Hospitaller Region in Development - Bluffton, SC

On January 25, the Order of Malta from Bluffton joined with members from Charleston and Catholic Charities and hosted a Healing Mass at the Pastoral Center in Charleston, celebrated by Bishop Gugliemone and priests of the Charleston diocese.  Residents of the Carter May home in Charleston, which is run by Catholic Charities, were given transportation to and from the event by members of Catholic Charities, who hosted a reception afterwards in the parish hall.  Catholic Charities wanted to bring light onto Carter May for the purpose of creating awareness of this Catholic residence which houses those who might not be able to afford senior housing.  The Order of Malta was asked to lend a hand promoting this cause throughout our Order.

Thanks especially to the leadership of Drs. Ed and Cora Arellano, members of our Bluffton Region began a campaign to assist the Sisters of St. Francis on St. Helena's Island, South Carolina by replacing their truck, which was on its last legs. Because of these efforts we were able to procure a new truck for them to continue their ministry of delivering furniture, food, and services to the poor of this area. 

Our Bluffton Region is growing now so that we are able to help in other areas, such as the Family Promise Center, a home for temporarily unemployed families. Michael and Ferine Johannes of our auxiliary, who had already been involved there, brought this new project to our attention. Our region raised funds to help pave a new driveway for their newly acquired homestead, which also benefited from a grant from the Order of Malta to do a bit of renovation to make the facility more efficient. Volunteers provide meals there and offer daytime assistance—and some even stay overnight—to assist residents with their needs.

Another of our projects is the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Low Country, which operates in three separate venues—Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Ridgeland. Joe Krygiel, Ed Arellano, and Diana Shertenlieb are working on their upcoming golf tournament that raises funds needed to run these beautiful facilities. The Order has also granted them financial assistance, which has allowed us to add new services. Every Mother's Day we initiate a Baby Bottle Fund Drive for the pregnancy center at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton, which our chaplain and pastor, Msgr. Ronald Cellini, enthusiastically supports. Joe Krygiel and Diana Shertenlieb serve on their board.