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Western Ontario Commandery Provides Funds to Hospice Niagara and Carpenter Hospice On Sunday, April 19th, 2009, in London, Ontario, the last church service of the academic year at the Huron College Chapel, University of Western Ontario was conducted by Fr. Bill Cliff and hosted members of the Western Ontario Commandery of the Order. The chapel is considered to be the home church of the Commandery and the banners of both the Order and the Commandery were prominently displayed at the front of the chapel. After the service, student members of the congregation, prior to leaving to return to their homes at the conclusion of the academic year, were invited to have lunch with the members of the Order. After lunch the Commandery held their Annual General Meeting during which approvals were given to the following: the donation of $2400 to Hospice Niagara to allow the creation of a private ramped exit for deceased residents; the donation of $600 to the Carpenter Hospice towards the costs of their Heart to Heart program. Annual Emerald Military Ball Held in support of Camp Maple Leaf The Toronto Commandery held the 1st Annual Emerald Military Ball on October 31st, 2009 at the Granite Club. Members from all Commanderies were invited to attend this memorable evening. Invitations were also extended to all Honorary Colonels of local area regiments Proceeds from the event were directed in support of Camp Maple Leaf in support of our Canadian troops who have so faithfully served our country overseas and their families and the Toronto Commandery Hospice capital fund. Newfoundland Recognizes Work of Palliative Care Manager During a luncheon on June 15, 2009, Lewis Stoyles, CLJ of the Newfoundland Delegation presented The Grand Prior’s Certificate of Commendation to Laurie Anne O'Brien, the Regional Palliative Care Manager with Eastern Health for her long term and significant work in establishing the palliative care program in St John's. Laurie Anne was also made a Member of the Order of Merit at the same luncheon. The luncheon made a small profit which will be directed towards future activities of the Order in Newfoundland. Montreal Commandery Educated on the importance of Palliative Care On Wednesday May 20th, 2009 the Montréal Commandery held its annual Ecumenical Bursary Luncheon at the McGill Faculty Club. The members who attended heard an address by last year’s recipient, Madame Julie Bolduc from the Université de Montréal, Faculty of Religious Sciences and Theology. Mme Bolduc explained how she divides her time between a seniors’ residence and the palliative care department at the St. Justines Children’s Hospital. Mme Bolduc related how important palliative care is for the patients and how each one receives individual care for their spiritual needs as they reach the end of life. She thanked the Order for its support and the work that it does in both the ecumenical field and the end of life care. The Commander presented Mme. Bolduc with the Montreal Commandery Certificate of Commendation and copies of The Caregiver’s Guide and Le guide des aidants naturels, the French version. Calgary Commandery Endows Bursary at University The members of the Calgary Commandery are pleased to announce the establishment of the Saint Lazarus Bursary at the University of Calgary. Beginning in the 2008-2009 academic year, a student in the Faculty of Humanities will be the recipient of the award. Presentation of the funds to endow this bursary for ecumenical study was made to Rowland Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University in October of 2007. Photo: Calgary Presentation 22 Oct 2007: Dr. Rowland Smith, Barbara Hongisto, Pat Lee. Manitoba Adopts Grace Hospice Members of the Manitoba Commandery have joined with the care team of Grace Hospice Winnipeg. By providing items to the hospice that are not been provided through traditional funding sources, members are making a difference to the patients and their families. Blenders, food processors, bird feeders, bird books, binoculars, and colourful bath towels are all on the purchase list and the Commandery looks forward to having a continued impact in the community as they move through the hospice wish list. The Manitoba Commandery focuses its energies on funding for the training of volunteers in palliative care. Our support has been directed to Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, which provides a superior program for volunteers. This project is considered essential for the well being of many citizens across the province, rather than being centralized in Winnipeg. Over the past decade the Manitoba Commandery has contributed approximately $100,000 to Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, most of which was raised from members of the Order and friends of the Order. The Commandery is proud of its record of achievement with a relatively small size of membership. The Manitoba Commandery established, with the Ecumenical Commission, a funding program at St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba. Income generated from the capital grant of $20,000 is used to assist students who are pursuing religious studies with an ecumenical focus. The Manitoba Commandery and St. Paul's College collaborate to ensure that funds are put to the best use each year to assist a student. In 2005, funds provided a student the means to attend and participate in an ecumenical conference held in Alberta. His report at the last Chapter General held in Winnipeg was received with great enthusiasm. The Commandery is proud to have played a role in this student's education and future growth. Of Note: At the ceremony to recognize official Commandery status in 1990, the Manitoba Commandery presented the Grand Priory with a gavel, striking plate and wooden box adorned with a Commander's Cross. Various types of wood from around the world – France, Jerusalem, Canada and England – were used in the production of the set, to represent the history of the Order. This gavel is still is use today at Chapters General of the Grand Priory. Quebec Sails into the Future Mr. Jacques Desmeules, Ms.Sylvie Corriveau, Chev. Ross Gaudreault, Mr. Claude Labbé (Commander) The Quebec Commandery continues to work on a number of initiatives to benefit local charities involved with families and health care and to provide opportunities for membership growth and development. Among these were the annual golf tournament, a commandery investiture, sumptuous luncheon celebrations, and an evening aboard the Queen Mary 2. Held in June, the annual golf tournament held at Base Valcartier generated funds that were donated to the Valcartier Family Center ($4500) and Foundation Sourdine ($5000). Members enjoyed the tournament and the fellowship the event provided and the recipients of the funds were most grateful. According to the Commander, Claude Labbé, OLJ, MMLJ there are a number of potential members waiting in the wings as children attending the event were photographed wearing his cape and asked a number of questions about the Order and its purposes. Later in the summer, members had the chance to fraternize at a luncheon held at the home of the Lavigne family. During the event, the Commandery formally recognized the ascension of H.E. the Chev. Georges Parent GCLJ, GOMLJ to the position of Grand Prior and presented him and the host with a special vintage bottle of wine to mark the occasion. The culminating point of the year was the visit of the Queen Mary 2 to Quebec City on September 4th, 2007. This was an opportunity for members and guests to experience the grandeur of yesteryear in the comfort of today. The event raised over 30 000 dollars, which was in turn donated to the Institut de cardiologie de L'Hôpital Laval on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation. ... more news. » Back To Top