BELMONT — The board of directors for the Order of Malta Federal Association took a break from its quarterly meeting at Belmont Abbey to make a special visit to Holy Angels June 24.
“This is a love story,” told Holy Angels EVP/Chaplain Dennis Kuhn told the visitors. “It started out of love for a mother to find her baby, who wasn’t supposed to live more than three months, a home. Who would have known that one little baby would have created this mission of mercy.”
That is the story of Maria Morrow, the very first angel of Holy Angels. Since its founding in 1955 by the Sisters of Mercy, Holy Angels has provided residential services and innovative programs for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities with delicate medical conditions.
The Order of Malta has been one of Holy Angels’ most generous supporters over the years, providing multiple grants that among other things have funded the Bishop Curlin Health Clinic, mechanical lifts, renovations of bathing rooms for Holy Angels’ youngest residents and, most recently, personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Order of Malta continues to demonstrate its mission of helping to serve the vulnerable and the sick,” said Holy Angels CEO/President Regina Moody. “Members of the Order of Malta not only bless us with their treasure, but their time and talents as well, volunteering to assist our angels. They show us so much love.”
During their visit last week, members of the Order of Malta took the opportunity to meet and bless several residents of Holy Angels.
The visitors received a special “mercy moment” when Butch, the oldest resident of Holy Angels, said a special prayer for them.
“You could see the smile behind their masks as they witnessed the amazing talents and abilities of these angels,” Kuhn said.
“It was emotionally draining,” said Fra’ Tom Mulligan, president of the Federal Association of Order of Malta. “There wasn’t a dry eye in our group. Witnessing the presentation, listening to them describe the work that is done at Holy Angels and then a very dramatic entrance of some of the residents with their caregivers was a very special experience for us. We were fortified by the example they provided to us there is really hope in this world.”
Before they left, several Order of Malta members expressed their love and gratitude to the people who serve the residents. They also shared their support for Holy Angels’ mission.
“Nothing represents the love and care of the Order of Malta more than Holy Angels,” said Bob Gallagher, member of the order’s board of directors.
During its quarterly meeting, the Order of Malta also invested 16 new members from around the country.
— Shawn Flynn, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Shawn Flynn is the vice president of community relations for Holy Angels.