Order of St. Ignatius News
Order Inductions at St. Philip Church + Davie, FL
On February 26, 2012, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip inducted six new members into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. Philip Church in Davie (Fort Lauderdale), Florida. Pictured above: to the right of the Metropolitan, Elizabeth Peters Manzini (Life Member), Fr. Elia Shalhoub, Fadi Khoury (Knight), Alfonso Cristofaro (Knight), Mary Winstanley O’Conner (No. American chair of The Order); to the left, Ellena Haddad (dame), Michael Haddad (reinstated), Eddie Sadawie (Knight), Kh. Odette Shalhoub. Dr. Samir Kousa was not present.
New Inductions in Orinda, CA
His Eminence Archbishop Joseph recently inducted seven new members into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. John the Evangelist Church in Orinda, California. Pictured above (L to R): Fadwa Samara (sponsor), Hanada Fashieh, Howard Ashcraft, Reene Carr (sponsor), James Potts (Life Member), Najat Nicola (sponsor), His Eminence Archbishop Joseph, Tiffany Kirby Gantus, Brandon Gantus, Khalil Mounzer, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Nick Nicola, Jr. (Sponsor), Kristin Nicola (Order of St. Ignatius, Diocese Vice Chair).
Order of St. Ignatius Fellowship Dinner Honors Archbishop Joseph's Elevation
On February 12, 2012, the Order of St. Ignatius' Los Angeles area members hosted a fellowship dinner honoring His Eminence Archbishop Joseph's recent elevation to archbishop.
Works of the Order in Action!
The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch and International Christian Charities (IOCC)
Ehmej School (near Byblos, Lebanon) before and after
In the parable of the Sower and the Seed (Matthew 13:1–23), Jesus explains to His disciples that the one “who receives the word on good ground is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Each year the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch makes a grant to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). This annual grant of $25,000 is much like the seed or word which falls on good ground. IOCC uses this “seed money” and leverages it with grants from governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and churchbased charities to bear fruit in abundance. Here are some examples:
Order Inductions at St. James Church + Modesto, CA
His Eminence Archbishop Joseph recently inducted six new members into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. James Church in Modesto, California. Pictured above are His Eminence with inductees Carla Zell (Dame), Paulette Attoun (Dame), Ryan Swehla (Knight), Agnes Enwia (Dame), Nicholas Wright (Knight) and Subdeacon George Hartley (knight), as well as Kimberly Nicola, Dr. Ray Rishwain and Fr. Thomas Zell.
Order Inductions at All Saints Church + Raleigh, NC
Over the weekend of November 4-6, 2011, His Grace Bishop Antoun presided over the consecration of All Saints Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and inducted members of the community into the Order of St. Ignatius.
Order Inductions at St. Anthony Mission + Melbourne, FL
On Sunday, January 22, 2012, His Grace Bishop Antoun inducted four new members into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. Anthony the Great Mission in Melbourne, Florida. The inductees pictured above are, from left to right, Kh. Odette Shalhoub (Sponsor), Dr. Donna Soto (Dame Commander), Dr. Enrigue Soto (Knight Commander), Patricia Smith (Dame), and Ted Theodoropoulos (Knight).
December is St. Ignatius Month
St. Ignatius' Call to Unity
The month of December every year is designated as St. Ignatius month. We celebrate the feast day of St. Ignatius on December 20, and the members of the Order recall their patron St. Ignatius during St. Ignatius Sunday. This annual celebration brings to mind the ministry of the Order that has become an integral aspect of the life of the Antiochian Archdiocese in the Western Hemisphere.
The Order invites the faithful of our Archdiocese to a special ministry and a special way of life. Christianity calls all faithful to a life of genuine personhood in Christ. This gift of life is modeled not after human or social forums and gatherings; it is founded on the life of the Triune Godhead. It is characterized by joy and a perpetual movement of love. Saint Ignatius in his letter to the Ephesians writes “Pray, then, come and join this choir, every one of you; let there be a while symphony of minds in concert; take the tone all together from God, and sing aloud to the Father with one voice through Jesus Christ, so that He may hear you and know by your good works that you are indeed members of His Son’s Body. A completely united front will help to keep you in constant communion with God.”
New Inductees in Portland, OR
Nabeel Hanna, Firas Khoury, Fr. Alban West, His Grace Bishop Joseph
On Sunday, October 30, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph industed Dr. Firas Khoury and Nabeel Hanna into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. George Church in Portland, Oregon.
Fadwa Samara Inducted into Order
On October 23, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph inducted Fadwa Samara into the Order of St. Ignatius. Ms. Samara was sponsored by Najat Nicola.
New Members Inducted in Worcester, MA
On Sunday October 16, 2011, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip inducted four new members to the Order of St. Ignatius at St. George Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts. Fr. Milady Selim, Rose El Khoury and Susan El Khoury were inducted as Life Members, and Toufic Jreije as Knight.
Outgoing Chair Dan Abraham Addresses Order of St. Ignatius Members
Photo by Judy BraunAt the Order of St. Ignatius Banquet during the summer convention, outgoing Chair Dan Abraham addressed Order members, reflecting upon his four years of leadership and service. He challenged his listeners to give out of a heart of faith, thanked the people who had shouldered the Chair responsibilities alongside him, and introduced his family members. The following is the text of Dan's speech:
When one assumes the role of the Chair of an organization one must pledge that at the end of his term to leave the organization at least no worse than when he started.
Today The Order has inducted 4,486 members since inception and with a little bit of help from my friends we can cross the 4,500 threshold on Sunday; among them are 353 Life Members. I am also honored that 196 Clergy and/or spouses are members. Mary, I transfer to you an organization that is strong, viable, and ready to welcome new members.
It is however with much sadness, but no regret that I stand here tonight completing my four years as Chair of this wonderful organization – The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch – and ready to pass on the gavel and responsibility to my successor.
Bishop Joseph Inducts New Member
On Sunday, September 11, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph inducted new member Elle Petrakis into the Order of St. Ignatius:
L. to r.: Elle Petrakis; John Petrakis (sponsor); Fr. David Hovik; His Grace Bishop Joseph
L. to r.: John Petrakis (sponsor); His Grace Bishop Joseph; Elle Petrakis; Diocesan Chair Bill Tsoukalas
Memory Eternal! + Adeeb Sadd
His Grace Bishop Basil writes:
Please join me in praying a rope for the repose of the soul of Adeeb Sadd, honorary member of the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees and past North American Chair of The Order of St. Ignatius (1987-1991) from Encino, California, who fell asleep in Christ at 11:57PM on August 31st, 2011. Adeeb is survived by his wife Carolyn, their three daughters Chrisa, Carrie and Leilah and their families.
May God grant Adeeb Paradise, and may He grant you long life!
Diocese of Worcester Order Members Inducted During Parish Life Conference
On June 19, 2011, at the Parish Life Conference for the Diocese of Worcester and New England, several new inductees joined the Order of St. Ignatius. The following new members and their sponsors are pictured, along with His Grace Bishop Thomas:
Christopher Bradley, Laurie Bradley, Kathleen Tawa, Don Khouri II, Bishop Thomas, Don Khouri, Fr. Christopher Nerreau, Jimmy Chalhub, Timothy Gwinn, Jamil Samara, and Dennis Rawan.
New Order Officers Elected for the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast
Fr. Elia Shalhoub, Spiritual Advisor; Terry Rogers, 2nd Vice-Chair; His Grace Bishop Antoun; Debie Khoury, 1st Vice-Chair; Dan Kevorkian, Treasurer; Kh. Betty Randolf, Secretary; Not pictured: Chairman Ibrahim ChalhoubRecently, the Order of St. Ignatius in the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast elected new officers to serve in the region.
Correction: Order of St. Ignatius Scholarship Funding
Correction to a statement in an article by Fr. Peter Gillquist in the May 2011 issue of The Word magazine: The Order of St. Ignatius does not provide financial aid to students, including students of the St. Stephen's Course. It does provide aid, however, for children to attend sessions at Antiochian camps each summer.
New Induction at Holy Nativity Mission + Langley, BC
His Grace Bishop Joseph recently inducted new member Jared Neufeldt into the Order of St. Ignatius at Holy Nativity Mission in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Jared Neufeldt receiving his Cross from His Grace Bishop Joseph
Jared Neufeldt being sworn in by Bishop Joseph with his sponsor Kim Franklin
(L-R): Fr. Michael Gillis, Bishop Joseph, Kim Franklin, Jared Neufeldt (with his daughter Lucia in front)
Governing Council Elections at Your PLC
Did you know that members of the Governing Council of The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch for each Diocese are elected at the Parish Life Conferences? The Order is always looking for people with fresh energy who can share their time, talent and energy with The Order. To become more involved, contact your current Diocesan Chair or Vice Chair and let your willingness to serve be known. Call the Archdiocese office at 201-871-1355 for more information.
Not ready for a commitment to the Governing Council? Your attendance at your Diocese Parish Life Conference offers a chance to share your knowledge and belief in The Order with those in your Diocese who may be new to our philanthropic organization. Please invite a friend who is not currently a member to attend a social event with the Order of St. Ignatius at this year's PLC. Combine socializing and The Order luncheon or dinner, or another social event, such as a reception or lecture. Go to the vendor area of the hotel hosting your Parish Life Conference where information is available. Enjoy refreshments in the lobby cafe and discuss the benefits of joining The Order.
Helping the Most Vulnerable with Support from the Order of St. Ignatius
Iraqi refugees and disadvantaged Syrian children receive health and school kits at a public school in Syria. Many of the kits were assembled by Orthodox Christians and delivered by IOCC through its kit program. (Photo credit: IOCC Syria)A massacre at one of Iraq's largest churches in October, 2010 and continued attacks in predominantly Christian areas of central Baghdad highlight the continued danger for Iraq's Christian community. Many of Iraq's million and a half Christians wonder if they can continue to remain in their homeland.
In 2010, with support from the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch and others, IOCC provided more than 1,500 Iraqi families in Baghdad with food and personal hygiene items and is currently seeking new ways to assist vulnerable families in the country.
An estimated 7,500 people received critical assistance in areas that have been the target of some of the greatest violence since 2003. Some of the families receiving assistance have been displaced by violence within Iraq and are unable to return back to their homes – some of which have since been destroyed.
St. Ignatius Mission in Boca Raton Celebrates First Anniversary and Metropolitan Philip's 80th Birthday
Sun... beach... palm trees... mansions... yachts... Rolls Royces... Rolex… Gucci... Versacci…this is Boca Raton, Florida.
The Divine Liturgy celebrated every Sunday at 10am on a huge college campus… this is the Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch in Boca Raton, Florida.
The Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch is based on Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on Glades Road in Boca Raton, Florida. FAU is a University which boasts over 28,000 students. St. Ignatius Boca at FAU may be the first Antiochian Orthodox Christian ministry ever established to serve upon a college campus in the history of this great Archdiocese. This Orthodox mission maintains unlimited growth potential where the hope is “to bring America home to Orthodoxy!”
