HERE - International Order of Alhambra

28 Pages·2012·10.96 MB·English

The Alhambran
Mar/Apr 2012 Official Journal of the International Order of Alhambra CP Pub AGT #PM41206513
Inside...
PORTO 104 FOUNDER’S DAY / PORTO CHARITY Inc. ANNUAL GRANT
AWARDS
Fez Notice.........5
On February 4th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Hall, Porto 104 and Porto Charities, Inc., (PCI) held
Letter to the Edi-
tor....................6 their Founder’s Day and annual charity awards dinner. Porto 104 and PCI are blessed to have a strong
supporter in Arlington Catholic Diocese Bishop Paul S. Loverde who allows annual Special Kids/Special
Bulletin
Needs second collections. Parishioners contribute generously with open hearts. In 2011, this collection
Gleanings.........7
netted a record $87,282. PCI rounded the amount of the grant awards to $90,000 from dues funds.
Operation Cover-
up.....................8 This festive evening began with the Oasis and a lively Fiesta atmosphere provided by a Mariachi player who
enticed members to sing along to favorite tunes. The catered Mexican dinner had a record 134 individuals
Sancho Bowling
in attendance, including Sir Nobles, Sultanas, PCI members and award recipients. The food was prepared
Fundraiser......11
by thirty special young adults employed by Wildflour Caterers, an organization PCI supports.
Home Office Roof
Repair Appeal.16 The evening progressed with accolades and applause as the twenty organizations, schools, 501 ( c ) ( 3 )
groups, group homes and employers all provided reports of their accomplishments in 2011 and information
St. Francis
about future plans to help God’s Special Angels succeed in the community. We learned about iPads for
Camp..............17
communication purposes and classroom use, future housing endeavors, employment and employment
supports, advocacy plans and new laws affecting our special needs population. Most of these efforts have
Scholarship
Award.............22 been spearheaded by these twenty groups which received grants, along with involvement by our members as
Special Olympics coaches, on boards and in many other volunteer areas where Porto 104 and PCI families
Ocean City Get-
lend their support in one way or another. The following photos show some of the twenty awards presented
Together.........27
at the award dinner.
PLUS MORE
Editor’s Pen
Supreme
Officer’s
Columns
Megan Battle (center), Director, Options Prog. Dr. Heidi Graff, Director, George Mason Univ.
and Sister Mary Jordan Hoover, Principal, John LIFE (Learning into Future Environments)
Paul the Great Catholic HS, receive award Program and Vivian Alonso (left), GMU LIFE graduate.
Dedicated to Assisting the Mentally Challenged
The Head Fez Says officials and members of the clergy. They can steer you to Catholic
men and women who would be happy to work on a project such as
by Andre Beauchamp
an Alhambra House. The Alhambra House can be the center point in
Andre can be reached by e-mail at
[email protected] your caravan. Present members will be happy to join in and create
something that is needed and bring joy to our dear friends, namely
While we continue to have concerns about the
the developmentally disabled. Call our headquarters in Baltimore at
future of the Order with respect to the lack of new
800-478-2946 (toll free) and let our staff get you started on a very
members and new caravans, I believe there is some
worthwhile project.
hope we can give to our Grand Divan officers. Please consider erecting
an Alhambra House that would house up to six young adults that are
On another topic, I bring to your attention that the Order
intellectually disabled. It is not that hard to do and the satisfaction
offers up to four scholarship grants at $1,000 per grant to any student
you would get from having an Alhambra House is immeasurable. The
who is enrolled as a junior or senior in a college or university and is
Order of Alhambra will provide you with a $100,000 loan interest free
registered in Special Education program and who will graduate and be
for 20 years. You could not get such a deal from any bank or credit
able to teach in a school for developmentally disabled students. Many
union. The Order of Alhambra can provide plans for an Alhambra
caravans do not take advantage of this Alhambra program. Scholarship
House and guide you through the paperwork process. In order to
applications are available from our home office. It doesn’t take much
succeed, it requires participation of Sir Nobles and Sultanas that are
to find a student who is enrolled in and taking Special Education
ready to work such a project. I do believe that each region should have
courses in an accredited college or university in North America. Call
at least one Alhambra house. It could be a great tool for recruiting.
and speak to a priest in your parish and I’ll bet you he can steer you
to at least one student. Do this today and you will be proud and happy
Building or acquiring a home can be the basis for a group of
you did so. Do it for the kids we support.
new members for your caravan. Speak with your local government
Words from the
Vice Supreme Commander Some of the things they have going, like St. Francis Camp, are big
VSC Vince Braun projects that is a source of pride for those involved. Even the proposal
Vince can be reached by e-mail by Galicia Caravan of a revised ceremonial that will help give the
[email protected]
respect to our new Lady Nobles show the involvement and dedication
of the membership in the Region. They use what they have to continue
to give life to the Order.
I know that, for some time now, there is a lot of talk and concern
over the dwindling membership of the order. It is justified we should I am happy to have the opportunity to witness the involvement and
be concerned that the Order seems to be slowly disappearing. The dedication of the membership not just in the Detroit (Region VI) area
things that all this talk over looks is the pride and dedication of the but in all the Regions I have been able to visit. Each time I return home
membership that we still have. from around the Order I am able to view the activities in my Region
in a refreshed light. I can see that on one level or another we all have a
I observed this commitment when I attended the recent Executive great pride in being members of the Order of Alhambra. We all work
Committee meeting in Detroit. The involvement and commitment of with what we have to continue to give life to the Order.
the members in this area is a fantastic thing to see. It’s not just that they
successfully hosted the Executive Committee for the meeting. They One more thank you to everyone involved in the Founders Day weekend
continue to move forward with activities and plans that define what in Detroit. What a great time.
the Order means. The membership is not just names on rosters they are
active and interested participants. Happy Easter
Have you invited someone
to join the Order lately?
Now is the time, now is the hour.
The Alhambran 2
Our
Supreme Chaplain
SPEAKS OUT
by Rev. Msgr. Ricardo E. Bass
Monsignor Bass can be reached by e-mail at
[email protected]
My dear friends,
Lent is upon us. The question always becomes: What should I give up during Lent? or What should I do extra during Lent?
I would suggest that there are a number of answers to either or both of these questions.
What should I give up during Lent? The usual response has been: meat or liquor or candy, etc. However, we can all practice
small ways of giving up something during Lent – for example, each Friday of Lent I will give up passing judgment on other
people – each Wednesday of Lent, I will give up gossip – each Monday of Lent, I will give up misusing the name of the Lord
in any way. It is true that we may not become perfect at any or all of these – but these are beginnings. Most of us are in the
habit of passing judgment or gossiping or misusing the name of the Lord. However, habits can be changed. It takes a long
time to undo a bad habit but it can be done. Lent is a good time to begin changing some of those bad habits in our lives for
the better.
What should I do extra during Lent? The usual response has been: give money to the poor or be nicer to my family, etc.
However, there are other “extras” we can do during Lent that will assist us in growing in the Lord: we can read a little
more Scripture than we have in the past or even take part in a Scripture class – we can write a note to people who have been
important in our lives and thank them – or we can spend time with friends or relatives we haven’t seen for awhile. Simple
acts – but very important expressions of our concern for those around us.
The list of what we “give up” or “do extra” during Lent can go on and on. The important thing: that we do something to
grow in our relationship with the Lord. Considering all He has given each of us – there is so much more we could do in His
name so that others could more clearly see Christ present in our lives.
We have a choice: sit back and do nothing throughout this Lenten Season or make the effort not to let another Lent “pass us
by” without having somehow grown in our love and understanding of the Lord. This is the only Lent 2012 there will ever
be – we should take advantage of it.
The Alhambran 3
COUNCIL OF VIZIERS NEW CANDIDATES
2011 – 2013
ORAN CARAVAN #67 SANTIAGO CARAVAN #169
SUPREME PONTIFF
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI REGION V – SUPREME DIRECTOR JEANETTE EASTER FLORENCE L. STEPHENS
(IL, KY, OH, IN, IA, KS, MO, NE, TN)
J. R. Black, -Sultana Barbara THOMAS EASTER ROSEMARIE PALM
ECCLESIASTICAL PROTECTOR
8214 Wedgewood Dr., Norfolk, VA 23518-3113
His Eminence Cardinal Adam Maida
(H) 757-583-0284 (C) 757-641-3269
1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226-1800 (e-mail) [email protected] ALVA CARAVAN #91 BEN ZIRI CARAVAN #218
(B) 313-237-5816 (F) 313-237-4642
REGION VI – SUPREME DIRECTOR
(MI, MN, ND, SD, WI) ALBERTO GARCIA JULIANA TABER
SUPREME CHAPLAIN
Richard A. Sosin - Sultana Connie
Reverend Monsignor Ricardo E. Bass RICK HERRERA
19739 Ingram St., Livonia, MI 48152-1566
Pastor, St. Hubert’s Parish
(H) 248-471-2389 (C) 734-765-2100 JESUS S.LUCIO ABD AL AZIZ CARAVAN #
38775 Prentiss St.
(e-mail) [email protected]
Harrison Twp, MI 48045-2652 SAM MARTINEZ 262
(B) 586-463-5877
REGION VII – SUPREME DIRECTOR ENRIQUE PENA
(e-mail) [email protected]
(TX, CO, MT, NM. OK, WY)
Joe B. Cortinaz - Sultana Gloria DARRELL POWERS VIRGINIA C. MUELLER
Executive Committee 950 CR 770, Natalia,Tx 78059-2001
(H) 830-665-6217 (C) 830-832-0268
SUPREME COMMANDER (e-mail) [email protected]
We welcome all of you to the Order of
Andre Beauchamp -Sultana Danielle
REGION VIII – SUPREME DIRECTOR
3829 Mercedes, Laval, QC H7P 1L7 Canada
(CA, AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT, WA, AK) Alhambra and hope that you find it
(H) 450-622-1624 (C) 514-953-1624
Chris Braun
(e-mail) [email protected]
PO Box 1010, Idyllwild, CA 92549-1010
rewarding and fulfilling.
(H) 303-319-6550
VICE SUPREME COMMANDER
(e-mail) [email protected]
Vince Braun - Sultana Kathy
917 Citrus Edge St., Azusa, CA 91702-4736 REGION IX – SUPREME DIRECTOR
(H) 626-969--0183 (B) 562-634-7392 (QU, MARITIME PROVINCES) The Editor’s Pen
(F) 562-634-2478 (C) 562-572-4674 Jean-Maurice Brosseau-Sultana Danielle Dore
by ID Mike Carpenter
(e-mail) [email protected] 1585 rue Kirouac, Laval, QC H7G 4T4
Canada
SUPREME CHAMBERLAIN (O) 514-384-4545 Mike can be reached by e-mail at
Gilles Bénard-Sultana Fernande St-Pierre (H) 450-668-3508
346 West Acres Cr., Dollard Des Ormeaux, QC H9G 1V1 (C) 514-235-1950 [email protected]
Canada (e-mail) [email protected]
(H) 514-626-1627 (C) 514-550-6467
REGION X – SUPREME DIRECTOR As you may notice the box saying that starting in January 2013
(e-mail) [email protected]
(ON, WESTERN PROVINCES) The Alhambran will be electronic only. This is no longer the case.
Jim DeZorzi - Sultana Joan
SUPREME SCRIBE 8438 Defore Dr RR 2, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0 In a short period of time you will be notified in this publication to
Edward J. Smith - Sultana Kathleen
Canada go to the Order’s website - www.orderalhambra.org - to make an
35024 Bunker Hill Dr, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3238
(H) 519-243-1683 (C) 519-282-0059
(H) 248-848-9448 (C) 248-229-0192 (e-mail) [email protected] election to receive it electronically. This will mean that you will
(e-mail) [email protected]
no longer receive the printed newspaper and will be notified when
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SUPREME ADVOCATE Roger J. Reid, PSC The Alhambran is available online for you to download and print
William A. Cubbedge - Sultana Lydia P.O. Box 1912, Nokomis, FL 34274-1912 yourself or just view it online at your leisure. Watch future issues
530 E. Huntingdon St., Savannah, GA 31401-5135 (H) 941-486-0949 (C) 410-227-4545 (F) 941-486-8833
(H) 912-239-8982 (e-mail) [email protected] for this announcement.
(e-mail) [email protected]
EDITOR
I had the pleasure to attend the Executive Committee Meeting held
SUPREME DIRECTORS Mike Carpenter, ID
PO Box 475 in Detroit a short time ago. This is a wonderful gathering and
Dearborn, MI 48121-0475
REGION I – SUPREME DIRECTOR holds a lot of information that is being decided on to keep the
(C) 313-218-9345 (F) 313-274-8564
(CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
(e-mail) [email protected] Order going for a long time to come. I do have to commend the
Thomas Wall –Sultana Sue
52 Edgewater Rd., Hull, MA 02045-2716 Executive Board for being very civil and allowing any comments
OFFICE MANAGER
(H) 781-925-0609 (B) 617-635-7500 (C) 617-984-9533
Denise Blakely to be made during the meeting so everyone is well informed. The
(e-mail) [email protected]
4200 Leeds Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229-5421
following day our Supreme Chaplain Msgr Bass held the Founder’s
(B) 410-242-0660 or 0661 (F) 410-536-5729
REGION II – SUPREME DIRECTOR
Toll Free - 800-478-2946 Day Mass for all who wished to attend. A comment made by one of
(NJ, NY, PA)
(e-mail) [email protected]
Patrick Umbra, Jr. the ushers was that he was wondering if they had reserved enough
163 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-2917
WEBSITE CHAIRMAN pews for all Alhambrans who were attending. Following the Mass
(H) 570-822-3597
GC Eric Griffin
(e-mail) [email protected] was a breakfast which was one of the best that I have had during
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE an Alhambran function. Anyone who walked away still hungry
REGION III – SUPREME DIRECTOR Chairman: MSGR Ricardo Bass
wasn’t paying attention to the announcements. There was more
(MD, VA, DC, DE, NC, SC, WV)
Michael Stakem - Sultana Diane WEBSITE than enough food for everyone.
828 Camden Ave. Cumberland, MD 21502-2605 www.orderalhambra.org
(H) 301-777-8336 (C) 301-697-6707
(e-mail) [email protected] Now we must move on and start to grow the Order once again. I
am challenging every member to recruit one new member. I would
REGION IV – SUPREME DIRECTOR
(FL, LA, MS, AL, AR, GA, PR) love to see the Order grow back to the 15,000+ members that we
Jim Rigby - Sultana Carol
had when I first joined. Keep in mind that the more members that
188 Acacia Ave. Biloxi, MS 39530-3307
(B) 228-435-5665 (F) 228-74-1556 we have the easier it will be to keep the per capita down. Each One
(e-mail) [email protected]
Get One is the motto we should be living by always.
The Alhambran 4
Pronouncements from the Supreme Advocate
by SA William Cubbedge
Will can be reached by e-mail
[email protected]
I received a request for a ruling from a caravan just before press-time. I will I spent a very pleasant and productive week-end in Detroit at the end of
briefly recount this ruling here: February attending the regular Executive Committee meeting. I also had
the privilege of attending a Founder’s Day mass celebrated by Supreme
QUESTION: Must women members of the Order of Alhambra be Catholic? Chaplain Msgr. Bass and attended by many, many Sir Nobles and Sultanas.
I want to thank Bill Marchiori, PSC Jim O’Halloran, SD Dick Sosin, and
ANSWER: Women members of the Order of Alhambra must be Catholic. the entire Michigan crew for their excellent hospitality. I’d especially like to
thank Msgr. Bass for feeding us, and Bill Marchiori for driving me around
RATIONALE: The last Supreme Divan changed Art. III, Sec. 1, to eliminate Detroit.
the term “man” from the language dealing with membership eligibility,
leaving it to read “Any Catholic who is 18 years of age or older and in good It seems that I will be in charge of overseeing the implementation of an
standing in the Catholic Church” may be members. The plain language outside fundraising program to benefit the Charity fund. I’ll be working
of the proposal amending Art. III adopted by the Supreme Divan does not closely with the Executive Director and the Supreme Commander in order
indicate that the Supreme Divan wished to allow non-Catholic women into to create a long-term stream of revenue for the Charity fund that is not
the Order. Furthermore, the minutes from the Supreme Divan indicate that dependent on the membership of the Order of Alhambra. I currently expect
it was the intention of the Supreme Divan to only admit Catholic women by to have the program launched by this Fall.
amending Al Sunna. Finally, there were proposals that would have allowed
non-Catholics to join the Order that were explicitly rejected by the same Supreme Commanders should have received a letter from me asking for a
Supreme Divan. copy of their Caravan’s current bylaws. This is part of the Order-wide audit
of bylaws that I will be conducting over the next year. So far, I’ve received
Since there is no indication from the plain language of Al Sunna as amended bylaws from six Caravans. Please send your Caravan bylaws to the home
that non-Catholics of either sex may be members of the order , and, likewise, office in Baltimore, marked to my attention, no later than September 1st. If
no indication from the record of the amending Supreme Divan of its intent I do not receive you Caravan’s bylaws by this time, the Order will assume
to do the same, then it is the judgement of the Supreme Advocate that Al that your Caravan is operating under the “generic” bylaws maintained by the
Sunna requires that women (and, of course, men) be Catholic in order to be Order for Caravans without their own bylaws.
considered for membership in the Order of Alhambra.
Finally, I would like to remind Caravan’s of the importance of submitting
DISTINCTION: The status of Sultanas (Art. III, Sec. 11) remains unchanged. a pro-forma IRS Form 990 to the home office each year. From a legal
Non-Catholic women, including non-Catholic female spouses of male standpoint, caravan compliance with pro-forma tax filings allows the entire
Alhambrans, may continue to be Sultanas, if the policy of the sponsoring Order to ensure that it will maintain its tax-exempt and non-profit statuses.
Caravan allows non-Catholic Sultanas.
Al Salaam!
FEZ NOTICE
We have been informed that the company who produces our
fezes can no longer offer embroidered names inside of the
rayon fez, this can only be stamped in.
CANADIAN DECLARATION Magazine Mission Statement US DECLARATION
1. The Alhambran “The Alhambran” magazine is published and distributed bimonthly to the officers and members of the 1. The Alhambran
2. Agreement # PM41206513 International Order of Alhambra. Members may contribute articles of interest by mailing them to: 2. March/April
3. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: ID Mike Carpenter, Editor 3. Published bi-monthly (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov)
International Order of Alhambra PO Box 475 4. International Order of Alhambra
4200 Leeds Ave. Dearborn, MI 48121-0475 4200 Leeds Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21229-5421 Fax: [phone] Baltimore, MD 21229-5421
e-mail: [email protected] 5. Volume 56, No. 2
The Alhambran 5
Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor

If you have never been to an executive board meeting you are missing a great opportunity to see eight individuals working together for a
common cause. Unlike caravan meetings, where the goal is to get to the “oasis”, these dedicated leaders are fully committed to the business
of making Alhambra a continued success. This board is well organized with detail information prepared so that all discussion and motions are
fully analyzed, thought through, and are not haphazardly rushed to get passed. Through the leadership of our Illustrious Supreme Commander
Andre Beauchamp, this meeting was kept focused and moved swiftly through all the business of the day. There were items that all could not
agree on and some discussions were heated but were not made personal and each member of this board maintained their position as “Catholic
Gentlemen” to the highest regard. Our astute and long time Executive Director Roger Reid made sure that proper protocol and procedures were
followed at all times.
He intervened with his wisdom and extensive knowledge when necessary to assure all that the facts and policies were implemented correctly.
Sometimes he can be so poetic, but that’s why we love him.
As we all know our Order in is trouble, low membership, lack of incoming funds, exploding expenses, unpaid per capita and our latest problem
a destroyed roof at the headquarters to name a few. My personal observation is that our Order is in the best hands possible. There is much work
to be done and at the end of the day I know I will be sleeping good tonight knowing that our organization is in the hands of this board. It was
an honor and a privilege to sit in on such a meeting. God bless this Alhambra.
Signed,
SN Russ Smith
Michigan Region VI
Sancho Caravan #261
St. Francis Camp, Board of Director
Deadlines for the next five issues are
Issue Date Deadline Date Press Date
May/June April 20 May 1
July/August June 20 July 1
September/October August 20 September 1
November/December October 20 November 1
January/February December 20 January 1
All submissions are preferred in Microsoft Word format although we can accommodate other formats, just e-mail us and let us know what format you would like to use and we will let you
know if we can handle that. Pictures are also great if you have them. jpg or tiff format preferred. Both your pictures and articles must be sent to us as attachments to e-mails addressed
to [email protected]
This publication will only be as good as you make it. So get busy all you Grand Commanders, Scribes, etc. Tell us what you have been doing that you think the whole Order should
know about. Maybe you are doing something that no one else has tried yet. You may just be the start of something big.
Supreme Directors have a column in every issue and should report the happenings in their Council of Caravans or in their region’s caravans. Sometimes two heads are better than one.
You may discover something unique that one of your caravans is doing. Please share it with the rest of us.
The Alhambran 6
Gleanings from Caravan Bulletins
Cordova #26 Buffalo NY Kay Sims, and Betty Athey will be in Charities 2011 Awards where they On August 10th-12th the Caravan will
charge of the Telephone Committee. donated $90,000 to 19 charities. In their be hosting the Fun in the Sun Weekend.
The Caravan will be celebrating St. CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES! We newsletter they highlighted one – Still Further information to follow in future
Patrick’s Day with a Caravan Dinner thank everyone who came to support Meadows Enrichment Center and Camp issues or you can contact GC Jerry
Meeting and Social on March 20th. the Sultanas de Bejar at this special in Linville Virginia. The Center served Forster.
Dinner will include a Ham and Cabbage function. over 2,000 special needs individuals
Dinner with all the trimmings for just in 2011 offering activities that these The Caravan mourns the passing of
$12.00. And now the Sultanas will start preparing special people would not usually be PGC Louis Prieur. He was not only the
for the Fiesta de San Jacinto Ball. The able to participate in because of their GC and founder of Garcia Caravan #230
The 43rd Annual Cantalician Picnic Ball, a dinner dance, will be held at limitations. but he also served as Regional Director
is scheduled for June 13th. They are The Bright Shawl in San Antonio, April for Region X and gave himself for the
asking for help on this special project. 25, at which King Antonio and all his Tai #125 Garfield Heights OH developmentally disabled for many
entourage will be in attendance. years. He will be sadly missed by all
The Caravan has a big push with all of The Caravan will be hosting the Region Alhambrans.
their members to recruit new Sir Nobles Padul #69 Norfolk VA V Meeting on September 14th. Contact
for them. They have a unique way of GC Joe Svoboda for further information. Ben Ziri #218 Oceanside CA
looking at what the new members would The Caravan will be participating in
bring – a new devotion, new enthusiasm, their Memorial Mass in May. Contact The Caravan participated in the The Caravan will be participating in
new security, new manpower, new GC Jerry Mathei for details. Founder’s Day Mass and Dinner with the Easter Party on April 7th at Helen
ability and new loyalty. They want each Carmona Caravan at St. John Cathedral Bernardy Center for Medically Fragile
member to share the many benefits of The Caravan will be holding a Bull then retiring to Sterle’s Restaurant for Children.
membership by recruiting that new Roast in June. Contact GC Jerry Mathei Dinner.
member as our founders did over a for further details The Caravan will be holding a Garage
century ago. The Caravan will be holding a St. Sale in Oceanside on May 19th.
Carmona #75 Cleveland OH Patrick’s Day Party for Garfield Heights Contact GC Mike Caligiuri for further
Bejar #56 San Antonio TX friends and parents on March 17th. information.
The Caravan thanks all who attended the
The Sultanas de Bejar, a proud Catholic Founder’s Day Mass and Dinner which Jaen #131 Butler PA Diego #255 Englewood FL
organization, held their Installation was about double last years attendance.
Luncheon and Fashion Show at the They also extended a special tip of the The Caravan participated in a Founder’s The Caravan participated in a “Welcome
Oak Hills Country Club, Thursday, fez to Bishop Roger for celebrating the Day Mass on February 5th. They thank Sunday” for new parishioners at St.
February 16. The theme of the special Mass. Father Ritzert for celebrating the Mass Raphael’s. Father Joe and the GC
event was “Noon Time in Paris.” The and then adjourned to Valley Dairy for Frank Farley represented the Caravan
mid-day affair included deliciously The Carmona Poker Tournament at breakfast following Mass. and Father Joe was exceptional as they
tasting spritzers followed by a luncheon Brooklyn-Parma K of C Hall will be handed out membership applications.
that was enjoyed by all Sultanas and April 20th. Contact PRD Frank Novak Mahdi #142 Willoughby OH They see 2 as promising new members
Sir Nobles in attendance. Draper’s for further details. and will follow up with those people.
and Damon’s from the Quarry of San The Caravan will be presenting funding
Antonio provided the clothes modeled Happy Birthday from the Caravan to to their charities at the Annual Awards The Caravan is promoting a Western
by the Sultanas, and door prizes were Bishop Roger March 26th. Dinner on April 11th at Pine Ridge Caribbean Cruise with Andy Cooney on
also provided for the ladies. Country Club. Contact GC Martin February 2nd to 9th, 2013. Contact VGC
Galicia #77 Detroit MI Ryan for further details. Carol Peschel for further information.
During the installation, all Past Sultanas They say that this cruise is one not to
were recognized, and newly installed as The Caravan has named Msgr Bass The Caravan will be hosting the Region miss.
Grand Sultana is Caroline D. Perkins. as the Class Honoree for the annual V Meeting on May 9th at Our Lady of
CONGRATULATIONS, CARRIE! Ceremonial to be held April 29th. Mount Carmel. Dino’s will be catering The Caravan will be holding the 2012
Newly elected Vice-Presidents will Contact PSD Ron Kaczorowski or GC the event. Contact GC Martin Ryan for PGC Ball on April 15th at LaStanza
hold various responsibilities throughout Robert Steinberger to advertise in the further information. Restaurant. Contact GC Frank Farley
the next two years in office. Elected as Ceremonial Booklet to honor Msgr for further details.
Mistress of the Oasis is Felis Sallinas; Bass. Algarva #168 Grand Bend ON
the Sultana in charge of Hospitality is Sancho #261 Warren MI
Lillie De Los Santos; Sultana Irene Porto #104 Northern VA The Caravan will be holding the 10th
Mzyk will be the officer in charge of Annual Fun Day at the Legacy Centre The Caravan will be holding the 13th
Decorations; Sandy Migl is responsible GC Leo Alonso is challenging the in Thedford ON on June 20th. Contact Annual Mark Thomas Memorial
for Membership, and in charge of Caravan Members to recruit new GC/PSC Jerry Forster for further Bowling Fundraiser on March 31st.
Notifications is Stella Cunningham. members to the Alhambra. He wants to information. See details of the drawing elsewhere
Recording Scribe is Stella De Los see many new members at the Annual in this issue. This is one of the largest
Santos; Correspondence Scribe is Alice Porto Derby on May 12th at Our Lady The Caravan will be holding the 20th fundraisers for the Caravan.
Titzman. The Treasurer is Marilyn of Good Counsel. Annual Golf Tournament at Sandhills
Hoster, and the Parliamentarian is Gloria Golf Resort on July 14th.
Pedrazine. Responsible for Publicity is The Caravan just held the Porto
The Alhambran 7
OPERATION COVER-UP
An Operation Cover-up Report, a project to provide God’s Special People with an afghan crocheted by Sultanas and friends of Alhambra. We have
distributed 2252 Afghans since it began in 1998 under S.Cham Leo & Sultana Rita Serowick. Operation Cover-up continues to be a successful project; we
are hard at work and enjoying every minute of it. If you are interested in becoming one of our Operation Cover-up Crocheters please contact Betty Nicholls
[phone]. We supply the yarn, postage and pattern. All you supply is the time and love.
Afghan Distribution:
Date Afghans
1/20/2011 3 Afghans went to ARC of Oakland County, Michigan requested by SN Tom Stanczyk.
04/07/2011 30 Afghans went to Flat River Ministries Warehouse in Belding, MI & St. Francis Camp in Jerome, MI requested by SD Richard Sosin &
SN Russ Smith
08/02/2011 2 Afghans went to God’s Special people requested by PGC Russ Kreinbring
10/03/2011 3 Afghans went to God’s Special people requested by SD Richard Sosin
11/26/2011 2 Afghans went to God’s Special people requested by GC Carl Lombardo
12/09/2011 6 Afghans went to Birchcrest Home Network in Warren, MI requested by GS John Mihalic
12/11/2011 52 Afghans went to Cass Community in Detroit, MI requested by GC Gary DeCarlo
12/28/2011 16 Afghans went to St. Leopold Catholic School in Quebec Canada request by SC Andre Beauchamp
02/20/2012 18 Afghans for God’s Special people request by PGC Al Reau.
Crocheters since October 2009:
Amy Avila – 280 Afghans – Padul Caravan #69
Alma Dalinsky – 147 Afghans—Valencia #138
Barbara Cunningham –66 Afghans --Valencia #138
Toni Vandenberk – 66 Afghans—Algarva #168
Jackie Paton – 65 Afghans—Galica #77
Betty Hanzely—58 Afghans—Abba Koval #200
Judy Kielb—25 Afghans—Denia #196
Linda Kelleher –16 Afghans—Galicia #77
Sandy Mihalic – 8 Afghans—Galicia #77
Linda Baumbach—7 Afghans-- Abba Koval #200
Linda Born—3 Afghans—Denia #196
Joyce Jaji—1 Afghan—Denia #196
Jessica Vostoris—1 Afghan—Detroit, MI
Donations:
05/26/2011 Home Office - $500.00
9/26/2011 Home Office - $600.00
01/14/2012 Home Office – $140.89 UPS charges of 16 Afghans to Quebec Canada
02/13/2012 Home Office - $400.00
Thank you Sultana Sandy Mihalic for the donation of the bags we use to distribute Afghans.
Thank you Amy Avila for the continued donation of Postage and Yarn.
Expenses for 2011:
Postage: $645.31
Yarn: $784.45
SD William “Onion” & Sultana Betty Nicholls
727 E. Bernhard Ave
Hazel Park, MI 48030-2222
[phone]
The Alhambran 8
Regional News
Region I Region II
(CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) (NJ, NY, PA)
Supreme Director: Thomas Wall Supreme Director: Patrick Umbra, Jr.
52 Edgewater Rd. 163 S. Washington St.
Hull, MA 02045-2716 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-2917
(H) 781-925-0609 (C) 617-984-9533 (H) 570-822-3597
[email protected] [email protected]
By Connie Murphy, Region One Pro-Life Chairman:
Alhamar Caravan # 4 Incorporated Wilkes Barre, PA
Paul S. Makuch Grand Commander
We Alhambrans have an obligation to try to stop ALL abortions. This is true
because in addition to being Catholics and Alhambrans, we are also human beings.
On April 11, 2012 Alhamar will honor Raymond A. Metzo Jr. Immediate Past
Grand Commander following the regular meeting.
Later in this article I will attempt to prove why this is so.
The by-law review committee was set.
On January 23, my Sultana Cathleen and I joined with an estimated half-million
Cordova Caravan # 26 Incorporated Buffalo, NY
people in Washington, DC to demonstrate against the horror which is abortion.
Dr. William M. Smith Grand Commander
Unless you were there or unless you watched EWTN or read pro-life publications,
One of our leading Caravan’s in the Order is changing their meetings to twice
you would not have heard about such a tremendous outpouring of humanity.
a month and continues with their monthly newsletters kudos’s to the Grand
Commanders.
Another reason not to depend on the secular media for information.. These thousands
were not marching for anything that will benefit themselves, but as the Liberals say
Sultana Marilyn Robinson Chairman project suggestions for lent; Pray for God’s
“for the children.” Remember even in the womb an unborn baby is still a child.
healing power to touch the lives of the people you love and know. Also pray
for physical healing; pray for emotional & mental healing; pray for healing of
In order to prove what I said in the first paragraph is correct, I will quote briefly
relationships; pray for moral & spiritual healing and pray for our special people
from Blessed John Paul II’s “Human Life and the Splendor of Christ.”
and the unborn. Use this list in your morning and evening prayers. Just imagine
what all of our prayers can do collectively. What a way to start and finish Lent.
“The teaching of the Church in our day is placed in a social and cultural context
Great article Mrs. Robinson!
which renders it more difficult to understand and yet more urgent and irreplaceable
for promoting the true good of men and women.
Aurora Caravan #55 Clifton, NJ

Frank Coccaro Grand Commander
Some ask themselves if it is a good thing to be alive or if it would be better to have
not been born; they doubt therefore if it is right to bring others into life when perhaps
Annual Halloween Party picture attached on Page 12.
they will curse their existence in a cruel world with unforeseeable terrors. Others
consider themselves to be the only ones for whom the advantages of technology are
Jaen Caravan #131 Butler, PA
intended and they exclude others by imposing on the contraceptives or other worse
Timothy J. Cammisa Grand Commander
means.
In lieu of a February meeting, Jean 131 celebrated their Founder’s Day. This
Still others imprisoned in a consumer mentality and whose sole concern is to bring
was Sunday February 5 at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Building, in the
about a continual growth of material goods, finish by ceasing to understand, and
Auditorium. The mass, led by Father Ritzert, took place at 10:00 am and then
thus refusing, the spiritual riches of a new human life.
adjourned across the street to Valley Dairy for breakfast. Family and friends are
always invited for this event.
The Church, and that includes all Alhambrans, is called upon to manifest anew to
everyone with clear and strong conviction, her will to promote life by every means
Supreme Director says go back to two meetings a month and put it in your by-
and to defend it against all attacks in whatever condition or state of development
laws. Continue monthly newsletters especially with e-mails to keep the cost
it is found.”
down. Make sure you set a committee of three for membership, Chairman and
two Co-chairman plus a few on committee and at least one or two would go to
In Massachusetts, we will be voting next November on whether or not physician-
the K of C degrees and events trying to attain membership in the Alhambra, all
assisted suicide will be legal as it unfortunately is already in Oregon.
membership brochures are available at headquarters. Please send me something
about what you need for your caravan’s and what activities your doing. We will
If it passes, you can rest assured that you could be on the list of candidates for an
try our best to help keep the Caravan’s grow in all aspects of charitable giving.
untimely death because your state could be next.
Thank you!
Thankfully the majority of doctors in Massachusetts have voted against supporting
the Bill.
The Alhambran 9
Regional News
Region III Region IV
(MD, VA, DC, DE, NC, SC, WV) (FL, LA, MS, AL, AR, GA, PR)
Supreme Director: Michael Stakem Supreme Director: Jim Rigby
828 Camden Ave. 188 Acacia Ave
Cumberland, MD 21502-2605 Biloxi, MS 39530-3307
(H) 301-777-8336 (C) 301-697-6707 (H)228-435-5583 (F) 228-374-1556
[email protected] [email protected]
Alcala #16 - According to GC Tony Ozarowski, the caravan is still active Superbowl is over and so is Mardi Gras here on the Gulf Coast. Each
with their meetings being held at the Williamsburg Inn on Rt. 40. Alcala has caravan should have also just completed a Founders Day event. I
recently made two substantial donations to two schools for the intellectually remember many years ago when I forgot to send my mother a birthday
disabled card for her special day. I had to send her a belated birthday card in
order to get out of trouble. I hope the same thing holds true for our
Padul #69 - Founders Day events. If we have held our event, GREAT! If not, it’s
better late than never. Better late than never must not be such a strange
February 16 - A Divan and caravan meeting was held with a dinner following thing since Hallmark still makes belated Birthday Cards. I suspect that
at the VFW. a belated Founders Day event would be acceptable, maybe it would be a
nice challenge to sponsor an Alhambra Initiation – in honor our founder
February 19 - The annual Founders Day Mass was held at Holy Trinity William Harper Bennett, you know, as perhaps a belated Founders Day
Church. A breakfast followed at the Knights of Columbus. event. After all, it has now been 109 years ago since we got our first
start. The more people we get involved with Alhambra the more we can
February 25 & 26 - Padul Caravan participated in a church collection at St. do for our Special Needs people.
Gregory’s Church.
Lately, I found out that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
March 17 - ST. PADDY’S DAY - The members of Padul will participate in is forcing states to de-institulize our Special Needs people from the
the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Wouldn’t it be great to see Ed Fiorella group homes that many are presently in and are requiring them to be
leading the parade! placed into smaller settings of three or four people to a home. The
DOJ are also encouraging these homes to be in local communities with
Wamba #89 - Wamba caravan does it right with their enthusiastic approach no visible signs of special needs required. As we are able to recruit
in recruiting new members. Wamba has 19 new brown tassel members and is more members, we have the opportunities to increase our circles of
planning a major ceremonial in the very near future. Any caravan is welcome influence. As we increase our circles of influence we can then network
to participate and enjoy Wamba’s great hospitality. better and help find the contacts to assist in acquiring some of these
homes whether by purchasing existing ones or building new ones. Isn’t
Wamba has their version of March Madness. From project chairman, that part of what we are supposed to be about?
tournament directors, committee chairpersons to an energetic group of Sir
Nobles and Sultanas who come together as one to produce the Hooley Plunge During the past couple of months members of Region IV have been
and the 52nd Annual Alhambra Catholic Invitation Tournament. busy. Members from Darro have been visiting with some of their
members who have been sick and hospitalized as well as remembering
those who have recently died. Members from Cortez have been also
I would like to request your prayers for the soul of the last surviving Charter making contact with members and the families of members who
Member of Wamba Caravan #89, SN Frank R. Hiner. Frank passed away on have been hospitalized and are shut-ins. They have also been on a
December 6, 2011 from complications from Parkinson Disease. Frank was a membership recruitment campaign with an initiation coming up in the
member of the Alhambra for 58 years. May he rest in peace. near future. Members from Diego recently held an Irish Concert with
the profits going to help with the good works Diego does all year. This
concert also showed off some of the musical talents from some of the
February 4 - Caravan meeting and Brown Tassel Ceremony was held. Special Needs people of the area. Members from Oran held a Founders
Day Mass in which the Bishop Emeritus from the Biloxi Diocese con-
February 16 - Divan meeting celebrated with Msgr. Francis Farrell from Our Lady of Fatima Parish
in Biloxi. Following the Mass all of the members and their families
March 2 - Caravan sets up for the Hooley Plunge beginning at 9:00 a.m. retired to one of the local restaurants for the caravan’s monthly dinner
meeting at which the Bishop joined them and the new Caravan Banner
(Continued on Page 16) was displayed.. The region also took up a Super Bowl fund raiser to
help defray the costs of the good works the region does.
The Alhambran 10