Hospitaller Region - Pittsburgh

There are 34 members of the Order living in the Pittsburgh Region, including West Virginia and 1 in Ohio. There are four candidates in formation for the class of 2011 and 1 candidate will be invested in 2010.

Pittsburgh Region Cabinet
Dan McGrogan: Treasurer of Region; Retreat Head-
Alan Veeck: Communications-
Concetta Silvaggio: Spirituality Formation- Little Sisters of the Poor
Cindy Busch, Alan Veeck: Malta Mercy Eucharistic Ministry Mercy Hospital
Charles Queenan and Charles Fagan: of Counsel

In 2006-2008 the SMOM Association’s Grants Committee made grants to Pittsburgh-area ministries. The Knights and Dames in the region contributed approximately $50,000 toward these matching grants to purchase the two vans. This enabled the Little Sisters to buy a new Refrigerated Begging Van and new Twelve Seat Handicap Bus with Lift for 2008. Each of these vehicles travels the streets of Pittsburgh bearing the insignia of the Order of Malta Federal Association.

Members of the Order of Malta (and their families) who are interested in participating in any of these activities should contact the Regional Hospitaller. The phone/fax number is available in Federal Association Directory.

• Little Sisters of the Poor Home – A nursing home and health clinic for the poor. Federal Association members, their families and the Auxiliary have hosted holiday parties and provide money and supplies. Contact: Concetta Silvaggio, DM.

• Little Sisters of the Poor founded by Jeanne Jugan – Mass-Reception for The Little Sisters of Pittsburgh after their St. Jeanne Jugan Mass, 22 November 2009. His Excellency David Zubik officiating. Helen Hanna Casey DM Chaired the Reception for The Little Sisters of the Poor- after the “Jeanne Jugan Mass, celebrating her – Canonization in Rome. Members of the Order in Pittsburgh and Friends of the Order made it possible for land and air travel for several of The Little Sisters and member residents to represent Pittsburgh in Rome. The representatives attended the Canonization of their Foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan. There they joined with representatives of the international chapters of Little Sisters of the Poor.

• Rebuilding Together – Each year members of the Order volunteer in April with students from Oakland Catholic High School. Contact: Katherine Freyvogel, DM President of Oakland Catholic or Dan McGrogan, KM.

• The Pittsburgh Oratory – Members of the Order assist with the Oratory’s outreach to the poor and homeless in Pittsburgh. Contact: Dan McGrogan, KM

• Auxiliary – Contact Dan McGrogan- all welcome to join auxiliary for hands-on projects high school to age 35. Volunteers of all ages welcome to help.
• Malta Mercy - Eucharistic Ministry – Each Saturday members of the Order work with the Chaplain of Mercy Hospital Pittsburgh and Bishop Zubik’s mission to “Keep Catholic” in Mercy Hospital by acting as Eucharistic Ministers on a day when other volunteers and religious cannot serve the patients. 12 members of the Order participate regularly and several outside volunteers have joined us recently. As this 2 year old program grows more and more members will continue to become involved. – Contact: Alan Veeck, KM or Cindy Busch DM
• Federal Association Board of Directors – Thomas Freyvogel KM is serving second term in DC. For Information regarding The SMOM Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes Contact Lourdes Team Leader Thomas Freyvogel. For first hand accounts of Pittsburgh Region members’ Lourdes experience contact the following pilgrims: Joy Conti DM, Dan McGrogan KM, Mariah McGrogan Aux., and Thomas Freyvogel KM, Jim Haberman KM, and Thomas Celli. All will share The Lourdes Times. Sign up sheets from DC Headquarters are still available for Lourdes. Pittsburgh Region Lourdes Pilgrimage took our first Malade and companions from Pittsburgh Region to Lourdes 2009 as proposed by Joy Conti DM who accompanied the family.
• Catholic Charity Clinic – Contact: Thomas Celli, Hospitaller.