Equestrian Order invests new members from Utah

Courtesy photo/Ray and Rolinda Dardano

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Members of the Salt Lake Area of the Western Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem are shown at the recent annual meeting in Las Vegas.

Ray and Rolinda Dardano

The Western Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) held its first in-person annual meeting in two years in Las Vegas. The theme of the meeting was “Upon This Rock;” it was held in the Red Rocks area west of the city. The meeting weekend was spirit-filled and began with a “Rosary Under the Stars” at a ranch in Red Rock Canyon, a wonderful setting to come together as one community to pray for the Christians in the Holy Land.  

That evening set the tone for a weekend of prayer and celebration, including a memorial Mass for the members who passed away in the past year. Presiding was the Most Rev. George L. Thomas, KC*HS Bishop of Las Vegas. Concelebrating was the Grand Prior of the Western Lieutenancy, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez, KC*HS, Archbishop of Los Angeles, along with 13 other prelates.

Members of the Salt Lake Area who passed away prior to September and that were remembered at the Mass were Sir Ross Brunetti, KCHS; Sir Michael Joseph, KGCHS; Dame Nora Mancuso, DCHS; and Sir Renaldo (Randy) Spagnoletti, KHS. The Saturday Mass also recognized the promotion in rank of more than 90 members, four of whom are members from the Salt Lake Council.

A Sunday Mass included the investiture of more than 60 new members to the Order, a larger-than-average group that spanned the two years since the last in-person annual meeting. The Masses were held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, a relatively new parish in Las Vegas; the music ministry was provided by the parish choir and orchestra.  

The EOHSJ focuses on the growth of the spirituality of its members and providing spiritual and financial support to Christians and Christian entities providing humanitarian services in the Holy Land.  The Christians in most of the Holy Land communities are largely dependent either directly or indirectly upon tourism for their livelihood, so the pandemic continues to impact them greatly. It was reported at the meeting that the spiritual and financial support provided by the worldwide EOHSJ has been uplifting to those who strive to maintain their lives under these severe conditions.

For information regarding the EOHSJ, including how to help with the humanitarian fund, visit www.eohsjwesternusa.org.

Ray and Rolinda Dardano are the Area Co-Councilors for the Salt Lake Area of the Western Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.