swayed between the steeples. Next to sing was the Faith Formation Class (Juniors) who presented the audience with ‘Where Baby Jesus Lay’ and ‘Jingle Bells’. They were followed by the Faith Formation Class (Older) who sang ‘Starry Night’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem' and ‘We Three Kings’.The carols ‘Prepare the Way’, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Children Run Joyfully’ were sung by the St. Anthony’s Junior Choir. Our Lady of Fatima’s choir dressed in green and black entertained the faithful with ‘Take Comfort My People’, ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas Time’ and ‘Light of the World’. The St. Anthony’s Urdu Choir then took center place and presented three Urdu carols.The St. Anthony’s Presbytery Choir superbly sang ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ and the evergreen and greatly appreciated ‘Silent Night’.Then, St. Lawrence’s Choir entertained the gathered with ‘Prepare the Lord is Near’, ‘Cry Out With Joy and Gladness’ and ‘Let Every Voice Proclaim, “Jesus is Lord”. Finally, the senior choir of the host parish sang ‘‘Mary, Did You Know?’, ‘We have a Saviour’ and ‘Oh, What a Glorious Night’Mr. Aloysius Soares, the Director of the St. Anthony’s Choir in his short closing remarks thanked all the choirs for their participation and his core committee and regretted that a fair number of choirs chose not to be present although this event was planned almost three months ago.Finally, all the choirs including the audience sang in unison the famous carol ‘O, Come All Ye Faithful’ as the gathering proceeded to the crib to witness the birth of Jesus to the march of the Drummer Boy to the live crib.A mini-Christmas bazaar was also held with stalls selling festive items and Christmas delicacies. Soon Santa, resplendent in his red suit drove into the compound to greet the children and spread a little Christmas cheer.The evening’s program was brought to a close with a spectacular display of ‘silent’ fireworks which was enjoyed by all.

THE FIRST NATIVITY SCENE Saint Francis of Assisi created the very first nativity scene in 1223 in an effort to promote the true meaning of Christmas and worship of Jesus Christ. His idea caught on, and soon a new Christmas tradition was born. Today, it's almost impossible for one to go through the Christmas season without seeing a nativity scene in front of a church, in a Christmas play, decorating someone's yard, or placed in model form on a fireplace mantel.

In spite of the nativity's popularity, there are a few theological errors in many of them. First, most nativity scenes are set in a stable or cave. While this may have been where Jesus was born, it's just as likely that Jesus was born in the lower level of a home, amongst animals who were brought inside for the night (the Greek word for "inn" (kataluma), found in Luke 2:7, can also mean "house"). In addition, the angels that are often shown hovering over the stable in a nativity were likely not there, at least not visibly. The angels' part in the Christmas story took place in a field, where they announced Jesus' birth to a group of shepherds (Luke 2:8–14). Finally, although the wise men often appear in a nativity, they did not visit Jesus the night of His birth. The magi visited Jesus some time later, when He was a toddler (Matthew 2:1–11).

CLOSING NOTE

Dear friends this is all I have for you.

I like to thank you for your kindness and support this year.

I hope that many of us will meet in Malta for the Convention next June.

As always, I hope that you enjoyed reading the December Newsletter.

God Bless you in St. Peter Paul.

 "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti"

Amen.

Warm regards

Peter Paul Portelli - Grand Master